reflection

Reflection on Colossians 2:6-19

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Scripture

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.

Observation

Just as we received Christ, we are to continue to live in Him, strengthened in faith as we walk with Him.

Avoid all hollow and deceptive philosophy based on worldly or human principles, rather than on Christ. We have been given all the fullness of Christ. We are united with Christ in His death and resurrection.

We were dead in our sins, but Christ made us alive in Him. He forgave our sins, cancelled the Law (crucified it, in fact!), and disarmed the powers and principalities.

So we need to beware of any attempt to take us back to the Law, or to the worship of angels, or other deceptions.

Application

People who claim to be more spiritual than they really are can lead us into all kinds of deception.

People who claim to have had angelic visitations, and talk about them all the time, can seem to be more spiritual than the rest of us., but they can lead us to a place where we worship the angels and other created beings, leading us away from Christ.

We can celebrate with those who have genuine experiences that are out of the ordinary. In fact we are supposed to be aware constantly of the spiritual realm.

Deception comes in when all we want is the angelic experience. When meeting with angels is more important to us than meeting with Christ, there is a problem.

Paul talks about human philosophy and the Jewish law as well as worshipping angels. All of these tings may be interesting, but our focus must always be on worshipping and living in Christ.

If I focus my eyes on Jesus, then I may have amazing experiences of the power of the Holy Spirit or of angels. But if I focus on the experiences, I may quickly lose sight of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, may you always be right in front of me. Let nothing else take my focus away from you. Amen.

Reflection on Hosea 1:1-10

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Scripture

“But I will show love to the people of Judah. I will free them from their enemies– not with weapons and armies nor horses and charioteers, but by my power as the Lord their God.”

Observation

The Lord tells Hosea to go and marry a prostitute. This will illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness to the Lord.

His wife Gomer bears three children named Jezreel, Lo-ruhana (“Not loved”), and Lo-ammi (“Not my people”).

God will not show love to Israel, but He will favour Judah. Yet, the time will come when He unites the two nations under one leader.

Application

While preaching a mixed message to God’s people, Hosea does offer God’s blessing on the people of Judah. The Lord will free them from their enemies, but not by military might. Instead, He will set them free under His own mighty power.

The Lord does not require the weapons and methods of the world to achieve His purposes. He does use political and military methods at times, but He does not have to rely on them.

The important thing is that we look to the Lord to rescue us and not to human strength. Paul says in 1 Corinthians, “the weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh.”

When we face spiritual battles, impossible battles, it is the Lord we trust, not merely our own limited resources.

When we try to make things happen out of our own abilities, then disaster will follow. When we commit our ways to the Lord, and trust Him to bring the victory, then we will see miracles happen.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for your great love. I thank you that when you fight for me using your strength, then the victory will come. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 10:38-42

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Scripture

The Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details. There is only one thing worth becoming concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Observation

Jesus and his disciples are travelling to Jerusalem. They come to the home of Mary and Martha. Martha is distracted by the dinner she is preparing while Mary sits at the Lord’s feet listening to His teaching.

Martha complains to Jesus about her sister, but He tells her Mary has chosen the better thing.

Application

Preparing food for thirteen people (plus all the extras) would have been a big thing then- no take away pizzas were available! In that culture, as in many places today, it was expected that you would put on a good meal for visitors, especially for someone as famous as Jesus.

Martha slaves away, preparing the food and fuming at her sister who has not lifted a finger to help.

Jesus tells Martha she has missed the point. Food is important, but not as important as eternal life. Honouring Jesus with food is good, but not when you are focusing on the failures of others.

The question not asked here is “What motivates you?”

Do I do things because it is expected of me, and people will judge me if I don’t do things according to their priorities?

Do I love Jesus with my words and actions while harbouring resentment or pride in my heart?

Jesus looks at our heart to see the true motivations that drive us. In that sense, we all need to spend more time with Jesus, letting His words transform out hearts.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I confess that many of the things I do “for you” have mixed motives. Forgive me for those times when I serve you from self interest. Help me to seek you for who you are and not for what I get from being seen to serve you. Amen.

Reflection on Amos 8:1-14

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Scripture

You can’t wait for the Sabbath day to be over, and for religious festivals to end, so that you can get back to cheating the helpless.

Observation

The Lord shows Amos a basket of ripe fruit. The Lord says, “Israel is ripe for punishment.” The Lord will not delay.

The prophecy goes on to words of judgement against those who despise the poor and cheat the helpless.

Judgement will come against Israel that will shock the earth. There will be famine in Israel – a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.

Application

The people of Israel, like christians today, were meant to honour the Lord in all of their dealings, in every aspect of their lives.

Amos condemns people for being desperate for the Sabbaths and festivals to be over so they could get back to the business of ripping off the poor and helpless,

We must ensure that we honour God with our actions on Monday as much as we do with our lips on Sunday.

The problem with the people of Israel was that so many of them lived in a culture of holiness without letting their hearts be touched by God. Everything in the culture and daily life was meant to point people to their unique calling of living for God’s glory.

The trouble is that you can live in a godly culture and see it as a burden, as the way things are. You follow the rules and expectations without seeing the reason for the rules or the giver of the rules.

There are christians who worship God, who go through the outward appearance of christianity without having their hearts transformed by the Holy Spirit. Therefore their work life and family life can be a denial of what they claim to believe.

We all need to be changed from the inside out, not from the outside in.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, help me to yield heart to you. Come and dwell in every part of my life, teaching me how to glorify your name in every minute of every day. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 10:25-37

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Scripture

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?”

Observation

An expert in the Jewish law asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asks him what the law says, and he replies that it is to love God and to love our neighbour.

To justify himself, the man asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?” In response, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan.

Application

We always want to justify ourselves. We always want to look good to others and to God.

The law is too hard to keep. God’s standard of righteousness is too hard to match. To cover our guilt we make excuses that seem to justify our actions.

We can never make ourselves right under the law.

Even if we could fulfil every letter of God’s law and live a perfect life, it would still not be enough.

A religious approach to life will always disappoint us and God. We can never be good enough for Him by our own efforts alone.

In Christ we do not have to live up to expectations that are too high.

In Christ we are already accepted by God. The sin is washed away in His blood. Better still, He gives us the grace to be “good.” And when we fail, He keeps on forgiving.

Acceptance comes first, and then the ability to live a life that is acceptable. God does not want performance form us. He wants love.

When I was saved, the love of God flooded into my heart. My response was, “God loves me so much; how can I love Him in return?”

I don’t worry about sin or about being good enough. No, I seek to serve my Father and to let Him correct my actions and attitudes. Much better to have a loving coach than to just read the rule book!

In Jesus there is no need to feel guilty abut our sins. There is no need to justify ourselves when we fall.

God’s love covers it all.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for paying the price for my sin. Thank you for showing me what love looks like. Help me to walk in fellowship with you every day, letting your grace transform my heart. Amen.

Reflection on Colossians 1:1-14

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Scripture

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

Observation

Paul writes to the holy people of Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. He has heard of their faith and love which come from their confident hope in their eternal destiny.

This same Good News is bearing fruit all over the earth as people turn to Christ. Paul prays for the Colossians that they will be strengthened ad filled with joy.

Application

The Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has been spreading constantly through the world since the day of Pentecost. In just about every nation of the world there are faithful followers of Christ.

As people turn to the Lord, their lives are transformed, and ultimately whole nations are changed.

In the West we often find this hard to believe. It seems that the society in which we live is turning against the Gospel, sometimes with hostility.

In this situation, we just need to let Jesus continue to work in us, changing our lives one day at a time. As we are able to give testimony about what He has done for us, our actions will demonstrate the truth of our words.

People are hungry for truth and authenticity. They are tired of slick advertising messages, political spin and hollow promises. When they see someone whose life shows the truth of their beliefs, then they will take notice.

The Good News is bearing fruit all over the world. We need to believe that it will bear fruit in the lives of our friends and neighbours.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the transformation that comes when people believe your Good News. Help me to live a life that testifies to your goodness, and to speak words that point people to you. Amen.

Reflection on Amos 7:7-17

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Scripture

Amos replies, “I am not a professional prophet, and I never trained to be one. I am just a shepherd and I take care of sycamore-fig trees. Bu the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people Israel.’”

Observation

The Lord shows Amos a vision of a wall being measured with a plumb line to determine if it is straight. The Lord tells Amos that He will test His people with a plumb line and bring judgement against the house of Jeroboam.

Amaziah, the priest at Bethel, sends a message to Jeroboam accusing Amos of plotting against him. Amaziah also tells Amos to go back to Judah and prophesy there.

Amos responds that he has never been a professional prophet; he is just obeying the Lord’s commandment.

Application

Pastors and other trained ministers of the gospel play an important role in the church. They are indispensable in providing oversight and direction.

But God will use anyone who is ready to obey Him. You don’t need a degree to serve the Lord.

Amos was a shepherd and a tender of sycamore-fig trees. The Hebrew suggests that he was a land owner and not just an employee, but regardless of this he was not a professional prophet schooled in the Law and the prophetic traditions.

God used Amos to get a message to the people of Israel. His training and experience meant little to the Lord.

The Lord is looking for people who are willing to take His word to people who will not necessarily welcome it.

When God calls, He gives the training, the knowledge and the skills we need. We just have to answer His call and trust Him to supply what we need.

Prayer

Lord God, I thank you that you do not require people to be college trained or to have decades of experience before they can serve you. Please use me for your purposes today. Amen.

Reflection on Psalm 30

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Scripture

You have turned my mourning into dancing

You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.


Reflection

With you O Lord

There is joy

Even in the shadows

In the valley of death.


I have tasted grief

Mourning has torn my soul

But you touched me

Turning it into joy


My joy is in you Father

My hope is set on you my God

You give me reason to live

And to laugh at my enemies.


Yes mourning comes and sadness strikes

But you are my joy and my strength.

Reflection on Galatians 5:13-25

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Scripture

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Observation

We have been called to freedom, but it is a freedom to do right not freedom to sin. Our flesh fights against the Spirit, so that we are not free in ourselves to carry out our good intentions. But when we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are not under any obligation to the Law of Moses or to the desires of the flesh.

The sinful nature manifests itself in all kinds of sexual immorality, idolatry, anger, ambition and such like. The Holy Spirit produces Christ- like actions in us such as love, joy, peace, and so on.

As people living in the power of the Holy Spirit, we should let the Spirit dominate in every part of our lives.

Application

Christ has brought us freedom from every kind of bondage. Now we are called to live lives of freedom. But it is not freedom to sin. That would be just the same kind of “freedom” the world offers.

The Good News is that we do not have to be good enough to prove we are acceptable to God. We are saved by grace because God loves us.

This is not an excuse to sin. We are not saved by good works, we are saved for good works.

The freedom we have in Christ is not freedom to do as we please. It is freedom to do what pleases God. Before Jesus came into my life, I had no alternative to self- centred sin. But in Christ I now have the freedom to do what is right, not by compulsion, but in joyful surrender to the Holy Spirit.

This freedom in the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self- control. What a wonderful gift!

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and direct every part of my life. I surrender all of me to you. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Kings 2:1-14

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Scripture

Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double portion of your spirit and become your successor.”

Observation

Just before Elijah is about to be taken up to heaven, he goes on a tour of key sites in Israel- Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and the Jordan River. At each place, Elijah tells Elisha to stay, but he refuses.

Elijah asks Elisha what he can do for him before he is taken up to heaven, so Elisha asks for the double portion of Elijah’s spirit.

Suddenly a chariot of fire appears between the two men, and Elijah is lifted up to heaven by a whirlwind. Elisha picks up Elijah’s cloak and uses it to drive back the waters of the Jordan River in order to cross it.

Application

People often ask for a “double portion” of the Holy Spirit, thinking that it is about getting more of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This overlooks the fact that we already have all of the Holy Spirit, and what is needed is for the Holy Spirit to have more of us.

The language of “double portion” refers to inheritance. The first born son inherited twice as much as other sons in order to carry on the family farm or business.

Elisha is asking to inherit Elijah’s ministry as the leading prophet in Israel. He wants to be the successor to Elijah.

The fact is that Elijah and Elisha had a close relationship. Elijah had been mentoring or discipling Elisha for some time. Elijah was a spiritual father to Elisha.

The closeness of the relationship is seen in the grief Elisha experienced at Elijah’s departure. Elisha was not just in the ministry business, he really loved Elijah.

The first step in receiving the “double portion” is to be a son or daughter to a pastor or other leader, seeking to serve them and love them. When we are willing to invest our lives into their lives, then we have the possibility of inheriting their spiritual gifts and graces.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to love and to serve those over me. Help me to invest my heart and life into their ministry. Amen.