Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, (MSG)
TO PONDER
At the time of writing there are only 2 days until Christmas day, the presents have been placed under the tree and, excitement is in the air.
Even though both our boys no longer have the childhood excitement of Christmas, everyone in our house is expectantly dreaming about what “brand-new” bounties could be hidden, encased in those presents.
That smell of “brand-new” can trigger memories of Christmas past and long forgotten gifts. That smell even has the honour of an extra title, “brand” as in its not just new but it is a special new, dare I say, newer than new, it’s “brand-new”.
Adding the word “brand” to the already adequate word, “new” seems to imply a special kind of imbued amazingness to the subject, extra awe in its newness?
Today’s verses can be lost in familiarity, in Christianese (church language), so deserved to be read in a translation of the Bible like the Message, or the Amplified Bible, which can shock us out of that familiarity.
In the Message the usual word used, redemption, which most other translations use isn’t even mentioned, instead Eugene Peterson and team chose to use the word “free” and even added one of those “extra” words to an already adequate word by adding “Abundantly” to free.
We are not just free in the normal way, in the regular way but we are “abundantly-free” because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We are extra free, overflowing free, Jesus free.
PRAYER: Saviour Jesus, I thank you for providing me with your abundant freedom from sin and death, I am no longer a prisoner of guilt and regret but walk in your abundant freedom because you paid the price and redeemed me. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
TO PONDER
When I played soccer in high school, I played for our town's local team. We were not very good. Many of the other teams in our local competition were run by local ethnic clubs in the district, clubs like the Croatian club, the Italian club, generally European countries who take soccer very seriously. So, each week, we would travel to whichever local soccer field was hosting the games for that week and prepare to lose, and prepare to lose big. I'm not sure why I kept playing to be honest, it wasn't a good feeling.
Then one week it happened. We won a game. You cannot imagine the elation of our entire team. It didn't matter that the opposition were the only other team in the comp not to have won a game, we had done it and I don' think I've ever heard a louder sound of car horns going off at any country sport event ever. Every car that had driven to this game from my hometown of Portland, Victoria blew it's horn and celebrated our victory with us.
Sometimes it's easy to believe that we are on the losing team in this life. Christians are not respected like they used to be, we don't have the same kind of influence in society as we might have had in the past. Many people these days don't see what Christianity has to offer and as a result, tend to think of Christians as weak minded or ignorant folk who just refuse to keep up with the times.
But we know victory is on the way. the battles in this life may be hard to fight, but Jesus has won for us the ultimate victory, the one that really counts. To borrow again from the world of sport; it's like Jesus has won four Cricket test matches for us in a five game series, and while we still have to play the final game, the result doesn't matter because the outcome is assured, Jesus is the victor and he will be exalted.
So even if you feel like you are constantly losing you can relax knowing that in the end, Jesus has you covered. Rest and rely on him to get you through.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you invite me to share in your victory. Thank you that even when it feel like I'm struggling to get any runs on the board or to kick any goals in life, that you have won the victors crown and I can rest knowing that your victory is also mine and that when you come to earth again, you will settle things once and for all and I will find myself at your victory feast. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
TO PONDER
Today's verse is the opening verse from Mark's count of the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus knew his disciples needed a break and so he took them off to a quiet place to get some rest and have a meal. Unfortunately, the quiet place wasn't so quiet when they got there. People had seen the direction the boat was headed, and many people from the surrounding countryside had guessed where they were headed and ran there ahead of them.
When Jesus got off the boat and saw them he had compassion on them and he had the disciples find these people a meal.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I need to put my own rest and wellbeing ahead of others. Sometimes I feel so sick and tired of always trying to think of others and to 'be like Jesus' when no one else seems to be going out of their way to treat me like Jesus.
This story always helps me put things back in perspective. I already have Jesus who has promised to give me rest. Those who do not know him need to see him more urgently that I might need a sleep in or a day off. Jesus knows what I need and he promises to give me that. He also knows when others need to see his love for them through me and when he asks me to show it, even if I don't feel like it, you can bet he will do something incredible, just like he did with the loaves and fish.
Don't be afraid to give Jesus one hundred and ten percent, he has more than enough to refill you and recharge you for all the work he has for you to do. He will give you rest when you need it...maybe just not always when you want it.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you are sometimes like a personal trainer. You sometimes ask me to give more than I want to give, but you never ask more than I can give. Thank you that you stretch me and help me to grow both in my faith and trust in you, and in my capacity to love and care for others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
TO PONDER
Do you ever fall into the trap of thinking that rest is simply about doing nothing? I know I have. The problem is that after a day or two of doing nothing I feel guilty that I have wasted time. There is certainly a time where sleep and rest (the doing nothing kind) is called for, but I have found the greater joy is found in learning to do only what God has prepared for you to do. On days when I remember to start off with prayer and devotion, putting my day and my plans in God's hands, I usually find that whatever the day might have entailed, I am never exhausted or depleted.
It's only when I try to tackle a day in my own strength or my own power that I end up feeling exhausted and like I need the next two days to 'do nothing'.
So take up God's yoke, his plan for your day. You might just find it more restful than you could ever imagine.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the Lord and giver of life. Please help me to live and to rest according to your schedule and your plans. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it."
TO PONDER
We know rest is good for us. We know that getting enough sleep is necessary for our bodies to function properly. Yet for me, I often find myself staying up late to watch the end of a movie, or chat to a friend, or scroll through social media videos. I know a should stop and go to bed, and yet I don’t.
In a similar way, I know that it is in quiet and rest that I find my strength. It is in being still that I know God. Yet, I find myself working busily day after day. Instead of making still and quiet a priority it is often a luxury I don’t find time for.
As we once again begin another year and activities and work once again cranks into gear, let’s make still and quiet and rest in the Lord a must in each day.
PRAYER:Jesus, thank you for the example you set of stepping away from the busy-ness of life and spending quiet time with your Father. Help me to find my salvation in rest in you and my strength in quietness and trust in who you are and what you have done for me. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
TO PONDER
At my children’s school they are in the midst of building a large new building for the students. It is going to be a multi-storey space and so for most of last year there was no building, but rather a very large hole. There was much time taken to set deep foundations. Strong foundations are needed so the tall building can safely stand, no matter the weather or how many people use it.
In life we experience many troubles, and just like the building, a strong foundation is needed. However, as this Psalm reminds us, it is not up to us to work hard to build a strong foundation for our lives. Instead, we are to rest in God and the salvation He freely gives us, so build your life on that because He is what we need to withstand the trials and storms of this life.
PRAYER:Jesus, thank you again for your gift of salvation to me. Help me to rest in you, not strive to work to build a foundation for my life. Thank you that when the storms do come I can be assured that I will not be shaken, because you are with me, my rock and fortress. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
TO PONDER
Where do you like to rest? Do you have a favourite chair, or perhaps a special place in your house or somewhere else you like to go and sit to rest? Do you simply sit, or is there an activity, like reading, or crafting or puzzles you like to do there to re-energise?
In this reading in Exodus, God is promising to go with His people and give them rest. This is a lovely promise from God, but the context of this promise is very important. God’s people have fled Egypt, where they had been slaves for many years, and they had recently been ‘abandoned’ by their leader Moses, who had ascended up a mountain to meet with God. Their situation is not restful or calm, they had just been told they would receive their inheritance of a promised land, but they would need to defeat many nations before that would happen. The people were scared, frustrated and unsure of what was happening. It was in the midst of this situation that God promises his presence and His rest. Did you notice God says he ‘will’ give them rest, not he ‘can.’ This is true for us today also. God sees you in your trouble and turmoil today. Know that He is with you and he will give you rest!
PRAYER:Jesus, thank you that you see me today, in the place where I find myself. Thank you that you are not watching for a distance, but your presence is here with me today. Help me to know your rest today. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
TO PONDER
The days after Christmas are strange aren’t they. I don’t know about you, but in my house, everything slows right down. We find it hard to remember what day of the week it is, and we spend a lot more time resting. The busy-ness of Christmas suddenly ceases and then it is time to slow down and rest. I love this week of the year! No alarms, no appointments, no deadlines, just rest.
This is the life our Saviour offers us. Of course the world will still spin and life will carry on, but we don’t need to get caught up in it; working and striving to achieve or be strong enough. The Lord is our strength and he makes our feet like deer, where we can lightly bound over the craziness of this world.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for this time of Christmas, where we gather together to sing songs about your birth and celebrate with parties and share joy through gift giving. Thank you also for the quietness of the days after Christmas. Thank you for the peace and rest I enjoy. Help me carry the joy and the rest into this year. Thank you that I do not need to strive or work for your gift of grace, it is a free gift you give me. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
TO PONDER
Well, the New Year is a few days old already. How are those New Year's resolutions going? Still feeling confident? I hope so.
The reality is though that even if your resolutions for 2025 are still on track, this year will inevitably throw unexpected things your way. Things that might derail those resolutions, things that might demand that your year take a turn in an unexpected direction. The question is, will you still trust God when those things come?
It is in trusting God in those difficult and often unforeseen circumstances that we really begin to experience joy and peace because we trust that we have someone in our corner who will see us through whatever we are facing. Like Gideon facing the Midianites overwhelmingly outnumbered, or David starring down Goliath, we can know that our God is for us and that no matter what happens, he will bring everything to its right conclusion if we wait on and trust in Him.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I do not know what this New Year is going to bring, but I know that you will be with me. Please help me to step confidently into all of the challenges and opportunities that they year presents, knowing that you are with me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle