St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 
18.03.24

Today's gospel. 
John 7:53 - 8:11

The chapter begins with Jesus preaching and teaching in the temple. He is interrupted by the Scribes and the Pharisees, who place more value on the Torah and religion than on people. They were concerned about preserving the purity of the Jewish faith. They saw Jesus as a threat since He got popularity and so they looked for every opportunity to accuse Him. 

Somehow, they managed to get this woman and brought her to Jesus. By law she was to be stoned to death. But Jesus bend down wrote on the ground. He said, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."  when Jesus looked up, all have gone and left only with the woman and He said, "woman, where are those accusers of yours,.... Has no one condemned you? No one Sir,... Jesus said to her, Neither do I, go and sin no more." 

 *Some thoughts*
 
Through this woman, we learn that Jesus is always ready and willing to forgive, and extend His grace.
She also teaches us that, that same grace empowers us to no longer be victims or "slaves of sin" but to "go and sin no more." We are all sinners in need of God's grace and forgiveness. 

 *Let us pray*

​Lord Jesus Christ, grant us your mercy and forgiveness. May nothing separate us from your love.

Amen

St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff.
16.03.24

Today's gospel.
John 7:40 - 52

The crowd was divided on who Jesus was.

Those who said He was a prophet who came to prepare the way for the Messiah.

Those who said He was the Messiah they waited for, for salvation. 

Those who said He was simply from Nazareth and could not be the Messiah. 

For others, Jesus was just a bad man, and so they wanted to seize Him. 

 *Let us pray* 

​
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to believe more in You, as our Saviour.


​Amen

St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 
15.03.24

Today's gospel 
John 7:14 - 30

JESUS TEACHES IN THE TEMPLE

The hearers of Jesus were amazed at His wisdom. To them Jesus was simply a Galilean carpenter without formal education.

Unlike other teachers, the doctrines that Jesus taught were from God and not human opinions.  Jesus' teachings were related to the will of God.

For us to do the will of God, we must come to Jesus. Human teachings seek for their own glory, but Jesus' teaching seek to please God.

Yes, Jesus had earthly parents and relatives in Nazareth, but the fact is Jesus has the Father that sent Him into the world. 

 *Let us pray* 

Jesus, we worship You. 
Jesus, we praise You. 
Jesus, we adore You.

Amen

St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 
14.03.24

Today's gospel 
John 5 :31 - 47

The text continues telling us that Jesus come from the Father and that Jesus does the will of Him who sent Him.

The Very works Jesus did/ does testify that He comes from the Father.

The Scriptures and spiritual writings should lead us to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God the Father.

May God help us to have firm faith in Jesus Christ. May we not doubt Him or be ashamed to state our allegiance to Jesus Christ.

The question of who Jesus is, is implied in the text. The answer is based on Jesus' relationship with the Father. A secondary Jesus gives Who and what bears testimony/ witness to Jesus. John indicates four witnesses: John the Baptist, the works of Jesus himself, the Father, and the Scriptures

John approaches the question of who Jesus is from a Jewish religious and cultural perspective.   

 *Let us pray. * 

Lord Jesus Christ,
I present myself to you,
I offer my mind, body and soul to You. Bless the works of my hands today and always.

Bless and protect my family, friends and all those who believe in you.
Amen

 St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 
​11.03.2024

Today's Gospel
John 4:43-54

Jesus returned to his hometown and visited Cana where he did his first miracle.  That happened after he had highlighted that "A prophet has no honour in his own time".
This time the Galalians welcomed him since they had  seen what he did in Jerusalem during Passover Festival. 

Jesus did another miracle there. He healed the son of the royal official who was in another town. Jesus did that by telling official that the son will leave. The official believed Jesus' words and the son was healed instantly. 

 *Let us pray* ​

Father God opens our eyes so that we may see the signs and wonders of your splendor. 
Strengthen our faith so that we may find healing in your words. 
Help us Lord to exercise our faith in you as we partake in the building your Church in Jesus' name,

Amen.

St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 
13.03.24

Today's Gospel 
John 5 v19 to 30..

The meaning of this section of chapter 5 is that we are doomed to failure if we try to do everything by our own strength.
We need to turn to Jesus and rely on him to help us.
The TRULY..TRULY..is Jesus saying pay attention to my words..he is telling the Jewish leaders..he is son as son...also son as judge and finally son as life giver...Jesus wants us to understand that he is the life giver to eternal life..
Bottom line..honor the son by doing good deeds to claim our eternal life..

*Let us pray* ​

Father God please reveal clearly the work that you want us to do..
Please give us the power and courage through the holy spirit to carry it out in Jesus mighty name...

​Amen

St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 
12. 03. 24

Today's 
John 5:1-18

... and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool.... In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ The sick man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.’ Jesus said to him, *_ ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk.’_* At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk... Later Jesus found him in the temple and well!... Do not sin anymore, so therefore the Jews started persecuting Jesus, because he was doing such things on the sabbath.

 In today's gospel, 
Jesus saw the man, who had been ill for many years, lying at the pool. He knew the longings that were deep in the sick man’s heart. He took the initiative and said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

The sick man was not expecting anything new, since no one could help him to get first into the water that cured. 

Friends, God can always surprise us. There is no end to his creative ability.
The three commands of Jesus changed his life completely: “_Stand up, take your mat and walk_.” 

The words of Jesus have force within, Jesus wants the man to be active again. 

If we allow Christ to speak these same words to us, we will achieve much.

Chris is asking you the same question, 
"What can I do for you? "

 Jesus wants us to be healed of our infamitas and he listens carefully to our request. 

Healing, family matters, your health, marriage, children taking drugs? 

 *Let us pray* 

Lord Jesus Christ, we bring our anxieties and leave them with You.
Thank you for the love and care.

Amen.

PARISH PRAYER VIGIL 2019

The Parish of St Barnabas participates in a 24 hour Prayer Vigil commencing every Tuesday at 17:30 until Wednesday 17:30  Every Week. We invite everyone to select a half hour time slot within this 24 hour timeframe and devote it to quite prayer and meditation. There is power in prayer and as we pray together as one body of Christ we will see God's work manifested in amazing ways.

Please feel free to join in wherever you are by selecting a time for prayer. If you wish to do so you may also fast over this 24 hour period.   

What will we be praying for? Pray for your family and friends, your Parish, your country, the youth, those that are sick or in need, and any other personal matters you wish to place before God.

Onward Christian Soldiers!

Time

17:30

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WED MIDNIGHT

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