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Reflection on Isaiah 7:10-16

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Isaiah-7-14-kjv

Scripture

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and she shall name him Immanuel”

 Observation

King Ahaz of Judah is threatened by an alliance between Israel and Syria, Ahaz is worried, but the Lord, though Isaiah, tells him not to be afraid.

 Isaiah tells Ahaz to ask the Lord for a sign. Ahaz refuses, so Isaiah gives him one anyway.

 A virgin (or young woman) will bear a child and call him Immanuel. By the time the child is old enough to choose right from wrong, the lands of the kings Ahaz fears will be laid to waste.

Application

While this prophecy refers to the immediate time of King Ahaz, it also speaks of the birth of Jesus, our Immanuel.

 Jesus is the saviour who has, in a manner of speaking, laid waste to the lands of our enemy the devil.

 Because of Jesus we have nothing to fear from the evil one.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the message of Christmas- Immanuel, God is with us. Thank you for the knowledge that you are always with me. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 11:1-11

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blind-healed

Scripture

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Observation

John hears from prison what the Lord is doing. He sends word to Jesus to ask if he really is the Messiah. Jesus responds with the signs of the kingdom- the the blind see, lepers are cleansed and the good news is preached to the poor.

Jesus starts to talk to the crowds about John. He asks rhetorically, “What did you expect of John? A weak introvert in fine clothes?” John was the one sent to prepare the way for the Lord.

Although John was the greatest of those previously born, but now the least in the kingdom is greater than John.

Application

The signs of the Kingdom of God are quite simple according to Jesus- people are healed, dead are raised and the good news is preached to people who have nothing.

That makes me wonder why we focus on so many other things and neglect these basic things.

To be honest, I struggle with healing (let alone raising the dead!), because so often when we pray for people there is no immediate change. Yet I continue to look for a breakthrough in this area, and I rejoice in the healings that do occur.

I also need to work harder at preaching the Good News to the poor. I’m not sure how that looks in a relatively wealthy society such as Australia. The poor are those whose options are limited by their situation- the mentally ill, the disabled, the single parents. In a sense everyone who doesn’t know Jesus is poor and needs the Good News.

I see again the intimate connection between miracles and preaching the gospel. To see God in action we must be actively proclaiming the amazing news that God is with us.

Prayer

Lord I sense today that you are calling me towards something different about your kingdom to what we see in church. Please continue to stir my heart towards your plan for the world. Amen.

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Reflection on James 5:7-11

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Scripture
You, too, must be patient. Take courage for the coming of the Lord is near.

Observation
James encourages us to be patient as we await the coming of the Lord. Farmers must wait patiently for the rain and for the grain to ripen. In the same way we have to wait patiently.
While we are waiting our lives must reflect the love of Christ. We must not grumble against our brothers and sisters for the Judge is standing at the door.
We must be like the prophets of old, particularly Job, who endured in their faith despite great hardships.

Application
Our expectation of the end times should lead us to a better quality of discipleship. Our understanding of the last days, or eschatology to use the technical term, should lead us into humble reverence and holy living for, as James reminds us, the Judge is at the door.
Our expectation of Christ’s return should also give us courage in times of hardship. The time will come when Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead, and every sin will be accounted for. At that time only those who are walking in fellowship with Christ will escape His judgement.

Prayer
Lord may I be found ready at the time of your coming. Even so, come Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

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Reflection on Isaiah 35:1-10

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The Lord is coming!
God is appearing!
He will renew the land
Can you believe it?
Flowers in the desert
Like the Snowy Mountains
Green and flower filled

Are you sad or depressed?
Worn down by worry?
Hear the Good News
A Saviour is coming
He will redeem you

There is a highway to heaven
A road through the desert places
He will show you the way
Criminals and evil people can’t go
Only those who love God.
And nothing will harm you
Come on! Let’s go!
Let’s worship the King!

Reflection on Matthew 3:1-12

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Matthew3

Scripture
“I baptise you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Observation
John the Baptist appears in the wilderness proclaiming his message of repentance. People come from all over to be baptised by him and to confess their sins.
John denounces the Pharisees and Sadducees who come for baptism. He sees their true motives and warns them to produce fruits of righteousness. They must not presume to have God’s favour for being descendants of Abraham, for God is about to lay the axe at every tree that does not bear good fruit.
John baptises people with water for repentance, but one is coming who is greater than he and who will baptise with Holy Spirit and fire.

Application
There are many who claim to follow Jesus but their hearts are far from Him. They claim to have repented yet do not produce the fruits of following Jesus.
What are these fruits? Firstly a changed life in which sin is being overcome and godliness is evident. Secondly, the baptism in the Holy Spirit- a relationship with God  in which prayers are answered, other lives are changed and miracles are manifest. Thirdly a baptism of fire in which the things which distract from Christ are burnt away- worldly pursuits of all kinds being replaced with a passion for Christ.
We need to constantly reflect on our path through life. Is my life becoming more like Jesus or less? Am I showing the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my daily walk? What needs to change in my habits and attitudes?

Prayer
Lord Jesus baptise me with the Holy Spirit and with fire and give me the grace to align my life with your priorities for me. Amen.

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Reflection on Romans 15:1-13

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romans1513

Scripture
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation
Paul tells us that we need to be considerate of the faith of others, considering their sensitivities in areas that are not fundamental to the faith. We should seek to build others up, just as Christ lived for others.
We should accept one another as Christ accepts us. Then we will receive hope from the Holy Spirit, the source of all hope.

Application
Living as a christian is not meant to be just “Jesus and me.” Our focus must be on both Jesus and those around us. To those who don’t know Jesus, our love should be a sign of His love for them. To those who do know Jesus we need to accommodate the weak and accept all brothers and sisters in the faith.
This does not mean there is no space for correction or that what anyone wants to do should be acceptable. It does mean that we need to be discerning what is important and what is less vital, and then allowing the Holy Spirit to bring us all to maturity.

Prayer
Father please help me to be conscious of the needs of other people. Let me never be a hindrance to those who are seeking to grow in you. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 11:1-10

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Family-Camp-2013-29

Scripture

In that day the heir to David’s throne

will be a banner of salvation to all the world

The nations will rally to him

and the land here he lives will be a glorious place.

Observation

A new Branch, a shoot from the stump of Jesse will come, carrying the Spirit of the Lord- a Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might knowledge and fear of the Lord.

This man will be wise like Solomon and walk in justice, looking at truth not appearances. Yet his words will shake the whole world and judge the wicked.

He will affect the while of nature as well as human society. Lions and lambs will lie together, babies will play with snakes. The whole earth will be full of people who know the Lord, and nations will rally to the heir of David.

Application

As Christmas time draws near, we look to prophecies such as this one which speak of anticipating the Messiah. Jesus is the Branch coming out of the stump. He is the one on whom the Spirit of the Lord uniquely rests and who shakes the whole world with His words.

Part of this prophecy is not yet fulfilled. One day the whole of the natural realm will be transformed as the life of God overcomes the power of death and natural enmities will come to an end.

The truth of the earlier part of the prophecy is like a deposit that guarantees that the promises of the later part will one day come to pass.

Christmas reminds us that God is ultimately in control of human history. Much as we might feel overwhelmed by the signs of destruction and evil in the world, God is at work to put it all right.

Prayer

Come Lord Jesus, come. Come and complete the work you started back then. Help me to understand my part in your plan. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 24:36-44

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matthew-2442

 

Scripture

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming!”

Observation

Jesus teaches His followers that they need to be ready for His return. No one except the Father knows when this will be. Everyone will be living normally, not giving any thought to the Lord. Like in Noah’s day, this will result in God’s swift judgement.

 So we need to be ready. The Son of Man will return as unexpectedly as a burglar entering a home.

 Application

Christians cannot afford to get sucked into the world’s way of thinking. People who don’t know Jesus scoff at any thought that the world as they know it is coming to an end and that they may face the judgement seat of the Lord. Christians also can be deceived into focussing on the concerns of this life.

 Our focus needs to be on Jesus, always. The end could come tomorrow. Even if Jesus is not returning any time soon, we all face the reality that our earthly lives may come to an end at any time.

 Prayer

Lord help me to keep my eyes on you, to serve you in all things and to live the life you call me to. Let me be found ready for the return of the King. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 13:11-14

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img_6686

Scripture

Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Observation

Time is running out. Jesus will soon return so we need to make sure that our lives measure up to our calling.

 Night is almost over and the light will soon come. We belong to the daylight so we must remove all deeds that relate to the darkness and start living as children of the light.

 Paul tells us to avoid drunkenness and wild parties, sexual immorality and jealousy. Instead we must clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Application

Paul’s approach here is different to the way we usually think. Usually we say I am saved so I should live a christian lifestyle– although some say that once we are saved we can do what we like, but that’s an extreme view. Paul here is saying that Jesus will soon come so we had better make sure that we are ready for His arrival.

 Just as people tend to put on good clothes and spruce their homes up when they know the Queen is coming, Paul tells us to throw off the clothing of darkness and put on the deeds of light so we are acceptable for the arrival of the King.

This is not about merely putting on a good appearance because King Jesus can see the heart. It’s about ensuring that we live the life that agrees with our faith profession, allowing holiness and righteousness to become practical realities in our lives.

Prayer

Lord Jesus please bring me conviction about the deeds of my life which are from sinful darkness, and give me the grace to put them out of my life. May I be ready on the day of your coming. Amen.