bible

Reflection on Jeremiah 31:7-14

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Scripture

Tears of joy will stream down their faces,

And I will lead them home with great care.

They will walk beside quiet streams,

And on the smooth paths where they will not stumble.

Observation

The Lord is going to bring His people home from every corner of the earth. He will not overlook the blind, lame, expectant mothers, and women in labour. He will guide them beside quiet streams and along smooth paths.

The Lord who scattered His people is gathering them back. He has redeemed Israel and all their crops will be abundant. Everyone will celebrate and dance for joy.

Application

The primary focus of this prophetic word is the release of Israel from its exile in Babylon. The Lord promises to bring them home and to prosper His people in the land He has given them.

To us, it is a reminder of the joy of salvation. God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son to bring us home to Him.

Christmas is a season of rejoicing. One of the biggest sources of joy for many people is families getting together again. In my family there has been so much laughter and celebration as we have gathered together.

Jesus is calling people home to Himself. We were once far away, but now we are coming home with tears of joy.

The best home coming ever is still in the future. One day all of the followers of Jesus from all of history will be called home to Heaven to start an eternity of joy.

Prayer

What an awesome gift you are to the world, Lord Jesus Son of God! I thank you for the anticipation of the great home coming. Amen

Reflection on Titus 2:11-15

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Scripture

The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

Observation

The grace of God has been revealed through the cross, bringing salvation to all who will receive it. Therefore, those who are being saved must turn from godless living. We live in this sinful world, but we should do so with God’s wisdom and righteousness.

We look forward to the day when the glory of Jesus Christ is revealed. He gave his life to free us from sin and make us His own people.

Application

The coming of Jesus into the world, celebrated at Christmas, reveals the grace of God.

We were once far off from God. We were the people living in the great darkness of sin. Then Jesus came. He was born, He lived, and He died to pay the price for our sin. Then, He rose from the dead, demonstrating that God’s grace is greater than sin and death.

This revelation of grace is why Christmas is such a big deal. God has become flesh. He has become like us, to show us the way to the Father.

Christmas is a revelation of grace. This is so exciting! Who would have thought that a manger in little village would become the location for this revelation?

Now, it is my heart, your heart, that becomes the location for the revelation. Jesus Christ is born again in our hearts when we yield ourselves to His Lordship.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus for this revelation of grace. My good deeds would never save me, but you did. Amen

Reflection on Isaiah 9:1-7

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Scripture

For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Observation

The darkness will not go on for ever. There will be a time when Galilee of the Gentiles will be filled with glory.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. The Lord will enlarge the nation of Israel. People will rejoice because the Lord lifts the heavy burden from their shoulders.

A child is born; a son is given. He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government will never end.

Application

All through the Old Testament, we have the prophecies concerning the Messiah, Jesus. At this time of the year we celebrate His birth, the giving of a son.

His government brings Freedom not bondage, and He will reign forever.

In this passage Jesus is described as:

Wonderful Counsellor – He shows us how to live free of sin and all bondage

Mighty God – He is the embodiment of God, what God looks like “in the flesh.”

Everlasting Father – God is our eternal Father

Prince of Peace – He brings peace and reconciliation between people and God

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I welcome you into my heart today. Let my life come under your reign, King Jesus. Amen

Reflection on Luke 1:39-45

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Scripture

“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Observation

After the announcement by the angel that she will conceive a baby by the agency of the Holy Spirit, Marry goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth has had her own miracle, becoming pregnant with John the Baptist, despite being past child- bearing age.

At the sound of Mary’s voice, the baby in Elizabeth leaps for joy. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and tells Mary that she and her baby are blessed because she believed that the Lord would do what He has said.

Application

Blessings come tot hose who believe that the Lord will do what He has said. This is called faith.

We do not all have angels coming to announce life- changing, even world- changing, miracles. We do have the promises of God recorded in the Bible.

Faith means that we believe what God has said, and we trust that it will be done.

The first requirement, then, is that we know what God’s word actually says. We need to read the Bible, obey the commands of the Lord, and trust Him to keep His promises.

When we can find a scripture that backs up our prayer request, then we can know that God will certainly answer our prayer. This gives us faith to pray more confidently, knowing that God keeps His promises.

Prayer

Lord, you are a promise keeping God. Have you not said it and therefore you will do it? Thank you for the confidence this gives us to approach your throne with the desires of our hearts. Amen.

Reflection on Hebrews 10:5-10

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Scripture

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once or all time.

Observation

Christ came into the world to take away our sins. He said to God,” You do not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. I will offer my body. I have come to do your will, O God.”

Christ cancels the first covenant, the covenant of Moses, in order to bring a new covenant into effect. Gods will is for all of us to be made holy by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Application

Jesus came with the sole mission of dying to atone for the sins of all people.

His death is good enough for my sins and for yours. There is no expiry date on His sacrifice.

There is nothing we can add to this sacrifice. It is good for all people for all time. There will never be another Jesus, another atoning sacrifice.

We are made holy by the sacrifice, not by our good deeds. It is all grace from God.

We are not made right by offering sacrifices nor by observing the Jewish festivals. These things have been done away with forever.

Now there is only one sacrifice that puts us right with God – that of Jesus our Lord.

Prayer

Hallelujah! Lord, you have liberated me from bondage to sin and to law. You make us holy by your own sacrifice. Thank you. Amen

Reflection on Micah 5:1-5

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Scripture

But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha,

are only a small village among all the people of Judah.

Yet, a ruler of Israel will come from you,

one whose origins are in the distant past.

Observation

The enemy is laying siege to Jerusalem, and they will strike down Israel’s leader. But a king will come out of Bethlehem whose origins are from the past.

The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies, but they will return from exile. This king will lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, and his people will live peacefully in the land. He will be the source of peace.

Application

When the wise men asked Herod where the Messiah was to be born, it was this passage that his advisers quoted.

While Jerusalem, the centre of power, was under siege, the Lord was pointing to a small inconsequential place, from where an important king would emerge.

Bethlehem was the home of King David. It was the pace to which Joseph and Mary were forced to travel to have their baby.

Bethlehem became the birth place for this king, Jesus whose origin was in eternity past.

Today Bethlehem is famous all over the world as the place where the King of Kings was born.

God’s ways are truly amazing.

For those of us who are inconsequential in the way the world sees things, we know that God sees us. That is all that matters.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you choose the lowly to confound the high born, the poor to overcome the elites. Please help me to always be submitted to you and to follow your ways. Amen.

Reflection on Philippians 4:4-9

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Scripture

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!

Observation

We must rejoice always in the Lord. We are not to worry about anything, but instead pray to God and thank Him for all that He has done.

Finally, we are to fix our thoughts on what is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. When we think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy, then the God of peace will be with us.

Application

How can we rejoice always? Everybody has bad days, so how can we rejoice then?

I often think of Job, who lost his family and his wealth in a single day. His response to this terrible loss was, ” I came naked from my mother’s womb, I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the Name of the Lord.”

The key to surviving tough times with your integrity intact ,is to determine beforehand that you will rejoice, no matter what happens.

This does not mean that we ignore or suppress our emotions. They are important and need to be acknowledged. But like Job, we must look to the big picture, and recall that all that we have comes from God, and we are stewards of His blessings not owners of them.

Prayer

Lord, I choose to rejoice. I praise you for your great love for me. Thank you for sending Jesus to rescue me from sin. Please help me to rejoice in you on every occasion. Amen

Reflection on Isaiah 12:1-6

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Scripture

With joy you will drink deeply

From the fountain of salvation.

Observation

In the day when the Messiah comes, Israel will sing praise to the Lord. His judgement has given way to salvation. He was angry, but now He comforts His people.

God has come to save us. He is our strength and song. We will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation.

Let’s tell the whole world about what the Lord has done. Let us rejoice in the Lord.

Application

As in Zephaniah3, the emphasis in this passage is about joy. When we recognise the great love of God, we come to Him with joy and happiness.

When I first came to see who Jesus is, there was so much joy in my heart! I drank deeply at the fountain of salvation.

Many people do not drink deeply, or even at all.

Many walk right past the miracle of grace totally unaffected.

Some people take a sip and count themselves saved. They never really give themselves entirely to God. It’s a prayer or a ritual.

But some of us understand this is a fountain that you get right into – head, shoulders, whole body, soaking in the refreshment of new life in Christ.

God is a mighty waterfall bringing life and energy to all who come under its influence.

Drink deeply!

Prayer

Father, I received your salvation now. I drink deeply of this grace. Soak me and transform me, Lord. Amen.

Reflection on Zephaniah 3:14-20

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Scripture

Sing O daughter of Zion,

Shout aloud O Israel!

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,

Oh daughter of Jerusalem!

Observation

Zephaniah brings to the people of Israel a command to rejoice. The Lord will remove His hand of judgement, and instead of enemy armies in their midst, the Lord Himself will dwell with them.

The announcement will be made: Cheer up for the Lord God is living among you and He will delight in you.

The Lord will judge their enemies and He will gather together those who were scattered. He will give His people a good name among the nations and restore their fortunes.

Application

The Lord often commands his people to rejoice. It is right through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

It can be hard to feel joyful sometimes. They can be so much in life that drags us down and pulls us apart.

Even when we grieve, we must rejoice, because God is in our midst.

This rejoicing is not saying words through gritted teeth. It is not a resentful, unwilling obedience to a command.

No, it is about recognising that God is with us. There is a higher truth than this moment of my sadness.

I will rejoice because God is with me all the time.

Prayer

Hallelujah! I thank you for the command and the promise of joy. Thank you Father for the assurance that you will never abandon me. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 3:1-6

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Scripture

“All people will see the Salvation sent from God.”

Observation

The word of the Lord comes to John who was living in the wilderness. He starts travelling along the Jordan River preaching that people should be baptised for repentance and turn to God to be forgiven.

Isaiah had prophesied concerning John when he spoke of the voice shouting in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Every Valley will be filled and the mountains pulled down. Then all people will see the salvation sent from God.

Application

It is really awesome that salvation is for all people.

You don’t have to be part of a particular ethnic group or nation. You can be a homeless person or a corporate CEO. Kings and queens, peasants and paupers, are all welcome in God’s Kingdom.

People of every race, generation, and tribe are all welcome. God’s love is shown to all people.

There is no entrance exam or need to perform certain good deeds.

All people will see God’s salvation and can enter in.

Christmas is about the birth of a a baby, but it is so much more. It is the birth of a Kingdom that is above every Kingdom, an opportunity for all people to be friends of God.

The way in is so easy. Simply turn away from sin, ask God to forgive you, and received His grace through Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Jesus Christ, thank you for setting me free from sin and for rescuing me from Hell. Amen.