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Reflection on 1Pe 5:6-7
Post date: 2025-08-30Autor: BCP
Jesus should truly be the Lord of our lives. We should talk to Him in prayer about our problems, seek His will and, if He is truly our Lord, we have not lived our lives in vain, but fruitfully – both for time and, above all, for eternity.
Reflection on Jn 13:13
Post date: 2025-08-18Autor: BCP
Jesus Himself says to you: ‘You call Me your Teacher and Lord,’ and He adds: ‘and that is what I am.’ In this short Bible study, we will examine some quotes from Scripture and consider whether Jesus truly is my Lord. If He is not, and if my ego is my god, then I must pray: Jesus, be truly my Lord! Let us call out to Jesus from the depths of our hearts. Only then can we confess with the repentant Thomas: ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus, be truly my Lord and God! Jesus Christ is Saviour and Lord. Of all the titles of Jesus, the title ‘Lord’ became by far the most commonly used, wide-spread and important. It would hardly be going too far to say that the word ‘Lord’ became a synonym for the name of ‘Jesus’. What does Jesus mean to you? Which areas of your life do you feel are subject to His control? Anyone who wishes to be His disciple must carefully consider this often overlooked aspect of Christian practice.
Reflection on Eph 4:11-12
Post date: 2025-08-04Autor: BCP
We must realize that there are natural gifts and there are spiritual gifts. God gives the natural ones at birth. For example, some people have a good memory, they can learn quickly, others have a natural gift of caution, others of zeal, which is directly connected to their nature, so they do not have to force themselves into it. Some have the gift of mildness, patience, while others have to overcome themselves and deny themselves a lot in order to be patient. However, even these natural gifts are integrated by God through the Holy Spirit after conversion, so that on them, as on a healthy foundation, there is also a special grace that develops these natural gifts. For example, someone has a natural sense of self-criticism, of truthfulness, cannot be inactive when they see that it is necessary to make sacrifices and suffer for the truth, so they also have a natural disposition for the gift of prophecy. If someone recognizes these traits in themselves, it is necessary to pray that God, by His grace, will further confirm the prophetic gift in this disposition. Another has a natural gift to teach others. It is also necessary to pray that the Spirit of God will add to this gift the supernatural gift of being a teacher and explaining the truths of God. But I emphasize again that in order for all gifts to be functional, they must have a common denominator, and that is: denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Christ. If we put into practice the words of Jesus, ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel,’ the gifts develop. Otherwise, they stagnate and are ineffective.
Reflection on Rom 12:2
Post date: 2025-07-21Autor: BCP
Today’s world is characterized by many inventions which meet people’s needs quickly and easily: instant foods, instant electronic communication, instant information stored in high speed computers, etc. These are the hallmarks of today’s ‘instant’ generation. Christians must remember, however, that there is no such thing as ‘instant maturity’ in the Christian experience. Becoming a Christian begins a lifetime adventure of knowing God better and loving Him more. God’s Word says: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom 12:2) Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.
Reflection on Mt 5:16
Post date: 2025-07-05Autor: BCP
What is that light that should shine before men? The light of Christ’s truth, which we have received into our hearts and put it in practice in concrete situations, setting a good example for others. Parents educate their children more by example than by words. As the saying goes, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’ Someone may talk very well about faith and about Jesus, but their lives and bad habits contradict their words. And that is a great pity. This is why it is important to set a good example to our neighbours through patience, forgiveness, a willingness to help, advise and encourage, share their pain and give good advice.
Reflection on Acts 1:8
Post date: 2025-06-24Autor: BCP
The immense wisdom and riches of God, hidden in His Word, are available to all Christians. However, they are only possessed by those who diligently seek them out. Interior prayer is the key that opens the storehouse of God’s wisdom. If you spend time in interior prayer with God’s Word, you will better understand its meaning and what it has to say in your life. “Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.” (1Tim 4:15) If you follow Christ, you may well be wondering what plans and purposes the Father has for your life, how you should walk in faith, and what He wants to see in your life.
Reflection on 1Jn 3:1
Post date: 2025-06-07Autor: BCP
Genuine fellowship is based on the concept of giving to and receiving from other Christians. You can share with others whatever God has given you: forgiveness, possessions, love, His Word, and many other things. God gives fellowship for the purpose of mutual encouragement and growth. He wants Christians to live in unity and harmony with one another. To help us understand how believers are related, God uses the analogy of the body. Jesus Christ is the head of the body, which is comprised of all believers. But it is important for you to recognize how God wants you to be related to a smaller, specific group of believers. This smaller group is for the purpose of instruction, sharing, worship, and service. God has given spiritual leaders to help you mature in Christ and to become effective in the ministry.
Reflection on Heb 4:16
Post date: 2025-05-26Autor: BCP
The Father has given us prayer as a means of communicating with Him. Through Christ, our High Priest and Mediator, all God’s children can “come boldly to the throne of grace”. Prayer can take many forms, including worship and praise, thanksgiving, confession, intercession and personal petition. Through each of these, we draw near to the Father. Since the Father Himself has given us this opportunity for two-way communication, don’t neglect to meet with Him! He desires communion with you and you need to grow spiritually in communion with Him. Therefore, meeting with Him is absolutely necessary.
Reflection on 2Tim 3:16
Post date: 2025-05-10Autor: BCP
God communicates with man through His Word – the Bible. The Bible is the final authority on all matters of faith and life. Through the Scriptures you can know the Father better, understand His will and grasp the truths of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. God tells His children to let His Word dwell in them richly. If you give your whole heart to the Father, He will fill your life. Effective reflection on God’s Word leads to personal application in daily life. Reflection and application will enable you not only to “get into” the Bible, but also to let the Bible “get into” you.
Reflection on 1Pe 3:15-16a
Post date: 2025-04-27Autor: BCP
The Apostle Peter encourages us to sanctify God in our hearts. How should we sanctify Him? Especially in interior prayer, where we talk to Him, listen to Him and ask Him to help us know and do His holy will in specific situations. The Apostle then says that we should be ready to give an answer to everyone. But no one will ask us unless we apostolize. We must be ready to witness. In prayer we must ask God to whom we should witness, how we should witness and when we should witness. Then we have to overcome some shyness and take the first step ourselves. Strategic is the word first (Gr. proton). If we are to remove the speck from our brother’s eye, we must first judge ourselves. Similarly, when our brother has something against us, we must first take the step of reconciliation, even if we are not aware of any guilt. When we do this, only then will our eyes be opened. This is a special spiritual law.
Reflection on 1Jn 1:7
Post date: 2025-04-14Autor: BCP
Think about the word of life and answer these questions: What does it mean to “walk in the light”? What does it mean to “have fellowship with one another”? ... if we walk in the light ... What must you do to walk in the light? Jn 8:12 What is true of a person who is not walking in the light? 1Jn 1:6
Reflection on 1Jn 4:11
Post date: 2025-03-30Autor: BCP
When you say the word “love”, what especially young people imagine is de facto fornication, impurity, even homosexuality. All of this is thrown together into one bag labeled “love”. It is in fact anti-love, egoism and perversity. It is unfortunate that many world languages only have one expression for the word “love”. The Scripture here talks about the God’s love, pinnacle of humility, pinnacle of suffering, pinnacle of self-sacrifice. Greek language uses three expressions for love and we need to be aware of it. “Agapé” is a selfless love for God. Jesus asks Peter: “Agapas me?” Do you love Me with divine love? Peter replies: “Filo se.” I love you with a human love. “Filia” is the second term for love. It is love for parents, siblings, or nation. The term “eros” means carnal love, associated with sexuality, and such love is exclusive to man and woman who have duly entered a holy matrimony, because it is related to the giving of life, raising children and thus sacrificing oneself for the future posterity.
Reflection on 2Cor 5:7
Post date: 2025-03-17Autor: BCP
Think about the word of life and answer these questions: What is walking by faith? What is walking by sight? For we walk by faith... Why is faith necessary? Heb 11:6 How does faith grow? Rom 10:17 Paul based his faith upon ........................... Acts 27:25 What must accompany your faith?
Reflection on Rom 8:14
Post date: 2025-03-04Autor: BCP
Think about the word of life and answer these questions: Who is led? Who does the leading? What does being led indicate? ...as many as are led by the Spirit of God... What are some other names for the Holy Spirit? Rom 8:9 Whom does the Holy Spirit glorify? Jn 16:13-14 What should be your response to the Holy Spirit? Gal 5:16 What do you have to do to live according to the Spirit? Rom 8:5
Reflection on Acts 20:32
Post date: 2025-02-17Autor: BCP
Think about the word of life and answer these questions: What is God’s Word able to do? Why is the Bible called “the Word of His grace”? ...I commend you to God and to the Word... How should you regard the Bible? 1Thess 2:13 What did Jesus say about the Word? Jn 17:17
Reflection on Jn 15:5
Post date: 2025-02-03Autor: BCP
Think about the word of life and answer these questions: Who is the vine? Who are the branches? What relationship do you see between a branch and a vine? How is the relationship between a branch and vine similar to the Christian and Christ?
Reflection on Prov 3:5-6
Post date: 2025-01-19Autor: BCP
This word of life, again, should strengthen our faith in concrete situations, the faith that God is almighty, as well as the awareness that He wants us to turn to Him with trust and not to doubt in our hearts. If we do this, we will certainly experience that God intervenes even in situations that are impossible for us to resolve.
Reflection on 1Jn 1:9
Post date: 2025-01-04Autor: BCP
The most important thing is that when we commit any sin, we should immediately repent of it, break with it, not dwell on it, literally cut ourselves off from it, whether it was a light or a heavy sin. Be it in thought or feeling or look, word or act, we are to immediately make an act of contrition by turning our spiritual eyes to the cross of Christ. If we do this, the Lord will protect us from mortal sin. Venial sins are to serve as stepping stones for us to enter into the presence of God, where we immediately make an act of contrition and an act of love for Jesus and resolve, with new fervour, to persevere in following Jesus.
Reflection on Jn 16:24
Post date: 2024-12-22Autor: BCP
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Reflection on 1Jn 5:11-12
Post date: 2024-12-09Autor: BCP
As we repeat the word of life daily over these two weeks, it would be good to take a few moments, pick up the Bible and find the quotes listed. For example, it would be ideal for the whole family to get together on Sunday evening and go through God’s Word according to the questions given.