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 good gifts to those who ask him
TO PONDER
Discipline, it is often a hard thing to endure and it is not always a pleasant thing to administer.
I think that sometimes when Christian people read this verse they have a tendency to think that God is promising that we will not ever receive anything unpleasant from his hand, that provided whatever we ask is not contrary to his will and plan for us, and not ultimately going to harm us, that we can expect a comfortable and easy life.
I have taught children who have been given a comfortable and easy life. Almost without exception, they are some of the most difficult and cantankerous children I have ever had the 'privilege' to teach.
Now our God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, but sometimes what is good for us is not what we want. Sometimes, God's discipline is exactly what we need. Now I am not suggesting that every bad thing that happens in our lives is God trying to teach us a lesson about something, I'm just asking us to consider that sometimes, the good gifts God might want to give us, may not always be the ones we ask for - that doesn't mean they are not good.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that you have plans for me and my life and I know that they are for my good. Help me to trust you more each day to give me the good things that I need to faithfully walk in the good plans that you have for me, our beloved child. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord
TO PONDER
I know, I know, it's not even advent yet and already we're pulling out the Christmas Bible verses. But here's the thing, look closely at the words of the Angel... who is this baby born to? He's not born to the parents Mary, or Joseph ('parents' at least as far as everyone else was concerned) the angels announce this baby is born 'to you'. This is good news for all people, including you.
God did come to the earth he created just on some kind of whim, like a last minute weekend away somewhere on the coast. There was purpose and intent behind his coming and that intent was you! Now admittedly it was also me and everyone else who has found faith in him at their Lord and Saviour, but that doesn't take away the fact that the Birth of Jesus, just like his death and resurrection was for you.
Hold onto the truth of that statement as you prepare to celebrate the coming of God's promised Messiah 'for you' this Christmas.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in the busyness of life it is often too easy to lose sight of all that you have done 'for me'. This Christmas, help me to remember that the baby Jesus was born for me; born to show your love for me and your plan for me. Help me to live out that plan and share that love with others. in Jesus name, Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
TO PONDER
In the words "given and shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins", we again hear the promise of forgiveness proclaimed to each of us. However we do not only hear the words proclaimed, we witness and participate in the reality of that promise being enacted 'for us'.
This is what is so powerful and compelling about the sacraments. The words of Jesus, who is the the Word of God in human flesh, the same Word of God that spoke creation into being, in this meal speaks life and forgiveness as we come in response to his invitation to come to His table. Here in Holy Communion, we come face to face with the reality of our forgiveness as we hold the body of Christ, broken for us in our hands and as we are washed clean in the blood of the Lamb, the blood of the new covenant, given and shed for us.
Yes it is true, Jesus died once for all. Holy Communion is not a 're-crucifixion' or a 're-sacrifice' of Jesus. However it is a gift, given to his people, so that we might regularly be reminded and receive in a tangible way the things which he promised, eternal life and forgiveness of sins.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to be aware of your love and forgiveness at all times and help me to proclaim the promise of eternal life and forgiveness in you. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
TO PONDER
They say, "you are what you eat". I have always thought that to be a strange saying. To be honest I have always been a bit partial to Asian cuisine, particularly dim sum and dumplings. Doest that make me a dumpling? Sure I might be a bit soft and round in the middle but I am a long way from being a dumpling.
I know that's not the intended meaning behind this phrase, It's intent is to portray the idea that if you consume healthy food with high nutritional value, you will maintain a certain level of health. Likewise, if you only consume highly refined snack food with little to no nutritional value and no real lasting energy, that your own energy level will not last and before long you will find yourself in an unhealthy state.
When we come to the Lord's table and take what he offers us, his own body and blood given and shed for us, he unites himself with us and literally becomes our source of strength. He upholds and sustains us with his physical with us. So do not fear, 'you are what you eat' for he is with you.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to trust in your eternal care and protection. Please grow my confidence in your presence and continue to strengthen and guide me along the paths that you are calling me to walk with you. 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
TO PONDER
When I read this verse, I could not help but think of those Snickers chocolate bar ad's that we've seen in recent years that claim, "you're not you when you're hungry". They claim that when you are hungry and tired, a "Snickers really satisfies".
In many ways this is what Jesus is offering in today's verse. When you are tired and struggling, he offers to meet your need and to sustain you as you walk with him. Now that's true all the time and of course we can come to him in prayer and encounter him in Scripture, but there is something profound about coming to Him at the table.
Think about it, when you enter someone's home you usually leave your burdens at the door. You don't bring them to the table. That's the place where you rest and relax in each other's company and receive refreshment in food and drink. This is what Jesus offers as he says "come to me" this is what Jesus offers when he says, "given for you".
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Help me to accept your invitation to come to you and receive relief from my burdens and rest in your presence. Help me to trust that I can lay my burdens at your feet and walk free in the newness of Life which you won for me on the cross. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
TO PONDER
I wonder if you are like me and treat Jesus like a doctor. My attitude towards the doctor is often to keep away from them until you really need them. Perhaps as I get older and begin to experience some of the issues that can come once you've lived a few more years, I might start having regular checkups with my doctor, but for now, while everything is running smoothly, I'll let the doctor look after people who really need it.
However, I know there are things that can lurk under the surface, things that I might not know are going wrong but a skilled physician could help me diagnose and treat. Things that, even though I feel fine at the moment, could increase my health and wellbeing even more. Imagine that!
The same is true of our resurrection life with Jesus. To often we live as if we don't need Jesus, the great physician, unless there is something fairly obviously wrong in our lives or relationships. But Jesus wants to help mend the things that you might not even realise are holding you back and preventing you from experiencing the fullness of life that he came to make available to you.
Don't assume everything is fine and carry on without checking in with Jesus. He's the one who will make all things new in your life.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are the great physician. Heal my heart and give me the courage to go wherever you lead. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
TO PONDER
One thing that is often overlooked by European and Australian Christians is the fact that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper during the traditional Jewish Passover 'Seder' meal. During the passover festival and particularly during this meal, the Jewish people participated in, and still do, a highly ritualised meal which recalled the events of God's saving acts in delivering their ancestors from slavery in Egypt. It was not only a meal of remembrance but also considered an active participation in the initial events by calling it back to mind and recreating the scenario through the long practiced ritual.
Throughout the meal 4 'cups' are consumed at different points. The Four Cups represent the four expressions of deliverance promised by God Exodus 6:6–7 where God says: "I will bring out", "I will deliver", "I will redeem", and "I will take". These were the terms of God promise of deliverance to his people in Egypt.
I wonder if that helps you appreciate the gravity of the situation when we hear that, "in the same way he took the cup after the supper". Jesus establishes a new covenant or promise, one which is the fulfilment of God promise to bring us out of darkness and into his marvellous light, to deliver us from evil, redeem us from our slavery to sin, and to take us and claim us as his own. All of this is what we receive, every time we hear the words, "this is my body, this my blood, given for you".
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help me to always appreciate the magnitude and significance of your invitation to come to your table and to receive all that you have done for me. May it be a catalyst in my life to inspire and equip me to share that invitation with others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
TO PONDER
Faith truly is an amazing thing! It’s being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Anyone who has been abseiling will know that faith plays a big part. You have all the safety gear, and even a spotter at the bottom and possibly the top who are making sure you are safe. However, standing on the edge of the cliff, leaning back and allowing the rope to support your weight takes faith. You might ‘know’ that you are supported, and yet it can be difficult to trust that.
It can be the same when it comes to our faith in Jesus. We can ‘know’ that we are forgiven and ‘understand’ what Jesus has done for us, and yet when we are in a tough spot it can be hard to trust and have faith. God is so good to us though, that he gives us tangible things we can place our faith in. Jesus died and rose again, it happened, just as he said it would. God keeps his promises, and we can trust him in all things.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that you came and lived here on earth, experiencing a life lived. Thank you that you died on the cross for me, and you rose to defeat death and show God’s incredible power. Help me to trust in you in all my circumstances. Amen.
Today's devotion written by the Monday Night LifeGroup, LifeWay Newcastle
and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
TO PONDER
Do you feel expectant? Are you excited? Do you have a sense of anticipation? It can sometimes be really easy to get blinded by the everyday of this life, the never-ending to do list, climbing the ladder, achieving and kicking goals. But, it’s important for us to remember that this life is not all there is for us. Jesus has died and risen again and ascended into heaven, but that is not the end of the story. He is coming back again, to rescue us from the coming wrath. While we wait for him, we shouldn’t be idle though, we have been given a very important task, to go and make disciples and baptise them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So live a purposeful life, but with a sense of anticipation that our risen Lord will return!
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for this life you have given me. Help me to live my life according to your purpose, and help me to look forward to you coming back again, to rescue your people. Amen.
Today’s devotion written by the Monday Night LifeGroup, LifeWay Newcastle