Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
TO PONDER
Are you nervous about the bit that says, ‘everything is uncovered’? Nothing is hidden. Nothing is secret. Nothing is a mystery or confidential from God.
A favourite author of mine was asked this question from a reader.
‘What do you do personally to get closer to God?’ Her response was as follows:
"What? Nothing. Sounds like a horrible idea to me, trying to get closer to God. Half the time, I wish God would leave me alone. Getting closer to God might mean getting told to love someone I don’t even like, or to give away even more of my money. It might mean letting some idea or dream that is dear to me get ripped away".
She’s got it right. But that’s the reality of being as follower of Jesus; of getting close to God. But you know, God still wants to be in a relationship with you, and the Psalms tell us, that the past is forgotten. What has happened before, doesn’t enter into God’s head…or stop God from loving us.
PRAYER:Thanks Lord, for loving us, no matter what, no matter what we’ve done, no matter what we’ve said, no matter how we’ve acted. Help us to live as your children, every day. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
TO PONDER
What’s a disciple? How would you define it? The question came up in a session at a recent pastor’s conference. It will be an ongoing discussion over the next few years at our conferences. At this conference, many answers were given. But ‘follower’ seemed to be the answer given by most.
How well do we follow then? And do you blindly follow, or wait a little while and see how others go?
Not that long ago there was a children’s talk on the words ‘Come, follow me’. The pastor gathered the children, then simply said, ‘follow me’. The pastor went for a walk through the pews, crawled under the altar, climbed over a member, and balanced on the altar rail. Some children followed, some didn’t.
The message was that although God calls, it is still an invitation. And some will not respond or reject it. Some will trust the caller and follow no matter what. Some will struggle with the tricky bits of following but will know that God will help them through those trials.
How’s your disciple journey going? Are there times you forget who you are following, or when it gets hard, back away? You’re not alone if so.
PRAYER:Loving Jesus, when the going gets tough, remind us that you are near. When we struggle with the stuff of life, remind us that you too had struggles. When we feel like chucking it in, give us your strength and courage and love. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
“‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
TO PONDER
There’s still room. Plenty of room. Heaven is like the universe…it goes on forever, and there will always be room.
And you know what? It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. Because the poor, those with physical disabilities, the visually impaired, those with hearing loss, dementia suffers, those with intellectual disabilities, out-patients, can’t always afford the best clothes. But that doesn’t bother God. Because God looks at the heart. God looks at your inside. God is more concerned with what is going on in your heart, than in your head.
Sometimes we worry too much about what we look like. About what our neighbours think. And about saving face. So it’s a good reminder. A reminder to ourselves that others will know we are Christians by our love – not by our image.
PRAYER:Father in Heaven, thank you for keeping a spot for me in heaven. Thank you that there is no use-by date on that space you’ve left me – unless I choose to let it go. So help me not to let go of it, or you. Amen
Today's Devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
TO PONDER
A small group, out of Epping, planted a church in a park in Kellyville (a Northwestern suburb of Sydney) for a few years in the early 2000’s. Officially it ran from 2006 to 2010. In that part of Sydney at that time, there was plenty of space. Neighbours had large yards. There were market gardens and five-acre blocks and Christmas tree farms. For some, it was literally…the ends of the earth. There wasn’t much population as there is now beyond Kellyville. Windsor was the next stop. For the small core group out that way, the verse above was one of their cherished verses. We were striving to be witnesses to everyone there, through community events such as a playgroup, worship, and sports activities.
And for people of faith, you and me, that’s one of our calls. To be witnesses. How is your witnessing going? Do you use words in your witnessing, or just actions? Do your neighbours see you heading off each Sunday morning to worship? Whatever method you use, God thanks you, and reminds you that he will be with you in it.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us to be your witnesses. It’s not easy sometimes, but we know with your help, we can witness to all we meet – and help us begin with our neighbours. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
TO PONDER
Someone said that every day and every hour, walk around yourself and watch yourself, and check if your image is a seemly one. Otherwise, you may have sewn an evil seed in someone’s heart. We need to be careful, that is, wise in the way we act toward outsiders. We need a system that tells you at all times who you are, and it would give you directions to your desired end. To live wisely, we must consult our Jesus not just occasionally but every day and every hour.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you are full of grace and truth. By your Spirit, may your grace and truth guide us today. Help us to live wisely, depending on you always. Prayer In Jesus name, Amen.\
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
TO PONDER
Jesus’ teaching, is often in opposition to conventional wisdom. Jesus says to find life, you have to give up your life for him. Being a disciple of Jesus is often about not doing what the world says we should do, or what I want to do, but what Jesus ask us to do. It means relying on his strength and power, not our own. It means putting his mission and purpose above our own ambitions and goals. It means humbling ourselves and following Jesus, wherever he leads. Discipleship requires that we listen closely for God to guide us. It means that we get to know his Word and what it means for our lives. It also means that we stop putting ourselves first and instead love God with everything we have.
PRAYER:Father, help me deny myself and follow you in everything I do.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
TO PONDER
Jesus makes the announcement that he is the way, the truth, and the life. He is not one of many ways but the only way. He’s the only one who can save people and lead us to God the Father. It is not your way or any compromised way but an exclusive way when it comes to Christianity. Each person must decide to accept or reject Jesus’ claim. Jesus wants to assure us that he gives up his life on the cross in order to open the way for us to have full life with God forever. He wants us to know that if we believe in him, we can trust that we will be with him forever.
PRAYER:Father, help me to find confidence in the claim of Jesus. Give me the courage to follow his teachings, trusting that he is leading the way to you. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all
TO PONDER
When a believer comes to faith in Christ, they are called to be baptized and to profess their faith publicly before entering the full life of the church - its fellowship, and worship. In doing so, the believer commits to being one with Christ and with his people in the one body of Christ, the one family of God. Going through baptism, the believer goes into the water as their old life entering into death. They come out of water with a new life of the resurrection of Jesus. Baptism always involves a kind of blessing. So does living it. And Christians of every denomination share this blessing together in one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for receiving us into your one covenant family through baptism. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, wrap up all our differences in your eternal dance of oneness, and teach us to delight in you.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
TO PONDER
What is disciple? A disciple is one who is keen and determined to follow Jesus; one who receives the gospel and does not want to keep it to themselves but to share it with others around them. They are faithful workers who just want to serve Jesus and are serious about helping lost souls to know Jesus and enter God’s kingdom.
PRAYER
Lord, raise up more people, wise and discerning, faithful, hardworking, and eager to tell others about you. Make me one of them, Lord. Amen
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping