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Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

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Scripture

For you know that I dealt with each of you as a father deals with his children.

Observation

Paul worked day and night in order to support himself and not be a burden to anyone while he preached the gospel among them.

He was righteous and blameless. He was like a father to the church, encouraging, comforting and exhorting each person to live lives worthy of God’s kingdom.

Application

Paul very much gave his heart to the church at Thessalonica. He describes himself like a mother (v. 7) and now like a father to them.

We all need spiritual fathers and mothers to help us grow into maturity in Christ. The kingdom is totally relational in character, rather than hierarchical or institutional.

Spiritual fathers will give their hearts to us, leading us into places of healing and restoration.

We need to give our hearts to our fathers also, loving and encouraging them in return.

No matter how far we progress in the life of the Spirit, there will always be people who can teach, mentor and encourage us on the journey.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for the spiritual fathers in my life. Help me to grow and mature under their care, and to reach out to others who might need me ti be a father to them. Amen.

Reflection on Psalm 107:1-9

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Give thanks to the Lord

All you redeemed ones

Praise the Lord.

He brought you through deserts of

Sin and destruction

To the place of life and joy.

–

Yes Lord I love you

Jesus you saved me

On that cross you died

You redeemed me

Set me free

For eternity.

–

The desert trapped me

No way out.

The heat of hell burnt my soul.

Your living water

Revived me

Washed me

Reflection on Joshua 3:7-17

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Scripture

The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

Observation

The Lord tells Joshua that He is going to cause people to respect Joshua in the same way that they had respected Moses.

The plan is that the priests who carry the ark of the covenant are to step into the Jordan, which is in flood, and the Lord will cause the water to stop flowing.

As soon as they do this, the Jordan stops flowing. The priests stand on dry ground and the whole nation passes over safely.

Application

In some ways this is very much a new take on crossing the Red Sea. Just as Moses needed the Lord to part the waters so the people could pass through to safety, so Joshua needs the Lord to stop a flooding river so they can safely cross.

The ark of the covenant is the symbol of the presence of the Lord. It is the Lord’s presence that repels the forces which oppose Israel.

We also need the presence of the Lord- the manifest Holy Spirit- to enable us to achieve God’s purposes. Just praying isn’t enough. We have to walk in the reality of God with us, the Holy Spirit directing and empowering us.

This can only happen through daily time of fellowshipping with God, surrendering to Him and welcoming His presence.

Prayer

Father teach me how to enter the Holy Place of worship, praise and intercession so that I am able to walk in the confidence of your presence. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 22:34-46

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Scripture

No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Observation

The Pharisees ask Jesus what is the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus replies that there are two- love God and love your neighbour. Everything else depends on these two.

Jesus then asks them a loaded question: Whose son is the Christ? They answer “The son of David.” But Jesus then says, “How is that David calls him ‘Lord’?”

They could not answer this, and no one dared to ask Jesus any more trick questions from that day.

Application

You can’t fight God. It should be obvious, but many struggle against Him all their life.

The wisdom of the Lord is breath-taking. Every time people tried to pull Jesus down with clever words, He would spin it back at them.

If we follow Jesus and submit ourselves to His ways we will have the wisdom of the Creator on our side. If we resist Jesus we resist life by resisting God.

The choice is obvious.

Prayer

Father I praise you for your great wisdom. You know how our lives best work. Please help me to listen to you in everything I do. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

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Scripture

As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her children.

Observation

Paul recounts his ministry in Thessalonica. He has come to them with the gospel. His motives were pure, as all he wanted to do was to please God rather than people.

As an apostle he could have been a imposed himself on the church. Instead he was gentle like a mother caring for her little children, sharing his whole life with them.

Application

The mark of true apostles is gentleness. This is not to be confused with weakness, as those called apostles today and in the past, are strong personalities, They are not afraid to correct error but always in love for the church.

Any form of christian leadership or ministry that does not have the fruit of the Spirit manifested in it is false leadership or, at the very least, immature leadership.

Christians must never think the ends justify the means, that is that harming people to achieve a good outcome is allowable. Jesus told us that we must be wise as serpents but gentle as doves. The goals and directions we set must build others up not tear them down.

Prayer

Father, may I be an example to others of what it means to follow Christ. May the Spirit of Christ be obvious in all that I do for you. Amen.

Reflection on Deuteronomy 34:1-12

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Tissot_Moses_Sees_the_Promised_Land_from_Afar

Scripture

For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the mighty deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Observation

Moses pronounces blessings on all the tribes of Israel and then climbs Mount Nebo. There the Lord shows him all the land He has promised to the people of Israel.

Moses dies there and the Lord Himself buries him, but no one has ever found the grave.

Joshua is filled with the spirit of wisdom, and the people accept him as Moses’ successor. No prophet has since been as powerful as Moses, nor has anyone performed the mighty deeds of Moses.

Application

Moses was exceptional in his fellowship with the Lord, meeting with Him face to face like a friend. He performed matchless acts of power and passionately pursued intimacy with God.

What God did in Moses, He will do in each of us. He has given us all the Holy Spirit. The Spirit dwells in every believer and releases His power in response to our need and our faith.

We don’t have to seek the Lord on special mountains because His Presence is always with us. As we surrender our hearts and minds to God, we will see mighty miracles take place.

Prayer

Holy Spirit thank you for the knowledge that you are with me. Help me to surrender entirely to you. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 22:15-22

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Scripture

Then He said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

Observation

The Pharisees and Herodians hatch a plot to trap Jesus with His words. They start with flattery before springing the trap: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?”

Jesus sees their evil intent, knowing that whichever way He answers will lead to trouble, either from the Roman authorities or the people.

He shows them a coin, asking whose portrait and inscription it bears. “Caesar’s”, they reply. He tells them to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is due to God

Application

Jesus has a way of cutting through arguments, traps and paradoxes to get to the heart of issues.

In this case the issue is not about courting popularity and political clout, as the Pharisees and Herodians thought.

The issue, as is so often the case, is about where our heart priorities are.

The coins bear Caesar’s portrait and inscription, so he has the right to as many of them as he wants..

But people have been created in God’s image and bear God’s inscription, so we belong to Him.

Sure, pay your taxes. At the end of the day, that is all the government is entitled to. But give God your whole life. He made you and He deserves you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please show me what I am holding back from you and help me to give everything I am to your service. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

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Scripture

We continually remember before our God and Father

     your work produced by faith

     your labour prompted by love

     and your endurance inspire by hope

     in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation

Paul is continually praying for the church at Thessalonica, as he does for many such churches.

The gospel came to them, not just with words but in power, the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.

The Thessalonians are legendary for the depth of their conversion from idolatry to serving the living and true God.

Application

What an awesome church this must have been! When Paul came to preach to them, they received the gospel with deep conviction. They repented from idolatry and served the living God. They took the message everywhere. Signs, wonders and salvations were occurring regularly.

This is not to say that the church was without flaws. However, they were deeply committed to following the way of Jesus and many people were impacted.

The challenge for us is to imitate their behaviour, letting the word of our testimony and the power of the Holy Spirit flow out from us to the world.

Prayer

May I be thoroughly converted Lord, with every gram of my being dedicated to you. Amen.