But Joseph said to them, “don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
TO PONDER
Sometimes precarious things happens to us, and God allows that. When we trust him through this time, he can use this to challenge and grow not just ourselves, but others around us. Family, friends, our church community, the wider community, watch our behaviour during these testing times, and we are sometimes faced with a cross-road. We can push God aside and rely on our own strength and fortitude, or we can let God lead us through this journey, and see what happens to us and others along the way.
“God comes to us disguised as our life” was once said to me. He is into not just what, when, how, and why we do things, but he flows in and through us, sharing himself with us, wanting only good for us. Jesus experienced all our suffering, and so we can trust fully in him during our times of suffering.
Can you look back on a time, where some good came into being in yourself and others through your difficulties? Maybe its happening right now. I hope you have experienced the faith growth possible in these times of blessing through hardship.
PRAYER
Jesus, you walked the walk, talked the talk, lived the pain and suffering, and came through to the other side. Give us courage to live our lives well also. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
TO PONDER
What is the country I am called to go from? It could be a bad habit, an hidden addiction, a propensity for self absorption, secret greed or pride…. name your poison. We might not have any big issues, but put together a handful of small issues, and suddenly I see that I am not as free as I thought I was.
God says he will show Abram a new land, make him into a great nation, bless him, and make him a blessing to others. I think he is also wanting to lead us out of where we are stuck, show us where to go and how to be, make us part of a growing community of believers so we are not alone, bless us with healing, gifts for service and a growing appreciation of him.
In that mix, chaos and struggle, I am suddenly delighted to find I am a blessing to others. He can use even me to show his face to others. How good is that!
PRAYER
God, you are my Creator, I come from you, I am in you as we travel one day at a time through life. As you bless me each day, in thankfulness and praise may I also look to pass on your blessing to others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
TO PONDER
Sounds like a rally chant. “Who are we?” “God’s People!” “Who am I?” “God’s Beloved!”
This reminds me of the crucifixion. The 10cm interwoven thick curtain hung at the Temple Holy of Holies, the room where God resided and the high priest entered once a year to atone for the sins of all the people. When Jesus died on the cross, this curtain was torn in half from top to bottom. By God. What a rally cry from the Father and Holy Spirit, declaring the crucifixion a victory, declaring God was coming out with Jesus to be among his people.
God is our God and we are his people. So, how’s that working out for me? Is there a thick curtain around my heart and head? Do I keep God in my private Holy of Holies, unshared, unspoken of, barely acknowledged even by myself. Will I allow the power of the cross to tear that barrier in half today, and let God be my God this week, working in his strength, power, love and grace to do whatever he calls me to do?
PRAYER
Jesus, you are my God, I am your people, reveal to me and tear down (gently if need be) all barriers I build that not only prevent me from sharing you, but prevent me from knowing you fully. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
TO PONDER
Have you ever worried about how someone might judge you or what they might think of you before you say or do something? I know I have!
It’s easy to lack confidence to stand up for something that you know is right in fear of being made fun of.
In our verse for today, Paul tells us to have courage and never be ashamed of telling others of the good news. God will give us the power and strength when we most need it. Never be afraid to speak openly about God to others, only He knows when the Holy Spirit will fill someone’s life with hope and peace and change them forever.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I pray that you give me the strength to be willing to stand, willing to be tested, willing to endure and willing to resist the temptation to be worried or ashamed of your word. Amen
Today's devotion written by Josi Weiss, LifeWay Epping.
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
TO PONDER
In today’s verse, Peter is talking about himself and the other disciples, and how they were God’s chosen witnesses of all that Jesus did. And that because of this, they were commanded to preach to the people and testify that Jesus ‘is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.’
As Christians, we too are called to share who Jesus is with others. This can happen not only in speaking about our faith, but also through simple everyday actions.
I recall a time a number of years ago, when a lady whom I had never met before, walked into the church office to enquire about the possibility of using our facility for one of her classes. She was in an awkward predicament at home and needed another space where her students could come and go without it being a problem. I showed her around and offered her the hall area for a small fee, which she gladly accepted.
After a number of months and getting to know her, she opened up to me and told me that she felt led to walk into our building and that I made her feel warm and hospitable and she knew that this place was the right place for her. Her words took me by surprise as I was only doing what I would always do, but somehow, she saw that through me and my kindness and understanding of her situation that it was right for her.
How can you show others Jesus through your actions today?
PRAYER
Father, as we serve you, may we be reminded that serving others is serving you. Bless our ordinary acts of everyday life with a special sense of your presence so that others may see Jesus in us. Thank you for loving us, living in us, and spilling out of us in everything we do. In Jesus name. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Josi Weiss, LifeWay Epping
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
TO PONDER
Have you ever struggled to share about your faith because you feel like you don’t ‘know enough’ or don’t have the right words to say? Are you scared of stuffing up, or that you’ll say the wrong thing? I think we have probably all been guilty of that at times.
Today’s verse reminds us that we don’t need to worry about those things. When Paul went to Corinth, he lacked confidence too. In verse 3 we read ‘I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.’But that didn’t matter. Paul presented the gospel the best way he knew how, which wasn’t with fancy words and impressive arguments. He explained it as simply as he could, so that their faith was based purely on God’s wisdom and power. He was like a blank canvas that the Holy Spirit painted a beautiful picture of God on, and all the people could see it and understand it. Each one of us can be used by the Spirit too, we just have to trust God and allow it to happen.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, You know I struggle sometimes, and I get caught up on the little things that I can and can’t do. Help me to forget about trying to use fancy words and impressive arguments to share my faith with others. Let me be a blank canvas, just like Paul was, for your Holy Spirit to paint a beautiful picture on that those with eyes to see it will be in awe. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elysia McEwen, LifeWay Epping
Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
TO PONDER
Today’s verse touches on an encounter Jesus had with Nicodemus, who was a prominent teacher and Pharisee in Israel. Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night to question him privately about his signs and teachings. He recognised that Jesus was ‘a teacher from God’ and said to him ‘no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him’ (v2). But despite understanding this, Nicodemus still had trouble seeing the truth because the law and traditions he knew so well were getting in the way.
Even though the Pharisees knew a lot about the Old Testament, they weren’t willing to submit to the authority of Christ.
Are there times in your life when you have been like Nicodemus? Where despite knowing who Jesus is, you’ve struggled to see past the here and now and simply trust him and submit to his authority?
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, Thank you for never giving up on me, even when I struggle to submit to your ways. You are worthy of all praise! Help me to boldly share this love of yours that I know so well with those around me each and every day. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elysia McEwen, LifeWay Epping
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
TO PONDER
Talk about sharing boldly! This speech that Paul gave is known as ‘The Areopagus sermon’ and is said to be the most dramatic and fully reported speech of his ministry.
Paul had been waiting in Athens for Silas and Timothy to join him when ‘his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols’ (v16). So he started preaching everyday about the resurrection of Jesus. This caught the attention of the Athenians, who (as we read in verse 21) would ‘spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new’. He was then taken to the Areopagus to explain further. This was a hill in Athens where groups of respected local men discussed spiritual and philosophical ideas (similar to the Jewish Sanhedrin).
At the beginning of Paul’s speech, I can’t help but wonder if there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice, as he comments on how ‘religious’ they were. Paul boldly calls them out on their ignorance. The very words inscribed on their altar ‘To an unknown God’ show that the Athenians themselves admit they don’t know who or what God is. They had been worshipping idols and objects, but Paul uses this opportunity to introduce them to a ‘new’ God - a personal God. I bet that would have been really hard for the Athenians to wrap their head around!
Is there someone you know who desperately needs to be introduced to a ‘new’ God – the one and only God? Will you take inspiration from Paul’s speech and be bold in sharing Jesus with them?
PRAYER
Dear Lord, Please give me the courage to be like Paul - bold in sharing who you are with people that desperately need to know you. Thank you for the guidance of your Holy Spirit, and help me to be aware of when it is nudging me towards opportunities where I can stand up and proclaim your love. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elysia McEwen, LifeWay Graphic Design and Communications
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
TO PONDER
Have you ever been put on the spot and asked to give a reason for the hope you have in Jesus, or for being a Christian? What would you say if you were put in that situation today? Maybe you have taken Peter’s advice and already have something prepared, or maybe just the very thought of being put on the spot gives you anxiety?
Whatever your situation may be, you can be assured and comforted by Jesus’ promise to provide the Holy Spirit to give you the right words. But that’s no reason for us to not be prepared. We are reminded about the importance of truly knowing God’s word so we can always be prepared to give an answer. And the best way to do that is to consistently read and study God’s Word.
PRAYER
Guide my heart Lord and give me the wisdom and knowledge to be able to give an answer to those that ask of you. I pray that with your help I will be an example of your living word. In Jesus Name, Amen
Today's devotion written by Josi Weiss, LifeWay Admin Co-ordinator