reflection

Reflection on Isaiah 61:10-62:3

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+61.10-62.3

Scripture

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God

For he has dressed me in the garments of salvation

and draped me in a robe of righteousness.

Observation

Isaiah is overwhelmed with joy because he is dressed in salvation and righteousness, like a groom or a bride in wedding clothes.

The Lord will show justice to the nations and everyone will praise Him. The nations will see God’s righteousness and glory.

Application

When we see God’s glory we should be overwhelmed with joy. When we think of our relationship with God, joy should fill our soul.

When prayer or Bible study or worship become a chore, a ritual to be endured, then we have lost the plot. Joy is meant to be a centre piece in the christian life.

God has dressed me in the garment of salvation. I once was lost and dead in my sin. Then, miracle of miracles, Jesus reached down to me from the cross and brought cleansing and forgiveness. He walked out of the tomb and brought me resurrection life.

My life has meaning because I am in Christ. I am overwhelmed with joy at what God has done in me.

Joy is different to happiness. Happiness is fleeting- it literally depends on what is happening. Joy is eternal because it is a gift from God. Even in the greatest trial or the saddest moment, joy will be there waiting to bubble up to the surface like a spring of water.

I am saved in Christ, so I will rejoice.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of salvation. All my sins are gone, cleansed by your blood. Help me to remember this when the world overwhelms me. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 2:21-40

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2.21-40

Scripture

“I have seen your salvation you have prepared for you all people.”

Observation

Eight days after Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the Temple to be circumcised and the necessary offerings to be made.

A godly man named Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Messiah. The Holy Spirit leads him to the Temple where he encounters Mary and Joseph. He takes the baby in his arms and prophesies over Him. “This baby will cause many in Israel to fall but He will be a joy to many.”

Then Anna, an elderly widowed prophet, comes along while Simeon is speaking and she praises God.

The family returns to Nazareth where Jesus grows up healthy and strong.

Application

What a wonderful message is in the Christmas story. God has prepared salvation for all people.

Everyone may be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. You don’t have to be Jewish or born to a certain class of people. You don’t have to follow difficult rules and procedures. No sacrifice is needed because God has already provided the sacrifice.

This salvation is for all people.

This salvation is God’s gift for us- that is why we exchange gifts at Christmas. Jesus and His forgiveness come with no payment required, no hidden fees or penalties. It is God’s gift- simple and free.

If you know Jesus already, rejoice in His great gift.

If you don’t know Jesus then today is the day. Ask Him to forgive your sins and to come into your life. Decide in your heart to follow Jesus and to live the life He created for you to live.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, your salvation brings so much joy to my heart. Thank you for coming into the world. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

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A dove in the sky

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+1.16-24

Scripture

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

Observation

Paul tells us to rejoice always, pray constantly and be thankful in all circumstances. This is God’s will for us.

We must honour the Holy Spirit and His gifts rather than scoffing at them. We should test every prophecy and hold on to the good stuff.

Application

Many churches and individuals stifle the work of the Holy Spirit in many ways. They claim to be faithful and true to the word of God, but they fail at this point.

Some push the line that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not for today. If we believe that then every prophecy will be denied and every gift rejected.

We can squash the Holy Spirit in less obvious ways also. We can ignore the promptings of the Spirit to pray or speak to someone. We can dismiss a personal prophecy as irrelevant without asking God.

Often christians can ascribe more power to satan than to the Holy Spirit. “Stay away from that stuff,” they sat, “You might be deceived.” It is true that some people are led into error by a wrong use of spiritual gifts but do we really believe that the lies of satan are stronger than the truth of God?

We can also squash the Holy Spirit by assuming that we have all the answers. It is surprising how often christians fail to even pray about decisions they make, much less look for a divine answer.

Let us make every effort to hear God and stir into flame the measure of the Holy spirit that God has placed in us.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and fill me. Help me to hear you whether it is in the still small voice or through the spoken word of prophecy. May I never quench your work in my life. Amen

Reflection on Isaiah 61

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isiaiah61

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+1.1-11

Scripture

He has sent me to tell those who mourn

that the time of the Lord’s favour has come

and with it the say of God’s anger against their enemies.

Observation

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me

to bring good news to the poor

to comfort the broken hearted

to proclaim freedom for the captives

to declare the time of the Lord’s favour

God promises that He will bring joy to those who mourn and His justice will be revealed to all nations.

Application

Those who mourn because of injustice will find joy in the Lord. The time of God’s favour is coming.

There are times when we might feel abandoned by God, maybe because of injustice, opposition or a life or family out of our control.

But God is going to change all that. His favour will come and His blessing will be poured out.

God raises up the humble and brings joy to those who grieve. He is in the business of restoring lives, especially for those who trust in Him.

This is more than good news to the oppressed. He will also bring justice and judgement on those who oppress.

There are systems in the world which seem to lock some people into poverty, violent relationships or social deprivation. But God is going to judge those systems, not by oppressing the oppressors but by renewing the whole of society through the renewal of relationships and the transforming of our minds.

One day love, justice and peace will flow across the land like a mighty river in flood. Jesus’ death on the cross has released a kingdom that will never end, a justice for all that will never be undermined.

Prayer

Lord your desire is not just to forgive sins but to change all things so that those who are pulled down will be restored. Help me to see how I can be a channel for your justice. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 1:1-8

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1.1-8

Scripture

John told the people, “Someone more powerful is going to come! And I’m not good enough even to stoop down and untie his sandals.”

Observation

The Good News starts with the appearance of John in the desert preparing the way of the Lord. His message is simple: “Turn back to God, be baptised and your sins will be forgiven.”

John also tells the people that someone is coming who will be more powerful. John baptises in water but coming one will baptise with the Holy Spirit.

Application

Despite his boldness in telling people of all classes, even King Herod, to repent of their sins, John the Baptist was a humble man. He recognised that his ministry was not about him, but about Jesus. On one occasion Jesus said, “I must decrease and Jesus must increase.”

Our culture does not do humility well. From an early age we are told that we can do anything, be anyone. We are told to push ourselves forward and be self-confident.

The way of God, though, is to be God-confident, trusting the Holy Spirit to promote us when necessary.

How many ministers could say, in all sincerity, with John “I’m not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals”? How many of us even think in these terms?

To be a follower of Jesus means that we are obedient to His call and to His commandments. He is the one who is greater than all of us.

We are accustomed to thinking of ourselves as equal to everybody else. Our classless democratic society tries to pull down all distinctions except those it approves of.

Jesus is in another class altogether. He is the one and only Son of God. He truly is greater than us and worthy of all praise.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please give me a revelation of your glory and help me to worship you as you truly are. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Peter 3:8-18

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patience

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3.8-18

Scripture

The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.

Observation

Peter urges us to remember that God’s time scale isn’t the same as ours. A day and a thousand years are the same to Him. He isn’t being slow to keep his promises but patient. He is holding off judgement until everyone who will be saved is saved.

Judgement will come swiftly. The universe will be burned up in fire, and a new heaven and earth, perfect in every way, will be formed.

Application

The Lord isn’t slow in keeping His promises. He does not delay unnecessarily. In fact, His timing is always perfect.

Peter here is talking specifically about the end of history and Jesus’ return. The principle applies to every promise of God.

We measure time in days. God measures in generations and centuries. We desire fast food and instant coffee, but He follows a better way with better outcomes.

God is perfect in all of His dealings with people. This is something that we should rejoice in, especially those who struggle with chronic sins.

When we are impatient with God’s promises we are in danger of falling into doubt and then unbelief. We can be tempted to deny that God will do what He has promised to do.

We must persevere in faith, believing that all of God’s promises come to pass in His way and at His time.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to be patient in waiting for your promises to unfold. Grant me faith to hang on to you even when you seem to act more slowly than I would prefer. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 40:1-11

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+40.1-11

Scripture

“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

Observation

“Comfort Jerusalem, speak tenderly to her,” says the Lord.

He promises someone coming through the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord.

People are short-lived like grass, but God’s word endures for ever. Yes the Lord is coming, and He will rule over His people with power and gentleness.

Application

Hope is a force for life. When we lose hope and feel abandoned, we believe that life has no value.

Today I watched someone crumple before my eyes as a person in authority laid out a bleak future for her. He was laying out the worst case scenario- possible but unlikely. We spent the afternoon speaking to her words of hope and an alternative future,

For the people of Israel, the wrath of God smashed all hope for the future. The prophets painted a picture of hope, because the reality was that God had not abandoned them. Forced to a place of punishment for sin, God continued to love His people.

Christmas is a time of hope for christians as we celebrate the unfailing love of God who loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son so that whoever trusts in Him should have eternal life (John 3:16)

No matter how bleak life seems, we have a God who refuses to abandon us and guarantees eternity to His followers.

That is great comfort for God’s people.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for not giving up on me. Your love never fails, and I will celebrate you today. Amen.

Reflection on Mark 13:24-37

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+13.24-37

Scripture

“No one knows the day or the time. The angels in heaven don’t know, and the Son himself doesn’t know. Only the Father knows.”

Observation

Jesus tells His disciples about the end times. The powers of the sky will be shaken. Then the Son will return in glory with the angels.

Just as we know when trees sprout leaves and blossoms that summer is on its way, we need to be alert for the signs of Jesus’ return.

No one knows the day or the time- not even the angels of heaven or Jesus Himself. Like servants overseeing a household while their master is away, we need to be diligently serving the Lord.

Application

No one knows the day. I get frustrated when I see a new prediction, always false of course. No one knows when this will be except our Father.

Jesus tells us that it could be any time so we need to live in eager expectation of His coming.

In this season called Advent, we prepare ourselves and wait expectantly to celebrate Jesus’ first coming. Although we assign a date to this event, we don’t really know the date of Jesus’ birthday. How much more then should we approach the timing of His return in humility and accept that we aren’t meant to know?

We know that He will come back to judge the living and the dead. We know that He will reign over all of creation and that the great enemies of mankind- sin and death- will be finally vanquished.

So we must wait expectantly. We must go about the Lord’s business each day serving Him as faithfully as if He was right here with us in visible form. He is right here with us (Immanuel- God is with us), but we sometimes forget.

If we daily live in submission to the Holy Spirit, we will be ready for Christ’s return whenever He comes.

Prayer

Come Lord Jesus come! May I be found diligently and joyfully serving your purposes when you do return. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

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1-corinthians

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1.1-9

Scripture

God can be trusted, and he chose you to be partners with his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation

Paul writes to the church at Corinth whom Jesus chose to be His own people. He prays for God’s blessing and peace to be with them.

Paul never stops thanking God for the church in Corinth. They will not miss out on any blessing as they await Christ’s return. God van be trusted to care for those whom He has chosen.

Application

In these few verses, Paul uses the word chose (or chosen) three times. Like the nation of Israel, these people were chosen by God to reflect His glory and to carry the gospel of Christ to their city and beyond.

We are chosen by God. He is sovereign.

We often think of the choices we make, including the decision to follow Christ.

But before we chose God, He chose us.

From before time began and long before I was even born, God had a plan for my life that included eternal life with Him.

The Lord arranged my life and manoeuvred key events in my life so that I would be ready to say “Yes” to Him.

This is not to say that my life is predetermined by God or that I am a robot following a divinely ordained program. At the intersection of divine will and human deciding there is always mystery.

God chose me! Why me as opposed to someone else, I do not know. I rejoice that He called and I answered.

As for those who have not said “Yes” to Jesus, I believe they were chosen too, but they have not yet realised the preciousness of God’s grace.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for reaching down and choosing me. Help me to see those whom you have chosen but do not yet realise it, and to share the Good News with them. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 64:1-9

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Photo by SwapnIl Dwivedi on Unsplash

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+64.1-9

Scripture
And yet, O Lord, you are our Father
We are the clay, and you are the potter.
We are all formed by your hand.

Observation
O Lord, come down. Our hearts are heavy with grief at the sins of our nation.

If only the Lord would come down and sort things out. No one has ever heard or seen a god like the Lord. There is no one like Him, and when He acts nations are shaken.

We are sinners, even the people who say they belong to Him. Sin is in our DNA from when we are conceived.

We are the clay, and He is the potter. We are His people, the work of His hands.

Application
We have all sinned and fallen short of the glorious destiny that God planned for us. And yet the Lord continues to love us. We do the most crass, stubborn and rebellious things, “and yet” God’s love continues to flow to us.

God is the potter and we are the clay. Life goes better for us when we allow God to mould us, when we respond to events, both good and hurtful, with trust and joy in the Lord.

If we remain pliable to His touch then just a little pressure will mould us to the right shape. But when we are rigid and unyielding, determined to do things our own way, then the Lord has to increase the pressure to push us into that beautiful form He designed us to be.

We all sin, but we are all formed by His hand. We all rebel, but He continues to shape us for His purposes.

Prayer
Lord Jesus I thank you that your love never fails. Your love never gives up or runs out. Help me to see that correction and redirection are a part of your love for me. Amen.