For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
TO PONDER
Paul instructs Timothy that taking care of physical health as a routine exercise is a good idea with benefits while we live in that body but it doesn’t carry over to the life ahead. On the other hand to train ourselves in godliness has value as we serve our Lord on earth, but the true impact of spiritual growth is eternity, and so, as true believers, our focus should be on the next life and be consistent and genuine in our approach to training in Godliness,
We need to be diligent in our studies and not drawn into false ideas, so there is a need to defend the truth. How we live and teach others is important as this is one way by which people judge us and the church.
We know and believe God keeps his promises so we show our thanks by continuing to read our bibles, attend church to hear God’s word explained, join a study group, help build others up, love and care for others. Prayer is important as it connects us with God's will and his work for our lives. Jesus was a person of prayer who spent time connecting with his Father regularly during his ministry. You may have been doing some of these things, not considering them as spiritual training, so as we journey through a new chapter, following our Advent-ure, we need to look at how regularly we are engaged in spiritual training, Maybe this is a new work for this new chapter of your life in 2024.
PRAYER
Father God, help me as I practice godliness with new understanding of how valuable it is, because it holds a promise for the present and for the life to come forever, In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Today's devotion is written by LifeWay Newcastle member and Jesus disciple, Maureen Macpherson
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
TO PONDER
Jesus set his apostles, the eye witnesses to his ministry, the task of teaching the Gospel, travelling and setting up new churches. The prophets had divine inspiration so both of these had the authority to do this work. The evangelists were tasked with church building, the pastors and teachers worked at encouraging the new congregations or house groups, teaching and encouraging so the body of Christ would be built up.
These words were addressed to the Ephesians who, at that time, were experiencing difficulties with leaders but in the church today we still are to be building up the body of Christ. It is important that and we continue to read, hear and learn God’s word, BUT beware not to treat the teaching as we might if we watch a history channel or documentary, impressed, then forget or do nothing more about it.
It’s time we each took a look at how we build up the body of the Church, perhaps some new ways to do what we have been doing. Or why not step out in faith and do something completely new that you have not had the courage to do before? Volunteer to be on your church roster, visit someone who is housebound in your community, volunteer to visit an aged care community or to sit with someone while their carer has a break, help a mum who might be struggling, the list is endless. The really radical thing you can do is ask your neighbors for a meal, it is easy to start conversation over food. Take your cues from Jesus, seek God’s guidance and take a new step - where? It’s a task book without end.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus you gave plans that I might understand my part in building up you church, but I have not always been diligent in doing this, often too timid or thinking I can’t do that, please forgive my tardiness and give me the courage to step out and consider a whole new way I can build up the body of your church. Amen.
Today's devotion is written by LifeWay Newcastle member and God's disciple, Maureen Macpherson
But someone will say “you have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
TO PONDER
I used to look forward to the evening meal after market day. This was a monthly event when stock and produce was bought and sold and every one got together for a good old chin wag and some times these conversations were retold at home. I especially liked to hear about Mrs Carmody, a very devout Catholic and her husband a very kind man who was always ready with a smile and helping hand BUT he refused to go to church so when anyone commented on Mr Carmody’s kind help she would quote word perfect Ephesians 2:8-9 [saved by faith alone, grace alone,] she considered his kindness worthless because she considered he had no faith.
James, in our verse today, refutes the claim that ‘works’ Christians and ‘faith’ Christians can exist independently, simply claiming to have faith is useless, saving faith is a faith that results in action, likewise works without faith are meaningless, so, as Jesus’ disciples, what does this mean for us?
Yesterday we learned that before time began God had allotted works for us to do, so is it time to check how our works reflect the depth of our faith?
Do we love God and others as we love ourselves? Do we love and help others with a cheerful heart? Do we take every opportunity to tell others of God’s love and saving grace? Does what we say and what we do reflect how deep and unshakable our faith really is? Do we volunteer in our church? Check on the elderly person who is alone in stormy weather? God has saved us but he has also called us to work so Is it time to review how well we do answering these questions and ask ourselves how what we do arises out of our faith in God and the strength he gives to do it?
PRAYER
Father help me recognise my short comings, when my works and my faith aren’t quite in sync, give me the courage to make changes so that my works do not become meaningless or my faith dead. Amen.
Today's devotion is written by LifeWay Newcastle member and Jesus disciple, Maureen Macpherson.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
TO PONDER
I remember this story about my great grandmother being told at family gatherings. She was a new bride when the Lutherans in the Carlsruhe district began to build their church, the men had skills to mostly construct the church and fittings and the women made the paraments with fine stitching and embroideries. One day she was looking at these beautiful embroideries when the pastor joined her and she expressed her sadness at not having the skills to help. “Eleanore” he said “ God has given you the work of serving, I have seen you making sure no one was thirsty or hungry, I saw you looking out for the children. God ordained these works before you were born. Every work ordained by God has equal value and we are to do it with love in our hearts. He has another work for you, as long as you are able you are to put a glass of water on the pulpit each Sunday in case I cough.
My grandparents died before I was old enough to fully understand or ask questions, other relatives treated it as a good story to be told at family gatherings. Interestingly the way it was told is how I recounted it above; no one ever added to or omitted from it but isn’t that what today’s text is saying to us?
This verse carries through the theme from Ephesians 1:3-6, we are God’s perfect workmanship and he, from before time began, appointed works for us to do. We do them willingly to show our love and obedience to God, we do them because we love our neighbour and want to share the love of God and hope for the future with them, we do them because in God’ sight all works are equal no matter how humble or earth shatteringly grand, we do them because God first loved us.
PRAYER
Loving creative God, I can hardly plan a week without a hitch, but before time began you had planned every detail of creation to perfection, even to appoint each person the works you had for them.
Forgive me when I wondered at the value of the work I was doing, didn’t see the results I expected, grumbled or wasn’t fully committed. Help me understand the special work you have for me and may I do it with a loving heart and to your glory. Amen.
Today's devotion is written by LifeWay Newcastle member, and Jesus' disciple Maureen Macpherson.
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
TO PONDER
At first reading this verse it can be a bit puzzling, Jesus preached and performed amazing miracles, turning water into wine, feeding 5000 with two fish and five loaves of bread, telling the woman at the well all her life experiences are just a tiny few, how could I possibly do anything like that?
Pastors, teachers, missionaries, people immersed in God’s word or those given special gifts - Yes -but me? Look again it says “anyone with faith” that’s all Christians, that’s you and me, and twice Jesus promises his help
The purpose of Jesus’ works along with his words was to lead people into believing so that all people might come to know him, believe and receive eternal life. Our faith, our works and how we live will reflect our trust in Jesus, enabling us to spread God’s word and he promises this will happen,
The second promise is that Jesus will go to the Father and we will do even greater things; on the way to the Father he goes to the cross, he dies for our sin, he rises and ascends into heaven and sends the helper, the Holy Spirit. We can pray knowing our prayers will be heard, we are able to understand and speak God’s word in a way the listener will understand BUT we will do greater things!
It can be hard to imagine what these might be but all Christians will be involved so let us be ever ready to hear God’s voice calling us and our hearts ready to follow.
PRAYER:
Father so often I hesitate to speak or act in your name because I think there are others who can do it better, but I know that you would never give me a task that I would be unable to do. Please forgive me. While I cannot realise the great love you have for your people so that Jesus came to earth, I do know it was to reconcile us to you and Jesus works and words proved your trustworthiness. May I ever be ready to hear you speak to me and do whatever work you want me to do, May my life always reflect my trust in you. Amen.
Today's devotion is written by LifeWay Newcastle member and Jesus' disciple Maureen Macpherson.
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other,”What is this? A new teaching - and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.”
TO PONDER
Amid all the awe these people didn’t give a thought that this person who ‘spoke with authority’ might be Jesus the promised Messiah, his power over evil impressed them but they didn’t seem to think beyond that.
Jesus speaks with true authority, he has rank, power and integrity and can overcome and destroy evil. We are not to be like those people and admire what Jesus did or look spellbound at miracles he performed, instead we are to look at Jesus and how he acted and spoke and learn from him for his words are truth.
Jesus was gracious and gentle, patient and forgiving, His words brought peace and love into peoples’ lives which in turn brought new life and hope.
These are things to be excited about, things that should move us to tell others. We can speak with authority because Jesus’ words are true, he has commanded that, as his disciples, we should tell all nations the Good News, and we have our own personal experiences of God’s love, help and protection in our own lives that we can also share.
PRAYER
After adventures, Lord, and I have had an amazing Advent-ure during Advent, there is impetus to review what I do, how I do it or maybe step out on something quite different I ask for your help and the Holy Spirit’s guidance as I look to how I can better understand the work Jesus did and how I might become better working as his disciple. May I always listen for your direction in my life. Amen
Today's devotion is written by Newcastle member, Maureen Macpherson
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
TO PONDER
Look closely at the text for today. How much work is involved for us there? How much stuff do we need to do to be worthy of his calling?
Nothing. Nada. Zip. Let’s look again at the text with the pro-nouns highlighted.
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
It’s about the direction. All from God. All from above. All the work here is initiated by God, and then he gives us room to respond. Nothing about me or striving to achieve or having to work harder. It’s all one-directional.
And then the final three words, prompted by faith, is our bit. After God has done the heavy lifting, we can thank him, by watching our words and behaviour, assisting others, connecting with the non-churched, and despite the difficulty, respecting and showing love to all.
Let’s see if we can make 2024 a year where we respond to God’s unconditional love by our words and actions.
PRAYER:Thank you, gracious God, for giving us faith. When we don’t respond as we ought, prompt us again. Thank you for your patience, and tolerance, and opportunities you give us to respond again and again. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping.
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.
TO PONDER
Yesterday we talked about our calling in life, which is doing things to the best of our ability as our response for what God has done for us. Now we are reminded of what happens after our brief time on earth, and that’s spending eternity with God.
Where is eternity though? Where is heaven? People (usually children) will point upwards when asked where heaven is, or say that heaven is in space, or beyond space.
The best answer to ‘where is heaven’ can be ‘where God is’.
And thanks to the promises God made at our baptism, God has a spot there for us. There’s a space set-aside. He’s patiently waiting to us to join Him, but only after our earthly connections have run their course. Only after we’ve been given the chance to spread some of His good news around. Only after the opportunity to tell others about the saving love of Jesus.
How’s your faith-sharing journey going?
PRAYER: We thank you Father, for allowing us to join your team. For welcoming us into your family. For saving a spot for us as the best is yet to come. Help us live up to that higher calling as your children. Bless our time and everything we do here on your earth. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
TO PONDER
Do you consider yourself called? It may not be into the life of the church, but maybe your employment? Does your job give you joy? Is it something you wake up each morning ready to go to? Are you doing it to the best of your ability?
Our text today is really a vocation statement from Paul. As a prisoner of Jesus - meaning we are linked to him via our baptism – we are encouraged to do everything in life, to the best of our ability.
So, whether it is your employment, or serving on a Sunday, or connecting with your neighbours, or visiting a member shut-in, or being respectful to your family – do it well.
Much of what we do in life is noticed. We may not notice, but often others do, and we’ll never know about it. Our actions as a follower of Jesus, often speak louder than words.
PRAYER : Heavenly Father, in our work and play and serving, help us to continue to live and behave as one of your loved children. When we get it wrong, please forgive us. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping