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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.

Reflection on 1 Peter 1:1-9

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a-living-hope-1-peter-1

Scripture

The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Observation
God knew us and chose us from long ago, and His Spirit makes us holy. For this reason we have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
It is by the mercy of God that we have been born again. Now we have an inheritance kept for us in heaven where nothing can spoil it. Meanwhile God is protecting us until that last day when all will see the mystery of salvation.
We must rejoice, despite any trials that we go through. Trials strengthen our faith. If we keep trusting in Jesus we truly will be saved.

Application
It is an awesome thought that God chose us before we were born. He is the one who brings us to the place of salvation.
Because my salvation is in His hands, it does not depend on me or even on my faith. God will protect me and give me the faith to overcome, if I trust Him for that,
The key is to always look to Jesus in good times and in trials. If we do that, He will bring us safely through.

Prayer
Thank you Lord Jesus for your salvation. Thank you for the assurance that nothing can separate me from your love. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 2:22-32

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acts_waterdrop

Scripture

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.”

 

Observation

Peter addresses the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, after the Holy Spirit has been poured out on all the disciples.

Jesus’ miracles were a sign that God was leading Him. Sinful people, both Jews and Gentiles, had Him crucified. But God raised Him back to life, for death could not keep hold of Him.

David had written about this in the Psalms- not about himself but prophetically about Jesus.

Now God has raised Jesus from the dead and Peter and all the followers of Jesus are witnesses of this.

 

Application

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the cornerstone facts of the faith. Jesus’ death and resurrection were part of God’s plan for dealing with sin and allowing us to be reconciled to Him.

God raised Christ from the dead, and in doing this proved He is stronger than death.

The victory is won, and all we have to do to share in it is to receive the free gift of Jesus Christ,

 

Prayer

Christ is risen! Hallelujah!

Death is conquered! Hallelujah!

 

Reflection on Colossians 3:1-11

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cross_sunset-26

Scripture

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Observation

If we have been raised with Christ, we should set our minds on the things that are with Christ, the things above, rather than the things on earth.

Therefore we must put to death everything that is earthly- the desires and drives of the sinful flesh.

We have been rescued from the coming judgement, so we must rid ourselves of everything deserving judgement.

Application

Following Jesus is not a matter of taking on an ideology or a world-view. Faith must result in action.

Paul tells us we have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Therefore our lives should be changed.

We must die to our old nature and rise to the new nature. We must rid ourselves of all the bad stuff in order to allow the nature of Christ to dwell in us.

This is not an instant thing, nor is it a form of legalism. It is a process empowered by the Holy Spirit. What we cannot do for ourselves, the Spirit of God does in us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you are changing me daily to be make me more like Christ. Please help me to put off the old nature and to take on the character of Christ. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 10:34-43

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cornelius

Scripture

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favouritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.”

Observation

Following a vision from God and the arrival of visitors who were there to ask him to come to share at the house of Cornelius, Peter travels from Joppa to Caesarea.

The vision had shown Peter that God was bringing Gentiles into the kingdom and the old rules about ceremonial cleanness had passed away. It became easier for him to enter into the house of a Roman officer.

Peter shares with the entire household the Good News about Jesus’ death and resurrection bringing salvation to all people. While he is still speaking, the Holy Spirit falls on all who are present shown by them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Peter then arranges to have them baptised in water as they are already baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Application

God’s kingdom is open to everybody who puts their trust in Jesus- Jews and Gentiels, men and women, old and young, educated or not.

This comes home in a very graphic way in that everyone in Cornelius’ household was baptised in the Holy Spirit, even before there is an altar call.

Salvation is for everyone who will receive it, as is the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Father I pray for those who do not know you yet. Fall upon them with your power, show them their need for salvation and let them enter into your kingdom. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 21:1-11

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palm-sunday

 

Scripture

The crowd replied, “It is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

 

Observation

Jesus and His disciples come to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sends two of his disciples into the village to collect a donkey and its colt.

The disciples bring the donkey and colt to Jesus who then proceeds to Jerusalem riding on the colt.

A crowd gathers, spreading their garments and palm branches on the road ahead of Jesus. They start shouting praises to Jesus, and the whole city is in uproar.

 

Application

Jesus made a political and prophetic statement here. The prophetic statement is that He is the long-awaited Messiah. The political statement is that there is a new King and a new Kingdom in the land.

Both statements scared the ruling powers- both human and spiritual.

 As a follower of Jesus, constantly pointing others to Him and standing up for righteousness and mercy, I should also scare the ruling powers.

When christians get active, lives and communities are changed. Satan doesn’t like that. The human purveyors of sin and addiction don’t like that.

How will I scare the powers today?

 

Prayer

To truly follow you Lord means to confront the powers of darkness. Please help me to do that in your way today. Amen.