reflection

Reflection on 2 Timothy 2:8-15

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2.8-15

Scripture

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, as a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Observation

Paul exhorts Timothy to remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead. Paul is in chains for this gospel, but the word of God cannot be chained.

If we die with Christ, we will rise with Him. If we endure we will reign with Him.

Timothy must do his best to present himself to God as one approved.

Application

Paul tells Timothy to do his best to present Himself to God as one approved. He needs to do the best that he can to serve Christ with the gifts and resources he has.

When we decide to follow Christ we commit ourselves to serving Him in all parts of our lives.

The specifics of what that looks like vary from person to person depending on the task to which God assigns us. There are some common factors though. The one approved by God will be someone who

  • lives a life that reflects Christ’s character

  • seeks to serve Christ at every opportunity

  • lives in the community of faithful christians

  • knows God’s word through meditation on it.

  • knows the voice of the shepherd through regular communion with Him.

Prayer

Lord, show me how to be faithful in every part of my life. Amen.

Reflection on Jeremiah 29:1-9

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Scripture

“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Observation

Jeremiah sends a letter to the priests, elders, prophets and the other people that Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile in Babylon.

The letter carries the command of the Lord for those in Babylon to build houses and settle down, to marry and to have children. They are to seek the peace and prosperity of the city and to pray for it. If the city prospers they too will prosper.

They are not to listen to the false prophets and diviners, their dreams and lying prophecies. These are not sent by the Lord.

Application

It is easy to be critical of the politicians and institutions which lead our nation, state or city. There is much to be critical of, especially when it seems that our society is rapidly casting off all vestiges of christian values.

Rather than criticise, we should pray. As our city and nation prospers we too will prosper.

We must pray for prosperity, asking God to bless our nation, even those who rebel against Him. Babylon was so evil that it became a symbol in the Bible for all demonic forces that defy God’s Kingdom. If Jeremiah could instruct Israel’s leaders to pray for this wicked city, then surely we can pray for our own.

We must pray for our leaders to be saved so that the way they lead is shaped by the Kingdom of God not by the kingdom of darkness.

Prayer

Lord I pray for the peace and prosperity of Narrabri and of Australia. May our leaders recognise your authority and align themselves with your values. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 17:5-10

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17.5-10

Scripture

The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and thrown into the sea” and it would obey you.

Observation

The apostles ask Jesus to show them how to increase in faith. Jesus answered that just a mustard seed- sized faith would allow them to command a tree to be uprooted and it would be.

Jesus goes on to say that if a servant comes in from ploughing, the master doesn’t say, “Come in and have some dinner with me.” No, the master tells the servant to prepare a meal for him and the servant eats later. Likewise we should not feel proud when we obey God. We should tell ourselves, “We are just servants.”

Application

At first sight it seems that Jesus is offering some kind of super power called faith. Just a sprinkle of faith and you can perform miracles.

But He then puts faith into the context of obedience. Faith isn’t the ability to uproot trees at will or to leap tall buildings for that matter. It is about trusting in the power of God so that when He directs we speak or act in expectation of His miraculous power.

Spiritual gifts and miraculous power may be given for the service of God. They are never given for us to boost our self-esteem or to garner the praise of people.

Our focus must always be on serving the Lord, not on the gifts He chooses to grace us with.

Prayer

Lord you promise great gifts to all who use them humbly. Help me Lord to look to you so that I serve you in all things. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Timothy 1:1-14

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1.1-14

Scripture

Yet I am not ashamed for I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Observation

Paul thanks God for Timothy, being reminded of his sincere faith handed down from his grandmother and mother.

He reminds Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God that was imparted to him by the laying on of hands. The Spirit is not about timidity but about power, faith and self-discipline.

God saves us and calls us to a life of holiness. This grace was given in Christ before the beginning of time. But has only now been revealed. Christ has destroyed death and brought immortality through the gospel.

Application

Two gifts from God are given to us to equip us for eternity.

Firstly there is the gospel, the message of salvation that sets us free from sin and death and brings us into the light and eternal life.

Then there is the Holy Spirit- the spirit of power, love and self-control. It is the Holy Spirit who equips us to live our lives for Christ.

Paul tells Timothy he must fan into flame the gift that was placed in him. We do this through prayer and obedience. As we take baby steps in the life of the Spirit we become mature and live in the fullness of what Christ created us to be.

Prayer

Holy Spirit I receive as a deposit that gift you have placed in me. Help me to grow in all of yout gifts and become effective in your kingdom. Amen.

Reflection on Lamentations 1:1-6

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=lamentations+1.1-6

Oh my city, my home

What has become of you?

The empty street and shops

Bombed out houses

In vacated suburbs

Speak of death and disaster.

Oh my city, my home

The dwelling of Yahweh

The envy of the nations

The focus of the world

We ask “Why?”

But no answer comes.

Oh my city my home

Australia’s shame

We have left the ancient paths

The holy ways of God

Can our own exile be delayed?

Reflection on Luke 16:9-31

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+16.9-31

Scripture

“He said to them, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone returns from the dead.’”

Observation

Jesus tells a story of a rich man who lived in luxury every day. A beggar named Lazarus lived in misery at his gate.

Both the beggar and the rich man die. Lazarus is taken to heaven but the rich man goes to Hades to be tormented. The rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to him to cool his tongue with a drop of water. Abraham says that no one can cross from heaven to Hades.

The rich man then asks for Lazarus to be sent to warn his brothers. Abraham tells him that hey have the Law and the Prophets, and not even the testimony of a resurrected man will convince them.

Application

We often think that if only God would do something spectacular then people would have to believe. There have been testimonies from around the world of people being raised from the dead. These experiences affect the person who has been raised and their immediate family, but seem to make little difference to the wider circle of people around them.

The rich man in the story remained unconverted even after death. He still thought that he was in control and that Lazarus was no better than a slave who was there to meet his demands. It seems that even judgement and hell will leave some people unchanged.

If spectacular death experiences leave people unchanged, what will change them? What does it take to persuade people? The key to changing hearts is prayer together with the story of God’s Good News. Only this will soften hearts that are closed to God.

Prayer

Lord please show me who I should pray for and talk to about Jesus. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Timothy 6:6-19

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+6.6-21

Scripture

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

Observation

Godliness with contentment is great wealth. We brought nothing into the world and can take nothing from it, so if we have enough to cover the basics we should be content.

The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It leads us to temptation and stirs up harmful desires.

The man of God must pursue righteousness and a godly life. We must fight the good fight, obeying God’s commandments until Christ returns.

Those who are rich must not be proud or trust their wealth. Money must be used to do good works and in that way store up a treasure for the life to come.

Application

So many people are obsessed with wealth. Those who don’t have money want more and those who have plenty can become proud of their possessions.

There is nothing wrong with material wealth. It is the love of money, not money itself, that stirs up bad passions and leads us away from the Lord.

For the follower of Christ, pursuing God’s will must be our primary desire. If I pursue God’s kingdom then I will have my trust in Him not in my money. If I devote myself to seeking first God’s kingdom then nothing else matters.

Prayer

Lord please help me to put you first and to trust in you rather than in my own resources. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 16:1-13

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+16.1-13

Scripture

“If you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”

Observation

Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest manager who is caught out misappropriating his master’s money. When confronted and required to give an account of himself, he makes his own provision. He calls in the master’s debtors and gets them to mark down the amount they owe.

The manager uses his position to gain favour with other potential employers. Jesus says that we are to act shrewdly for the kingdom, using all our physical resources to the purposes of the kingdom.

We need to be faithful with the little we have in order to be trusted with more.

Application

This passage trips up many christians because Jesus seems to be commending fraud and dishonesty. Jesus is pointing out that the people of the world use their cunning and creativity to advance their own interests. How much more should the children of God use their possessions to advance the kingdom.

People who do not know God- and many who do- allow money to become a false god which they look to for security or identity or as a goal in itself.

We have a choice between acquiring money for its own sake or serving God’s kingdom. If we are to live for the kingdom, even our possessions must be surrendered to God’s purposes.

Prayer

Father please help me to let go of my attachment to things and to trust you or all that I need. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Timothy 2:1-7

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+2:1-7

Scripture

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ,

Observation

Paul urges that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone, especially those in authority.

God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. Jesus is the only mediator between God and men. He gave Himself as a ransom for all.

For this purpose Paul was appointed a herald, apostle and teacher to the Gentiles.

Application

Prayer, both in corporate worship and individually, is vital. Paul tells us to pray for everyone, especially those in authority so that we can live peaceful lives and the gospel can be preached.

He lists four types of prayer. We can debate the meaning of the words, but the important thing is to pray always for all people.

We especially need to pray for people to be saved. The work of salvation is a spiritual battle, and satan does not willingly let go of his captives. We need to learn to pray regularly and passionately for our friends and neighbours.

Prayer

Lord please teach me how to pray. Show me who to pray for that they will be open to your gospel message, the Good News of salvation. Amen.