‘Then Jesus came to them and said "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."’
TO PONDER
This is the opening line to what is called “the Great Commission” - to go and make disciples, baptising, and teaching, knowing that Jesus is with us always.
Jesus doesn’t beat around the bush here, he begins with a James-Bond-worthy opening teaser! He has the authority! And then he sets the tone for the commission with a “therefore”. He declares he is the foundation stone for ministry, and all the disciplining, baptising and teaching we do is under his banner. He has proven this authority by his resurrection, he claims his authority, and shares this authority with them and us now through his Holy Spirit.
So how is our “therefore” going? Do we disciple each other well, walking with each other in encouragement and hope? Do we baptise, not just the baptismal ritual, but do we baptise ourselves into Jesus every day, releasing the old, taking up and being the renewed person? Do we teach each other to listen to Jesus, apply his word to our life, share his prophetic word to another? Do we forgive and accept forgiveness graciously? Do we take on the tasks he points us to?
PRAYER
Jesus, as I live in and under your authority this week, surprise me with unexpected blessings and opportunities to experience your authority in my live. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.
“But say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
TO PONDER
A Roman army officer has treated the Jews under his control kindly, justly, even generously. So much so that the Jewish elders plead his case before Jesus to heal his dying servant. The Roman officer has been influenced by the faith life of these people and pays attention to their trust in this Jesus, the travelling healer. But he feels unworthy to have Jesus in his home.
So what is going on here between these two men of power? Does the Roman see some authority in Jesus that displaces his own authority? Does he see something greater than Roman power and dominance here? He humbly steps aside to create room for Jesus to do his work. He exhibits trust and faith that astonishes even Jesus.
How is my trust and faith in Jesus? Do I allow the leadership and authority of Jesus to displace my own? Do I set aside my plans to create room for Jesus to do his work in my heart, life, community? Do I allow him to “say the word” and bring healing balm into my life, and the lives of others?
PRAYER
Jesus, forgive my stubbornness, grant me a humble and trusting heart that steps aside to allow you to be active in not just my life, but in the lives of others through me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
TO PONDER
I know as a mother it’s easy to be concerned about my children if they are about do something a little risky or unknown. A prayer of protection and guidance as they left the house made me feel more content that they would have God's ongoing protection.
In this verse for today, Jesus prays for the disciples, for their protection and that their future ministry would be effective. He not only prayed for the disciple’s but for you and me now, and for all believers in the future. It is through the word of Jesus disciples that we have come to know and believe today.
How is Jesus' prayer for unity working its way out in your life today?
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending your son, Jesus, for giving us your word of life through men that you chose as your disciples. Unite us in your will, your love, and your truth Lord, so that through us the world will see that you are a living and loving God. Amen
Today's devotion written by Josi Weiss, LifeWay Office Coordinator
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
TO PONDER
When have you had an opportunity to do good for someone else – to show them the love of Jesus? Did it come about unexpectedly?
Recently I was working from home and heard a strange noise outside. I didn’t think much of it at first, but the longer it went on, the more curious I became to know what it was. From one of our upstairs windows, we are able to see partially into our neighbour’s yard. When I looked out, I could see our elderly neighbour lying on the concrete. I realised that the noise was him yelling for help while his dog barked by his side.
We hadn’t met before, but I immediately felt called to go and help him. I said to God ‘Please help me help him. Please let him be ok’ and I rushed over there. It was a hot day and he had fallen while gardening and wasn’t able to get up. He thought he had had a heart attack. Thankfully an ambulance was able to get there quite quickly, and he was ok. ‘I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t heard me’ he kept saying.
I was so thankful to God that I was able to be in the right place at the right time to help this man. I later found out that my neighbour and his wife are also Christians! Which was a beautiful reminder that God really does take care of his flock.
PRAYER
Dear God, Thank you for giving me opportunities to do good for other people. Help me to notice when they come about, and act eagerly so that I can be the light of Jesus for someone else. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elysia McEwen, LifeWay Graphic Design and Communications
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
TO PONDER
Have you ever been away from your home church on a Sunday and decided to visit another church? It is a beautiful thing that it doesn’t matter where we are from, Christ unites us. We can visit a church community far away from home and still feel a part of it because we are from the one family.
Maybe it wasn’t a church you went to, but a person you met where you experienced this sense of community. I have met strangers before, where as soon as we have discovered we are both Christians, there is an instant sense of connection. This connection goes much deeper than simply sharing the same interests or coming from the same backgrounds in life. As Christians we all share citizenship in God’s kingdom. We are his chosen people, a holy nation (see 1 Peter 2:9).
Later in this passage, Paul tells us that together we are the body of Christ and each of us has a special purpose and part to play in it. (v27) Whatever our gifts are, they were designed by God, just for us! And using them is one way to let Jesus’ light shine through us into this dark world.
What gifts have you been given by God, and how will you use them today?
PRAYER
Dear Lord, Thank you for my family of fellow Christians that stretches far and wide, and for connecting us so deeply regardless of where we come from. Help me to use my gifts to build up the body of Christ and shine Jesus’ light into this dark world. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elysia McEwen, LifeWay Graphic Design and Communications
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
TO PONDER
Debt. It’s a word that most of us adults are all too familiar with! From bills, to taxes, to paying the mortgage to owing someone a favour - debts are all around us! No sooner do we pay one off than we gain another one. My husband and I are in the process of buying our first house, which is the largest and scariest debt we have ever taken on!
Most of us are aware of the things we owe, and strive to pay them off. But have you ever added ‘loving others’ to your list of debts? I find this such an interesting concept. That our obligation to love is actually viewed by God as a debt that we owe. On top of that, it is a debt that will always be outstanding. When we begin to count up how much God has done for us, forgiving all of our sin, the assurance of eternal life in heaven, plus all the countless things in between, it is easy to realise why our debt of love to one another can never fully be repaid. But it is one that we will benefit from as we pay each instalment day by day.
Paul says here ‘whoever loves others has fulfilled the law’, and in verse 9 and 10: ‘The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.’
When you think about it, all of those commandments would be automatically fulfilled if we were truly approaching each situation we face with an attitude of love to those around us. That’s why love is the fulfilment of the law, and Jesus’ greatest commandment. So how will you pay the next instalment on your debt of love today?
PRAYER
Dear Lord, Thank you for the countless things you have given me, and especially Jesus, who paid the ultimate debt when he died on the cross for my sins. I owe it all to you God. Give me the courage to pay instalments of love to those around me with open arms each and every day. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elysia McEwen, LifeWay Graphic Design and Communication
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
TO PONDER
I remember when I first started University, I thought it was so cool being around people who were all studying the same thing. As a result, many of us shared a lot of the same interests. It was so different to high school in that way! Maybe you’ve had a similar experience, whether at Uni or maybe your workplace. That feeling of togetherness you get when you spend time with people that are on the same page as you.
In this passage from Acts, Luke is talking about that exact thing. ‘The fellowship of the believers’ (which is the title for this passage in the NIV translation) that was happening after the day of Pentecost – the very beginning of the church. These new believers spent time with each other, eating together, praying together and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings (v42). They used every opportunity to care for those in need (v45) and to praise God. As a result, more and more people were being saved and their group became larger and larger.
Imagine the amazing feeling of togetherness they would have been experiencing at that time! How have you felt that sense of community with fellow Christians? And how can you help those around you feel it too?
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, What an amazing gift community is – especially the Christian community. Thank you for blessing me with friendships and people who I share things in common. Please use me to help others experience your love through community too, so that your kingdom may grow larger by the day. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elysia McEwen, LifeWay Graphic Design and Communications
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
TO PONDER
As a young child I can remember visiting my grandparents’ house and seeing a magnificent grape vine growing in their backyard. It was trained over a metal pole and curved wire structure which formed a most beautiful canopy over the path leading to my grandfather’s workshop. Not only did it produce beautiful grapes, but it also created lots of shade in the hot Adelaide weather. It was so abundant in fruit that some would fall to the ground and get squashed or eaten by birds. A vine can easily run wild unless it is well kept with regular pruning, watering, and nourishment for the soil. Only now do I appreciate how much work it would have been to maintain!
In our verse today Jesus explains to the disciples that he is the vine, and they are the branches. Through him we can be assured that we will receive everything we need to be strong in our faith. If we are separated from the vine, (Jesus) we will wither and die. Our heavenly Father is our gardener who takes care of us by pruning away things in our life that stop us from growing and bearing fruit.
Are you a branch producing much fruit or just a little? Are you a branch that is leading others to find the lifegiving vine of Jesus?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, sometimes it’s so hard to be faithful and not give up when I am tired and weary. Help me to accept your pruning so that I can stay fully connected to your vine and willingly receive all that you desire for me. Shape me in your word so I may bear bountiful fruit. Amen
Today's devotion written by Josi Weiss, LifeWay Office Coordinator
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you"
TO PONDER
As humans it is our instinct to immediately want revenge or to retaliate. Jesus is telling us in this passage that we should love people who hate us or want to harm us. Hate can destroy us physically, emotionally, and of course spiritually. We are told throughout the Bible that God is love and if we are not living God’s love then we are not living in his image.
Can you resist the urge to seek revenge? Instead, reacting with love towards your enemy?
PRAYER
Dear Lord, you have laid out a path for us, a way for us to live with each other in this world through giving us your Son Jesus – to love those with whom we disagree, to share what we have, to let go of any hate or unrest. Help me practice what you preach, help me to love my enemies so that your light of love might shine through me in this troubled world. Help me love them as I love You and treat my enemies as I would wish to be treated.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Josi Weiss, LifeWay Office Coordinator