Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
TO PONDER
I can't help but wonder in light of this verse, that we might sometimes feel like we have trouble seeing God at work in the world because we, his people, are not busy doing his will.
Maybe it's because we don't feel equipped, but that's silly because Jesus promised his disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on them and that then they would be his witnesses in all the world. If you are a follower of Jesus, then you have all that you need, his Spirit and his Word.
I'm not suggesting that everyone pack up their lives and take up a monastic life secluded in a monastery or nunnery, or that we all have to enter full time ministry in the church. However, I wonder how often, during your busy work day you consider how you are living out God's will in your life? Maybe you have retired and work life is behind you? How do you spend your time doing God's will? Perhaps you are a stay at home parent - how do you do God's will and show his love to your family? Whatever context God has placed us in, he has given us a way to serve him and his will in that context. We are his hands and feet in the places he has placed us to do his work in the world and he has given us everything we need to do just that.
PRAYER
God, you know that life gets busy and demands are placed on us from many directions. Help me to remember that the most important role I have among all the things that I have to do, is to live my life in a way that brings glory to you and that helps others encounter your love and grace. Help that, to always be my priority and focus in all things. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God
TO PONDER
I think this verse should be given to every pastor of every church, regardless of denomination, when they graduate from Seminary or Bible College, as a prayer that they should pray for their congregations every day. After all, that is a significant part of a pastor's role, to teach the Word of God so that people might grow in their knowledge of God. But similarly, every congregation should also be given this verse as a prayer to pray for their pastors and leaders.
Time and time again in scripture, God seems to bring about his plans and purposes through regular messed up and broken people. Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Moses, King Saul, King David, the list goes on and on. Just about every 'hero' of the Bible has a significant hurdle or flaw that would normally disqualify them, in the eyes of the world, from holding any position of power or authority. The one thing they all have in common, they all knew something of who God was. They listened to the Spirit of God who guided them. They listened to the wise council of those who God sent to aid and correct them. When they dedicated themselves to growing in their knowledge of God and his plans, they prospered. When they did things according to their own needs or desires, things went poorly.
Let us encourage one another and help one another to learn more of who God is as we seek to live his love, share his hope, and grow in his grace together.
PRAYER
Lord, I pray that you would fill me and those who lead our church communities with the wisdom of your will, with wisdom and understanding that comes from Holy Spirit; that we might grow in the knowledge of you and that our lives may be pleasing to you in every way. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
TO PONDER
Every time we pray the Lord's Prayer, we say the following words, "your kingdom come, your will be done". When you pray those words, do you expect God to show or tell you what his will is? Or do you simply assume that you already know what God's will is?
Too often I think Christian's can assume that their plans align with God's plans. After all, we are told that God wants to bless us, right? So if I want a promotion and a pay rise, why wouldn't God want that for me? What do I do if I'm getting older and haven't found a partner yet? Didn't God say "it is not good for man to be alone?" Surely God want's me to find "the one". Often we are happy to acknowledge God's hand at work when things go well, but are quick to claim he has abandoned us when things don't work out the way we thing they should.
Remember, above all else, God's plan, God's will is to draw you closer to himself. When we understand that, we might just find that the trials and challenges of this life are not as pointless as we first thought.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, it is often too easy to assume that you want the same things for me as I want for myself. I pray that you would make me a person like King David who was described as a man after your own heart. Align my will with yours so that I might always seek your will in my life. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe
TO PONDER
As temporal beings, bound by the laws of space and time, it can be hard to imagine what it means for something to be eternal or infinite. Everything we know in this life ultimately comes to an end. Some things might last for a long time, even a lifetime, but ultimately we have no experience with things that never fail. Yet the writer of Hebrews reminds us that God's kingdom cannot be shaken, it is eternal and it will last forever.
Unlike earthly kingdoms which rise and fall, God's rule and reign is forever. No earthly ruler or political power, no human conspiracy, no form of oppression or injustice will ever thwart or overthrow the kingdom of God. What a comforting thought!
And while we may not be able to comprehend eternity in this life, as citizens of God's eternal kingdom, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we will one day be raised to eternal life. Why not start living with God's eternal rule in mind today? Worship him with reverence and awe in everything you do knowing that the work you do for God's kingdom will have eternal consequences.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, It is often easy to loose sight of eternity and to live instead for today and for the moment. Help me to remember that each moment matters and is an opportunity to serve you and your kingdom, a kingdom that lasts forever because you rule over all things. Rule over my heart and my life also, so that I might bring glory to you in all I do. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
TO PONDER
Who is it that you are trying to please? Whose acceptance or recognition means more to you than anyone else's? Esther found herself in a position in which she had to please and gain favour with the most powerful, and possibly also the most dangerous man in the known world at the time, King Xerxes, King of the Medio-Persian Empire. She, and other young women like her had to endure 12 months of 'beauty treatments' before they were deemed ready to enter the kings presence. That's a lot of effort and commitment to pleasing someone.
Often we find ourselves worrying about or trying to gain or earn the respect and favour of others. Maybe we want to please our parents in recognition of what they have given and contributed to us? Maybe we are trying to attract or please a partner? Perhaps we hope to earn the favour of our boss or supervisor at work? Most of us spend a lot of time trying to please or meet the expectations of others. The psalmist in today's psalm was concerned only that his life be pleasing to God. I wonder how many of us worry about living a life that is pleasing to God, as much as we worry about pleasing others.
So who are you trying to please today?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, my Lord and my redeemer. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
TO PONDER
One of the other things you might notice about the book of Esther is that there is not much talk of worship or prayer, no reading of the scriptures, not much sign of a devotional life at all except for a fast in chapter 4. In fact, many of the things that Esther and Mordecai get involved with would usually be considered outside of the Jewish laws. Yet in the midst of all the chaos around them, what is clear is that Mordecai and Esther move forward in view of God's mercy. They offer themselves as tools, as living sacrifices to God through which he can bring about his plan to save his people.
This is what Paul reminds us of in today's reading. A life of worship is not just about attending church on Sunday or listening to Christian music or radio in the car, or spending hours locked in a prayer room. All of these things however, are still beneficial. But the key to a life of worship is in being mindful that now that you belong to God, thanks to the price paid by Jesus on the cross, he now has a plan for you; a plan to use you for his purposes in the world. Your life is not really your own, it belongs to him - living in light of that reality is true and proper worship.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You paid for me with your own life as you hung on the cross for my sake and the sake of all the world. Help me to live each day as a living sacrifice. Give me the courage and confidence to be used by you so that I might help serve your purpose in this world. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
TO PONDER
Talking with some people about the Book of Esther this week, someone jokingly said to me, "I didn't know that the first 'Miss World' beauty pageant was in the Bible!" And while this was said in jest, I think there is something to that idea. King Xerxes seems to be only concerned about physical attraction - he wanted to find the most beautiful woman in the kingdom to be his replacement wife, yet it seems he learned nothing from his experience with is first wife, whom he had wanted to parade around to show off her beauty, but who was ultimately a disappointment to him. He still seems drawn mostly by beauty, not by substance.
Luckily with Esther he got both. But I wanted to ask today, how often are you distracted by beautiful shiny things? How often does the promise of an instant hit of pleasure lead you to make decisions which you later come to regret? It might not be with people, it might be a tendency to go in for any 'get rich quick' scheme that enters your email, or maybe reaching for that one last chocolate eclair that you know you will have to work hard to work off later. We all have things to which we tend to cling to bring us comfort or joy, things which ultimately end up disappointing us. Don't let the pretty and shiny things distract you from Jesus, the one who endured the cross in order to win you back to himself. His love and faithfulness will endure forever.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, the world you created is full of so many good things; things which bring joy and pleasure to our lives each day. Help me never to lose sight the facts that all these things are gifts from you and that you alone are the creator and giver of all things. May I always turn to you first to find joy and comfort in my life. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
TO PONDER
Christ will return. His return will bring relief and rest to those who face difficulties, challenges or even persecution. But it will also bring judgment to the ungodly. For the one it will bring glory, for the other eternal destruction. By God’s power, we will go on producing those qualities of Christian character that are fitting for those whom God has called. Such character will bring honour to Christ now and will reach its full expression in the age to come, but it is also an encouragement to other members of Christ's body. Our endurance in the faith can inspire and uplift those who are also experiencing difficulty in life. This is why we must endure in the gospel, so that it might do its work in our lives and also reach into the lives of others.
PRAYER
We pray to continue to grow in faith, love, and endurance, in spite of the constant trouble and persecution we face. We want to keep moving forward confident in the knowledge that you use our suffering to refine our faith and trust in you, to develop our character and to mould us into the likeness of Jesus so that the world might see him reflected more clearly in us. Amen
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
TO PONDER
Faith that is genuine will produce lives of moral goodness, but it doesn't come easy, it still requires some determination and effort. Christians faith will grow in us a desire to know more of God, and this in turn Leads us to self-control and endurance, leading to godliness. As we come to know more of God and His ways, we will love others more. We are increasingly able to to strive to possess and exhibit all these virtues; in other words, we are not to content ourselves with a single grace, but are to cultivate all the virtues, and to endeavour to make our piety complete in all the relationships which we sustain.
PRAYER
God, by your Word and Spirit you have brought me to faith in you. You have made me in your image and your Spirit dwells within me. Yet this is not all that you have for me. Help me not to be content with settling for the way things are now, but give me a hunger and desire to know you more. Help me to grow in faith, obedience and love. Grant me the strength to endure in all things and to always bring praise and honour to you. Amen
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping