This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
TO PONDER
In yesterday’s post I talked about becoming a Canadian Citizen after 16 years of living in Canada as a Non-Citizen, an Alien.
Living for years in a country which is not your own you are constantly reminded of your non-belonging, your foreignness when even ordering a Coke at a drive through was usually fraught with the wrong beverage (usually a Sprite) let alone when the Canadian National Anthem was played… should I stand, sing along (I usually chose discomfort and embarrassment).
After April Fools’ Day 2014 (read yesterday’s post) I would look for opportunities to proudly stand singing along loudly, with a heavy Australian accent, “Oh Canada” when the Canadian National Anthem was sang because I finally belonged, I was a Canadian too.
Today’s verse reminds us that we do belong, we are new persons, our identity has changed, we belong to Christ, our old identity has gone because we belong to Christ.
This is where my story of becoming a Canadian Citizen form yesterday breaks down due to on April Fools’ Day 2014 my identity wasn’t changed but rather added to, as I retained my Australian Citizenship and became a Canadian Citizen at the same time (dual citizenship).
Once we belong to Christ we renounce our previous “belonging”, we can not have dual citizenship to the two separate kingdoms of the world and of God.
John, the best mate of Jesus says we now line “in” the old kingdom (world) but we are not “of” that kingdom because we now belong to God’s Kingdom (John 17:11-15).
Today’s verses lead us to one question, are we still living as citizens of both kingdoms?
PRAYER:
Abba Father, I thank you that you have made me a new person, you have changed my identity, help me live as a good ambassador for your Kingdom while still living in this now foreign kingdom of the world. Amen
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
TO PONDER
When I moved to Canada in 1997 I did it as a born and bred Australian Citizen, with all the rights and privileges afforded to me by my Australian Birth Certificate and passport, after a certain amount of time, money and lots of paperwork I was approved for the status of a card carrying “Permanent Resident” allowing me most of the rights of a Canadian but there were strict laws I was required to abide with to keep that status.
After 16 years of living in the oft’ frozen land of Maple Syrup and polar bears, I was granted Canadian Citizenship on the 1st of April 2014 as I swore allegiance to the “True North strong and free” Canada and reaffirmed my allegiance to the Queen.
My identity was changed on April Fools’ Day 2014 and I have the Canadian Citizenship Certificate and passport to prove it, with full rights and privileges of my new Country.
Today’s verses remind us that we now have a new identity because of Jesus, we now have the full rights and privileges of God’s children, we are fully accepted citizens of His Kingdom. Our Citizenship Certificate is the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection, our passport, proof to others of that citizenship, our baptism, and unlike my Canadian citizenship, it cost us nothing.
Within months of becoming Canadian I crossed the border into the U.S. with my obviously heavy un-Canadian bogan accent, proudly dressed as a Canadian clothed in my Canadian Citizenship Certificate allowing me entry as a Canadian by the proof of my Canadian Passport.
PRAYER: Almighty God, I thank you for my citizenship in your Kingdom through the death and resurrection of the Son, help me share the message of that Kingdom to others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, (MSG)
TO PONDER
At the time of writing there are only 2 days until Christmas day, the presents have been placed under the tree and, excitement is in the air.
Even though both our boys no longer have the childhood excitement of Christmas, everyone in our house is expectantly dreaming about what “brand-new” bounties could be hidden, encased in those presents.
That smell of “brand-new” can trigger memories of Christmas past and long forgotten gifts. That smell even has the honour of an extra title, “brand” as in its not just new but it is a special new, dare I say, newer than new, it’s “brand-new”.
Adding the word “brand” to the already adequate word, “new” seems to imply a special kind of imbued amazingness to the subject, extra awe in its newness?
Today’s verses can be lost in familiarity, in Christianese (church language), so deserved to be read in a translation of the Bible like the Message, or the Amplified Bible, which can shock us out of that familiarity.
In the Message the usual word used, redemption, which most other translations use isn’t even mentioned, instead Eugene Peterson and team chose to use the word “free” and even added one of those “extra” words to an already adequate word by adding “Abundantly” to free.
We are not just free in the normal way, in the regular way but we are “abundantly-free” because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We are extra free, overflowing free, Jesus free.
PRAYER: Saviour Jesus, I thank you for providing me with your abundant freedom from sin and death, I am no longer a prisoner of guilt and regret but walk in your abundant freedom because you paid the price and redeemed me. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
TO PONDER
When I played soccer in high school, I played for our town's local team. We were not very good. Many of the other teams in our local competition were run by local ethnic clubs in the district, clubs like the Croatian club, the Italian club, generally European countries who take soccer very seriously. So, each week, we would travel to whichever local soccer field was hosting the games for that week and prepare to lose, and prepare to lose big. I'm not sure why I kept playing to be honest, it wasn't a good feeling.
Then one week it happened. We won a game. You cannot imagine the elation of our entire team. It didn't matter that the opposition were the only other team in the comp not to have won a game, we had done it and I don' think I've ever heard a louder sound of car horns going off at any country sport event ever. Every car that had driven to this game from my hometown of Portland, Victoria blew it's horn and celebrated our victory with us.
Sometimes it's easy to believe that we are on the losing team in this life. Christians are not respected like they used to be, we don't have the same kind of influence in society as we might have had in the past. Many people these days don't see what Christianity has to offer and as a result, tend to think of Christians as weak minded or ignorant folk who just refuse to keep up with the times.
But we know victory is on the way. the battles in this life may be hard to fight, but Jesus has won for us the ultimate victory, the one that really counts. To borrow again from the world of sport; it's like Jesus has won four Cricket test matches for us in a five game series, and while we still have to play the final game, the result doesn't matter because the outcome is assured, Jesus is the victor and he will be exalted.
So even if you feel like you are constantly losing you can relax knowing that in the end, Jesus has you covered. Rest and rely on him to get you through.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you invite me to share in your victory. Thank you that even when it feel like I'm struggling to get any runs on the board or to kick any goals in life, that you have won the victors crown and I can rest knowing that your victory is also mine and that when you come to earth again, you will settle things once and for all and I will find myself at your victory feast. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
TO PONDER
Today's verse is the opening verse from Mark's count of the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus knew his disciples needed a break and so he took them off to a quiet place to get some rest and have a meal. Unfortunately, the quiet place wasn't so quiet when they got there. People had seen the direction the boat was headed, and many people from the surrounding countryside had guessed where they were headed and ran there ahead of them.
When Jesus got off the boat and saw them he had compassion on them and he had the disciples find these people a meal.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I need to put my own rest and wellbeing ahead of others. Sometimes I feel so sick and tired of always trying to think of others and to 'be like Jesus' when no one else seems to be going out of their way to treat me like Jesus.
This story always helps me put things back in perspective. I already have Jesus who has promised to give me rest. Those who do not know him need to see him more urgently that I might need a sleep in or a day off. Jesus knows what I need and he promises to give me that. He also knows when others need to see his love for them through me and when he asks me to show it, even if I don't feel like it, you can bet he will do something incredible, just like he did with the loaves and fish.
Don't be afraid to give Jesus one hundred and ten percent, he has more than enough to refill you and recharge you for all the work he has for you to do. He will give you rest when you need it...maybe just not always when you want it.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you are sometimes like a personal trainer. You sometimes ask me to give more than I want to give, but you never ask more than I can give. Thank you that you stretch me and help me to grow both in my faith and trust in you, and in my capacity to love and care for others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
TO PONDER
Do you ever fall into the trap of thinking that rest is simply about doing nothing? I know I have. The problem is that after a day or two of doing nothing I feel guilty that I have wasted time. There is certainly a time where sleep and rest (the doing nothing kind) is called for, but I have found the greater joy is found in learning to do only what God has prepared for you to do. On days when I remember to start off with prayer and devotion, putting my day and my plans in God's hands, I usually find that whatever the day might have entailed, I am never exhausted or depleted.
It's only when I try to tackle a day in my own strength or my own power that I end up feeling exhausted and like I need the next two days to 'do nothing'.
So take up God's yoke, his plan for your day. You might just find it more restful than you could ever imagine.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the Lord and giver of life. Please help me to live and to rest according to your schedule and your plans. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it."
TO PONDER
We know rest is good for us. We know that getting enough sleep is necessary for our bodies to function properly. Yet for me, I often find myself staying up late to watch the end of a movie, or chat to a friend, or scroll through social media videos. I know a should stop and go to bed, and yet I don’t.
In a similar way, I know that it is in quiet and rest that I find my strength. It is in being still that I know God. Yet, I find myself working busily day after day. Instead of making still and quiet a priority it is often a luxury I don’t find time for.
As we once again begin another year and activities and work once again cranks into gear, let’s make still and quiet and rest in the Lord a must in each day.
PRAYER:Jesus, thank you for the example you set of stepping away from the busy-ness of life and spending quiet time with your Father. Help me to find my salvation in rest in you and my strength in quietness and trust in who you are and what you have done for me. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
TO PONDER
At my children’s school they are in the midst of building a large new building for the students. It is going to be a multi-storey space and so for most of last year there was no building, but rather a very large hole. There was much time taken to set deep foundations. Strong foundations are needed so the tall building can safely stand, no matter the weather or how many people use it.
In life we experience many troubles, and just like the building, a strong foundation is needed. However, as this Psalm reminds us, it is not up to us to work hard to build a strong foundation for our lives. Instead, we are to rest in God and the salvation He freely gives us, so build your life on that because He is what we need to withstand the trials and storms of this life.
PRAYER:Jesus, thank you again for your gift of salvation to me. Help me to rest in you, not strive to work to build a foundation for my life. Thank you that when the storms do come I can be assured that I will not be shaken, because you are with me, my rock and fortress. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
TO PONDER
Where do you like to rest? Do you have a favourite chair, or perhaps a special place in your house or somewhere else you like to go and sit to rest? Do you simply sit, or is there an activity, like reading, or crafting or puzzles you like to do there to re-energise?
In this reading in Exodus, God is promising to go with His people and give them rest. This is a lovely promise from God, but the context of this promise is very important. God’s people have fled Egypt, where they had been slaves for many years, and they had recently been ‘abandoned’ by their leader Moses, who had ascended up a mountain to meet with God. Their situation is not restful or calm, they had just been told they would receive their inheritance of a promised land, but they would need to defeat many nations before that would happen. The people were scared, frustrated and unsure of what was happening. It was in the midst of this situation that God promises his presence and His rest. Did you notice God says he ‘will’ give them rest, not he ‘can.’ This is true for us today also. God sees you in your trouble and turmoil today. Know that He is with you and he will give you rest!
PRAYER:Jesus, thank you that you see me today, in the place where I find myself. Thank you that you are not watching for a distance, but your presence is here with me today. Help me to know your rest today. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.