bible

Reflection on 1 John 5:1-6

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1 john

Scripture

Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.

Observation

If you believe in Jesus, you are a child of God and you will want to love God’s children.

If you love God, you will keep His commandments, but this is not a burden because we obey from our love of God.

Every child of God defeats the world through faith. In fact, only those who have faith in Christ will defeat the world.

Application

Following Jesus involves a change in our lifestyle because of our love for God. I love the Lord and do not want to displease Him and so I do what He wants me to do, I do this from a motivation of love and so this is not a burden.

The people of the world cannot defeat the power of the world, but those who follow Jesus will. It is our faith- our unwavering trust in Him- that allows us to live in victory over sin and temptation.

Prayer

Lord, my sins and failings a re always before me. Thank you for the assurance that as I trust in you I will become more like you. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 10:44-48

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Scripture

Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message.

Observation
Peter is talking to the the people in Cornelius’ household.

As Peter shares the gospel with them, the Holy Spirit falls on all who are listening and they begin to speak in tongues and praise God. The Jewish believers with Peter are amazed at this.

Since these Gentile believers have been baptised in the Holy Spirit, Peter arranges for them to be baptised in water. He then stays with Cornelius for several days.

Application
God keeps breaking out of the box religion tries to keep Him restrained in.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on “all flesh.” In the Old Testament it had been just the prophets, priests and kings who received the Holy Spirit. In the church age, the Holy Spirit is for everyone, even those who are not Jews.

When somebody receives the Holy Spirit, we know they must be born again- even if they don’t fit our picture of what a christian should look like.

Prayer
Holy Spirit, come and fill me to overflowing. Amen.

Reflection on John 15:1-8

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wet-grapes1

Scripture

“I am the true grape vine, and my Father is the gardener.”

Observation

Jesus is the true vine. The Father is the gardener who cuts off unproductive branches and prunes the fruitful ones so that they will be even more fruitful.

If we remain in Christ, He will remain in us. The only way to be fruitful is to remain in Him.

He is the vine, we are the branches. If we remain in Him, and His words remain in us, we can ask for anything and know it will be granted.

Application

Jesus is the true vine, the real “Israel.” He is the life of the people of God.

To have spiritual life means we have to be connected into Him. When His personality and words flow through our lives then we can ask for anything and have our prayers answered because we are praying in accordance with His will.

My responsibility is to stay close to the Lord, filling my heart and mind with Him and His word.

Then I will be fruitful.

Prayer

Lord please help me to stay connected to you, the true source of eternal life. Without you I can do nothing of lasting value. Amen.

Reflection on 1 John 4:7-21

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Scripture

God showed how much he loves us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love- not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Observation
We must continue to love one another. If we do not love we do not know God. God’s love for us is seen in His Son. He loved us and sent His Son to die for our sins.

If we confess that Jesus is the Son of God we live in God. God is love. As we live in God our love grows more perfect. His command is that those who love God must love their brother and sister.

Application
God’s love is as big and as perfect as God Himself for God is love.

When Jesus was asked to summarise the whole of the Jewish Law, it came down to two thing- love God and love your neighbour.

Now John tells us that if we do not love others we do not know God who is love. Of course, like all of life, this is a growth process- our love becomes more perfect as we grow closer to God.

Prayer
Lord help me to know you more and to grow in your love. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 8:26-40

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Scripture

Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Observation
An angel of the Lord sends Philip along the desert road. Along the way, he sees an Ethiopian eunuch travelling in a chariot. The Holy Spirit tells Philip to go to the chariot.

The eunuch is reading from the scriptures, so Philip explains to him the way of salvation.

They come to some water and the eunuch asks to be baptised. As they come out of the water, the Holy Spirit transports Philip to the town of Azotus.

Application
Philip listens to divine guidance and, as a result, one man is saved and the gospel goes into Africa.

It is so important to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and to be obedient. We trust in our own human abilities and programmes far too much.

Sensitivity and obedience to the Holy Spirit accomplish far more than any human activity by itself.

Prayer
Lord, please teach me to listen to you. Help me to hear that still small voice and to obey you when you direct me. Amen.

Reflection on 1 John 3:16-24

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Scripture

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Observation

Jesus is our example in love. He laid down His life for us so we should do the same for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. If we have possession but have no pity on our brother who has nothing then we don’t have the love of God in us. Our love must be not just words but active love.

If our hearts are at peace with God then we can have confidence before God. We can ask Him for anything because we obey Him. God’s command to us it to believe in Him and to love our brothers and sisters.

Application

Love is the mark of the true follower of Jesus. Jesus loved us to the point of laying down His life for us. Our love for our christian brothers and sisters should be the same kind of love.

Real love is practical and not just a theory. Whatever we have that can be shared with our fellow believers must be shared freely. If we have spare cash let’s share with those who have none. If we have skills and talents let us share with those who can use our help.

Love directs our focus outwards from ourselves and our immediate circle to all who need the love of Christ.

Prayer

Father please show me who needs a practical expression of your love today. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 4:1-12

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Scripture

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Observation
Following the healing of the lame man, the priests and other leaders come to confront Peter and John. They are disturbed that they are preaching the resurrection of the dead through Jesus. They arrest them and put them in gaol overnight.

The council convenes and demands that Peter and John explain by what power they have done this deed.

Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly declares that the man was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ who was crucified and whom God raised from the dead.

Peter concludes, “There is salvation in no one else!”

Application
People look for salvation, healing, wholeness and fulfilment in all sorts of places.

But as Peter boldly declared, there is salvation only in the name of Jesus Christ.

The name of Jesus is powerful. We are saved in His name. We are healed in His name. Satan flees before His name.

There is no other name, no other way to be saved, but the name of Jesus.

Why would you want any other way?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, your name is the highest of names. Please remind me to call constantly on you in every circumstance. Amen.

Reflection on 1 John 3:1-7

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Scripture

Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

Observation
Our Father loves us and calls us His children. We are already God’s children, but we do not yet know what we will be like when Christ returns.

Christ is pure, and so we should keep ourselves pure. To sin is to break God’s Law. Jesus came to take away our sins, and if we live in Him we will not sin.

Application
Following Jesus means that we learn to live from a place of love.

God’s love is not a sentimental thing that overlooks our sin. God’s love is pure and as we look to Him we find our lives reflecting that.

People who love Jesus do not habitually sin. We allow the Holy Spirit to speak to our conscience and we receive His grace to put our sins to death.

Prayer
Jesus you are pure. Thank you that you are transforming me to be more like you. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 3:12-19

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Scripture

“Repent of your sins and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped away.”

Observation
Peter and John have healed a lame man near the temple gate. The people are in uproar as they recognise the man leaping and praising God.

Peter seizes the opportunity to address the crowd. He asks them why they are so astonished at God healing a man.

This is not done by the power of a man but by Jesus, the one the crowds had rejected, was crucified and is now alive.

Faith in the name of Jesus healed the man. Now they must put their faith in Jesus and repent in order to have their sins wiped away.

Application
Peter and John healed the man by the Name of Jesus. The Name that brings healing of the body also brings forgiveness of sins.

It is all about Jesus. My life must glorify the Name of Jesus.

Forgiveness of sins is in Jesus

Healing is in Jesus.

Grace is in Jesus.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on you, allowing you to be glorified in me. Amen.