Tag: Bible Reflections

Lessons from Phillip in sharing our faith

May 26, 2021

In Acts 8:26-40 we read the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. We see that Ethiopian was returning home from visiting Jerusalem to worship.

From Philip we can learn several things about sharing our faith with others.

1. Philip was obedient to God’s prompting – He was ministering in Samaria and was prompted to travel down the south road or the desert road. He did as he was asked.

2. Philip remained open to the Holy Spirit while traveling – Philip was told to go and be near the chariot that the Ethiopian Eunuch was traveling in. He did.

3. Philip listened to what the man was reading – Philip found out where the man was at. He realised he was reading Isaiah and asked if he needed help.

4. Philip told the man about Jesus – He explained that the prophecy from Isaiah was about Jesus and began to tell him all about Jesus.

5. Philip assisted the Ethiopian to be baptised – Philip assisted him to make this important step for new believers.

6. Philip continued his work elsewhere – we see that the Spirit took Philip away and he continued preaching the Gospel in all the surrounding towns.

One thing I like about this story is that Philip responded to God’s promptings all the way through. He was obedient to what he was asked to do.

I also like that he assessed where the man was at personally and assisted him with his queries about the Book of Isaiah. He then pointed him to Jesus and the way of salvation.

Sometimes as Christians we just need to listen to the Spirit’s promptings and start where the other person is at.

God crowns the year

May 9, 2021

Psalm 65:9-11 NLT – You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so. [10] You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops. [11] You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.

We are getting to the time of year when many farmers are seeding their farms or are preparing for seeding.

Psalm 69 talks a lot about God and His care for the earth and how by caring for the earth, He shows His care for us.

Three key things jump out at me as I read verses 9-11…

1. God takes care of the earth and makes it rich and fertile

2. He has plenty of water to drench the ground

3. He crowns the year with a bountiful harvest

I love that He takes care of the earth and makes it fertile. It is ready to for us to do our part.

I also love that He has plenty of water to drench the ground. In a world where people are worried about water, the Bible says God has plenty.

And finally I love that it says He crowns the year with a bountiful harvest. We play our part and God does His.

What a great Psalm for this time of the year. Especially for farmers who are busy getting ready for seeding.

Prayer

Dear God, I thank You that You are the source of all life and all blessing. I am so glad that You make the earth rich and fertile and You provide rain and growth. I pray You will bless all farmers today. I pray that You will provide a rich and bountiful harvest this year. Amen

Honour God with your body

May 1, 2021

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT – Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, [20] for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

The Bible tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit as He lives in us. The Holy Spirit takes up residence when we are born again and receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Because of this we do not belong to ourselves any more as Jesus paid for us on the cross to redeem us back to God. Now as Christians our goal should be to honour God with our body. Our goal should be to please Him in the way we live.

Prayer

Dear God, help me to remember that Jesus paid the price for me on the cross. Help me to remember now that the Holy Spirit lives inside me. I pray that I can honour You in all I do, say and think. Amen.

10 things God does for from Psalm 146

April 23, 2021

Psalm 146:6-9 NLT – He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. [7] He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The LORD frees the prisoners. [8] The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down. The LORD loves the godly. [9] The LORD protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

In this short passage we see that God made the world and everything in it. We also see 10 things He does for us. If we read the passage too quickly we may miss them.

1. He keeps His promises forever
2. He gives justice
3. He gives food to the hungry
4. He frees prisoners
5. He opens blind eyes
6. He lifts up those who are down
7. He loves the godly
8. He protects foreigners living amongst us
9. He cares for the orphans
10. He cares for the widows

What a wonderful God we love and serve. He truly is our all in all.

If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, I would encourage you to visit my find peace with God page above.

Add a verse to your prayer requests

April 8, 2021

One thing that I have found helpful is to add Bible verses to your prayers. This helps to build your faith and trust in God as you pray.

Here are some examples. You can hover over the references to read the verses if you are reading on my website.

1. If you need wisdom about something – James 1:5

2. If you are praying for blessing and protection – Numbers 6:24-26

3. If you need healing and strength- Psalm 103:1-5

4. If you are praying for provision from God – Matthew 6:31-34

5. If you praying for spiritual growth – Colossians 2:6-7

6. If you are asking God for forgiveness – 1 John 1:9

I first saw this on the movie War Room. A lady in the film had a prayer closet. She had all her prayers stuck on the wall and under each prayer were Bible passages.

For me this idea really helps. I often pray my prayer and then read the Bible verses attached to it.

Why not give it a try?