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Reflection on 2 Corinthians 13:1-13

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xamine_yourselves

Scripture

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Observation

Paul will be coming to Corinth for the third time, and he warns them he will not be lenient with the people who continue to live in persistent sin.

Christ is not weak in dealing with sin. Although He was crucified in weakness, He now lives in the power of God.

We must test ourselves to see whether we are living in faith. We must examine ourselves to see if Christ is in us and that we are living in the truth.

Finally Paul encourages the Corinthians to love one another and live in peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with them.

Application

It is very easy to fall prey to deception, to think we are doing well when we are not. Sin creeps in so easily.

We need to regularly ask ourselves, “Am I really living in Christ, and He in me?”

Our hearts and minds must continue to be open to correction by the Holy Spirit so that sin, wrong motives and the tricks of the enemy can be rooted out. Only then can we walk in the full measure of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and examine my heart. Reveal to me anything that is not of you and give me grace to get rid of it. Amen.

Reflection on Genesis 1:1-2:4

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13289058615_ea0afd2033_m

Scripture

God saw everything he had made and it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Observation

In the beginning is God, and He commences His work of creation. What starts off as being formless and chaotic becomes ordered and productive.

Over a period of six days, by His creative word, God commands all things into existence, including people.

God’s verdict at the end of His work is that it is very good.

Finally God rests, and in doing so, He creates the Sabbath.

Application

At the heart of all creation is the hallmark of a God who is good. The creation which God makes is very good, although after sin enters the world chaos once again threatens to engulf God’s world.

Everything that is not the Lord is created by Him, and is therefore less than Him. We are a part of His creation and so we are not gods even if we sometimes think we are. The gods which people worship are also less than God- whether we think of creation, idols or crystals. These things are all subject to the God who reigns over all things.

Prayer

Father, you made all things in six days, and you continue to hold all things together. Please help me to give you true worship and surrender myself to you. Amen.

Reflection on John 20:19-23

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Scripture

When he had said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Observation

Jesus appears to the disciples (minus Thomas) and at night time. The disciples are meeting in a locked room out of fear of the Jewish leaders.

Jesus greets them and shows them His wounds. He commissions them and breathes on them to impart the Holy Spirit. Those whom they forgive will be forgiven.

Application

It was a dark and fearful time for the disciples until they knew that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Jesus comes to them bringing hope, joy and the Holy Spirit. Everything changes.

The Holy Spirit is given for the mission of the church. He propels us into the world- Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth- taking the message of forgiveness and grace to all people.

Prayer

Lord, you send out your people into the world. Where are you sending me? May I walk in the grace and the power of the Holy Spirit today. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 12:1-13

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spiritual-gifts-are-not-natural-talents

Scripture

All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

Observation

The Holy Spirit honours Christ, so nobody under the Spirit’s influence will say “Jesus be cursed.”

There are many gifts and services in the church, but it is the Holy Spirit who directs and activates them. Although these gifts are diverse, they are all given by the same Spirit.

The gifts are like different parts of the body. Regardless of where we come from or our social standing, the Spirit is poured out on each person for the sake of the body of Christ.

Application

The Spirit manifests through every person who is a follower of Jesus. We don’t get to pick and choose which of these manifestations we prefer- it is all at the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Some of these gifts are for revelation- words of knowledge and wisdom, discernment of spirits. Some of them are for speaking with- tongues and interpretation, prophecy. Other gifts are for action- faith, miracles and healing.

To be used by the Spirit we need to be listening to the Spirit and ready to do what He directs us to do.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and fill me. Help me to hear you and to partner with you in your mighty, holy works. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 2:1-21

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Pentecost-of-many-tongues

Scripture

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability.

Observation

The disciples are together on the Day of Pentecost. Suddenly there is a sound like a rushing wind and fiery tongues c

 

Reflection on 1 Peter 5:1-14

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lion

Scripture

Discipline yourselves and keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.

Observation

Peter exhorts elders to tend their flocks willingly. They must be examples for the flock. This way when Christ returns they will win a crown of glory.

We must humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, casting all our cares and anxieties on Him.

The devil prowls around looking to devour us, but if we stay alert and resist him, God will restore, support, strengthen and establish us.

Application

It is essential to discern the habits and methods of the devil. We must not become either complacent or obsessed. We must be vigilant, however, or satan will pull us down.

Peter tells us to watch, be disciplined and resist. These activities are essential if we are to overcome the evil one.

To be disciplined means that we focus on doing the right things even when we may prefer not to- things like prayer, Bible reading and worship.

To resist means that we stand up to temptation when it comes, instead of buckling at the first opportunity.

As we learn to focus on God’s will for our lives instead of following the path of least resistance, we will find that God strengthens us and establishes us in Him.

Prayer

Father please show me how to live a life that is pleasing to you and grant me the strength to resist temptation. Amen.

Reflection on Psalm 68:1-10

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89a27-psalm98praise

Let God arise

His enemies be scattered

Like smoke before the wind.

Let God’s foes disappear.

You, O God, protect the weak

You love the poor and the orphans

Let those who sneer at you

Consider the work of your hands.

O God turn your enemies to friends

Confound and convince those who oppose you

Let godless thoughts be exposed

And unholy philosophies refuted.

Reflection on Acts 1:6-14

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ascension

Scripture

He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”

Observation

The disciples ask Jesus if He is about to restore Israel. But Jesus replies that this is not for them to know. They must wait for the Holy Spirit who will give them the power to be witnesses even to the ends of the earth.

Then Jesus is taken up to heaven. Two angels appear and tell the disciples that Jesus will return in the same way that He has left.

After this, they return to the city to the room where they are staying. There they continue to pray and wait.

Application

Jesus’ words here remind us of the danger of theological speculation. It isn’t wrong to wonder about the future kingdom, but it can distract us from the main job which if to be witnesses to Jesus under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus will return, but in the meantime there is a gospel to preach to the nations.

There is an order to this. We must first receive the Holy Spirit and then go out. No Spirit- no power.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and fill me. Lead me to those people who need to know Jesus and speak through me.

Amen.

Reflection on John 14:15-21

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paraclete

Scripture

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

Observation

Jesus tells His disciples that their love for Him will be shown by their obedience to Him.

Jesus will ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit, another Advocate, who will never leave them.

The Holy Spirit will lead them into all truth and will never leave them. The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit because it doesn’t want Him.

When Jesus is raised, they will know that He and the Father are one.

Application

Jesus’ promise is that the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will come and continue Jesus’ work in His followers.

Following Jesus means more than a particular spirituality or religious tradition. The true followers of Jesus are those who obey His commandments.

If we say we love Jesus but continue to sin we are deceiving ourselves.

Likewise, we cannot claim to have the Holy Spirit if we live unholy lives.

To love Jesus is to obey Him.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and fill every part of my life. Show me those things that I do which are not obedient to Christ. May I love you more and obey you more. Amen.