bible

Reflection on Acts 2:22-41

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Scripture

Peter replies, “Each of you must repent of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Observation

After the noisy, chaotic events of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter addresses the crowd. He testifies about Jesus, His death, and His resurrection.

God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him to the highest place in heaven. He is the Messiah that Israel had been waiting for.

Peter then tells them that they need to repent of their sins and turn to Jesus. The promise of salvation is available to them, their children, and to the Gentiles.

So three thousand people are saved on that day.

Application

Peter’s summation of the gospel is simple: each one of us needs to turn away from our sins and follow the way of Jesus. It’s not enough to have christian parents, to be a part of a church, and ride on the coat tails of somebody else’s relationship with God.

No. God desires that we all walk with Him, responding to the Holy Spirit in our own capacity.

The Holy Spirit is given to all who truly follow Jesus. Pentecost was the big picture, so to speak, of an experience that should be true of every christian.

God desires to come into the heart of every disciple, dwelling, equipping and directing us. He does not do this against our will, but with our permission and co-operation. The aim is that, by the grace of God, we become like Jesus both in character and in expressing the power of God’s kingdom.

This promise of salvation is open to everyone. It is not limited in time or space. It is available down the ages right through to now. It is available to everybody. It is not a Jewish thing or a western religion. God loves every person wherever they are.

How can we know our sins are forgiven? Just repent and ask God to forgive.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the gospel of salvation. You promise to set everyone free who turns to Jesus. Thank you for doing this. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 2:1-21

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Scripture

Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability.

Observation

The Day of Pentecost, ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven, and all the believers are together.

Suddenly there is a sound like a wind storm, and tongues of fire appear over each of them. They are all filled with the Holy Spirit and begin speaking in tongues.

People come running from all over the neighbourhood because of the commotion. There are people from all over the Roman Empire, there for the Festival, and they all hear the disciples praising God in their native languages.

Application

The Holy Spirit comes in the form of wind and fire- sound and visual symbols of God’s power and His holiness.

Filled with power, the disciple speak in other tongues. Instantly they become the witnesses to Jesus that He had promised would happen. Their tongue language is heard by listeners as their own native language, and they hear the disciples praising God.

The Holy Spirit is given to all christians when we believe. Yet for many, the Holy Spirit always remains a mystery, and the gifts of the Spirit are unknown to them.

When we first believe, or when we are baptised in water, there should be a baptism in the Spirit that seals or represents that we have passed from being mere people to a people endowed with grace and power.

Speaking in tongues can be a stumbling block for many- either accepting it in their minds as a real gift of God or in receiving or activating it. I believe the key is to receive by faith. Open the mouth and let God fill it. Let the words flow and let the praise of God flow from our lips.

We need to learn to flow in all of the spiritual gifts and allow the Holy Spirit to use us to be His witnesses.

Prayer

Come Holy Spirit. Fill me. Let your words of your language flow out of me in praise and adoration. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 1:12-26

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Scripture

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women and the brothers of Jesus.

Observation

The apostles return to Jerusalem to the house where they were staying. They constantly meet together, united in prayer with other believers.

During this time, Peter addresses a gathering of about 120 believers and tells them they need to elect a replacement for Judas. They nominate two men, of whom Matthias is chosen by lot.

Application

It seems that the disciples prayed for much of the time they were told to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. We are not given many details of these prayer gatherings, but it seems likely that they were seeking God together for most hours of the day, perhaps into the evenings, with people coming and going as they were able.

This is a remarkable amount of prayer to our modern minds. And this was before the Holy Spirit was poured out.

Students of revival often point out that all revivals (however we understand the term) are preceded by a movement of prayer and unity. People come from various congregations to gather, putting traditions and doctrines aside for the purpose of praying for the Holy Spirit to revive the church and the community.

The fact is that even this prayer born of desperation, has to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise people get bored, discouraged or distracted, before the real objective is achieved.

The starting point always has to be prayer. And if we fail in praying, we have to get back up and keep on praying. And when, after sustained communal prayer, the Holy Spirit comes, we will receive power to be witnesses.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come. Come and empower us to pray so that we might have grace to receive more of you. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 1:1-11

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Scripture

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Observation

The Book of Acts starts with a kind of prelude pointing to the power of the Holy Spirit and the spread of the message of the Kingdom as far as the ends of the earth.

It begins with a quick recap of the facts of Jesus’ death and resurrection, including the command to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promises they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes. Then, even as He is saying this, Jesus is taken up to heaven. Two angels appear to confirm that Jesus has gone to heaven but will one day return.

Application

The promise of Jesus is that when the Holy Spirit comes, we will receive power to be His witnesses everywhere.

In the church we have many evangelism training programs and classes. But Jesus did not say, “When you finish this course you will be my witnesses.”

We have many words, scripts and formulations, but Jesus did not say, “When you get the words right, you will be my witnesses.”

The professional evangelists, those with the ministry gift of evangelist, often try to guilt the rest of us into doing evangelism. But Jesus did not tell us to witness from a place of guilt, or feelings of religious duty.

When the Holy Spirit comes upon us, then we will receive power and we will be His witnesses. This is a promise that, in some way, the Holy Spirit will use each one of us to “be witnesses”, that is to have the nature of a person who points others to Christ. Under the power of the Holy Spirit this will happen naturally (or supernaturally) out of our new nature.

For too long, the church has brought training program after training program to “equip” people to share faith- with little result. Instead, we need to focus our attention on waiting for the Holy Spirit, receiving the Holy Spirit, being baptised in the Holy Spirit. Then we will be witnesses.

I long to see a church filled with people so full of the Holy Spirit that they can’t help but be witnesses to the love of Jesus.

Prayer

Come Holy Spirit. Fill me. Baptise me. Empower me. May I be your witness. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 4:1-11

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Scripture

Then Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.

Observation

The Holy Spirit pushes Jesus (literally “throws him out”) into the wilderness to fast and to be tempted by the devil. At the end of forty days, the devil comes to Jesus with three tests, all starting with the words, “If you are the Son of God.”

The first test is to turn stones into loaves of bread. Jesus says that the word of God is more important than bread.

The second test is to jump off the highest peak of the Temple, trusting angels to rescue Him. Jesus says, “You must not test the Lord.”

The third test is to receive all the kingdoms of the world in return for worshipping satan. Jesus says that the Scriptures tell us we must worship the Lord alone.

Application

Temptation is part of being human, and is multiplied many times over when we are seeking to walk with the Lord.

Satan wants to smash the Kingdom of God by discouraging and disarming God’s people. So sin is always around us, and the devil always has his leg out trying to trip us up.

The tests always use the same mental weapons.

1. Sow doubt about God’s will. For Jesus it was, “If you are the Son of God.” For Adam and Eve it was, “Did God really say?” We need to hold onto God’s promises about who we are in Him and His directions for our lives.

2. Use the eyes to intensify desire. We live in a highly visual culture. Satan will happily use images to stimulate our desire for something that we should not have. We need to filter what we look at so that we focus on what is good, uplifting and God-honouring.

3. He will use Scriptures, out of context or twisted, to justify an act of sin.

4. Satan often gets us at times of physical weakness. He waited until Jesus had fasted forty days and nights and was very hungry before he attacked. We need to be especially alert when we are tired, stressed, busy or recovering from illness.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that when we fix our eyes on you we can stand firm and resist the temptations that come. Thank you that even when I fall you forgive me. Please grant me grace to grow in strength and in spiritual vigour. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 5:12-19

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Scripture

Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

Observation

When Adam sinned, sin and death came into the world. We have all sinned, so we shall all die.

Adam is a symbol of Christ. Adam’s sin brought death to many. But God’s grace is greater, so that the gift of forgiveness came through Jesus. Adam’s sin brought condemnation, but God’s free gift in Christ makes us right with God.

Because Adam disobeyed God, we all became sinners. Because Jesus obeyed God, many will become righteous.

Application

We don’t have any choice about whether we are sinners or not. Being human means we will sin, that is do things that are displeasing to God.

That is our heritage from Adam. It is almost written into our DNA.

How tragic that human beings, made for fellowship with God, routinely cut ourselves off from Him by rebelling against Him. For many, this is so entrenched that they do not even think about it.

But another man came into the world to reverse Adam’s curse. Jesus, the Son of God, became a man just like us. His death on the cross paid for our sins.

So death came through Adam, but eternal life came through Jesus.

Condemnation came through Adam, but forgiveness comes through Christ.

Sin entered the world through Adam, but it was defeated by Christ.

All you have to do to trade the heritage of Adam for the life of Christ is to receive the forgiveness that Christ brings.

That Is amazing grace.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for trading my sin for your righteousness. Thank you for the promise of eternal life. Amen.

Reflection on Genesis 2:15-3:7

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Scripture

This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

Observation

The Lord places Adam in the garden, but warns him that he must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Then the Lord sets about making a suitable helper for Adam.

The serpent comes along with the intention of causing Adam and Eve to rebel against God. He plants a seed of doubt in Eve’s mind, and pretty soon after that they eat the fruit they were commanded not to.

Application

From the beginning God has created a man and a woman for unity, oneness, communion.

There is a complementary nature between husband and wife with each supplying much of what the other lacks.

God instituted man and woman marriage- one man and one woman committed to each other for life.

Because marriage is such a sacred thing, satan comes and tries to rip husbands and wives apart, or use one to lead the other from God. This started in the Garden of Eden, but has continued to the present day.

Politicians and judges redefine marriage and pass laws to undermine it. At the same time, every husband and every wife is engaged in a daily battle with the enemy of our souls.

Marriage was intended as a refuge from the battles in the world, but often it becomes another battleground.

But praise be to God. The author of marriage can restore broken and battered marriages. It takes courage on our part and a willingness to change our own attitudes and habits. It takes prayer and listening to God as well as repentance for our own sins.

God loves marriage and He designed us to thrive in it.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for my wife and the security that comes from knowing I am loved. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Peter 1:16-21

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Scripture

Above all, you must realise that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke for God.

Observation

Peter defends his accounts of the powerful coming of Christ. He was an eye-witness to the glorious splendour that was revealed when God spoke to Jesus at the Transfiguration.

Because of this experience, Peter now has a greater confidence in the prophets for their words came not from human initiative but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Application

This verse from Peter about the prophets of Scripture is very similar to Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is inspired by God, and is useful to teach us about what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives.

Prophets in the Bible were anointed by the Holy Spirit in a particular way that makes all they wrote infallible.

There are many prophecies which told with great accuracy many of the details of Jesus’ coming. Often these are clothed in imagery and symbolism, but they speak accurately of Jesus coming into the world and dying to redeem all who will trust Him. They also speak of Jesus coming as a great king to rule over the entire earth.

The Old Testament prophets are not like many contemporary prophets who may make errors in their attempts to encourage and exhort. We must use spiritual discernment in receiving these prophecies. But with the Scriptural prophets we can have confidence that they speak truth.

The prophets genuinely spoke for God because they were moved by the Holy Spirit. This can be true of each of us, if we allow the Holy Spirit to move in our hearts.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, let my heart be filled with you, so that, like the prophets of old, I can speak for you. Amen.

Reflection on Psalm 2

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Scripture

The kings of the earth prepare for battle

the leaders plot together against the Lord and his anointed one

“Let us break their chains,” they cry,

“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

Many leaders- governmental, educational, in the media- are angry with God. They don’t just want to ignore Him; they want to destroy Him and His followers.

This is increasingly true in the West as much as in countries traditionally opposed to christian beliefs.

We can see this exemplified in two high profile sporting heroes over the last twelve months.

Rugby player Israel Folau was sacked for posting a reference to a Bible verse saying adulterers, thieves and homosexuals among others, were going to hell unless they repent.

Tennis great Margaret Court has been vilified for her view that marriage should be between a man and a woman. The woman who has achieved more tennis victories than any other in history was given a very grudging recognition by Tennis Australia

We know that there are many people who resist the “chains” that the Lord puts on people, as they perceive it. They are angry at a God they don’t believe in, and oppose the values of a book they have never read.

God’s response to such people is that He firstly laughs at them, and then He rebukes them. As if we could resist the Almighty God who created who created everything by a word.

As christians we are called to love those who oppose us, to not respond to evil with more evil. This can be hard at times, but it is the most effective way of silencing those who oppose God.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to pray for those who oppose you today. Open their eyes and their hearts so they can see you as you really are. Amen.

Reflection on Exodus 24:12-18

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Scripture

Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Observation

The Lord commands Moses to go up to Him on the mountain. He tells the elders to stay where they are and wait.

Moses climbs the mountain and the glory of the Lord covers it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord calls Moses to come into the cloud, which he does, disappearing from sight. There he stays for forty days.

Application

Moses went up into the cloud of God’s glory. This obviously took a lot of effort, especially considering his age. An old man climbing a mountain- this is physically hard work.

Sometimes we expect our encounters with God to come easily. We want comfort, not too much work.

The rhythm of prayer can be physically and emotionally draining. If it isn’t, then we are not doing it right, especially in relation to prayers that particularly affect the ones we love.

There is a reason that the word for worship in some churches is the word liturgy. It literally means the work of the people.. Worship was never meant to be a concert enjoyed in the comfort of theatre seating.

Moses stated in the glory of God for forty days and nights. Really? That is nearly six weeks of his life, given over to being in the presence of God.

Those who are spiritually mature have learned to spend time in God’s presence. They have learned that you don’t relate to the infinite God in a five minute devotional time. Knowing God takes a serious commitment of time.

God’s love for us is intense and infallible. Why would we baulk at the idea of putting work and investing time to know Him more?

Prayer

Father, please help me to low down and draw close to you. Show me what gets in the way and give me the grace to overcome it. Amen.