reflection

Reflection on Matthew 9:35-10:8

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harvest

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9.35-10.8

Scripture

“Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment , give without payment.”

Observation

Jesus goes about teaching and preaching and healing all kinds of sickness. He has compassion on the people of Israel and tells the disciples they need to pray for the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the fields.

Jesus gives His twelve disciples authority then sends them out to preach the kingdom, to cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out demons.

Application

Jesus sent out His closest disciples with a fairly broad commission to continue His work by healing people and preaching His message of the Kingdom.

They did this successfully even before Jesus had died and risen, and before they had received the Holy Spirit. We who have the Holy Spirit fail to do these things because we do not trust in the authority that is ours in Christ.

Everything in God’s kingdom is about authority not about power. God has all the power to do as He pleases, but He has chosen to delegate all that to His disciples- that is to you and me.

We have the power to heal the sick and raise the dead- that is the Holy Spirit.

We also have authority from Christ to heal the sick, preach the gospel and raise the dead.

I think that the problem is simply we lack faith. Not lack of faith in God but lack of faith in God’s ability and willingness to use me.

We have the Holy Spirit with us always. We have the authority of Christ to proclaim His reign. Let’s be obedient and trusting to His command.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you have given me all authority. Help me to grasp that authority and see your kingdom revealed as I walk with you each day. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 5:1-8

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Romans05v01to08_2005

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5.1-8

Scripture

Therefore, since we have been made right with God by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Observation

We are justified, or made right with God, though faith in Christ. Christ has brought us into this place of grace so we can look forward to sharing God’s glory.

When things go wrong we can rejoice because these things develop our strength of character and our hope in salvation.

Christ chose to die for us while we were still sinners, showing God’s great love for us.

Application

Jesus died on the cross for me. His death was the perfect sacrifice that takes away the sin of the whole world. His death makes me right with God. My sins were many, but He forgives them all.

Some people imagine that if your good deeds outweigh the bad deeds you will be OK. Muslims believe this. The problem is that I can never be sure. What is the standard? How many good deeds of what type do I need to do to make up for that particular sin?

There is no confidence and no peace without Christ.

The crucifixion is an historical fact. Nobody can take that away or deny it. When I doubt my salvation, I just look to the cross and remember that this is how much God loves me.

God is not a distant deity looking to punish every sin. He is a loving Father. I relate to Him as my Father. It is personal. We aren’t working out what I have to do to get into His good books. That is all sorted. I enter into His presence as a beloved son.

So I have peace with God. The barrier of my sin has been broken down and there is noting left to separate me from Him. I don’t have to worry about my salvation. It’s all dealt with in Christ.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you for the peace that comes from knowing my sins are forgiven in Christ.

Reflection on Genesis 18:1-15

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Book_of_Genesis_Chapter_18-1_(Bible_Illustrations_by_Sweet_Media)

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+18.1-15

Scripture

“Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?”

Observation

The Lord appears to Abraham in the form of three men. Abraham asks the men to stay for a while, and he prepares food for them. He has Sarah prepare some bread, and a servant kill a calf.

While the men are eating, one of them says that Sarah will soon have a son. Sarah is listening from inside a tent and she laughs at this statement because she is so old.

The Lord says to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say ‘Shall I bear a child in my old age?”” He then repeats the promise that Sarah will have a son.

Application

The Lord asks Abraham the rhetorical question, “Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?”

Human wisdom says that God is irrelevant to our lives. Faith says nothing is too hard for God.

Do I put my trust in God or in myself and my own resources?

Humanly speaking, it was impossible for Sarah to have a child. But now God brings a promise of something that seems impossible or too good to be true.

Surely I cannot have a child.

Surely I am too wicked to be forgiven.

Surely I cannot be healed

Surely I have missed my opportunity.

Faith says with God all things are possible.

Faith says God loves me and wants the best for my life.

Faith says that God is able to save, able to heal, able to give back what others have stolen.

Life can knock us around through hurt, disappointment, dashed dreams. But God can redeem these things, turning them around for our good.

Sarah didn’t have faith to receive the promise- not even a mustard seed of faith- but He acted anyway. How much more could she have received if she believed the promise?

Do not think “it could never happen for me.” Instead, remember nothing is too wonderful for the Lord.

Prayer

Today Lord I choose to believe your promise for me. Nothing is too wonderful for you. Hallelujah!

Reflection on Genesis 1:1-2:3

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creation

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1:1-2:3

Scripture

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Observation

In the beginning God created. Over six days, God set about forming a bleak and dull universe into something beautiful and capable of sustaining life.

There is a method, a process, of firstly forming the heavens, the water and sky, and the earth, and then filling them.

At the end of the sixth day, God proclaims it is very good, and then sets aside the seventh day as the Sabbath rest.

Application

In the beginning God…

God is at the beginning of creation. Nothing is made without Him. Nothing lasts without Him.

Our lives should be the same- every plan, every thought , every deed should find its beginning in God. It is when we move away from the source of all things that we move towards sin and death.

In the beginning God created…

It is in God’s nature to create, to bring into being things that were not. We are created in God’s image, and therefore we are creators. Every human being has the capacity to create things- art, poetry, movies, buildings, inventions, more people.

When we believe that we are not creative, then we are in bondage to sin- satan has lied to us about our destiny and our purpose.

In my lifetime, I have seen an explosion in wealth around the globe due to creativity. Some of this is in harnessing God’s creation (agriculture and mining), some of it from turning God’s creation into human creation (industry), but much of it is in services where human ingenuity is harnessed, for example in the software that runs our apps and internet services. Financial services multiply wealth when money- intrinsically valueless in itself- generates more money as it is transformed into different states.

Creativity is a blessing from the Lord the creator. It is an exceptional sign of the image of God in human beings.

Of course, due to sin we can corrupt this to destructive and sinful ends. God calls us to build up not pull down and to create not destroy.

Prayer

Lord God, how amazing it is to think that before all things came into being, you were there. How awesome to contemplate that this world, for all its problems, is a product of your design and not a chance arrangement of atoms. Amen.

Reflection on John 14:15-22

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John 14-20 You WIll Know That You Are In Me And I Am In You blue.jpg

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passsage/?search=John+14.15-22

Scripture

“On that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

Observation

Jesus tells the disciples that if they love Him they will obey His commands. He will send the Comforter, the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him because the world does not know Him.

Jesus is going, but because He lives we also will live. We will know the unity of the Father with the Son and with us.

Application

Often we fail to understand the true unity of the believer with God through the Holy Spirit. Jesus says that He is in the Father and also in us, and that we are in Him.

To be born again is to be born of the Spirit. We share in Christ’s death and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in us.

There is a close unity within the person of God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When we are born again, we are brought into the union.

I am in God and God is in me. This is not some Eastern mystical idea where “god” is in the creation and everything is “god.”

No, this is about relationships. God invites us into a relational unity with Him that we were created for and which sin destroyed.

Because I am now in God, I need to protect this unity through a commitment to holiness. I do not want to risk this unity by offending God’s perfect holiness. This would be like defiling my marriage relationship by sleeping with a woman other than my wife.

We were created for a close relationship with God. Jesus died on the cross to restore the relationship. He gives us the Holy Spirit to be the centre of the relationship.

Prayer

Lord, this concept of being united with you is very hard to get my mind around. I don’t understand it, but I receive it. Please help me to repent and turn away from everything that would rob that relationship. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Peter 3:13-22

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3.13-22

Scripture

In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Observation

Even if we suffer for doing what is right we are blessed. We should always be ready to give an answer for the hope we have in Christ, but with gentleness and respect.

Christ died for our sins once for all to bring us to God. We was put to death but then raised to life by the Holy Spirit. He preached to spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago. Noah’s ark is a type of baptism, the pledge of a good conscience towards God.

Application

Evangelism starts with a heart dedicated and sanctified to the Lord. We must repent of sin and live a life that honours God. This does not mean we have to have it all together before we can share our faith. It does mean that Christ must be the highest priority, the most precious desire of our heart.

Christ must be Lord in our hearts and not just the means to getting to heaven.

We must be always prepared to give the reason for our hope. People ask questions about faith at all kinds of times- often at inconvenient times. Will we take hold of the opportunity as it presents itself, or fob off a seeker because we have other things on our mind?

“Always be prepared” means to understand in our hearts how to share the gospel. It manes that we know who Jesus is and why His death saves us,

This must be done with gentleness and respect. People are not won by arguments and insults. They are won by humility, gentleness and respect. This person asking me about my faith is someone who was created in the image of God and for whom Christ died. Our faith sharing must always be done with this in mind.

Prayer

Lord, who are you leading me to talk to today, this week? Let my life, my attitudes and my words speak highly of you to all that I speak. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 17:22-34

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003-paul-athens

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17.22-34

Scripture

“In the past, God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”

Observation

Paul is in Athens where he has a dispute with some of the city’s philosophers. They take him to the Areopagus to present and argue for the Gospel.

Paul notes that the city is very religious, even having an altar dedicated to an unknown god. Paul says that this is the true God who created all things and all people. He did this so that people would turn to Him and find Him.

In the past, God overlooked the ignorance of paganism. But now He calls all people to repent, for He has set a day of judgement by Christ whom He raised from the dead.

Some sneer at this talk of resurrection, but others believe Paul and his message.

Application

Since Christ came into the world, the gospel has left us with a stark choice- we can accept it or reject it.

The commandment given to all people now is “repent.” The Kingdom of God has arrived, and we must turn from our sins and follow Jesus.

There once was no kingdom, but now the King has come and established His Kingdom. Once we could live as we pleased, whether it was to worship idols or to worship our bodies.

Now King Jesus tells us to worship only Him. There is a grace period but a day of judgement will come.

Jesus is justified in judging those who reject Him. He died to pay for our sin. Now we must honour Him with our lives or pay the price for rejecting His grace.

This is not religion by obeying rules. This is freedom to live the lives we were created for. I once was lost in sin, but now I am found in Him.

Repenting does not just mean turning from sinful actions. It is letting go of all our false loves to embrace the true lover of our souls.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for delivering me from sin. Help me to honour you in every part of my life. Amen

Reflection on 1 Peter 2:1-10

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1-Peter

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2.1-10

Scripture

So like new born babies you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

Observation

We are to crave spiritual milk so that we can grow in the Lord. We have come to Christ, the cornerstone of God’s temple. We are like living stones that build the temple, even priests offering daily sacrifices that are pleasing to the Lord.

Jesus is the cornerstone but He is a stumbling stone to those who reject God’s word. We are God’s chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation.

Application

When we first come to Christ we are described as being born again. Spiritually we are babies. New born babies are dependent on others, don’t know much, and cry when provoked. While babies are delightful, nobody wants them to stay that way.

Yet we have many spiritual babies who have never matured in their faith despite being saved for 10 years, 20 years, even 50 years or more. They are content to stay the way they are- infants in their thinking and unable to do much in the body of Christ.

Peter tells the new-borns they must crave pure spiritual milk. That means reading the Bible, listening to teachers and pastors, being mentored by mature christians, learning to pray and to minister to others.

We have taught people to fall over the starting line of the race and to stay there rather than running to the finish line. Too many christians remain dependent on others when they should already be growing in Christ and helping others to do the same.

There are many churches that feed their people Diet Coke Zero rather than milk, let alone meat. People go to be entertained but never challenged or shown how to grow.

We take God’s grace, and that should move us to cry “More, Lord!” His tender mercy is meant to move us into deeper intimacy with Him, which is then expressed in the way we relate to others, the way we relate to God and our behaviour and motivations through life.

Prayer

Lord, I need you to mature me, to grow me, to show me how to live for you. Please help me to crave your spiritual food. Amen.

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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429px-The_Lord_is_my_Good_Shepherd.jpg

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.