reflection

Reflection on John 3:14-21

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3.14-21

Scripture

“And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man will be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”

Observation

In the desert Moses, at the direction of the Lord, hoisted a bronze snake on a pole so that anyone who was bitten by a snake could be healed. Now Jesus is to be lifted up, and anyone who believes in Him will receive eternal life.

God loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son so that anyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. This is for salvation not condemnation, but those who reject Jesus are condemned because they reject Him.

Application

In the wilderness, the Israelites complained about not having anything to eat except “disgusting manna.” The Lord responded by sending venomous snakes. People died, but the Lord provided a remedy in the form of a bronze snake hoisted on a pole so that anyone who was bitten could look at the bronze snake and be healed.

In a similar way, Jesus was “lifted up” on the cross so that anyone who looks at Him in faith will be healed of the poison of sin and receive eternal life.

The idea of being “lifted up” suggests an elevation to a higher place, a place of esteem and glory. The cross, of course, is the very opposite of this- a place of death, degradation and torture. For Jesus, though, the cross is the ultimate glory as it shows how great the love of the Father is for us.

God’s love for us is so strong, so passionately unstoppable, that He held nothing back from us in order to win us back to Him. No price is too high for Him to pay in order to break down the wall that sin puts up between people and God.

Now, as true followers of Christ, we can lift Him up through our words, our worship and a life of service to Him.

Prayer

Thank you Lord Jesus for going to the cross for me. May my life lift you up so that all around me will see the glory of God in me. Amen.

Reflection on Ephesians 2:1-10

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Photo by Svetlana Pochatun on Unsplash

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2.1-10

Scripture

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Observation

We were once dead in our sins, obeying the devil. We have all been in that dark place.

But God gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead, and He seated us in heavenly realms with Him. It is by God’s grace that we are saved. It is a gift from Him. We couldn’t do this by ourselves.

Now we are God’s masterpiece, created to do the good deeds He has planned for us.

Application

I am God’s masterpiece, the pinnacle of His creative activity. We are constantly under assault by the judgements and accusations of other people and ourselves.

God’s judgement is that I am a work of art- His masterpiece.

Sins- both those committed by me and those committed against me- are like balls of dirt and mud thrown over this artwork.

When I was born again, God started the restoration process, carefully scraping off the dity, repairing broken threads, cleaning the paintwork.

Now, instead of being in captivity to sin, I am being set free to do the good deeds that I was created for. We are not saved by good deeds; we are saved for good deeds.

Every one of us is created unique to shine out God’s glory in a unique way. We are not copies or forgeries; we are unique original creations.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you tell me I am a new creation, a masterpiece in your creative handiwork. Please continue to release me from sin so that I can glorify you in all things. Amen.

Reflection on Numbers 21:1-9

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+21.1-9

Scripture

So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died.

Observation

The Canaanite king of Arad hears that the Israelites are coming, so he attacks them and takes some prisoner. The Israelites vow to the Lord to destroy their towns if the Lord gives them victory.

Then the people start to become impatient at being in the wilderness for so long. They complain that there is nothing to eat except for the disgusting manna. The Lord sends some poisonous snakes, and many people are bitten and die. They repent of their grumbling and ask Moses to pray for them. The Lord tells him to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole so that those who look upon it will be healed of their snake bite.

Application

Grizzling, complaining, griping, grumbling, negativity. Whatever we call it, this attitude of pulling down God’s gracious provision is common.

Erwin Mcmanus, pastor of a large church in Los Angeles, points out that atheists are quick to blame God for all the bad things in the world, but they never give Him credit for the good things.

The Israelites were in the wilderness because they refused to believe that God could take them into the Promised Land. Now they are complaining about being there and having to eat that “horrible manna.”

Their negativity and grumbling against God led Him to lift His protection for a day or so. Quickly the Israelites changed their tune as they saw the destruction that comes when we blame God rather than praising Him.

Christians need to be people of praise. We have so much to be thankful for- salvation, a relationship with God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and much more.

Blaming God leads to destruction, but thankfulness brings an abundant life.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for this reminder to maintain the attitude of gratitude. Help me to rejoice in you every day. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 8:31-38

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crossPassage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8.31-38

Scripture

“If any of you wants to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me.”

Observation

Jesus begins to tell His disciples that He will soon be rejected and crucified, but on the third day He will rise to life.

Peter rebukes Jesus for this, but Jesus says to him “Get behind me satan!”

Jesus then tells the crowd that if anyone wants to be a disciple they must die to themselves and take up their cross to follow Him. To win the world and lose your soul is tragic loss.

Application

Jesus rejects all anti-gospel, self-fulfilment messages. It is not “Your Best Life Now” but “Die to yourself.”

The message is both scary and strangely appealing.

Many christians fail to grow because they never settle in their heart that they have to die to themselves. The christian life is not just about asking Jesus into your heart even though it starts there. Being crucified is hard work, undignified, painful and deadly. It is everything that our fleshly nature revolts against.

How are we to die to ourselves?

1. Decide daily TGIF- Today God Is First. I am no longer my own; I was bought at a price by Christ. I am literally His slave.

2. Sacrifice all ambition. The career ladder and professional advancement may not be what the Lord has for you. The nice house may not be in His plans either.

3. Humility. Our culture both hates and admires humility in others. We like leaders who have “the common touch” but are not too common themselves. I must always look at my life through Christ’s eyes not through the distorted lens of self-image.

4. Be a servant, totally dedicated to serving others and the Lord. Going out of my comfort zone to help others is good for my soul.

Prayer

Lord, you call me to take up my cross to follow you. I confess I find this call scary. I want to follow you in all things. Please help me to put to death all selfish ambition and to live entirely for you. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 4:13-25

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+4.13-25

Scripture

Abraham never doubted or questioned Gods promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God.

Observation

God promised Abraham the world. The promise wasn’t about Abraham obeying a law but because of his faith.

God’s anger burns against law breakers. But if there is no law it can’t be broken. Everything then depends on faith, and His promise comes to us through faith.

Even when God’s promise to Abraham that he would father many nations seemed impossible, Abraham still believed the promise.

The promise of Abraham being made righteous through faith still applies. We are still made acceptable to God through our faith in Jesus’ death.

Application

Abraham never doubted or questioned God’s promise. He clung to that promise even when he was way past the age normally associated with reproduction.

His faith made him strong. He knew that he could trust God because of God’s nature. It is not God’s character to lead us on with false promises. He is faithful and trustworthy.

Abraham had a strong faith. But faith made him strong in character and in resilience. Despite numerous set backs, Abraham knew he had a destiny and a purpose, so he kept moving forwards to that destiny.

Knowing that God has given us a purpose can help keep us going against incredible odds. We might not see the final destination- like Abraham who died long before the promise was fulfilled- but we can know that we have played our part in God’s plan.

Prayer

Lord I thank you that my final destiny is greater than I can imagine right now. Your plans for my life are more fruitful than I can know. Help me to see your purposes in my life and to live up to the high calling you have for me. Amen.

Reflection on Genesis 17:1-16

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Genesis 17

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+17.1-16

Scripture

“I will always keep the promise I have made to you and your descendants, because I am your God and their God.”

Observation

When Abram is 99 years old, the Lord again appears to him. He promises to give him many descendants. Abram will be the father of many nations and is now to be called Abraham.

The Lord promises to keep His promises to Abraham and his descendants. As a response to this , every male- man, boy and even slaves- is to be circumcised. Future baby boys are to be circumcised on their eighth day.

Sarai is be called Sarah. She will bear a child and will become the mother of nations.

Application

God always keeps His promises. This is a fact that can give us hope in the darkest times.

God is faithful even when we are not. He keeps His promises to us and to our children.

We need to be careful that we heed the conditions of the promises. We often overlook the “If” and jump straight to the “I will…”

We must also learn to be patient when we claim God’s promises. He does things at the right time, not at our time. There is a 13 year gap between Genesis 16 and Genesis 17. Abraham was 100 years old when the son of promise was born.

When we think it’s too late, taking too long, past its “use by” date or just simply impossible, that is when God steps in.

God always keeps His promises. When we go off track, He coaxes us back in. When we give up hope, He gives us a glimmer of revelation to restore hope.

The only thing needed on our part is to stay faithful. God is faithful to His promise. We must remain faithful to Him.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you always keep your promises. Even when we think we have missed it, nothing is too hard for you. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 1:9-15

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1.9-15

Scripture

Straight away God’s Spirit made Jesus go into the wilderness.

Observation

Jesus is baptised by John. The Holy Spirit comes down on Him in the form of a dove, and the Father announces, “You are my dear Son, and I am pleased with you.”

Straight away the Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness to be tested by satan for 40 days.

After this, Jesus commences preaching all through Galilee.

Application

Mark’s account of three separate incidents marking the beginning of Jesus’ ministry is very light in detail. He uses words like “straight away” and “immediately” to convey the sense that things are happening quickly. The coming of Jesus into the world is a catalyst that speeds everything up.

In the middle of this, Jesus goes into the desert or wilderness, driven by the Holy Spirit, in order to be tested by satan.

Being in the wilderness is no fun at all. It seems like the Lord is doing really exciting things; it’s all happening with conversions and miracles; and then nothing.

The test of the wilderness experience is this- will I stay faithful to God even when He seems distant, and there is nothing good happening?

The other gospels tell us the natures of the temptations by satan. They all come down to the enticement of making things happen by self-will rather than walking in obedience to the Father.

My worth as a follower of Jesus is not in my achievements for Him. He loves me even when I fail to perform well on Sunday morning, or when I don’t pray enough. He even continues to love me when I abandon His plans for my life.

Coming through the wilderness experience means hanging onto Jesus as if He is the most important thing in my life.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the tough times. Even though I hate them I know that you use them to take me deeper with you. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Peter 3:18-22

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3.18-22

Scripture

Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you. Baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience because Jesus Christ was raised from death.

Observation

Christ died for our sins, an innocent person dying for the guilty. He did this in order to bring us to God.

Christ preached to the spirits in prison. These were the people who disobeyed God while Noah was building the ark.

The flood of Noah’s time was like baptism, in which God brings us safely to new life in Christ.

Application

Baptism, Peter tells us, is similar to Noah’s flood. We go through the water, dying to our old nature, and Christ brings us through to new life in Him.

Baptism is about death and life rather than cleansing the body. When we go under the water, it is as if we drown the sinful nature. We are lifted out of death to be united with Christ who reigns over all things.

In many Muslim countries where the punishment for apostasy from Islam can be death, the persecution of new christians often only starts after they are baptised. These people see that baptism is, in a sense, a cutting off the past life and an attachment to the new life in Christ.

While baptism in itself does not save us- only faith in Christ can do that- it imparts a great spiritual power that releases the believer to live the christian life.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of water baptism and its representation of the new birth in Christ. Thank you for setting me free from sin and death. Amen.

Reflection on Genesis 9:8-17

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noah.jpeg

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+9.8-17

Scripture

“I promise every living creature that the earth and those living on it will never again be destroyed by a flood.”

Observation

After Noah and his family emerge from the ark to a literally new world, the Lord makes a covenant with Noah.

The promise is that the Lord will never again send a world-wide flood to destroy all life. The rainbow will be the sign of this promise- both to the Lord and to Noah.

Application

We are not told of the emotional impact of the flood on Noah and his family. Seeing the destruction of every person and every creature in the world, apart from those on the ark must have been extremely distressing.

Now the Lord makes that promise to never again destroy the world by flood. The rainbow would be the sign of this promise.

The promise, together with the “reminder” of the rainbow, was a source of hope for Noah’s family as they set about living as the only inhabitants on the planet. None of them would have to go through such an ordeal again.

God doesn’t guarantee us freedom from tribulation. He does give us reminders of His love and signs for hope. Even in the darkest times of our lives we can look at a rainbow and find hope, or remember the other promises that God has given us.

Prayer

You Lord are the Father of all hope. Help me to trust you in the dark times of my life. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 1:29-39

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1.29-39

Scripture

Jesus healed all kinds of terrible diseases and forced out many demons.

Observation

Jesus and His disciples leave the synagogue to go back to Simon and Andrew’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever. Jesus heals her and immediately she gets out of bed to serve them a meal.

That evening all who are sick or have demons are brought to Jesus. He heals all kinds of terrible diseases and casts out many demons.

Early in the morning Jesus goes away to pray. Simon and his friends go to find Him because the crowds are looking for Jesus. Jesus then begins travelling all through Galilee preaching the message of the Kingdom.

Application

Jesus has not changed. He is still the same yesterday, today and for ever. Therefore He is still healing people of all kinds of diseases and setting them free of evil spirits.

In the West we tend to put our trust in doctors and drugs rather than in Jesus. When we get sick our first response is to reach for the paracetamol and call the doctor. With relatively cheap health care this is cost free most of the time.

I am thankful for modern medicine because it relieves so much suffering. But for christians, our dependence on health care systems diminishes our trust in God and therefore can become an idol to us.

I rarely catch a cold or flu because as soon as symptoms arise I claim healing in Jesus’ name. Others sneeze and feel miserable but I am victorious. Yet I take tablets every day for high blood pressure and I am yet to get a victory over that.

I have seen miraculous healings over many years. I know that Jesus still heals every kind of terrible disease. Praise the Lord!

Prayer

Lord Jesus you are still in the business of healing diseases and casting out demons. Please help me to grow in faith to believe that you will heal my diseases. Amen.