Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
TO PONDER
What would the kind of life described in the above text actually look like?
This passage of scripture makes it pretty clear that God's will for us, when we live 'in Christ', is that we would always rejoice, always be in communication with God in prayer, and have reason to be thankful in any circumstance. Well that sounds pretty swell to me, how about you?
So then, if it is God's will for us, and it sounds like a good deal, why do so many of us not experience that. I mean most of us would want to wouldn't we??? To have a deeply rooted joy that informs our actions and reactions in every circumstance (even when some selfish and inconsiderate driver steals the parking spot you have been patiently waiting for). To know that God is close and feel connected to Him and able to communicate with him at any and every moment and be confident of his response to our concerns and prayers - isn't that why we pray anyway? Thankfulness in all circumstances... well... maybe...
Sometimes I do not want to be thankful. Sometimes I just want to throw my hands up in the air and say, "You know what God, I did not sign up for this. You want me to be thankful for this!!!" (insert your own personal trouble here).
It precisely at those times that I have to choose to live out God's will for me. Sometimes perspective helps, so let me see if I can offer some. When God created us, he created us in his image, for relationship and partnership with himself. When humanity turned its back on that offer of relationship and decided to sort things out for themselves, God could very easily have said, "you know what, I did not sign up for this. You chose to go it alone then have it your way". In fact, you might even say God did do this when he sent the flood. And yet even then, he saved Noah and his family. Through Noah's descendants can Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from their the nation if Israel, from the line of King David - Jesus. God did not have to offer himself in our place, but he did anyway. There is no trouble I might face in this life that should be large enough to stop me, or you, from being thankful for that.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you did not have to die for me, and yet out of your love for me you chose to die anyway. May this truth always cause me to be thankful regardless of my circumstances. Renew your spirit with me and help me to rejoice, pray and give thanks to you in every moment. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
TO PONDER
Did you ever stop to think of thankfulness as part of your witness to Jesus? I know plenty of Christians who spend all day, every day, thinking about their sin and their insufficiencies before God and I have to tell you, they are some of the most miserable people I have ever met. Not exactly a walking advertisement for life in abundance and joy in all it's fulness.
If instead we can focus on all the wonderful things God has done for us, particularly in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, then we have , if not thousands of reasons to be happy and rejoice, to give God our thanks and praise.
If you, or your children, ever did 'show and tell' at school then you will get the idea. Show and tell is all about a student bringing a cool story of what they did on the weekend, or a cool new toy that they got for their birthday, something interesting that means a lot to them and telling all their friends about it. Some kids were great at it. They were clearly enthusiastic and excited about what they had to share and they engaged their classmates with every excited sentence. Others simply did it because it was their turn. Some of them had cool stuff to show, but they weren't interested in showing or telling you about it. Christians can be the same about Jesus.
How could you show and tell about the might acts the Lord has done in your life?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to tell of your wondrous deeds and help me to excitedly thank and praise you for all you have done in my life. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
TO PONDER
This simple reality never ceases to amaze me; Jesus gave thanks for five loaves and two fish, even though by anyone's standards that was woefully little for so many, and yet he simply gave thanks and it was more than enough. I don't know how God did it, I don't think it really matters, the fact remains that in the face of an insurmountable lack of resources, Jesus gave thanks and suddenly what little he had became more than enough.
How often do you and I look at the little we have and think it is not enough. Perhaps you don't feel smart enough, young enough, old enough, or fit enough. Maybe you don't have enough, money, time, influence, or authority do do anything useful for the kingdom of God. If you have ever felt like that, you are in good company.
And yet, the fact remains that however little we may feel we offer in any situation, if God has placed us there, we can be thankful that he will make us enough if we can remember to be thankful that he is with us and will work things out for the good of those who love him. That means, he can make you the exact right person to meet the needs or answer the questions of others, even when you feel woefully under-equipped and ill-prepared. Maybe God might even use you to feed over 5000 people with his word of life. Wouldn't that be something?
What little thing has God given you to be thankful for?
PRAYER: Thank you Heavenly Father, for all your gifts, especially those that I sometimes take for granted and fail to thank you for. Help me to recognise all that you have given me and to give you thanks even for the small things. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
TO PONDER
What's your definition of a quiet life? Lying on a hammock in a tropical paradise with an ice-cold drink of your choice, listening to the ocean’s waves lapping the sand, with not a worry in the world. That sounds pretty good to me!
Our verse for today tells us to strive to lead a quiet life but the meaning of this couldn't be further from the description above. Whilst a quiet life has the thought of peace, calm, rest, and satisfaction, it certainly doesn’t mean to be idle and to waste time. The quiet life we are instructed to ambitiously strive for allows us to really take the time and give our full attention to listen to God. It is our Christian duty to put the interests of others first, but we are to mind our own business and not meddle as 'busy-bodies' in the lives of others.
We should recognise the dignity and honour of the work God has given us to do. This is God's plan for us. God gave us His son in the form of a carpenter, Jesus' first disciples were fisherman and arguably the greatest human missionary Paul, was a tent maker. All workers! By diligently carrying out God's work, the non-Christians (outsiders) we engage with on our journey may be influenced to also become followers. If God is the centre piece of our life, we have all we need and we will not be dependent upon anything in this world.
What steps can you put in place today to assist you to live a quiet life?
PRAYER:Heavenly Father, thank you for the advice for living a 'life of work' that you have provided for me through the scriptures. Thank you that we have been able to focus together on my ‘living a life of work’ this week in my devotion time with You. Help me to continue to willingly live a quiet life in Your name. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain
TO PONDER
Most of us (if not all) will know the catchy Seekers Hit, "We Shall Not Be Moved". It is an African American song that had popularity as a protest and union message for the Labor Movement (1930s and 40s) and the Civil Rights Movement (1950s and 60s). The song describes being "like a tree planted by the waters" who "shall not be moved" because of faith in God. We can find Bible references to the theme of the tree being firmly planted by the waterside in Jeremiah 17: 8-9 and Psalm 1:3. The song is based lyrically and musically on the religious hymn “I Shall Not Be Moved,” which was popular with both black and white U.S. congregations in the first decades of the century.
1 Corinthians 15:58 tells us to stand firm and let nothing move us. Our Christian work here on earth will never be finished whilst there are still people who have either not heard of the story of Jesus or who have yet to come to know and accept Him as their Saviour! Our faith and work as Christ's disciples needs to remain firmly and deeply rooted in God's word so we are not distracted, tempted or lose our way as a result of the evil one (Satan).
"Just like a tree, that's standing by the water side, we shall not be moved."
What actions can you take today and daily to keep your roots of faith firmly embedded in God's word so that you can stand firm and not be moved by the works of the evil one?
PRAYER: Gracious gardener Jesus Christ. Continue to nourish my roots embedded in the soil with your life-giving water so that my faith remains deeply rooted in You and Your word – and so I can stand firm in my belief and work for You, and not be moved. Amen
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat."
TO PONDER
In our verse reflection earlier this week (Monday – Genesis 2: 2-3) we learned that God didn't physically need a rest day on the Sabbath but rather used the seventh day to reflect on His toiling and all that He had created. A moment to reflect on His work of creation. Our God is indeed a busy God. He is always watching over us and walking with us. Our God is always at work. He encourages us to follow in His footsteps and keep busy.
Most of us are probably aware of the saying 'sing for your supper'. It is a saying we might label today an 'olden day' phrase alluding to wandering minstrels who performed in taverns and were paid with a meal. They worked / sang for their pay / reward.
Our message today outlines that God's plan for us is to provide for our needs through our work. Verse 10 is articulate in qualifying the fact that those who are unwilling to work, that is those that are able to, and choose not to, shall not eat. God will provide for all our needs if we use our time and talents wisely in His name and not be idle or waste our time like fools.
God wants us to be busy and productive with our time. We should be very attentive to sing for our supper. Knowing that our Lord will provide us with our every need in return for our devotion to Him.
What earthly distractions and temptations, keep you from doing God's work and willingly singing for your supper? How can you counteract them?
PRAYER: Father God - continue to walk with me so I proactively find opportunities to be busy in my earthly work for You. Father, encourage me and remind me of the total assurance in your plan to indeed provide for my every need through the work that I do in Your name. Amen
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
TO PONDER
Proverbs 13 focusses on the value of correction in our lives and compares the wise soul to the foolish one.
Both the wise and the foolish have desires. After all, whether wise or foolish, we are human beings. It's not that the foolish person (or sluggard) lacks desire, in fact they wish for and crave many things. Today's verse (#4) highlights for us however, that the sluggard's desires are never fulfilled. The foolish person will never have contentment in their desires because they are solely of a material possession / nature. Desires of a material nature will only fuel the desire to accumulate more. True happiness is never achieved.
Whereas the wise soul bases their desires on spiritual things (aligned with God and the position He holds in our lives). Just like the wise man who built his house upon the solid foundation of rock - the Word of God - (Matthew 7: 24-27).
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need no more. A life centred on our Lord and Saviour is the answer. We are to use all our God given talents including the material possessions that we have been gifted to please God. This doesn't mean we will not be subjected to pain and suffering on our earthly journey with our Lord, but we will be fully satisfied, with both our earthly accomplishments, as well as God's promise that awaits us. Diligence in spiritual things leads to spiritual riches and blessings.
Do you ever crave for more? How can you be more Christ-like with some of your God given talents or material possessions granted to you from your Heavenly Father?
PRAYER:My Lord and saviour. Grant me the wisdom to know and understand that my desires will be fully satisfied if they are centred on You. Help me to always use the gifts and talents you have entrusted me with for Your Glory. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
TO PONDER
Lifeline in Australia is an exceptional national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with 24-hour, 7 day per week crisis support. It is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service. Lifeline is a connection point for those who desperately need someone to talk to in an absolute time of need.
As Christian’s, we equally have a lifeline connection to our Father in Heaven who is eagerly waiting to talk to us in prayer at absolutely any time of the day or night. To remain in Jesus (as our verse tells us to do), requires our connection with Him through our faith and prayer life.
A healthy prayer life is one where we speak to our Heavenly Father regularly (like we talk with a friend). Prayer should not be reserved only for times of major crisis. Additionally, our faith and an active prayer life should mean we expect our prayers to be answered - just as we are reminded of in our verse for today.
Like the critical connection we see in the vineyard between the vine and the branches (John 15:5), how can we (the branches), produce fruit and please God if we are not connected to the vine (Jesus).
Our lifeline connection to Jesus is all we need.
What fruit have you born in recent days that shined the light of God into the world? What fruit can you bear today or tomorrow?
PRAYER: Dear Lord. Please help me to grow my lifeline connection to you through my faith and prayer life. You indeed are the vine and I am your branch. Help me to bear your fruit. Amen
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
TO PONDER
We all need a rest day in today’s busy world. God did not need a rest day because he was tired from creating the sun, moon, night, day, the earth, the waters and all the living animals on earth. On the seventh day He rested so He could find satisfaction in His toil (as yesterday’s verse from Ecclesiastes instructed us to do), as His creating work was done. God provided a pattern for men and women regarding the structure of time (a seven day-week), and to give an example of the blessing of rest to us on the seventh day.
God sanctified the seventh day because it was a gift to us for rest and replenishment, and most of all because the Sabbath is a shadow of the rest available through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
We should be thankful and praise God daily for everything He has done for us as Christians, and for all that He provides us. The Sabbath day however is even more special for us, as we have the opportunity to worship God and praise Him with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Additionally, we get to rest from our own toiling and avocation in this world.
In a world where there is a push for a shorter working week and additional annual leave, how might you be able to devote some of your increased leisure time to God?
PRAYER:Dear Lord. I thank you for providing the world with a pattern regarding the structure of time. Helping and guiding me through every seven days – by carving out segments during the week to perform the work you provide for me, giving me treasured leisure time and then gifting me with rest, replenishment and the opportunity to worship with my fellow believers on the Sabbath day. Help me to use my leisure time wisely. Amen
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping