Wednesday 30th April 2008 - Sixth week of Eastertide.
SCRIPTURE
Jesus said: ‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth...
Jn.16:12,13
OBSERVATION
At the Last Supper Jesus is telling of the coming of the Holy Spirit. There's an inference that the Holy Spirit is the one who will take all believers to the next step in their faith.
APPLICATION
I know this has been true for me. The knowledge of Jesus excited and attracted me but it was the Holy Spirit that empowered me to to start living for Jesus.
The Church is leading us to the culmination of Eastertide - Pentecost. I need a new Pentecost as the physical world creates a spiritual haze.
PRAYER
Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Jesus Loves Me
Thursday 24th April 2008 - Fifth week of Eastertide
SCRIPTURE
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love,
Jn.15:9
OBSERVATION
Jesus is speaking to the disciples at the Last Supper, wanting His final words to ring out His love for them. They also ring out His love for me.
APPLICATION
This is the basic Good News that filled my heart with joy when I first really heard it - God loves me!
This is the bedrock of my faith that I return to when times are tough. No matter what I have done, no matter what struggles are happening, God loves me. And Jesus implores me, "Remain in my love". Why would I ever want to leave?
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, empower me to keep the commandments of Jesus, that I may remain in His love.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love,
Jn.15:9
OBSERVATION
Jesus is speaking to the disciples at the Last Supper, wanting His final words to ring out His love for them. They also ring out His love for me.
APPLICATION
This is the basic Good News that filled my heart with joy when I first really heard it - God loves me!
This is the bedrock of my faith that I return to when times are tough. No matter what I have done, no matter what struggles are happening, God loves me. And Jesus implores me, "Remain in my love". Why would I ever want to leave?
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, empower me to keep the commandments of Jesus, that I may remain in His love.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Stay Home with Jesus
Wednesday 23rd April 2008 - Fifth week of Eastertide
SCRIPTURE
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing.
Jn.15:4,5
OBSERVATION
Jesus continues His final discourse at the Last Supper. This is Jesus final teaching to His disciples. When a man knows he is about to die, his last words to his loved ones are chosen carefully.
APPLICATION
Recently I've been called to a leadership role. Not surprisingly, I've been struggling with temptation at the same time. The two seem to go hand in hand. These words of Jesus cut through the mind games that temptation plays. Sin cuts me off from God. The result? I can do nothing. The antidote? Identify sin for the road to death that it is and then take up Jesus' offer to make my home in Him. A home in Jesus! What a wonderful place to live.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for your invitation to make my home in You. I stay connected to You.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing.
Jn.15:4,5
OBSERVATION
Jesus continues His final discourse at the Last Supper. This is Jesus final teaching to His disciples. When a man knows he is about to die, his last words to his loved ones are chosen carefully.
APPLICATION
Recently I've been called to a leadership role. Not surprisingly, I've been struggling with temptation at the same time. The two seem to go hand in hand. These words of Jesus cut through the mind games that temptation plays. Sin cuts me off from God. The result? I can do nothing. The antidote? Identify sin for the road to death that it is and then take up Jesus' offer to make my home in Him. A home in Jesus! What a wonderful place to live.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for your invitation to make my home in You. I stay connected to You.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Gift of Peace
Tuesday 22nd April 2008 - Fifth week of Easter.
SCRIPTURE
Jesus said: ‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
Jn.14:27
OBSERVATION
Jesus is continuing His farewell discourse at the Last Supper. The disciples have been asking, "where are you going?", "what is this all about?". They are finally realising that something is about to happen to Jesus and they are troubled. Jesus meets that trouble with His gift of peace.
APPLICATION
Over the past few days my heart has been troubled and afraid. I have had lack of peace. A church project I have taken on is having difficulty getting support and taking off. I'm feeling alone and the specter of failure looms in front of me.
These words of Jesus are like oil on troubled waters. I note the heart gets troubled and afraid only when I let it. The situation remains but my attitude has changed. I choose to not let trouble or fear enter my heart. How? By pressing closer into Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I receive the gift of Your peace that You offer me. You are my Rock on whom I stand.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
Jesus said: ‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
Jn.14:27
OBSERVATION
Jesus is continuing His farewell discourse at the Last Supper. The disciples have been asking, "where are you going?", "what is this all about?". They are finally realising that something is about to happen to Jesus and they are troubled. Jesus meets that trouble with His gift of peace.
APPLICATION
Over the past few days my heart has been troubled and afraid. I have had lack of peace. A church project I have taken on is having difficulty getting support and taking off. I'm feeling alone and the specter of failure looms in front of me.
These words of Jesus are like oil on troubled waters. I note the heart gets troubled and afraid only when I let it. The situation remains but my attitude has changed. I choose to not let trouble or fear enter my heart. How? By pressing closer into Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I receive the gift of Your peace that You offer me. You are my Rock on whom I stand.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Ask for Anything
Saturday 19th April 2008 - Fourth Week of Eastertide
SCRIPTURE
Whatever you ask for in my name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask for anything in my name, I will do it.
Jn.14:13,14
OBSERVATION
Jesus is giving His farewell discourse at the Last Supper. Philip says, "Show us the Father and we will be satisfied." I can see Jesus shaking His head, saying "Don't you get it yet. To see me is to see the Father." Then He makes this outrageous statement, almost asking us to test His claim of unity with the Father; "Ask for anything in my name and it will be done."
APPLICATION
Anything? Ask for anything? Great! The First Division prize in Lotto tonight please.
But I know that's not going to happen. I'd have to buy a ticket first (which I won't). There's the rub. I have to do something first. When I place Jn.14: 13 and 14 in context with the rest of John's Gospel it's clear the precursor must be in accordance with God's will. In the very next verse (Jn.14:15) Jesus says, "If you love me you will keep my commandments".
So, it boils down to this - Love God, then ask whatever you want.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, let my love for You be the starting point to anything I ask of you today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
Whatever you ask for in my name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask for anything in my name, I will do it.
Jn.14:13,14
OBSERVATION
Jesus is giving His farewell discourse at the Last Supper. Philip says, "Show us the Father and we will be satisfied." I can see Jesus shaking His head, saying "Don't you get it yet. To see me is to see the Father." Then He makes this outrageous statement, almost asking us to test His claim of unity with the Father; "Ask for anything in my name and it will be done."
APPLICATION
Anything? Ask for anything? Great! The First Division prize in Lotto tonight please.
But I know that's not going to happen. I'd have to buy a ticket first (which I won't). There's the rub. I have to do something first. When I place Jn.14: 13 and 14 in context with the rest of John's Gospel it's clear the precursor must be in accordance with God's will. In the very next verse (Jn.14:15) Jesus says, "If you love me you will keep my commandments".
So, it boils down to this - Love God, then ask whatever you want.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, let my love for You be the starting point to anything I ask of you today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Death, where is your sting?
Thursday 17th April 2008 - Fourth Week of Eastertide.
SCRIPTURE
I will sing forever of Your love O Lord... You are my Father, my God, the rock who saves me.
PS.89:1,26
OBSERVATION
In Psalm 89 the psalmist sings a hymn of praise to God's love and faithfulness.
APPLICATION
Today the nation of New Zealand is in shock and mourning over the death of six students and a teacher in a canyoning tragedy in the central North Island. The sudden, brutal deaths of these young people has stunned the nation. The school involved is a Christian High School and already stories of courageous Christian witness from survivors, parents and school staff are surfacing.
When suffering on this scale occurs the question soon follows; "Where is the all-powerful and loving God in this?" Why does suffering happen, because when it does it appears God isn't all-powerful or isn't loving, or both. The suffering of innocents especially begs this question.
There is a mystery to suffering that won't be revealed until we meet Jesus, but there is one thing we can say with certainty - we have a God who is no stranger to suffering, the cross made certain of that. And we have a God who conquered death, Easter made certain of that.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, send the Holy Spirit to comfort all who mourn today. Let the hope that Your resurrection gives in this Eastertide reign in all broken hearts.
Little Flower, please pray for us.
SCRIPTURE
I will sing forever of Your love O Lord... You are my Father, my God, the rock who saves me.
PS.89:1,26
OBSERVATION
In Psalm 89 the psalmist sings a hymn of praise to God's love and faithfulness.
APPLICATION
Today the nation of New Zealand is in shock and mourning over the death of six students and a teacher in a canyoning tragedy in the central North Island. The sudden, brutal deaths of these young people has stunned the nation. The school involved is a Christian High School and already stories of courageous Christian witness from survivors, parents and school staff are surfacing.
When suffering on this scale occurs the question soon follows; "Where is the all-powerful and loving God in this?" Why does suffering happen, because when it does it appears God isn't all-powerful or isn't loving, or both. The suffering of innocents especially begs this question.
There is a mystery to suffering that won't be revealed until we meet Jesus, but there is one thing we can say with certainty - we have a God who is no stranger to suffering, the cross made certain of that. And we have a God who conquered death, Easter made certain of that.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, send the Holy Spirit to comfort all who mourn today. Let the hope that Your resurrection gives in this Eastertide reign in all broken hearts.
Little Flower, please pray for us.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
This Little Light of Mine
Wednesday 16th April 2008 - Fourth Week of Eastertide.
SCRIPTURE
I, the light, have come into the world, so that whoever believes in me need not stay in the dark any more.
Jn.12:46
OBSERVATION
It is just prior to the Last Supper and Jesus, knowing what is about to come, is speaking plainly about who He is and why He has come.
APPLICATION
Recently I was woken during the night by a noise outside. Going out to investigate, the security light over our porch came on, triggered by my movement. The light showed up a group of youths out on the street vandalising a street sign. The light caused them to scurry off to a parked car which then raced off with a roar and screeching of tires.
It struck me how the simple act of one light bulb turning on caused four or so youths engaged in destruction to run away. Evil loves darkness and hates the light.
The world which seems to love darkness, desperately needs the Light of Christ shone into it. I may be just one little light bulb, but when the light of Jesus shines through me evil hoards flee in dismay.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, let Your light shine through me today into the lives of the people I meet.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
I, the light, have come into the world, so that whoever believes in me need not stay in the dark any more.
Jn.12:46
OBSERVATION
It is just prior to the Last Supper and Jesus, knowing what is about to come, is speaking plainly about who He is and why He has come.
APPLICATION
Recently I was woken during the night by a noise outside. Going out to investigate, the security light over our porch came on, triggered by my movement. The light showed up a group of youths out on the street vandalising a street sign. The light caused them to scurry off to a parked car which then raced off with a roar and screeching of tires.
It struck me how the simple act of one light bulb turning on caused four or so youths engaged in destruction to run away. Evil loves darkness and hates the light.
The world which seems to love darkness, desperately needs the Light of Christ shone into it. I may be just one little light bulb, but when the light of Jesus shines through me evil hoards flee in dismay.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, let Your light shine through me today into the lives of the people I meet.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
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