Mid-week Reflection

2 Thessalonians, chapter 1

Consider

We have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that those who turn their back on God will be “punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord” [v.9]. The good news is that those who persevere in faith, even when the going gets tough, will be “counted worthy of the Kingdom of God,” [v.5].

In his second letter to the Thessalonians Paul confirms that we worship a God of grace and of peace but he is also a God of judgement who will not turn a blind eye to our wrong doings. “God is just” and he “will pay back” all those who offend him, especially those who cause his followers to suffer.

Decisions over career, finance, children' education, where to live and so on are important but they are insignificant in the context of our citizenship of the Kingdom of God. According to the Bible, the most important decision you make in life is whether to follow or reject God. Choosing to turn your back on God and trying to lead your life without him has the gravest of consequences.

The choice is ours.

The door to God is open, we can step through it and enjoy his companionship for eternity or we can slam it in his face and remain in solitary confinement – forever.

Pray

·         For the wisdom to see the big picture and not be so consumed by the affairs that you take your eyes off eternity.

·         For the strength to “persevere in faith” even when you feel surrounded by those who go out of their way to “trouble you.”

·         To make “kingdom choices”: those choices that ensure that you are not “shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.”

Mid-week Reflection

Scripture Union, "Bible in a Year"
20th April 2011. Day 227

1 Thessalonians, chapter1

Consider

 Wherever Paul went, he seems to have caused quite a stir. In Thessalonica, for example, he caused a riot and “the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.” [See Acts, chapter 17 verses 5-10]. It’s a wonderful privilege to be able to spend quiet time with Jesus but we are not to keep him to ourselves. We are all called to share him with non Christians and when we do, we take a risk that things can get out of hand. The message of Jesus should never be thought of as “safe.” It changes lives and turns worlds upside down. The people of Thessalonica understood the radical nature of what it meant to be a follower of Jesus. Those who accepted him were transformed – those who didn’t turned hostile.

In this week’s reflection, based on 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, Paul is writing to encourage and reassure believers to remain strong in the midst of cultural opposition. In verses  9 & 10 he outlines three marks of true faith;

·         Turning from idols

·         Serving God

·         Waiting for the return of Christ.

What does the first of these three, turning from idols, mean? If worshipping an object of wood or stone is the definition of idolatry, then I guess most of us wouldn’t consider ourselves as idolaters. But worship isn’t just a matter of bowing down in a temple in front of the image of a false god. Idolatry is letting something other than God be the main focus of our lives. For example, money, alcohol, sex, career, status, even another person, anything other than God that we allow to dominate our lives can be considered as idols. Just as the Thessalonians had to turn from their idols and serve God, so must we.

Unlike an idol, the “living true God” referred to in verse 9 wants to have a relationship with us. He wants us dedicate our lives to his service and to await the fulfilment of his promise that he will come again to fully restore His kingdom, a world order based on justice and love. A place of everlasting praise!

Ask yourself

·         Do you want to be part of this new world, God’s world?

·         Will you turn from the idols in your life to put your trust in God?

Pray

·         For the wisdom to discern the idols in your life

·         For the strength to turn your back on them.

·         Foe the courage to be counter cultural and put your faith in God

Mid-week Reflection, 13 April

I’m off to Spring Harvest, so I am posting this week’s reflection early. Please feel free to let me know if you find this blog helpful ----or not!!

God bless,

John

Mid-week reflection; Philippians Chapter 4

Scripture Union, “The Bible in a Year”.

Wednesday 13 April, Day 220.

CONSIDER

Paul ends his letter to the Philippians by talking of the strength and joy that he has gained from his relationship with Jesus. As a prisoner in Rome, he has enough on his plate to worry about but despite this he feels a profound sense of peace and closeness to God. Paul wants his readers to feel the same and chapter 4; verses 4 to 9 are as applicable to us today as they were to the Philippians.

Paul explains how we, too, can experience such peace and joy.

We are to replace our worry with prayer [verse 6]. We may feel burnt out by stresses at home or at work. Our anxiety levels rise to breaking point with financial difficulties or health concerns.

When we surrender our anxiety to God through prayer, however, our focus shifts from our own sense of helplessness to God’s provision.

Paul tells us that when we present our requests to God, we will experience “a peace, which transcends all understanding.” [verse7]. This is not a superficial peace resulting from improved physical circumstances, but a deep sense of calm that comes from knowing that God knows and loves us and that in the end all will be well.

PRAY

If you are striving with anxiety right now, spend time with God. Talk to him about your difficulties. While he may not remove immediately, he wants you to depend on his provision so that you can find the same peace that Paul experienced.

REMEMBER

“REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS; AGAIN I WILL SAY: REJOICE! [verse 4]

Mid-week Reflection, Luke Chapter 23

Scripture Union, "The Bible in a Year"

Wednesday, 6th. April. Day 213

Consider

Jesus is led out to the “place of the Skull” to be crucified between two bandits. Even by the standards of the day Crucifixion was regarded as the most horrific way to die and was reserved for political rebels and slaves. It is impossible for us to enter into this scene and come to terms with the sheer agony and brutality of it all. Even the gospel writers can only bring themselves to record the bare facts and make no attempt to describe its harrowing barbarism. Luke mentions that Jesus’ executioners divided up his clothes and cast lots for them indicating that he was naked, something deeply shameful in Jewish thought and adding ignominy to excruciating pain.

Contemplate the two men on either side of our Lord; his companions in the last agonising hours of his earthly life. Are they hardened criminals? Freedom fighters? Or maybe they had been decent people driven to steal to feed their family in the only way they could.

Neither criminal claims to be innocent. One is defiant to the end; the other senses something mysterious and asks, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Reflect on life with God.

Are religious rituals or good works a necessary part of salvation?

No! The criminal suffering next to Jesus simply asks to be remembered by him when he enters his heavenly kingdom. He has no time to take part in any rituals and no opportunity for good deeds. All he can do is ask for mercy and that is what Christ promises him. When all hope seems gone, he earnestly seeks God and finds eternal life!

Pray

Thank God that it is never too late and that there is always hope.

Repeat over and over, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”