Posts tagged with "bible"
Thursday, 30. July 2009, 03:55:47
reflection, bible
Scripture
“I am the bread that gives life. No one who comes to me will be hungry. No one who has faith in me will be thirsty.”
Observation
People are following Jesus for the wrong reasons. They literally chase Him around the lake, eager to be close to Him but not understanding who He is.
Jesus confronts their wrong attitudes, but they don't get it. He tells them to put their faith in Him, and they make the crazy demand for another sign as if feeding the five thousand and walking on water are not enough.
Here we have all the symptoms of false religion or the religious spirit- worship for selfish ends, the guru mentality (“show us what God wants us to do”) and the endless demands for spectacular miracles as entertainment value.
Application
True faith means feasting on Jesus alone. He is the bread of life and if we feed on Him we will never be hungry.
This is not to deny the role of leaders or miracles or the benefits that come from following Jesus. But if we focus on these thing we miss the point.
Our primary focus must be on Jesus. He is my life. He is my food. He is my light.
Everything else fades into insignificance. It is like a photo with a shallow depth of field- you can only see the subject in sharp focus while the background is still visible but unclear.
Prayer
Jesus you are the Bread of Life. Today I choose to seek you alone as my primary objective. Help me Lord to put you at the centre of all I do, seeking to follow you and to please you in all the incidentals of this day. Amen.
Wednesday, 29. July 2009, 04:56:35
reflection, bible
Scripture
There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God's people. We have only one Lord, one faith and one baptism.
Observation
Paul's concern in this passage is the unity of faith which comes from maturity in Christ. There is one God, one faith, one hope, one salvation. We belong together.
God gives certain gifts, often called ministry gifts, to the church. These gifts are actually people- apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers- and their role is to help the Body grow to strength, maturity and unity.
Application
I get so frustrated by inter-church politics. It drives me crazy sometimes that church leaders, in particular, claim to support unity but actually do much to undermine unity,
Many pastors and other ministers are about building their own personal empire rather than the Kingdom of God.
Paul makes it clear that we need to be about building the whole Body.
This is not unity based one everybody being the same or meeting in the same place. This is an organic unity recognised first of all by those in leadership and then by all christians.
We need to all work harder at honouring, helping and loving our brothers and sisters in the Lord, especially those who worship in different settings to our own.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I have dishonoured your Body by failing to love those who go to other churches. Help me to build up those from different traditions so that the whole body may be built up. Amen.
Tuesday, 28. July 2009, 01:00:43
reflection, bible
Father you are merciful to all who repent.
I am a sinner- you are holy.
All my ways are wicked- you only do what is right
I long to know you- but my words and deeds deny your goodness.
Father forgive me for my sins
I won't try to hide anything from you
I have done what is wrong
From the day I was born, it's been all about me-
what I want, what I need, what I can get.
But you want me to put you first and to think about other people,
Father I have sinned
Guilt eats me like a cancer-
gnawing my bones
consuming my thoughts
churning my stomach
Thank you for the cross
for the sacrificial love of Jesus,
the Lamb of God who takes away my sin.
Fill me with your Spirit, Lord
set me free from my addiction to sin.
Don't let me need to come before you tomorrow with the same confession,
Set me free Lord and I will truly be free.
Thank you,
Thursday, 23. July 2009, 04:42:39
reflection, bible
Scripture
The people ate all they wanted and Jesus told the disciples to gather the leftovers so that nothing would be wasted
Observation
This is virtually the same narrative as in Mark, with the difference that John records that it was Andrew who brought the little boy with the lunch to Jesus. Several times in John's gospel we see Andrew playing this facilitating role of bringing people to Jesus.
It is striking that Jesus, despite His grandiose provision of food, wants nothing of it wasted. It is a generous act of God's provision, but He wants the people not to take it for granted.
God is abundant in His gifts to us, but does not delight in waste.
Application
It is not a big deal for God to feed 5000 men plus women and children from a boy's lunch.
It is a big deal for us to learn to trust Him for everything we need. In the wilderness, where there is nothing, God is still able to provide more than enough for His people.
That should prompt us to be able to trust Him for all that we need. When we are following Jesus there should be no lack, no hunger, no poverty. God's multiplication makes more leftovers than there were ingredients to start with.
What of those leftovers? Presumably they were to share with those who weren't there; the people who, for whatever reason, where NOT following Jesus that day. So God blesses us with more than enough- so we can bless unbelievers.
Prayer
God your grace is amazing! Help us to have so much faith in your abundant grace, that we have enough left over to share, not just with the church, but with unbelievers also. Amen.
Wednesday, 22. July 2009, 02:08:30
reflection, bible
Scripture
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Observation
God is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine:
- He can do more than I can imagine
- He can change the whole world or one person
- If I can imagine something, it is still less than God's ability to do it
- He can do much more (not just a little more) than we can imagine
- His power is at work in us (and in me)- that means He uses His followers to bring about change
- He uses our prayers and our lives, our words and our deeds, in partnership with His Spirit
Application
We live in a world which exalts human ability and ignores or belittles God's power. We have technology and capability for every situation.
Yet God's ability is far superior to anything we can do. If you take all of the world's creativity and imagination, God can do far more than that.
Strangely, though, God chooses to use His powers in partnership with us. We have responsibility to pray and imagine a different outcome, a new possibility. We also have a responsibility to be vessels of change allowing His power to work in us and through us.
Whether it is personal issues, such as healing or financial increase, or community issues, such as poverty or crime, or global issues such as freedom or persecution, we have this dual responsibility and privilege of joining in prayer and action for the glory of God to be manifest in the world.
Prayer
Awesome God! Little me! You choose to combine the imaginative prayers and ineffectual prayers of people to bring glory to your name in the church and in the world. Let me hear your voice today as I seek your will. Amen.
Tuesday, 21. July 2009, 05:06:56
bible, reflection
Lord I praise you
for the power of forgiveness
mercy poured over my guilt.
You release us from sin
You speak blessing
when we deserve curse
You loose the noose
we place around our own neck
Unconfessed sin-
it's there even if I push it out of my mind.
Like a dead mouse under the fridge.
It makes my heart heavy,
my body weak
my spirit dead,
But when I pray to you
everything goes
Joy and freedom return
I dance on tall mountains
Hallelujah- my Lord and Saviour
You conquer, destroy, exterminate sin
You let the repentant go free
and those who hold their sin
you punish forever.
Tuesday, 21. July 2009, 05:05:44
reflection, bible
Scripture
“You are that man!”
Observation
Even the most godly of people can become deceived about where they are standing with God.
David thought he had got away with his sin, but the Lord knew. The prophet Nathan came along with a story about a rich man stealing a poor man's sheep. David burned with fury at the injustice and said the man must pay.
Nathan said “You are that man!”
David came to the realisation that he had sinned and offended God.
Application
Even though David maintains his position as king, and even though he is forgiven by the Lord, the consequences of his sin remain. The son dies and the nation is destined for generations of strife.
David's sin was private but his humiliation is public.
Sin always has its consequences and God's forgiveness does not remove the results of the act.
A repentant burglar still has to do gaol time,
A baby conceived in an adulterous relationship will not easily disappear.
A lie told in a resume might get us into bigger trouble later.
Even though God may forgive such things we still have to live through the results.
Acknowledging my sin and owning up to my responsibility takes me a long way forward to living a life that honours God- even when it's messy.
Prayer
Father, thank you for forgiving my sins. My guilt is taken away even if consequences remain. Help me to glorify you even in the way I deal with past sins and present realities. Amen.
Thursday, 16. July 2009, 00:34:26
reflection, bible
Scripture
When Jesus got out of the boat he saw the large crowds that were like sheep without a shepherd. He felt sorry for the people and started teaching them many things.
Observation
The disciples have just returned from their mission trip and want to fill Jesus in on their experience, but the crowds just stop them from having a chance to talk. They decide to go across the lake, but the people follow them.
As evening approaches, the disciples urge Jesus to send the people home to get food, but Jesus is thinking differently.
He take some bread, thanks God for it and gives it to the disciples. They then take it to the people and, in their hands, it becomes enough for many people. So much so that the leftovers are more than what they started with.
Application
We think logically but Jesus operates at a different level, in the faith realm where, with God, the impossible becomes possible. The disciples know they don't have enough but Jesus trusts in His Father to provide what is necessary.
Worship has to be the centre of this. Note the careful wording- Jesus took bread, he blessed it and broke it- a reference to Communion. It is only when we surrender our lives, including our lack, that we can see God act.
The disciples surrendered their little to Jesus and He gave it back to them as a potential miracle. It was when they stepped out in faith and did the ridiculous that the miracle happened. We have to exercise our faith even when it seems stupid to continue- trust Him and obey Him.
Prayer
Father, it is easy to marvel at a miracle that seem beyond our ability to comprehend, but this is about faith in an everyday situation. Help me Lord to look to you in every place where there is need and to trust you to provide more than enough. Amen.
Wednesday, 15. July 2009, 11:03:09
bible, reflection
Scripture
Christ is the one who holds the building together and makes it grow into a holy temple for the Lord.
Observation
We are the gentiles, the ones who used to be far off from God- exiles, strangers, aliens in God's Kingdom.
We were far from God, but Christ came and brought us his shalom, his peace, which unites us with Jews and with God.
Paul says that Christ made Jews and Gentiles part of the one body- God's body. So we who are gentiles are now part of the family of God- a building established ion the apostles and prophets.
Application
Christians must never fall into the trap of religious pride. We were once the homeless people sleeping under the bridges, but God brought us into His family.
We didn't do it.
We didn't deserve it.
It's all the work of God in Jesus.
Neither must we give in to anti-semitism. The Jews are a part of God's kingdom even though many of them do not recognise Jesus. In Jesus we are reconciled to the Jews and must continue to live in God's shalom with them.
Prayer
Father forgive me for the times I felt superior to others because I am saved. Of course this is your gift, not my achievement. Help me to remain humble at all times. Amen.
Tuesday, 14. July 2009, 01:54:22
reflection, bible
Scripture
Only a fool would say “There is no God.”
Reflection
The “gobblers” are all around us.
The email scammers who want to rip us off.
The corporate giants who use their power to generate obscene profits
The polluters who poison air and water with no thought of responsibility
The clothing manufacturers who oppress workers to save a dollar
The tyrants who torture and murder their opponents
The terrorists who invoke religion to justify hate.
We just cna't escape these people who live just for themselves.
The only way out is to live lives which point to a higher way- the values of the Kingdom like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control.
I have to live like Jesus in everything I do and to trust Him to bring to justice those who insist on being cruel.
Prayer
Father there is much evil in the world. Help me to make a difference today standing up for what is right in all I choose to do. Give me eyes to see the oppressed and hands to help them. Amen.
Tuesday, 14. July 2009, 01:53:06
reflection, bible
Scripture
But David stayed in Jerusalem
Observation
It was spring, when kings go to war, but David stayed in Jerusalem. Perhaps he was feeling complacent, lazy or whatever. Maybe he already had the hots for Bathsheba and needed to be there while her husband was away. He was in the wrong place, and not doing the thing that his position demanded of him.
Consequently David found himself surrendering to lust, fathering a child and having to deal with consequences.
When Bathsheba's husband showed himself to be a man of great integrity, David risked military strategy (and hence national security) to have him killed.
Application
It is so easy to make a couple of bad decisions and allow all of our dreams and visions to be put at risk.
The urge to cover up and protect ourselves leads to bigger and bigger sins. Complacency leads to lust, adultery escalates to murder.
And all of this can be justified- he is the king ajnd can do as he pleases.
But in God's Kingdom character is more important than power, integrity is higher than position.
Leadership always brings responsibilities in excess of the rights.
I need always to remember who I am in Christ. My calling as a Son of God is of far more value than the temporary pleasures of sin.
Prayer
Father, it is so easy to give in to temptation- to let my flesh take dominion over your Spirit. Guard my heart today, Lord, and keep me victorious in the face of temptation.
Thursday, 9. July 2009, 00:17:48
bible, reflection
Scripture He called together his twelve apostles and sent them out two by two with power over evil spirits.
Observation
Jesus sends the twelve apostles out in an act of spiritual warfare. Go, travel light and preach the Good News of the kingdom.
The apostles went out and told people to turn to God. They healed the sick and cast out many evil spirits.
Jesus tells them to stay in the places where they are welcomed. In other words they have to live the message and not just preach it!
Application
Jesus calls us to “travel light” as we pass through this world. The aim of our lives is not to accumulate stuff. Rather, we are to live as people on a mission, on a campaign.
This does not mean we are to take on a spirit of poverty. It is rather about where our focus is. Do I live to get more and more possessions for myself? Or do I live as a person with a calling?
The apostles go and preach the gospel. “Going” is an important part of living for God. We need to “go” to our community, “go” to the poor, “go” to those who don't know Jesus.
It's not about huddling in the church comfort zone but about taking the gospel of repentance to the people.
Prayer
Lord Jesus help me to “go” to the people who need you most. Help me to look beyond my own concerns and see those who need your love and your word of hope. Amen,
Thursday, 9. July 2009, 00:08:59
bible, reflection
Scripture Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven.
Observation
What a list of blessings is given here
-
Before creation Christ chose us
-
He adopted us
-
He showed us grace
-
Christ sacrificed His life-blood
-
Our sins are forgiven
-
He reveals His mysterious ways
-
Christ, in the fullness of time, will bring together everything in heaven and on earth
Application
God has blessed us with every blessing in Christ. When I am feeling down I need to look up to Him.
I really am blessed. There is nothing that I lack because God supplies everything I need, in great abundance.
When I choose to focus on what He has done for me, the joy of the Lord really is my strength and mourning turns to dancing.
Prayer
Thank you Lord- Father, Son and Holy Spirit- for your amazing, overflowing and abundant grace. Help me to always give thanks in every situation. Amen.
Thursday, 9. July 2009, 00:02:29
reflection, bible
Scripture Lord All-Powerful my family and I don't deserve what you have already done for us, and yet you've promised to do even more for us. Is this the way you usually treat people?
Observation
David is overwhelmed by God's grace and responds with heart-felt gratitude.
God has promised to ensure that David's descendants will always reign over Israel. David is deeply aware that he has done nothing to deserve this kind of grace from God.
Application
We need to learn the same attitude of gratitude like that which David had.
David didn't take God's blessings for granted. He made a point of remembering the blessings he had already received and thanking God for them.
It's easy to get caught up in the petty inconveniences of daily life. We need to let go of those things and turn to God daily in thankfulness.
Every prayer time should start with praise and thanksgiving to remind ourselves of God's grace.
Prayer
O Lord you have been so gracious to me in the past. Day by day you pour blessing after blessing into my life. Help me to remember to count my blessings daily and to say “Thank you” for them. Amen.
Thursday, 2. July 2009, 00:56:23
reflection, bible
Scripture Jesus said, “Prophets are honoured by everyone except the people of their home town, and their relatives and their own family.”
Observation
Jesus returns to Nazareth and is surprised to find that the people there have no faith in Him. Consequently He can do no miracles there except a few healings.
The phenomenon is not unexpected. People are often more open to teaching from big name strangers than to the same teaching from their regular “no name” pastor- the guru effect.
What strikes me as really odd about this passage is the reason for their rejection of Jesus, ”Where did He get this wisdom and the power to work these miracles?” They didn't doubt his power and wisdom, but they rejected it anyway because He was the little kid they had known and He just came from this average family in their town.
Application
It is very easy to reject God's work because it doesn't come in the package we expect.
We can't hear a preacher's message because of our preconceptions and prejudices.
Like Naaman, we might reject a healing because we expect a different methodology.
A miracle is ignored because it doesn't come with the fireworks we expect.
I need to approach every person and every experience with true discernment, looking past the surface and to the heart of what God is doing.
Prayer
Lord please help me to see things the way they really are- to see the hearts of people as you see them. Amen.
Wednesday, 1. July 2009, 03:40:17
reflection, bible
Scripture One of Satan's angels was sent to make me suffer terribly so that I would not feel too proud.
Observation
Paul had amazing experiences of God- visions of Jesus, trips to heaven that were so real he couldn't tell whether he was physically there or not. He had miracles and healings, but refused to boast about them.
Paul's main concern is that people come to know Jesus for themselves and not that they see Paul as some kind of hero. This is a characteristic of true apostles, as opposed to false apostles who, then as today, just seek to build their own fame.
To keep Paul humble the Lord allows an angel of satan to torment him. Some people interpret this as physical sickness, but Paul says it was a messenger. What satan intended for evil God used for good because this just forced Paul deeper into the grace of God.
Application
Every experience of God should push us deeper into the grace of God.
Baptism in the Spirit- grace and joy and power for ministry.
Healing and miracles- grace and thanksgiving
Prophecy and insight- grace and intercession
Satanic messengers- grace and victory (or humility).
Everything that happens should open our eyes to the wonders of God's grace and move us closer to the God of grace.
Whether in victory ot in trials, in overwhelming spiritual experiences or the tedium of daily living, our eyes need to be ever more directed towards Jesus.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to fix my eyes upon you every day. Help me to take my eyes off my circumstances and to look to you. Amen.
Wednesday, 1. July 2009, 01:43:34
reflection, bible
You live beyond our times Lord
You've always been here and always will be.
People come and go
like grass that
springs up after the rain
and withers in the summer heat.
But you O Lord are forever
You are the old gumtree
that stands majestically by the river
watching the years come and go.
You O Lord establish Kingdoms
and you pull them down
Empires, superpowers
monarchies, republics, juntas-
they are all nothing to you.
David's throne endures for ever
The people of Israel last for ever.
The church, the people of God, are for ever.
You invite us unto your eternity
Lord, let us be kingdom people.
Wednesday, 1. July 2009, 01:41:05
reflection, bible
Scripture “Did I ever say anything to even one of them about building a cedar temple for me?”
Observation
David has a guilt attack about living in a fine palace while God's “house” is a tent. The prophet Nathan thinks it's a fine idea to build a temple, but when he asks God, it's a very different matter- as it often is with God.
God doesn't care about having a temple. His greater concern is that his people walk in communion with Him.
The Lord promises that David's house will always be the line of kings in Israel. One of David's sons will be the one to build the temple.
Application
Religious ideas are so tantalising. It seems so right that God should have a nice building for us to worship Him in- but God just doesn't care.
It seems so right that we should act in a certain way, or wear the right clothes, say nice prayers.
These are all externals. It is the heart that God looks at, not our clothes, words and actions. He wants a holy heart, a changed mind, genuine love.
Do I long for God for His sake, or just to make myself look good or feel good?
Am I truly being changed from “glory to glory” by the presence of God in my life?
Prayer
Father I renounce the spirit of religion that seeks to captivate me with nice sounding but false ideas of what pleases you. I offer you my body and spirit, heart and mind to be used to your purposes. Make me, mould me and use me for your glory. Amen.
Thursday, 25. June 2009, 04:11:01
reflection, bible
Scripture “If I can just touch his clothes, I will get well.”
Observation
Here we have two healings remarkable for the faith and desperation of the recipients.
Jairus, the leader of the local synagogue, has a daughter who is unwell. He is convinced that if Jesus just touches her she will be healed. But while Jesus is travelling to his home, word comes that the little girl is dead. Jesus, undeterred by such a little matter as death, goes on and heals her.
In the middle of all this, a woman comes who has been bleeding for 12 years and is desperate for healing. She also is convinced that one touch from the Lord will heal her. She overcomes the social taboos, touches the hem of his garment and is instantly healed.
Application
One touch from the Lord will change everything. Nothing is too big for our God, no problem is too hard.
All that is needed is faith- the deep conviction that Jesus is able and willing to heal us, restore us or meet us in our distress.
Faith is the conviction that drives us to reach out to God. It is the knowledge that just one touch will heal me.
There is always a fear factor. The woman with the bleeding was afraid- she was shaking with fear- when Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” We have fear of rejection, fear of not being good enough, fear that we will not be healed.
Faith- real faith- propels us past the fear. Faith born of desperation makes us cry with wordless groans.
Faith releases God's power in our lives.
Prayer
Loving God, you are greater than death, sickness and every human limitation. Thank you for the assurance that you have defeated sin. Stir up within me the gift of faith to see miracles happen in the lives of those I love. Amen.
Wednesday, 24. June 2009, 01:58:46
reflection, bible
Scripture
Now you must give more generously than anyone else
Observation
Paul is challenging the church at Corinth to put their faith into action by giving generously to the church in Macedonia which is going through hard times. He challenges them to put their superior faith into action by giving sacrificially.
He says that a year before they had started the offering with great generosity and now needed to finish the job by again giving generously.
By giving now to someone in need, then later when they are in need others will come to their assistance.
Application
As christians we have a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in need. It's a principle that runs right through Scripture that those who have plenty must share what they have with those who have nothing.
In an era when we in the West experience huge wealth, we still have a duty to show love to those in our midst and overseas who are not as fortunate.
As Paul points out, it's not enough to boast about our faith, our spiritual gifts or even about our generosity. The words have to give way to the action of giving.
Prayer
Thank you Father for the privilege of living in one of the wealthiest societies in history. Help me to see the responsibility of sharing my wealth generously at all times. Amen.
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