9 April 2021 – John 20:30-31 (NIV)
Scripture
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Reflection
John, one of the disciples who was with Jesus from the beginning and for many years until his death at an old age wrote a presentation of Jesus called a gospel. He structured it around 7 signs. Jesus did a lot of things, John wrote, but the Holy Spirit has led me to these seven events from the life of Jesus so that in the things which Jesus did we might see his true identity and believe. Turning water into wine, healing an official’s son, healing at the pool of Bethesda, feeding the five thousand, walking on water, healing the blind man, and raising Lazarus from the dead. John said it best, “These things were written that you might believe!”
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage
- How will you respond/apply God’s Word today?
- Whom will you share with today’s passage or takeaway?
Prayer
Pray for the Spring 2021 Alpha season: Leaders: Phil, Jennifer, & Carlos; Hosts: Annie, Phil & Ming
8 April 2021 – 1 John 2:1-2 (NIV)
Scripture
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Reflection
To be forgiven is more than one should expect and when forgiveness comes we are grateful. But what if we keep on sinning? What then? The disciples once asked Jesus how many times should someone have to forgive? What is a reasonable number? Jesus’ response? “Always”. His moral authority for this kind of outrageous offer came from his own experience – it’s the number of times he is willing to forgive – always.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage
- How will you respond/apply God’s Word today?
- Whom will you share with today’s passage or takeaway?
Prayer
Pray for the future of Hengshan Community Church, the pastor and staff
“Eastertide”
I will confess that the liturgy is not a part of my faith tradition. However, I am attracted to the beauty of the liturgy and the rhythm of the church year. That is why I wondered if there might be a name to this season of the year, after the crescendo of the resurrection and before the explosion at Pentecost. There is! This time of the year is called “Eastertide”, an extended celebration of the joy in the resurrection. It makes me think of my friends who don’t just have birthdays, they celebrate the whole week (and sometimes the whole month!) We hit the “high note” at Easter but we don’t go back to the way things were before. Everything is different now that Jesus is risen; we have been filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52)
7 April 2021 – 1 John 1:1 (NIV)
Scripture
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
Reflection
The man who wrote these words is the disciple John, one of the original 12 and one of the 3 who accompanied Jesus to the Mount of Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was John who was called the “beloved” disciple and not surprisingly the one to whom Jesus gave the care of his mother as he died on the cross. John writes these words as an old man, many years after the earthly life of Jesus and his resurrection. He remembers with his senses: we touched him as we took from his hand the loaves and fishes, we looked upon his shattered body before we knew there would be a resurrection, we listened to him teach and speak out the Father’s heart. I was there, John would begin his short letter to those who were not there, Jesus is the Word of life.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage
- How will you respond/apply God’s Word today?
- Whom will you share with today’s passage or takeaway?
Prayer
Pray for those who will make the final decision on when international churches can start meeting again and where
6 April 2021 – Psalm 133:1-3 (NIV)
Scripture
How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Reflection
I have learned a lot about unity serving in an international church. Two principles stand out to me after all of these years: 1) unanimity is not the same as unity. In other words, everyone having the same identical view is not the same thing as unity and 2) Before you can have unity you have to have diversity. What has made the difference? Our common respect for Jesus and our love for each other. This plus the belief that we are better together than we are apart. Amen!
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage
- How will you respond/apply God’s Word today?
- Whom will you share with today’s passage or takeaway?
Prayer
Pray for those people making the decision to “stay or to leave”;
5 April 2021 – Acts 4:32-33 (NIV)
Scripture
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all
Reflection
A personal testimony is powerful: marketers know this and defense attorneys too. Can you imagine being in the room with the 11 disciples of Jesus as they described their intimate encounters with the resurrected Christ before his ascension to the Father. “With great power” is not a reference to their story telling ability but to the presence of the Spirit of God. While you and I may not have any stories of a “fish and bread” breakfast with the resurrected Jesus, we do have access to the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes Christian, you have a story to tell with power.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage
- How will you respond/apply God’s Word today?
- Whom will you share with today’s passage or takeaway?
Prayer
Pray for God to comfort the people who are missing weddings, funerals, graduations: important family moments