What, then, shall we say in response to these things?If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
TO PONDER
God is with us and in Christ, He has given us all his power and authority to live a life to glorify Him. The Bible tells us that God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16) . Jesus Christ saved and set us free so we can live with hope and peace. What better demonstration of God's love for us and his being on our side could there be that Jesus? What else could give us more confidence and boldness that that?
PRAYER
God, you are faithful to all your promises and you promise that you are with us and you are for us. May that alone make us bold to live lives that glorify you and that bring your life and love to others. Amen
Today's devotion provided by Pastor Khit Vibol, LifeWay Cambodia.
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
TO PONDER
Queen Esther is one of the many characters from the Old Testament known for their bold faith in God. Esther knew that going to the king on behalf of the Israelites could mean her own death. She knew that only God could prepare the way for her request to be heard by the king, and so she invited the whole nation of Israel to join her in prayer and fasting. Through her boldness, God delivered the Israelites from an evil law and certain destruction.
Jesus invites us to be bold as well and offers to use our boldness also to free people from their slavery to sin and the devil. As God's children we should be bold in praying and telling people the truth of God's love for them.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you boldly gave yourself to us on the cross. Please help us to be bold in sharing you with others so they can also know the freedom that we have in you. Amen
Today's devotion by Pastor Khit Vibol, LifeWay Cambodia
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
TO PONDER
The apostle Paul encourages every one of us to keep on preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ to everyone in our lives and communities. But we are not doing this alone. Jesus Christ our Lord is with us, we can be strong and brave because of him who lives in us and he has given us all power and authority.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you that you live in us and because of you we can have boldness to go wherever you send us and tell the world about our love and mercy. Amen
Today's devotion provided by Pastor Khit Vibol, LifeWay Cambodia.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
TO PONDER
What a difference a friend makes! Have you ever done something you usually wouldn't, simply on a recommendation from a friend or because they have gone along to do it with you? Friends make us bold, having someone in our corner often gives us the courage to step out and do things that normally would seem beyond us or too risky, but the support of friends can make all the difference.
What a friend we have in Jesus! Our God has proven his faithfulness and he promises to be with us wherever we go. He encourages us to be bold and courageous because we live and operate in his presence. What greater reason is there for us to be confident than having the creator of the universe in our corner making himself present with us wherever we go.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you that you came to the earth and walked among us. Help me to remember that you are always with me and may that knowledge make me bold in living your love and sharing your hope with all. Amen
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
TO PONDER
One of my children's friends moved to a new school this year. This friend has some learning difficulties so he has moved to a school with the right kind of support for him, it just so happens it's also a Christian school. While this friend was visiting for a play date a few weeks ago, we asked how his new school was going. His response was something like this, "It's really good, I like it a lot, but I think they are trying to make me a Christian!" I boldly pushed a little further and asked, what would be so bad about being a Christian? His response... "It's boring!"
I can't help but think that being a Christian would be so much more enticing and life giving if we were not always so focussed on 'the rules'. Jesus says he came so that we could have life in all it's fulness; not a bound up and restricted life, a full and exciting life. What kind of difference would it make if those people encountering us for the first time were struck by how joyful, thankful, and excited we were to be part of God's family but so often the image that the church gets is one of stuffy, old fashioned, fuddy-duddies, out of touch with reality and so worried about doing the wrong thing that we don't do anything.
So get busy living; do good, save life, restore hope, bring joy, love others, give generously, because there is no way that kind of living is ever going to be boring!
PRAYER
Lord God, please help me to really live. Help me in my living to take time out, to rest. Help me to rest not out of obligation, but in the joy of life with you. May my times of rest empower me to live more fully and share more boldly the love of Jesus. Amen
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
TO PONDER:
"Overwhelmed!" That was the one word response given to me by a person recently when I asked them, "How are you doing?" Overwhelmed by the devastation that they are seeing on the television screens with the war in the Ukraine, the floods here in Australia, the ongoing impact of Covid-19. Overwhelmed by the rising costs of fuel and groceries, overwhelmed by life. Is that your experience too? Are you feeling overwhelmed by everything happening around you or to you?
The Psalmist gives us another approach to living in the midst of things which overwhelm. The fear of the Lord, he says, is the beginning of wisdom. The word "fear" which we often translate as holy reverence, can also mean to be "overwhelmed by the grace of God, by the faithfulness of God, by the provision of God. The beginning of wisdom, the beginning of being able to navigate through this life that often overwhelms, is to be overwhelmed by everything that makes God, God! When our eyes are on him, when we listen to his Word, when we follow his ways and live according to the patterns he has established in life, we find wisdom for living in the midst of all those things which overwhelm.
Maybe today, it's time to stop, reflect and reset and be overwhelmed again by everything that makes God, God. Spend some time reflecting on what it is about God that overwhelms you.
PRAYER:
Holy and gracious God, to you belongs eternal praise. Overwhelm my senses, my mind, my heart and my life with all that makes you, you! Amen.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
TO PONDER:
Turning points. We all have them. Those moments in life that cause us to look at ourselves, others or the world differently. They could be big things like the loss of a job, a relationship or a failed business venture. It could be failing in love and getting married. It may be a moment that affirms everything that you have ever believed in, or one that left you confused and not knowing what you really believe. What have been some of the turning points in your life?
Every turning point causes us to think differently and move in a different direction. Every turning point happens in the midst of every day life. Every turning point is an invitation from Jesus to follow him. Every turning point contains the promise of transformation. "I will send you to...: or as some translations say, "I will make you..." That's what happened to four ordinary fishermen in the context of their ordinary, every day life. That's what can happen for you today. Jesus can make you and send you out to be who he truly wants you to be.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me to recognise the turning points in my life today when you are at work transforming my life to make me and send me out to be who you have truly created me to be, Amen.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
TO PONDER:
“You have arrived at your destination.” There’s a sigh of satisfaction when you hear those words on your GPS. I’ve arrived. The journey is over. I can now relax. “You have arrived at your destination.”
When it comes to our life of discipleship, of following Jesus, I wonder whether we subconsciously hear those words as well, ‘You have arrived at your destination.” Maybe they were words you thought you heard at your Confirmation or Affirmation of Baptism. I’ve made it. I’ve arrived. And you take a huge sigh of satisfaction because now you can also relax and just enjoy life. But as Paul reminds us today, “Not that I have already obtained this or have arrived at my goal”. Our life is not perfectly Christ-like yet and will never be this side of heaven. Paul says, we have to press on. Keep moving. Keep chasing after Jesus to follow him, to see how he runs, to mirror his breathing, to love in step with his love, to take the same length strides of compassion as Jesus took. The journey is never complete until you hear Jesus’ words, ‘Well done good and faithful servant, come and enter in my rest.”
How are you pressing on in your Christian life? Have you fallen behind and lost sight of Jesus? Is your stride in sync with his? Don’t be afraid to call out to Jesus for help!
PRAYER:
Jesus, it is so tempting to want to stop and relax and think we have arrived at our destination. But your call to follow is a lifelong journey. Strengthen me to follow you today and every day, for without you, I cannot become more like you. Amen.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
TO PONDER:
Do you remember learning to write with a tracing paper book? When I first started school, many years ago, we were given a tracing paper book in which we put a sheet containing one of the letters of the alphabet, and we would have to push down the tracing paper over the letters underneath so we could clearly see them, and then trace over the letter time and time again to practice our letter formation. The goal was that our writing, our letters, were supposed to resemble what was underneath.
That’s exactly what Peter means when he says that we should follow in Jesus’ steps. The word literally means “writing under” - Jesus is the one who is placed under our lives, by whom we are to trace over our lives in every situation, both good and bad. The paper of our lives has to be pushed down hard on top of the paper of Jesus’ life underneath, so that we can see what his life looks like in order to trace it. What does Jesus’ life look like? It’s a journey that involves suffering. A journey in which Jesus has to put up with harsh circumstances and harsh people. A journey that ultimately leads to the cross. In every moment, Jesus endures those harsh situations and harsh people with grace. He does so full of love. He remains silent when the injustice of it all would prompt us to get angry and retaliate. It’s this life of submission to the Father in all circumstances and situations that we are called to trace in our own lives. “To this, you were called” is what Peter reminds you and I today.
So how are you tracing the example of Jesus in your own situation or circumstance?
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, help me press down on your life today, that I may trace your humility, your grace and your love in the situations I encounter today in my life. Amen.