Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. (NLT)
TO PONDER
My 'smarter than I' wife, a few days go saw something while we were together that was algebra, I think it was a+b=?, it did have an answer but I can’t remember what it was and then to make matters even more embarrassing she asked me, ”Isn’t that wrong, it should be…!”, again I can’t remember what her answer was because I returned to my finger painting and pointed towards the truck driving by and shouted “truck!”
Algebra doesn’t make sense, there should be no letters in math, only numbers, 2a+2b equals a Swedish band not a mathematic formula!!!
Today’s verse is the opening line of what is known as the “Hall of Faith” chapter, where Paul lists a group of ancients from the Bible who walked by faith into uncertainty.
While the verse is a good definition of faith and can be quoted verbatim when someone asks what faith is (personally I quote the verse from the KJV) but does the verse, standing alone, really help or does it make some of us want to point at a truck and shout “TRUCK!”?
So, this is one of those verses that needs to be read as a full chunk, read in context and perhaps even read some of the stories about the people mentioned to get a more in depth understanding of this simple definition.
To spare us all a lot of time, the “Hall of Fame” includes people who doubted, people who were flawed, people who often questioned God’s call, even trying to make things happen without God and blew it badly!, but they still (even if it was eventually) stepped out and did it anyway, they put belief into action, they acted on their deeply held convictions.
When my wife asked isn’t the answer…? I wholeheartedly agreed with her because she, unlike me, understands algebra so my belief in her intelligence, education, and past experience gave me the all the evidence I need that she was right.
PRAYER: Almighty God, I thank you that I can be convinced of who you are, placing my hope in your promises, even though they may be unseen for now, I can place my wholehearted conviction in your faithfulness. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay WestSide.
Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience.
TO PONDER
I have a confession to make, I sat with the “stoners” in High School, we sat at the edge of the school’s “Demilitarized Zone”, that area delineating the school and the “real-world”, there was a strip of bushland in that zone where a group of miscreant students could sneak off for a quick cigarette (etc) out of the site of authority figures, but that is not my confession…
My confession is; I have never been drunk, stoned, or even smoked a whole cigarette in my entire life, and my parents knew who my friends were and what they were doing. They knew because I told them and they trusted that when I said I didn’t partake they trusted me.
However, when I became part of a church my church family didn’t trust me, especially after I pierced my ear to match my glorious mullet (it was the 80’s). I would often hear the statement “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft!” and it was suggested that I perhaps shouldn’t share in communion.
Today’s verse is addressing a huge issue within the early church, some people were not practicing their faith the proper way, they were celebrating the wrong day as the holy day, they were eating the “wrong” food, or were eating the “right” food while others were not… etc, etc, etc.
All of this was way worse than sitting with the stoners, having a mullet, and piercing ones ear, comparatively speaking, or was it?
Christianity, at the time of Paul’s writing this letter to the church in Rome, was a Jewish sect, barely branded (check with Pastor Mat on the dates when “Christian” became a brand) so, the arguments were based on how things were always done, whether actions were important, whether style of worship mattered, perhaps even whether it was OK for women to be pastors?
Paul continues in his letter in verse 13 (because he numbered all the verses in his letters); “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”
I removed my fake diamond stud earing because of my obvious rebellious attitude (the struggle was a chicken and egg argument) until I read Exodus 21:6 and had chapter and verse to prove that my action was in fact covered by grace after all.
My snarkishness aside, the “stumbling block” is an obstacle both for the one who considers the diamante stud sin and the one who thinks the stud is not in fact an act of rebellion.
To sum the passage up, I would say “you do you for others!”
PRAYER: Loving God, I thank you for your unfailing love, the love that moved into our sinful neighbourhood to redeem us and our fallen world demonstrating your amazing grace, to me a sinner. Help me choose your love over the diamante stud every time. Amen.
Today’s devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside.
Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”
TO PONDER
At our weekly LifeWay Westside Men’s Bible Study on Saturday, I made the statement that “Christ” was not Jesus's (that is the correct possessive of a singular noun) surname.
I realise most of you reading this post would probably think something along the lines of “Obviously!” but you would be in the minority in today’s culture. And, chances are, even those who know “Christ” is not a surname don’t understand why Jesus was called that…
In today’s verse during a prayer meeting, Jesus asked his disciples who people thought he was with various replies. Jesus then turns the question back to the disciples, back to those who should have known him best, those who had travelled, eaten, shared temporary accommodation, talked and joked with for at least several months (I think probably years) asking them who they thought he was.
Peter responded, seemingly, with the correct answer of “Messiah” (Christ) but based on what happens as we continue reading Luke’s biography of Jesus, Peter was wrong while being right.
Even though Peter and the other disciples grew up in a culture and age where “everybody” was talking of a messiah, they desperately needed a Messiah, a Christ, a Saviour, they hoped Jesus was it….
The expected Messiah though (they thought) was going to be a revolutionary, a political leader, who would stand against the occupying force, leading a "YHWH" inspired uprising.
Peter’s conviction of the hoped for Messiah was wrong and came crashing down in the Garden of Gethsemane when the Messiah not only surrendered to the enemy but sternly halted his (Peter’s) attempt at following a deeply held conviction of the role of the Messiah via the sword.
Peter’s identification of the Messiah was correct however his conviction was aimed towards his created, wrong messiah.
PRAYER: Almighty Saviour, I thank you for coming as the Messiah to restore your Kingdom to this fallen world, I repent for all the times my convictions have
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
TO PONDER
I watched an interesting documentary the other day. It was about a group of individuals who had found different ways that their various modes of artistic expression (music, painting, sculpture, writing, etc) helped them to process and manage their emotional state through periods of serious anxiety and depression. I remember vividly something that one of the visual artists said, "I never finish any artwork. None of them are perfect, I could probably work on any one of them forever. All my art is a work in progress. Sometimes someone takes a particular liking to whatever stage one of my works is at and they offer to buy it. I usually let it go because even artists need to make a living."
But he also explained that it was this 'unfinished' nature of his art that helped him to recognise himself as an unfinished work and therefore to work through some of his mental health challenges. I thought that was profound, especially in a world which is so obsessed with the perfect life and presenting a perfect image to the world through social media. Many people do a good job of pretending they have everything together, but rarely is it actually true.
You are a work in progress, you are not perfect (despite what your parents might have told you). But that's not the point. The point is God is at work in you changing and re-making you into the person he always meant for you to be. You might not be there yet, but having the assurance that this is the path God is leading you on and that it is his job to bring it to completion has to bring you some level of comfort.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Creator in me a clean heart and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirt from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit (Psalm 51). May your will be done in me and through me and may you bring that work to completion. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
TO PONDER
Do you know you have eternal life? I say this all the time but I think it is something most of us have trouble keeping hold of; in Christ, you have eternal life! You have it right now! It is not something you have to wait and hope for, in Christ, you have eternal life!
So many Christians are living as if their eternal life is the final destination of their faith journey when we should be seeing it as the launching pad and starting point. When we see it as something still far off, then we tend to fall into the trap of thinking that we still have to do something to ensure that we will receive it when our life on this earth ends and so we walk through this life very carefully trying to ensure we don't do anything that might get us thrown off the eternal life train.
Having the assurance and KNOWING that in Christ, eternal life is already yours changes the game entirely. Instead of protecting your potential eternal future, you can be assured of it because you already have it and you can life this life more freely for others. Our motivations and priorities can really change when we have the knowledge and assurance of eternal life because this life is no longer all we have to live for.
Now I am not suggesting that we disregard this life and stop caring for our bodies, throw caution to the wind and adopt a 'devil may care' attitude towards the precious gift of life which God has given us, but when life is eternal you kind of have to ask the question, "what have I got to lose?"
How could your life look different if you started living an eternal life in Chris today!?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift and promise of eternal life for those who put their faith and trust in you. Help me to make the most of that gift today and to use every moment of my eternal life with you to bring glory to your name and bring others into your kingdom. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
TO PONDER
I don't have much to say today, except for this...
Sometimes I think many Christians get caught up in wanting to have all the right 'theology' or all the 'correct' answers to people's questions about God and Christian faith and Jesus. Sometimes we are even tempted to say what we think people will want to hear or what we think they might find at least palatable about faith in Jesus.
Don't let the opinions or perspectives of others make you swerve in your assurance of who God is. Also, don't fear not having the 'right' answer. Simply look back at your life and see the times when you can recall and really noticed God's faithfulness to you. Share that story whenever you are asked.
Our assurance of the faith we profess should not rest on our 'right thinking or theologising'. It's should not be based on the opinions and perceptions of others, but rather be based on who we know God to be because of the ways we have seen his faithfulness at work in our lives and in the lives of others. Let your assurance be based on who God is, because your God is faithful.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for all the times I have been blessed by your faithfulness to me. I am sorry when I have not returned that same faithfulness to you. Please help me to keep my mind and my eyes open to the ways you are at work in my life and help me to share boldly the stories of your faithfulness with others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
TO PONDER
I wonder what this list would look like today if Paul where writing to Christians in Australia instead of Rome. I think it might sound something like this...
"For I am convinced that no Covid virus or Bird flu, or any anti aging drug or life prolonging surgery, neither any Marvel Super hero or Villain, No trauma from my past or despair for the future, no change in political regime either here at home or overseas, no hikes in interest rates or downturns in the economy, nor the rising cost of living or the decreasing affordability of housing, not even global warming or the erosion of social cohesion will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus."
How does that sound? Does that describe the assurance you have in God's love for you today, or do some of those things make you wonder if God really cares? If you need convincing, just look at the cross of Jesus. This is where the assurance of God's love for you is most vividly on display. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son... You don't do that for something you don't really love deeply.
If you are not feeling the love of God in your life at the moment or you are questioning it, just look to Jesus on the cross giving his life for yours. That is where you will find all the assurance you need.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that I can look to you and your sacrifice on the cross to be reminded of the depth of God's love for me. Help me to live and grow each day in the assurance of that love so that I may more easily share it and show it to others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
TO PONDER
There are two ways I think we can be assured about a person. Firstly, when we know who they are and secondly, when we see or know what they do.
Here's an example. I trust my doctor to give me health advice because I know they are a doctor. I can see the certifications on their consulting room walls telling me what training and specialisations my GP has done. This assures me that I can trust his advice. But I don't know my doctor as a person. While I might trust them with my health, I may not trust them to water my plants while I'm away on holidays, I don't know if he's reliable like that, or even if he lives close by or on the other side of town.
We have a wonderful advantage as children of God in being assured by him. We know about him and what he does, He has given us the Bible, telling us he is the creator and sustainer of all things. It tells us that he is all powerful, all knowing and that eve knowing everything, he still loves his people and through his Son Jesus, he has also redeemed us from sin and death and restored us to himself. This means that we also now can know him personally. We can know Jesus the person. God the Father the almighty one makes himself knowable to us. We now can know both the power and majesty of God and be assured that he is for us, and we can know the person of God in Jesus who invites us to follow him and find life in him. It's almost like a double assurance!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for the way you make it possible for us to know the Father. Please help me to be assured by your presence with me in all circumstance and to learn more each day of who you are and what you have done for me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
TO PONDER
I sometimes think we undervalue the gift of God's Holy Spirit. Perhaps I can demonstrate this with a simple question, how often do you pray and ask God to be renewed/refilled with his Holy Spirit? I know I have prayed for healing for myself and for friends and family on numerous occasions, some have been healed, others have not. I know I have prayed often to God to help me through difficult circumstances, and whether I recognised it at the time or not, I am still here today and doing okay, so I suppose God answered those prayers in some way or another, but certainly not always as I had hoped.
Yet when Jesus talks about fathers giving good gifts to their children, he connects that to God giving the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. There are two things I want to say about that.
Firstly, when we ask God for good things, we have to remember that he has already given us many good things. Our salvation through Christ's death and resurrection surely first among them but also shelter, food, friends and family...God already gives us so many good things, many which we take for granted, many that we simply do not recognise.
But secondly, it seems that there is something about asking that is also important. "God is pleased to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" is what Jesus said. Wouldn't it be sad if you missed out on the fulness of what God has for you simply because you did not ask? Don't get me wrong, there have been times in my life when I have felt as though I were being explicitly led by the Holy Spirit, and other times when I am ashamed to admit, I have failed to God where the Spirit of God might have been leading me. Being led by the Spirit of God is not always the easy path, but it is always the best one after all, the Holy Spirit is one of God's good gifts to those whose faith and trust are in Jesus.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Today I ask you to renew me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to be aware of Holy Spirit's leading and prompting me throughout the day and give me the courage to follow where your spirit leads so that I might not miss the good things you have in store for me, and so that my presence might bring your good things into the lives of others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle