bible

Reflection on 1 Peter 3:11-22

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Scripture

But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth where righteousness is at home.

Observation

The earth will pass away on the day of the Lord, so we need to live lives of holiness and godliness. While we actively await these things, we strive to be at peace and without spot or blemish.

Paul has written about these things also, but some twist his teachings for their own aims and to their own destruction. We need to ensure that we are not ensnared by those who are lawless. Instead, we must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.

Application

The knowledge that Jesus is coming back should turn us outward not inward. Some people pore over Scriptures trying foolishly to determine the date and manner of His return.

Rather than this striving for intellectual knowledge we should be aiming for holiness. To be ready for His coming, we need to be without spot or blemish in our character and daily life.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I know you will return and the heavens and the earth will be re-created. Please help me to be ready for that wonderful day. Amen.

Albert Mohler- Why So Many Churches Hear So Little of the Bible

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Why So Many Churches Hear So Little of the Bible

WEDNESDAY • May 14, 2014

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“It is well and good for the preacher to base his sermon on the Bible, but he better get to something relevant pretty quickly, or we start mentally to check out.” That stunningly clear sentence reflects one of the most amazing, tragic, and lamentable characteristics of contemporary Christianity: an impatience with the Word of God.

The sentence above comes from Mark Galli, senior managing editor of Christianity Today in an essay entitled, “Yawning at the Word.” In just a few hundred words, he captures the tragedy of a church increasingly impatient with and resistant to the reading and preaching of the Bible. We may wince when we read him relate his recent experiences, but we also recognize the ring of truth.

Galli was told to cut down on the biblical references in his sermon. “You’ll lose people,” the staff member warned. In a Bible study session on creation, the teacher was requested to come back the next Sunday prepared to take questions at the expense of reading the relevant scriptural texts on the doctrine. Cutting down on the number of Bible verses “would save time and, it was strongly implied, would better hold people’s interest.”

As Galli reflected, “Anyone who’s been in the preaching and teaching business knows these are not isolated examples but represent the larger reality.”

Indeed, in many churches there is very little reading of the Bible in worship, and sermons are marked by attention to the congregation’s concerns, not by an adequate attention to the biblical text. The exposition of the Bible has given way to the concerns, real or perceived, of the listeners. The authority of the Bible is swallowed up in the imposed authority of congregational concerns.

Read the full article here

Reflection on Acts 17:16-31

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athens

Scripture

The Lord who made the world and everything in it, he who is the Lord of heaven, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath to all things.”

Observation
In Athens, Paul is distressed by all the idols he sees everywhere. He argues with Jews in the synagogue and debates with Gentiles in the marketplace.
Paul says to them that he can see that their religious practices including an altar to an unknown god. Paul says that this unknown god is too big to be housed in a shrine and does not need humans to serve Him. He made the earth and all people and will judge them for their sins. But salvation is found in the man whom God appointed and raised from the dead.
Some scoff at the idea of the resurrection, but others become believers.

Application
Religion is hopeless to save people.
The Athenians were amongst the most religious people in the world with idols and shrines all over the city, but they still needed a Saviour.
Today people are religious in all kinds of ways and about all kinds of things Muslims, Hindus, New Agers, crystal devotees.
Religion will not forgive your sins.
But Jesus will.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for your salvation. Eternity does not depend on me being good enough, but only on the Blood of Jesus. Hallelujah!

Jon Bloom- Ten Reasons to Memorize Big Chunks of the Bible

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Ten Reasons to Memorize Big Chunks of the Bible

May 16, 2014 

Ten Reasons to Memorize Big Chunks of the Bible

You can memorize big chunks, even books, of the Bible. Unless you’re part of the very small percentage of us who’ve suffer from a traumatic brain injury or stroke or disability, you really can. And you should. But why should you?

1. Because you have a bad memory.

Don’t say you can’t memorize because you have a bad memory. That’s why you need to memorize. I have a bad memory too. I think it’s worse than average — seriously. I forget names of people I know and see regularly! I have to force my faulty, inefficient brain to drive things that matter most into my long-term memory. This only happens by the process of repeating (memorizing) every day over a period of time. You’d be surprised what you can commit to memory if you have a simple system and put forth some effort. I’ve memorized five New Testament books and am working on my sixth. And that’s because I have a bad memory.

Read the full article here

Reflection on John 14:1-14

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Follow Me

Scripture

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Observation

This is at the Last Supper.

Jesus reassures His disciples. There is enough room in the Father’s house and Jesus is going to prepare their place.

Thomas says, “We don’t know where you are going or how to get there.”

Jesus replies, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus tells him that He and the Father are one- to see Jesus is to see the Father.

Application

There is only one way to the Father and that is Jesus. Our culture wants to believe that all religions are equivalent and lead to the same destination. Jesus says, He is the only way.

There is no compromise here. If you want a place in heaven, Jesus is the only way to get there.

Muslims without Jesus will not see heaven.

Hindus without Jesus will not see heaven.

Buddhists without Jesus will not see heaven.

Atheists without Jesus will not see heaven.

My neighbour without Jesus will not see heaven.

We must pray and share our faith to see people saved. Jesus is their only hope.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for saving me. I pray that those people close to me who do not know you will come to salvation in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Peter 2:1-10

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living-stones

Scripture

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Observation

We are to get rid of all sinful behaviour. Instead, we are to crave the pure spiritual milk that will grow us into maturity.

We are living stones in the Temple of which Christ is the cornerstone. Those who trust Him recognise the honour that God has given Him, but those who reject Him stumble because they refuse to obey God’s word.

But we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.

Application

We have been saved from sin- not just its consequences but its reality. That means that sin no longer has power to hold us captive.

We are always subject to temptation in this life, and at times we will fall. But this is not an excuse to hold on to the ways of sin. As holy people we must learn to live holy lives- lives dedicated to a holy God.

This is impossible in our own strength. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit, He will change our sinful ways to holy ways.

Prayer

Lord, today I cry out to you for that pure spiritual milk. Feed me on what is holy. Transform me into that pure person you designed me to be, totally submitted to you. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 7:55-60

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Carracci,_Annibale_-_The_Stoning_of_St_Stephen_-_1603-04

Scripture

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus sitting in the place of honour at God’s right hand.

Observation

Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin. At the end of his testimony, the Jewish leaders are enraged. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, sees the glory of God. He tells them, “I see the Son of Man at God’s right hand.”

The leaders drag Stephen off to be stoned. The accusers give their coats to Saul to be minded.

As they stone him, Stephen calls out to Jesus to receive his spirit and then, as he dies, for mercy for his killers.

Application

The gospel upsets people for all kinds of reasons. Some don’t want to be confronted by sin, others don’t want to be confronted by grace, and still others fear that the gospel will somehow stop them from making money from sin.

While we should not go looking for opposition or persecution, we should not be surprised when it comes.

Even so, we need to remain gracious to those who oppose us, seeking to bring them to a knowledge of Jesus.

Prayer

Father, give grace to all who are facing death or violence because of their love for you. May their tormentors be moved by your love. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Peter 1:17-25

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crosses

Scripture

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last for ever because it comes from the eternal living word of God.

Observation

Our heavenly Father will judge us by our deeds because He paid a precious ransom to save us from our empty life. The ransom was not mere silver or gold but the precious blood of Christ. We have come to trust in Christ through faith because of the resurrection.

We were cleansed from our sins and must now show love for one another. We have been born again to eternal life.

Application

God’s salvation is awesome in its scope, but we find it so easy to take for granted.

Peter reminds us that we were born again for eternity. Death no longer has a hold over us. We will live for ever.

Our salvation was bought at a tremendous price. The blood of the spotless Lamb of God was poured out to set us free from sin.

If we are to honour God’s grace in saving us, we will want to live out a different life- a life marked by holiness and love.

Prayer

Lord Jesus you are the spotless Lamb of God and you purchased my salvation. Thank you for setting me free from the works of sin. Let me honour you with every word and deed. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 2:36-41

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JanStyka-SaintPeter

Scripture

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent and turn to God, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Observation

While preaching to the crowd, Peter tells them that Jesus whom they crucified is in fact the Messiah. People are cut to the quick and ask Peter what they should do. Peter tells them they need to repent and turn to God.

The promise of the Holy Spirit is for everyone, even the Gentiles.

Peter continues to urge them to receive the gift of salvation. After all this, 3000 people repent and are baptised.

Application

Our sins- MY sins- crucified Jesus. I am responsible for Christ’s death on the cross.

His promise is still available to all who turn to Jesus- salvation the the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

My sins are my responsibility before God. So is my salvation! Everyone must ask Jesus to forgive them.

Nobody is too far from God’s grace to be saved. Nobody is too hard, too sinful or too evil to be accepted by God.

Prayer

Thank you Father for your great salvation and for your love poured out for me. Amen.