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Reflection on Romans 5:1-11

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romans5_5

Scripture

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation

Our faith in Christ makes us right with God, and Christ brings us peace with God- reconciliation with the Father.

Because of the grace of God, we can boast about our hope of glory- it is all gift. But we also boast about our suffering which produces endurance, character and hope.

While we were weak, that was when Christ died for us. God’s immense love for us is shown in the fact that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

We are reconciled to God through the death of His Son while we were still sinners. We can therefore be sure of our salvation.

Application

My salvation does not depend on my being holy or on my deeds. It’s not about me being good enough. It’s about Christ being good enough to bring rebels like me back to relationship with God.

Christ was crucified long before I knew about it. When He called out from the cross, “Father forgive them,” I was included in that prayer.

Peace with God is not something we achieve, but a free gift from an awesome, loving God.

Prayer

Thank you Father for your great love. Thank you that you love me even when I stray from you. Amen.

Reflection on Exodus 17:1-7

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water-181600_640

Scripture

He called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarrelled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Observation

The whole of Israel travel through the wilderness as the Lord leads them.

At Rephidim there is no water to drink, and the people start grumbling against Moses. Moses then calls out to the Lord.

The Lord tells Moses to go with the elders to the rock and to strike it with his staff, and water will flow from the rock.

Moses obeys the Lord.

Application

It seems that Moses had to have faith for a whole nation. He is the only one who sees that God will provide for them.

Rather than grumbling and complaining when things are not the way we would like them, we need to look to the Lord.

Moses knew that the Lord had brought them to this place and that He would provide what was needed.

The life of faith means trusting God to lead, provide and protect us in every moment.

Prayer

Father, as I look back on my life, I can see many occasions where you have provided what was needed at the exact right time. Please help me to trust you today. Amen.

Reflection on John 3:1-17

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rebirth

Scripture
“God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

Observation
Nicodemus, a member of the ruling council, comes to see Jesus at night. He acknowledges that Jesus is a teacher sent by God because of the signs He has performed.  Jesus says to him, “You cannot see the kingdom of God until you are born again.”
Jesus goes on to teach Nicodemus that to be born again, one must be born of the Spirit.  Jesus is more than a teacher but He is the Son of Man come down from heaven.
God loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son to give us eternal life. The  Son came into the world to save it not to condemn it. This salvation comes through believing in Jesus.

Application
To be born again is not a religious experience but a truly spiritual one. When we come to Jesus and ask Him to forgive us, the Holy Spirit comes into our spirit and brings it to life. We are then born of both flesh and the Spirit.
Jesus came into the world and gave up His life to bring freedom from sin, to forgive us and to give us a new life in which God comes first.
You can’t be saved by a religious experience, a ritual or a spoken prayer alone. To be saved means casting everything aside and trusting Jesus to pay the price for our salvation.  It is a life change based on a decision that we will follow Jesus in everything we do.

Prayer
Lord Jesus  I come to you now to lay my whole life at your feet. I confess the things I have done that are wrong and I ask you to forgive me. Thank you for dying for me on the cross. Come now and raise me to a new life, life in the Spirit. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 4:1-25

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grace-and-faith-st

Scripture

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Observation

Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. When we work for something, our wages are not a gift. But If we trust God for our salvation, this is a gift.

Although this gift of salvation was given to the Jews first (“the circumcised”), it was not for them alone because Abraham received righteousness, and that was before he was circumcised.

The promise of righteousness comes by grace, and we receive it through faith in the Lord Jesus.

Application

It is impossible for us to win God’s approval by our own efforts, whether by good deeds or charitable giving or religious duties. These things do not impress God at all, because they are what is expected of us any way.

God’s favour comes to us because He chooses to give it, because He loves us. His grace is far greater than we imagine and never runs out.

All we need to do is receive His grace by trusting in God. Then we are counted as if we had never sinned.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your limitless grace. Thank you for setting me free from the prison of sin. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 4:1-11

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crushing

Scripture

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

Observation

The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the desert where he is tempted by satan. After 40 days of fasting, Jesus is hungry so satan tells Him to turn stones into bread. Jesus rebuffs him with Scripture.

Then the devil takes Jesus to the high point of the temple, urging Him to throw Himself off so that the angels will catch Him. Jesus again rebuffs him with Scripture.

Satan then shows Jesus all the glories of the kingdoms of the world and promises to give them to Him in return for His worship. For a third time Jesus rebukes satan with Scripture.

Finally satan leaves and angels minister to Jesus.

Application

Temptation is common to all people. Right from the beginning, satan has sought to turn people away from God by appealing to the flesh, to our senses and to our pride.

It should not surprise us when temptation comes at us either right in our faces or sneaking up from behind. Even Jesus, the Son of God was tempted by the devil.

Temptation is not sin, because as Hebrews tells us, Christ was tempted like us in every way but without sin. So we should not feel guilty when the thoughts and desires come.

Even when we fall short and give in to temptation, sin is not the end of the story. God still forgives- even when we sin in the same way over and over.

The key to overcoming sin and winning through temptation is to know God. Is my love for God greater than my love for sin? When I am more passionate about walking with the Lord, then anything the devil can dish up is very poor fare indeed.

Prayer

Father I confess that my love for you is often less than it should be. I confess that I have let my flesh and satan conspire to lead me away from you. Thank you for forgiving me. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 5:12-19

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hand overflow

Scripture

For, if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Observation

Sin entered the world through Adam’s sin, and with it came death. From Adam to Moses death reigned even though people did not sin by breaking a commandment as Adam did.

Many died because of Adam’s sin, but God’s grace is greater. One sin brought death and condemnation but Jesus’ death cancels many sins.

Application

Sin and death are powerful forces and they seem inescapable. But grace is stronger because God is greater than human sin.

Through Jesus Christ every sin I have committed has been cancelled and changed to righteousness.

I don’t have to earn this favour. God pours it out abundantly on everyone who turns to Him and receives His grace.

It’s all about the cross. The obedience of Jesus all the way to death on the cross has opened up the way of salvation to everyone who will receive it.

Prayer

Jesus, my sin is great but your grace is greater. Thank you. Amen.

Reflection on Genesis 2:15-15, 3:1-7

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the_temptation_of_eve__by_KaheriynneAnne

Scripture

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.

Observation

The Lord gives the man the instruction to care for the garden. Everything was there for him, but he may not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Later, the serpent comes to Eve and says “Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?’ “ Eve explains the Lord’s command, but satan misrepresents what the command is about.

Eve is seduced by the promise of the tree and so she eats the fruit. She also gives some to Adam.

Application

Just one job- and they blew it!

One thing was forbidden- one tree out of millions. How hard could it be?

We face temptations every day. Like Eve we know the command, but we wonder if the pleasure of the sin is worth the likely consequence.

Eve was tempted by three things:

  • appeal to the flesh (good for food)

  • appeal to the senses (good in appearance)

  • appeal to pride (good for wisdom)

These are the same hot spots that satan presses today.

We need to be conscious of our vulnerability and always prepared to resist the lies of satan.

Prayer

Holy Spirit make me holy. Strengthen me to stand firm before all temptation and to remain faithful to you. Amen.

 

Reflection on Matthew 17:1-9

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Transfigurationbloch

Scripture

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Observation

Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain. While they are there, Jesus is transfigured, his face shining brightly and his clothes dazzling.

Suddenly Moses and Elijah appear and talk to Jesus. Peter offers to build three shelters for them.

A cloud comes over and a voice speaks to them announcing that Jesus is God’s beloved Son.

The disciples fall to the ground in fear. When they look up Jesus is alone.

Application

What we see with our physical eyes and interpret with our brains is only a faint shadow of reality. Often we need that blinding revelation to see things as they really are.

Christians find it easy to fit into a comfortable groove. We operate with a devotional routine, say the easy prayers and fail to see what is really happening around us.

We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, learning to listen to Him and depend on His wisdom.

We need to learn to see the Lord as He really is, not the safe image we prefer to worship.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, reveal yourself to me again. May I see your glory, the reality of who you are. Amen

Reflection on 2 Peter 1:16-21

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Transfigurationbloch

Scripture

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Observation

Peter did not preach about human myths and theories because he was an eyewitness to Christ’s glory. He saw God’s glory come down on Christ and announce, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

So Peter’s experience confirms the prophetic words of the Old Testament. No prophecy of Scripture can be a matter of our own interpretation because it comes to us through the Holy Spirit.

Application

The difference between the Bible and every other religious book is that it is not human theory, but an historical record of God’s dealings with people. Even the claims of Jesus to be the Messiah go back to historical prophecies confirmed by contemporary eyewitnesses.

The great claims of the faith rely on a chain of eyewitness accounts coming down over 2000 years. My testimony is a vital part of that chain, just as the apostle Peter’s was.

The story of God is shown today in lives being changed one day at a time by the gentle unstoppable pressure of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for saving me and revealing your glory to me. Now reveal your glory through me that others can see your saving power. Amen.