How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
TO PONDER
We have a problem. The problem is the fence we share with our neighbours. The fence, well, it’s really a retaining wall, straddles the boundaries of our properties, and possibly due to the way it was built 30 years ago, is slowly moving…towards our house! We need to meet with the neighbour to work out a solution, which will not be cheap. Fences, or boundaries between neighbouring properties is a tricky area. If they need repairing, whose responsibility is it to fix? It seems to be a grey area, where no one is quite sure whose job it is. When you build a new fence, there is an understanding that each neighbour pays half. However, if you can’t agree, or come to an understanding, and you don’t want the expense of a court case, then mediation may be the way to go. A mediator will be the go-between you and the other party and try to negotiate a reasonable outcome.
In our lives, we have a mediator. Christ is the go-between the old and the new – the old life we’ve hopefully moved away from, and the new life, which God promises will be so much better. If you have a dilemma in life, use the spiritual mediator. If there is something is a relationship which isn’t working as it could, check in with the mediator. Christ promises to listen and walk with you in everything.
PRAYER
We thank you Jesus, for the many roles you play in our lives. Today we thank you for being the go-between, the connector, the fixer. Help us to lean on you when things don’t go our way and prepare us for whatever answer you give. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
TO PONDER
What’s your love language? Based on the book ‘5 Love Languages’, by Gary Chapman, the five love languages are five different ways of expressing and receiving love. They are:
- Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, Physical Touch
Not everyone communicates love in the same way, and likewise, people have different ways they prefer to receive love. And we will often enjoy more than one of the love languages – but there will be a language suited to you.
Think of the people around you, especially those closest to you. Try and work out what their love language, or main love language is. In my family, there is someone who responds best to ‘quality time’. Another close friend’s love language is ‘physical touch’. If you know what they are, you can use them to help build your relationship with that person.
What do you think Jesus’ love language might be? Re-read the text and it gives you a hint. You’re right. Acts of Service. The ultimate servant. He served so much that he gave up his life. That’s how much love he has for you. There’s an old saying that goes, ‘I asked Jesus, ‘how much do you love me?’
He said, ‘this much, and he held out his hands…and died.
What a servant! What an act of service! What an act of grace! What choice do we have then, but to respond in grace to those around us?
PRAYER
Servant of all, we really can’t comprehend what you’ve done for us. We are in awe of your selfless act which enables us to live. We thank you for the amazing gift you’ve given to us. When we forget, prompt us to remember. When we neglect you and your love, push us back to you. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
TO PONDER
Stuff. My generation has too much stuff. Things we don’t need. It’s true you know, one of the fastest growing businesses is storage. All over Australia, and many parts of the world, warehouses are built where you get to pay to store things. Things you don’t use and may never end up using. There are even TV shows about storage wars!
I must admit, I don’t see the point in storage. If it is no longer used, or required, dispose of it. Give it away. If it is too old, get rid of it.
As children of God, there are things we strive to get rid of, and they are all connected with our lives. All those things that are opposite to the fruits of the spirit. Here are the fruits of the spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Think of the opposite, and that’s what we live with every day.
But we also get the opportunity to experience the fruits of the spirit, because as children of God, as followers of Jesus, as those baptised into his family, the old has gone, and we get to play with the new! It’s God’s gift to us. A gift he keeps on giving time after time, despite our falling back to the old ways. A great time then to thank God for that gift.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you that you sent Jesus to us, to experience a little of our lives on this earth. Thank you that we can let go of the old, the old life, the old ways, the old stuff that we don’t need, and thank you for the gift of all the new stuff. Help us to use the new stuff carefully, as it helps us live our lives with you in it. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
TO PONDER
‘Say sorry’ was often the comment used by the teacher on yard duty, when mediating between two fighting children. At staff meetings, the subject of ‘reconciliation’ in the playground or classroom was often on the agenda, especially in a religious school. Often the playground conversation would go something like this.
‘Sir, he punched me for no reason’
‘No I didn’t! You weren’t letting me play your game of handball’.
Teacher: ‘Is that true Josh, that you didn’t let Ethan join in?’
Josh. ‘He doesn’t know how to play, and always breaks the rules!’
Teacher: ‘OK. Ethan, to be allowed in a game, it is important you know the rules, and play by the rules. Do you agree?’
Ethan. ‘Yeah ok’.
Teacher. ‘Right. Both of you say sorry, shake hands, and go and enjoy your game of handball’.
And off they would go.
But it didn’t go far enough. There needed to be one more step. The next step is very important. It is the words, ‘I forgive you’. I forgive you allows you to move forward. I forgive you ensures you can continue. I forgive you completes the reconciliation. Our reading had Jesus commenting on reconciliation, and it is only when you are reconciled, when the forgiveness has taken place, that we are free to offer and receive our gifts – whatever they may be.
PRAYER
Forgiver of all, help us to follow your example of grace. Enable us to follow your example of fixing things up before we move on. Give us the humbleness to reconcile with those who have wronged us, or whom we have wronged. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
TO PONDER
When I was growing up with four siblings, our parents would often tell us that there was no room for boasting. A common expression, at least to me was, ‘Stop showing off!’. They even made up a sticker which they plastered everywhere that said ‘No boasting allowed’, Okay, they didn’t really make the sticker, but the point was, there’s no need to boast.
This was one of the things we passed onto our children. You shouldn’t boast. Leave your ego out of it, because boasting is for people who are full of themselves, who are selfish, and who tend not to think of others.
The saying that ‘pride comes before a fall’ was part of the justification. And it’s true! If you have time, look up the Youtube clip entitled ‘Athletes who celebrated too early’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6gga_2UTtc
Every athlete involved thought they had won the point/game/race, and began boasting about it, but their joy was short-lived.
Our reading today says there is something we can boast about. There is something we are allowed to proudly tell the world about. And that is God and what he has done for us. We can proudly boast that we will live forever with Him, that we can begin again each day knowing he forgives us, and that we are never alone. So boast away friends, and share that whenever you can.
PRAYER
Father, we have many things to thank you for. Thank you for life, for freedom, for loving us no matter what, for accepting us as your children and for giving us the opportunity to share all these things with others. Bless our actions and words when we attempt to do this. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
TO PONDER
A couple of my children play drums. A drummer in a band is a very important member of the band, despite all the jokes about drummers! They are the visual timekeeper for the band. They ensure (or at least they are meant to) that the band stays in time and keeps a continuous rhythm for the whole song. When I was in the classroom teaching duration (rhythm), I would constantly remind the children that when you provide a rhythm, keep going for the whole song. Do not stop! Do not slow down! You never hear a song on the radio slowing down or speeding up.
It is a similar job to an orchestra conductor. Apart from choosing the music and organising rehearsals, the conductor keeps the orchestra in time. They are the visual timekeeper.
Jesus is a timekeeper. An invisible timekeeper. And Jesus keeps perfect time. All things are achieved in His time – not ours. And that is the problem for us humans. We like to see outcomes. We like to see a result. We like to be in control. But often Jesus says, ‘Hey. Back up the truck. Let me do my job - in my time. Don’t forget I’m in charge’.
When you have asked God for something in prayer and the answer is not immediate, what is your response?
Prayer
Lord, sometimes we forget you are in charge. Please forgive us for the times we are impatient or lose patience with you or others. Give us the peace and trust in you that even though we don’t understand, is perfect for us at that time. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping.
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
TO PONDER
The rising cost of living, inflation, recession, interest rate rises... these things and others like them, seem like the only thing that the media wants to talk about at the moment. But why would they report on anything else when so many of us are primarily concerned about our own kingdoms. We are concerned about being able to maintain the same standard of living that we are accustomed to; about positioning ourselves and our families in order to ensure that we don't lose out as the world seems to crumble around us.
How often do you think that your first thought in the Morning is about God and his kingdom? How often does God's agenda get the first say in your plans for the day over and above your own plans or desires, or your employers plans or desires? I'm not suggesting we all need to quit our jobs, almost the opposite in fact. God can use you to grow his kingdom right where you are, but what would be different if instead of going to work simply to earn a wage, you went to work to serve God and bless others? Would that change the way you viewed your work?
God knows things are tight for many of us at the moment, but he also knows what we need and promises to meet our needs. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and trust that he will sustain you with all that you need.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, There are many things going on down here that make it difficult to focus on your promises and your faithfulness to those promises. The fear and uncertainty that is constantly placed before us raises doubt and fear in our own hearts and we turn our attention inward to ensure that we can meet our own needs. Help me to trust that you have all my needs taken care of and help me to seek you first in all things and all situations. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
TO PONDER
Just a couple of days ago I set out to do our weekly grocery shop. While I knew there was going to be some shortages of fresh produce, I was surprised to see so many empty sections of the fresh grocery section in our local supermarket - not a single green leafy vegetable in sight. Interesting to read a scripture like this which says, 'the land will yield its harvest' when quite clearly so much of the harvest has been wiped out by floods this year.
Although I suspect that the psalmist is talking more about a spiritual harvest here. Probably with something like the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) in mind. When we are overcome by God's love for us and respond by seeking to serve him faithfully; when we are robed in Christ's righteousness and our minds are set on his mission of peace and reconciliation with his people, then the conditions are perfect for us to see God working in and through us in powerful and miraculous ways.
God is with you and wants to lead you. Living in Christ's righteousness is the one sure way to be prepared to follow wherever God leads.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, you are the creator and sustainer of all things. You cause the sun to shine, the rain to fall, and the plants to grow. You lead us by your Holy Spirit into faith and give us, through the Son, eternal life and salvation. May all those gifts bear good fruit in my life to your glory. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.
TO PONDER
Psalm 72 is credited as a psalm of King Solomon, the king who asked God to grant him wisdom to rule God's people wisely and to administer justice fairly and rightly.
We might not be kings and queens like they had in the days of ancient Israel, but in Christ we are sons and daughters of the king of heaven, we are royal sons and daughters, just like Solomon and just like he requested, we have been endowed with Christ's own righteousness.
What does that mean? Well it means that when we are living first and foremost out of a right relationship with Christ, approaching life with Him as our central focus, then increasingly our lives will reflect his justice, mercy, love, and forgiveness. And just as encountering the justice, mercy, love and forgiveness of Jesus led us to faith in Him, those same traits (the gospel) on display in our lives will draw people to faith in him also.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, just as Solomon prayed for wisdom, make me wise in seeking and following you. As you draw me deeper into your love and mercy, may they become more evident in my life and draw others into your arms of divine grace and love. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.