The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
TO PONDER
Im struggling with this verse, but sinking into it, and second day in I’m honing in on “These words are trustworthy and true.” So that is what I will go with. Might be on the wrong track, but…. God will redeem it for your heart.
Im thinking about how we read the Bible. God is calling us to trust the truth of his word when we read it, to trust the word we hear from the Spirit on meditating on that word, to participate in and trust the word we hear from God in prayer, to accept the word we hear in quiet silence and solitude before God.
God is also calling us to trust in his Word, the living Word Jesus, who was born like us, who lived and loved like us, who cried and suffered like us, who laughed and sang like us, and who stepped into death as we will.
The word is relational, it’s a living breathing part of God’s way of connecting with us. It’s a tangible way to connect with the intangible. A stepping stone into the waters of the Holy Spirit. A way home.
PRAYER
Father, continue to draw us deeper into relationship with you, pull us into your word and your son Jesus, our Saviour. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see gain and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
TO PONDER
All people need a starting place, a point in the right direction, a revelation, gradual or intense, a beginning. Even great men like Saul, the Pharisee who was intent on rounding up Christian’s and punishing them, whose name was changed to Paul as he became intent instead on loving and sharing Jesus with a passion that inspires us 2000 years later.
Our starting point is often our Baptism, but at some point as we grow up, we examine our faith, accept and claim it as our own, develop and continue to grow in the Holy Spirit. I think this step is important, otherwise our faith remains the faith of our childhood, the faith undeveloped and unprepared for life’s challenges and God’s adventures, the faith easily given up to busyness, peer pressure and laziness.
When we are in that attitude of trust and expectancy, no matter how small or fledgling our faith is, God enables us to step out and go to those people Jesus places in our path, and say “see, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
PRAYER
Jesus, Bless my family members and friends who have chosen to walk away from you, remain in their presence and bring them home to you. Use me in any way you need to reach out and say “see, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
TO PONDER
The days of being in one or two jobs for your whole working life are pretty much gone these days. Jesus changes the job description of the fishermen with three words. “Come, follow me”.
“Come”. Come closer, be curious, willing, exploring. You are invited. I want you. Come into my inner circle. Be one of my closest friends.
“Follow”. For a time you will not be a leader, but a follower, a learner, an apprentice, watching, testing your abilities, putting your toe in the water. Follow and become familiar, for your time is coming.
“Me”. Not yourself, others, religion, ego, the ways of the past. Me. The Messiah. The Son of God. The chosen one. The servant to others. The healer of bodies. The forgiver of sins. The mender of minds.
“And I will send you out to fish for people.” Now is our time. Sent by Jesus, not our own ego. Fishing where directed, throwing out nets, sometimes all night long, not knowing the outcome but trusting that Jesus knows. For people, not our own rewards or pride, but hurting, needy, desperate people meeting Jesus.
PRAYER
Jesus, help me not to worry about not being ready or good enough, you send me out always prepared in you, even when I don’t know it. In your power, Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
TO PONDER
Do we give up too soon? Do we settle for second best, choose any one of the options available, knowing deep down none of them are the correct answer? Do we ask God “Are there more options coming?” Do we wait and sometimes, wait and wait some more, for the right answer to come and be fully recognised with finality and certainty? Do we wait, standing up, on guard, watching quietly, patiently, ignoring the sore feet and aching back? Do we sit down, get comfortable, doze off, daydreaming of what might be, and miss the answer when it comes?
And when the answer comes, metaphorically the young lad, dirty, runt of the litter, doing the menial tasks the older boys have outgrown, awkward and unprepared, do we see beyond that with trust, courage, integrity and faith in a God who is looking for something in us to put a kingly crown on. Something we feel unprepared for, but with our identity intact in Jesus, we are fully prepared.
PRAYER
Help us Jesus, to see not what we offer up, or choose, but what you choose in us, or send to us, that is beyond our expectations! Give us patience as we wait, trust in what we receive, and courage as we go out. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
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