reflection

Reflection on 1 Peter 5:1-14

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lion

Scripture

Discipline yourselves and keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.

Observation

Peter exhorts elders to tend their flocks willingly. They must be examples for the flock. This way when Christ returns they will win a crown of glory.

We must humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, casting all our cares and anxieties on Him.

The devil prowls around looking to devour us, but if we stay alert and resist him, God will restore, support, strengthen and establish us.

Application

It is essential to discern the habits and methods of the devil. We must not become either complacent or obsessed. We must be vigilant, however, or satan will pull us down.

Peter tells us to watch, be disciplined and resist. These activities are essential if we are to overcome the evil one.

To be disciplined means that we focus on doing the right things even when we may prefer not to- things like prayer, Bible reading and worship.

To resist means that we stand up to temptation when it comes, instead of buckling at the first opportunity.

As we learn to focus on God’s will for our lives instead of following the path of least resistance, we will find that God strengthens us and establishes us in Him.

Prayer

Father please show me how to live a life that is pleasing to you and grant me the strength to resist temptation. Amen.

Reflection on Psalm 68:1-10

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89a27-psalm98praise

Let God arise

His enemies be scattered

Like smoke before the wind.

Let God’s foes disappear.

You, O God, protect the weak

You love the poor and the orphans

Let those who sneer at you

Consider the work of your hands.

O God turn your enemies to friends

Confound and convince those who oppose you

Let godless thoughts be exposed

And unholy philosophies refuted.

Reflection on Acts 1:6-14

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ascension

Scripture

He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”

Observation

The disciples ask Jesus if He is about to restore Israel. But Jesus replies that this is not for them to know. They must wait for the Holy Spirit who will give them the power to be witnesses even to the ends of the earth.

Then Jesus is taken up to heaven. Two angels appear and tell the disciples that Jesus will return in the same way that He has left.

After this, they return to the city to the room where they are staying. There they continue to pray and wait.

Application

Jesus’ words here remind us of the danger of theological speculation. It isn’t wrong to wonder about the future kingdom, but it can distract us from the main job which if to be witnesses to Jesus under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus will return, but in the meantime there is a gospel to preach to the nations.

There is an order to this. We must first receive the Holy Spirit and then go out. No Spirit- no power.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and fill me. Lead me to those people who need to know Jesus and speak through me.

Amen.

Reflection on John 14:15-21

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paraclete

Scripture

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

Observation

Jesus tells His disciples that their love for Him will be shown by their obedience to Him.

Jesus will ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit, another Advocate, who will never leave them.

The Holy Spirit will lead them into all truth and will never leave them. The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit because it doesn’t want Him.

When Jesus is raised, they will know that He and the Father are one.

Application

Jesus’ promise is that the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will come and continue Jesus’ work in His followers.

Following Jesus means more than a particular spirituality or religious tradition. The true followers of Jesus are those who obey His commandments.

If we say we love Jesus but continue to sin we are deceiving ourselves.

Likewise, we cannot claim to have the Holy Spirit if we live unholy lives.

To love Jesus is to obey Him.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and fill every part of my life. Show me those things that I do which are not obedient to Christ. May I love you more and obey you more. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Peter 3:11-22

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stars

Scripture

But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth where righteousness is at home.

Observation

The earth will pass away on the day of the Lord, so we need to live lives of holiness and godliness. While we actively await these things, we strive to be at peace and without spot or blemish.

Paul has written about these things also, but some twist his teachings for their own aims and to their own destruction. We need to ensure that we are not ensnared by those who are lawless. Instead, we must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.

Application

The knowledge that Jesus is coming back should turn us outward not inward. Some people pore over Scriptures trying foolishly to determine the date and manner of His return.

Rather than this striving for intellectual knowledge we should be aiming for holiness. To be ready for His coming, we need to be without spot or blemish in our character and daily life.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I know you will return and the heavens and the earth will be re-created. Please help me to be ready for that wonderful day. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 17:16-31

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athens

Scripture

The Lord who made the world and everything in it, he who is the Lord of heaven, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath to all things.”

Observation
In Athens, Paul is distressed by all the idols he sees everywhere. He argues with Jews in the synagogue and debates with Gentiles in the marketplace.
Paul says to them that he can see that their religious practices including an altar to an unknown god. Paul says that this unknown god is too big to be housed in a shrine and does not need humans to serve Him. He made the earth and all people and will judge them for their sins. But salvation is found in the man whom God appointed and raised from the dead.
Some scoff at the idea of the resurrection, but others become believers.

Application
Religion is hopeless to save people.
The Athenians were amongst the most religious people in the world with idols and shrines all over the city, but they still needed a Saviour.
Today people are religious in all kinds of ways and about all kinds of things Muslims, Hindus, New Agers, crystal devotees.
Religion will not forgive your sins.
But Jesus will.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for your salvation. Eternity does not depend on me being good enough, but only on the Blood of Jesus. Hallelujah!

Reflection on John 14:1-14

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Follow Me

Scripture

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Observation

This is at the Last Supper.

Jesus reassures His disciples. There is enough room in the Father’s house and Jesus is going to prepare their place.

Thomas says, “We don’t know where you are going or how to get there.”

Jesus replies, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus tells him that He and the Father are one- to see Jesus is to see the Father.

Application

There is only one way to the Father and that is Jesus. Our culture wants to believe that all religions are equivalent and lead to the same destination. Jesus says, He is the only way.

There is no compromise here. If you want a place in heaven, Jesus is the only way to get there.

Muslims without Jesus will not see heaven.

Hindus without Jesus will not see heaven.

Buddhists without Jesus will not see heaven.

Atheists without Jesus will not see heaven.

My neighbour without Jesus will not see heaven.

We must pray and share our faith to see people saved. Jesus is their only hope.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for saving me. I pray that those people close to me who do not know you will come to salvation in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Peter 2:1-10

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living-stones

Scripture

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Observation

We are to get rid of all sinful behaviour. Instead, we are to crave the pure spiritual milk that will grow us into maturity.

We are living stones in the Temple of which Christ is the cornerstone. Those who trust Him recognise the honour that God has given Him, but those who reject Him stumble because they refuse to obey God’s word.

But we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.

Application

We have been saved from sin- not just its consequences but its reality. That means that sin no longer has power to hold us captive.

We are always subject to temptation in this life, and at times we will fall. But this is not an excuse to hold on to the ways of sin. As holy people we must learn to live holy lives- lives dedicated to a holy God.

This is impossible in our own strength. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit, He will change our sinful ways to holy ways.

Prayer

Lord, today I cry out to you for that pure spiritual milk. Feed me on what is holy. Transform me into that pure person you designed me to be, totally submitted to you. Amen.