reflection

Reflection on Acts 7:55-60

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07-Stoning-of-Stephen

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+7.55-60

Scripture

And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honour at God’s right hand!”

Observation

Stephen is testifying before the Sanhedrin. As the leaders become increasingly enraged by his assertion that Jesus is the Messiah, Stephen sees the glory of God with Jesus standing at God’s right hand.

The elders drag him out of the city to stone him, laying their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Stephen calls out to the Lord, “Lord Jesus receive my spirit” and then “Lord don’t charge this against them.” Then he dies.

Application

It is quite awesome to have a vision of heaven, to see what is happening in God’s throne room. There are times when, if we ask, God will grant us this kind of vision. It gives us a greater insight into what God is doing and where we fit into His plans.

The important thing in Stephen’s revelation is that he sees God the Father on the throne with Jesus standing at His right hand.

Jesus is not just a historical figure. He is alive now, interceding for us and representing us before the Father.

Jesus is in the place of authority and power in God’s kingdom. In fact, He is the way we get into the Kingdom. Through Jesus we have total access to the Father, all the time.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are my saviour and my Lord. Thank you for the knowledge that you have opened the way for me and all who trust in you. Amen.

Reflection on John 10:1-10

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10.1-10

Scripture

”When he has brought out all his own [sheep], he goes on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

Observation

Anyone who does not enter a sheep pen by the gate is a thief and robber. The shepherd enters the paddock by the gate and calls the sheep by name. They follow him because they know his voice. They will never follow a stranger because they do not know his voice.

Jesus says, “I am the gate for the sheep.” Those who came before, the false Messiahs and false teachers, were like thieves and robbers. Thieves come to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus has come to give life to the full.

Application

Jesus calls us by name. He knows us. We are not a blank face in the crowd or a six-digit number.

The true follower of Jesus knows His voice and follows Him where He leads. We follow because we know the voice.

There is a depth of intimacy in our relationship with Jesus. He knows us more deeply than we know ourselves. He is the Good Shepherd who loves His sheep.

Jesus knows me and loves me!

I know Him. I recognise His voice as He speaks to my heart. I hear His voice in Scriptures and in good preaching. I hear His voice when He speaks to me in dreams and visions. I hear His voice in the stillness and quiet places.

He leads and I follow that voice; it works best that way. Sometimes I try to follow other voices, but it usually ends badly.

It is so much better to follow the shepherd of my soul.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please help me to hear your voice and to follow your voice alone. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Peter 2:19-25

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2.19-21

Scripture

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree so that we might die to our sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Observation

This passage is primarily directed at slaves being punished by harsh masters, but it is applicable to every believer.

It is commendable to bear up under unjust suffering because of our trust in God. It is not worthy if we suffer for doing wrong. The experience of suffering unjustly is a part of our calling in Christ, for He suffered on our behalf even though He committed no sin.

Jesus did not retaliate or threaten those who afflicted Him. Instead He entrusted Himself to His Father. As a result, we are set free from our sins.

Application

Jesus bore our sins on His body when He hung on the cross. He died to set us free from sin and death.

Everyone who receives this gift and dies to their sins can now be raised to new life in Him.

Sin had a hold on us in every way. We could not escape it on our own. But when we died to ourselves and received new life in Christ, then we were dead to sin and alive to righteousness. We were born again to a new life in the grace of Christ.

Part of the benefit of being born again in Christ is that we can know healing from sickness. Sickness is a part of the old covenant of sin and death. Now that we live in Christ we are healed by His wounds.

In this life healing is only partial, in the same way that our freedom from sin is not yet complete. And so we pray and sometimes people are healed and other times they are not.

The healing that we do receive points us to the future when sickness and death will be no more.

Prayer

Thank you Lord Jesus for dying for me. Than you for taking my sin and my death on your body and promising eternal life with you. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 2:42-47

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2.42-47

Scripture

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

Observation

The earliest believers recognised that they needed one another. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship and worship. The apostles performed many signs and wonders.

The believers shared their possessions and gave to those in need. They met daily in the temple and in their homes. And the Lord added to their number daily.

Application

This scripture passage is one of the key passages for the cell church movement. We see here that in the early days the church met, as the church, in big gatherings and in smaller gatherings in homes.

There was a strong sense of community, of belonging to one another that is often missing in many churches. They could see the Holy Spirit at work as signs and wonders were happening, as they loved on another, and as people were being saved.

It is easy to get caught in the christian “bubble” in which all of our relationships are with other christians. Somehow, in all of their exciting meetings, the first believers were maintaining friendships with non-believers in such a way that they were getting saved.

This community was not a closed cult. It was a very open group.

I get very excited when I meditate on this passage. It tells us what the church can be and should be. We just have to change our orientation from institution to God-centred community.

Prayer

Lord let my part of your church become the real church. May we develop a community of such intimacy with you and with each other that people are desperate to find you. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 24:13-35

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24.13-35

Scripture

They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures?”

Observation

It is Easter afternoon and two disciples are walking the road to a village called Emmaus.
They are discussing the events of the weekend when a stranger comes near. It is Jesus, although they don’t recognise Him. They tell Him about Jesus, His crucifixion and the reports of His resurrection.

Jesus then starts to tell them about how it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer then enter into glory.

At he village, the disciples invite Jesus to stay the night. When they are eating, Jesus takes the bread, blesses and breaks it. Their eyes are opened to recognise Him, then He vanishes. Excited, they rush back to Jerusalem with the news that they have seen the Lord.

Application

An encounter with Jesus will burn our hearts within us. Drawing close to Jesus, communing with him, listening to Him- this is what warms the heart of the true follower of Jesus.

There are three things happening here.

1. Two disciples sharing together about Jesus are joined by Him unexpectedly. Where two or three are gathered in His name He is there. I love cell groups and one-on-one conversations because, as we share about Jesus, He comes and joins the conversation.

2. Jesus talked to them. We need to learn to listen to the still small voice of God. He tells us, ”My sheep know my voice.” The greatest source of life for christians is the voice of the Living Word that comes to us as we listen in prayer.

3. He opened the scriptures to them. All scripture points to Jesus. It can be so easy to come to God’s word as a religious chore that we tick off our daily “to do” list. Here is the word of eternal life. It deserves our attention. We need to learn to hear the voice of Jesus opening the scriptures to us, opening our understanding and our eyes to see how it applies to us today.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, when I come into your presence, my heart truly does burn within me. I confess that I sometimes let the busy-ness of life prevent me from seeking you. Let my heart burn with passion for your presence. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Peter 1:17-25

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1.17-25

Scripture

You have been born anew, not of perishable but imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

Observation

If we call God “Father” we should live in reverent fear. We were ransomed from the ways of our ancestors through the precious blood of Christ. He was destined to die before the foundation of the earth and is now revealed at the end of the age.

We have been born again with an imperishable seed through the living and enduring word of God- the good news that was announced to us.

Application

Our first birth was in the flesh or from a perishable seed. Tainted by the spirit of death that now pervades the cosmos, we too were destined for death.

The sin of Adam, passed through the generations, put us on the road of death. Our own sins cemented us on the road.

Then came Jesus, the perfect sacrifice. He took away the power of sin and death. We were born again to a living hope through the imperishable seed of Christ’s death.

“Born again” does not just mean a new start or a second chance,although it does include that. It really means an entirely new nature. The Holy Spirit brings spiritual life, living water that washes away the power of sin in our lives.

Because I am born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, I have a new connection with God through the Holy Spirit in me. I can talk to Him any time without going through priests or cleansing sacrifices and rituals.

The vehicle for this process is the living and enduring word of God. This takes four different but related forms.

  1. The written word of God is inspired or God-breathed, and so it always caries the life of the Holy Spirit.

  2. The announced word of God (v. 25). When the message is preached or proclaimed it again carries the life of the Holy Spirit,

  3. The Word of God is of course Jesus Christ Himself (see John 1). He embodies the message of Scripture, the word become flesh. Every word of Scripture is ultimately about Him.

  4. Revelations from the Holy Spirit- words of knowledge and wisdom, prophecy etc. This is a lesser form of the word because it is so easily corrupted by our sinful nature. It must always be corroborated by the written word or the Living Word. It should not be dismissed because God still speaks to His people today.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, the Living Word, may I hear your word in its various forms and respond always to your love and your will for me. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 2:36-41

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janstyka-saintpeter

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2.32-41

Scripture
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Observation
Peter finishes his Pentecost address to the gathered crowd by declaring that Jesus is Lord and Messiah.

The people are cut to the heart by his message. They ask, “What should we do?” Peter tells them they must repent and be baptised for the forgiveness of their sins. Then they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

So Peter continues to exhort them, and three thousand people receive the message and are baptised.

Application
God calls on us simply to repent and be baptised.

All we have to do is turn from our sins in response to the gospel. Baptism is the outward sign that we have died to our old nature and risen to new life in Him.

A simple step of faith accepting that He is Lord of all.

As we take this step of repentance, He meets us with forgiveness and the Holy Spirit,

All my sins are gone, washed away by the blood of Christ, deleted from the record, all because of God’s grace given to me in Christ.

Because I am so weak and unable to live God’s way in my own human strength, He places His Spirit in me.

My decision to follow Jesus activates a whole new life, a gift from God.

This is awesome!

And it’s not just for those who were immediately hearing Peter’s message that day so long ago. It is for everyone, for those who are near and for those who are far away- in space and time.

The power of God to change lives is not restricted in any way. Nobody is too old or too young, too sinful or too good, too rich or too poor,

Everyone who call son the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for reaching down to me. I was lost in my sin, but you brought me home to you. Thank you Lord that your grace is even bigger than my sin. Amen.

Reflection on John 20:19-31

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Jn20

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20.19-31

Scripture

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Observation

The evening of Easter Sunday, the disciples are meeting behind locked doors, Jesus appears in their midst, showing them His hands and side to confirm it is Him. Jesus then breathes on them to impart the Holy Spirit.

Thomas isn’t there at the time and so He refuses to believe that Jesus is alive. A week later Jesus again appears to the disciples. He invites Thomas to touch His wounds, but Thomas answers, “My Lord and my God!”

Application

Thomas is often described as the “Doubter”, but who can blame him for being sceptical about an event that seemed too good to be true?

What is often overlooked is his passionate heart-felt response to the appearance of Jesus. “My Lord and my God!”

The other disciples rejoiced to see the risen Lord, but Thomas proclaims that He is Lord and God.

Rejoicing at the presence of the Lord is an appropriate response. I love a powerful worship time. I revel in hose personal times when Jesus seems so tangibly present.

But we don’t live only on experience.

There were lots of people partying in the presence of the Lord on Palm Sunday, but very few stood with Him on Good Friday. Many people are happy to celebrate Christ but it takes the confession and conviction, “My Lord and my God!”, to make a true disciple.

To say Jesus is God means that we recognise that He is more than a man. He is God with us,

To say Jesus is Lord is to give Him the right to direct every part of our lives. We are here to serve Him, not the other way around. Every part of my thinking, speaking and doing must be surrendered to God.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I declare that you are God and Lord . I surrender all that I am into your hands, and I rejoice that you are always with me. Amen.

Reflection on Colossians 3:1-4

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3.1-4

Scripture

When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Observation

We who are born again have died in Christ and are raised with Him. Because Christ is above, that is where our desires and affections must be.

I have died and am now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ is revealed in glory, I will also be revealed with Him in glory.

Application

We live in a materialistic culture, and everything is about what can be seen or touched. Consequently, we tend to think of eternity as pretty much like this life. We just cannot imagine what heaven must be like.

Paul tells us that we who are born again are born to a higher level of existence. At the moment our true nature is hidden with Christ, but when Christ’s glory is revealed to the world, we will also be revealed.

We are not ordinary people although we look like ordinary people. We are children of glory awaiting our transformation and unveiling.

We have an eternal destiny. We will rule over angels and all created beings. We will share in the glory and majesty of Christ.

We are the ones who have recognised the truth of the gospel. We are the ones who have joined ourselves to Christ, saying “Yes” to his offer of salvation. We are the ones who will overcome and stand firm in Him until the end.

Having passed through all the temptations and trials of this life we will be raised up with Christ to share His glory.

For this reason we must live as people of destiny. As Paul says, we must set our minds on what is above. This is what we were created and saved for.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the destiny, the glory that awaits me in you. Thank you for dying on the cross to set me free from sin and death. Thank you for the assurance that I will share in your resurrection. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 10:34-43

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10.34-43

Scripture

“They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised Him to life on the third day.”

Observation

Peter is testifying at the house of Cornelius. He says that God accepts those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. There is peace with God through Jesus Christ.

God anointed Jesus with Holy Spirit and with power. Jesus went around doing good and healing all. Men crucified Jesus, but God raised Him to life. He ordered His disciples to testify everywhere that Jesus is the one appointed to judge all people, the one the prophets foresaw who would bring forgiveness to all who believe in Him.

Application

This week is called Holy Week in some churches. It is the week we spend particularly contemplating the Easter message. Men killed Christ by nailing Him to a cross, but God raised Him from the dead.

It wasn’t the Roman soldiers who nailed Jesus to the the cross. That blame is shared by everyone who ever sinned. That includes me.

My sins took Jesus to the cross, but God demonstrated His love by raising Him from the dead.

That simple phrase, “But God” is such a powerful reminder of the power of God’s grace.

  • Jesus was dead in the tomb, but God raise Him to life

  • I was lost in my sins, but God forgave me

  • I was headed for Hell but God rescued me and put me on the path to heaven.

  • I was sick but God healed me.

What an awesome God!

God loved the world enough to heap up all the sins that people have ever committed and dump them on Jesus on the cross. Then He showed us that sin no longer has any power to bind us by raising Christ from the dead.

All my sins are gone because of Calvary.

The greatest part of this is that we don’t have to be perfect, or even good, to qualify. God’s forgiveness is here for everyone who receives the gift.

Prayer

Thank you Lord Jesus for dying for me. Now help me to live for you. Amen.