Friday Reflection January 21, 2022

Good morning friends, happy Friday!
Today’s text for reflection is from the book of St. John 15:16:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16 NIV
https://john.bible/john-15-16

Many argue that the first part of this verse is referring to initial salvation and that Jesus also chose who would believe in him. The matter of free will then became the subject of critics. However, if we should read the full chapter especially verse 1 to 15, we would get a clearer picture of what Jesus was saying and to whom.

It was just hours before Jesus’ crucifixion when He  uttered the words recorded in this verse. It is a common understanding among believers that Jesus was talking to his disciples. It could not have been that Jesus was was referring to salvation because they ( the disciples) were already believers in Christ.

What Jesus was making reference to was the whole matter of bearing fruit. Not only did he urge them to bear fruit, but to let their fruit remain! Jesus also said in the latter part of the verse “and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you”. Being a branch in Christ Jesus and bearing fruit gives a believer benefits.

Just like them, we too are Jesus’ disciples and we are chosen by him to bear lasting fruit. What is this fruit you might ask. The fruit of the spirit! Kindness, love , joy, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, long-suffering, self-control and peace! Brothers and sisters, being branches in Christ Jesus, the True Vine doesn’t exempt us from trials and temptation. However, we are called to remain in him and bear good fruit and maintain a good relationship with Him and others.

If we maintain our place in Jesus and continue to bear fruit, it would enable us to ask for whatever we need from God the Father… Not just any and everything, but whatever is in line with the will of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! And once that is the case God will grant it!

 For those who have already accepted the free gift of salvation, you are being called to live a fruitful and faithful life! For those who have not yet been saved by grace, salvation is yours today if you only believe! You cannot bear fruit unless you are abiding in the True Vine.

God Bless you!

Shaneka Raymore Euphfa

Thursday Reflection January 20, 2022

Worship the Creator

“Fear God,” he shouted. “Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water.” Revelation 14:7 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rev.14.7.NLT

Greetings friends,

This chapter distinguishes two groups of people: those who believe in Jesus during the tribulation and those who worship the beast. John sees the Lamb, Jesus, and the 144,00 sealed Jewish servants of God standing together on Mount Zion. The scene anticipates the end of the tribulation with the 144,000 celebrating their victory over the beast. Their is also celebration in heaven over their triumph.

The second group surrounds three angels. One that has the Eternal Good News who encourages us to give God glory and worship the Creator. The second angel speaks about the collapse of Babylon and the third angel the eternal punishment of the beast, whose image so many unbelievers worshiped.

This impending judgment is cause for believers to stay loyal to the Lord. Many believers will face martyrdom, but their temporary suffering does not compare with the eternal suffering worshipers of the beast will experience. When Christ returns to earth, the destruction of the wicked will be imminent.

We are also called to worship God, not only because of the judgment to come, but because who God is. We’re called to worship him, because He is creator of the heavens, the earth, and all that lives within. This speaks of the might of the Lord and his greatness. God’s supernatural ability surpasses ours by far and shows how marvelous the Lord is. We’re called to worship the Creator of the world. For in his creation, He has demonstrated His love for us. He has shown us how much he cares and we are called to do likewise.

So I encourage us, let us worship the Creator of the world.

Shalom

Christopher Euphfa

Shepherd Your People With Your Staff.

When we think of the shepherd’s tools of the trade, the first things that come to mind are the rod and the staff. We get this from everyone’s favorite Psalm, Psalm 23: 4. The Shepherd had specific roles for each of his tools including the rod and the staff which were the main tools of his trade. In today’s Watchword the prophet Micah prays to God to lead His people as a shepherd leads his flock. Shepherd your people with your staff. Micah 7: 14

There were three main uses for the shepherd’s staff in Old Testament times. Firstly, the staff was a resting pole for the shepherd when he was at a place where the ground was not dry or comfortable to sit on. When he needed rest during those long periods of caring for the sheep, he would lean on the staff for comfort and support. When God shepherds his people with His staff, we are reminded that God is our refuge and strength, that God provides rest for us when we become weary and a safe resting place when all around us becomes perilous. When we lean on our Lord, He gives us the support we need. Prov 3: 5 & 6 charges us: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Secondly, the staff was a tool for rescuing the sheep. The staff had a curved end. The shepherd would use the curved end to pull a sheep out of bushes that it had become stuck in. He would also use it to help the sheep back to its feet if it fell and couldn’t get up or if it was injured. The staff gave assurance to the sheep since it was used to help them out of a bind or to keep them upright. Jesus told His disciples in John 16: 33 In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. The shepherd uses the staff to help us to overcome the troubles we experience in life. If Jesus remains our shepherd there is hope for us being rescued from the trials and tribulations of life. He who overcame the world, will help us to overcome as well.

Thirdly, the staff served the shepherd as a guide for the sheep. As the shepherd led the sheep across open plains and through rough, rocky and hilly terrain, the staff served as a guide to keep the sheep together. When we think of Psalm 23 we remember the verses that speaks to the Lord leading us along righteous paths and beside still waters. Our Lord guides us as a shepherd leading his sheep, so that we get to where God needs us to be. Only our resistance and disobedience will prevent us from such success and prosperity. Jesus reminded us in the parable of the lost sheep that even when we go astray, the Lord our shepherd will leave the sheep that are safe and venture out to rescue the one that has gone astray and reunite him or her with the fold. God as our shepherd, guides us to peace and restoration with His staff. He guides us into making the best possible decisions and seeking the best possible outcome for our lives.

When we are in need of rest, when we need to be rescued, and when we need guidance, let us remember that God has already provided this for us through our Lord, our Shepherd. May Micah’s prayer then be our constant cry to God as we recognize the need for His leadership in our lives. Lord, shepherd your people with your staff. Amen.