Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
TO PONDER
In our verses for today, the writer to the Hebrews mentions two sources of encouragement for our life’s journey. The first one we may refer to as the heroes or champions of living the Christian life. As we read through the list in Chapter 11 of Hebrews, we find a list of very ordinary people who made some very serious mistakes in life (including murder for a number of them). Yet they allowed themselves to be used by God for God to achieve his saving purposes through them. Many of them struggled at first to believe God could or would want to use them. God has included their stories in the bible as an encouragement to us, not to try to be like them and emulate their successes, but to learn to trust God when he calls us to go, so that He can work through us to achieve His purposes of bringing His love, healing and support to others.
The second source of encouragement is in keeping our focus on Jesus who has adopted us to be his brothers and sisters. Jesus, during His time here on earth, experienced the full gamut of life’s experiences, so when He asks us to follow Him, He is not asking us to do anything He has not already experienced. Notice that Jesus didn’t just grin and bear it in carrying out His Father’s tasks for Him, including the suffering and death he went through. But He experienced joy in what he was achieving, rescuing us so that we could live with Him.
Jesus’s vision for us is a full life, an overflowing life (see Luke 6:38), even as we face challenges along the way because Jesus is travelling with us.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that we are not in this business of life on our own. Thank you for carrying out your promise to always be with us on our life’s journey. Thankyou for also continuing to remind us of all the resources you have made available to us to use on our journey. Amen
Today's devotion written by Charles Bertelsmeier, LifeWay Epping
Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
TO PONDER
In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul spends the first 11 chapters detailing all that God has done to make us his children, to enable us to live in a close intimate relationship with our God, and begin the adventure of living now and eternity in that relationship. He explains that we don’t have a distant God who we have to try to appease, but one who is committed to enriching our lives. Then we get to chapter 12 where Paul provides some practical ways that we live out this new relationship.
I like the translation of verse 11 from The Voice: Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord. Paul’s directive only makes sense if we have fully internalised those first 11 chapters of the letter. We are not going to be committed to excellence and find excitement in what God is calling us to do if we don’t first grasp how much God has already done for us in making us his children and inviting us to be part of the heavenly family for eternity.
If you are like me, in the busyness of life, it is easy to be so preoccupied with dealing with the realities in front of me that it is easy to forget what God has done for us and how God would be wanting to help us deal with the issues we are facing. I think we have become so compartmentalised in our relationship with God that we have parts of our lives where He is involved and other parts where we tend to act as if He didn’t exist. Could we envision our lives being so transformed by God that 100% of the things we do and say are motivated by God’s love and commitment to us and filled with the joy of God guiding us in serving Him and others.
Although we know we could never achieve this in practice, we believe that this was the way Jesus lived out his life while on this earth - 100% of the things He did and said were motivated by the Father’s love and commitment to Him and His love and commitment to doing what His Father asked Him to do for us. We believe that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives to change us to be more like Jesus. May we surrender to the Holy Spirit to continue his work of changing us.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, there are so many parts of my life where I want to remain in control and not hand them over to You. I know that’s crazy, because You only want what is best for me. Thank You for the way You are working with me to help me let go of the things I cling to, and discover more of the joy of You working in my life to bless others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Charles Bertelsmeier, LifeWay Epping
Then the master told his servant, “Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.”
TO PONDER
Jesus often compared our new life as His brothers and sisters to a lavish banquet or a wedding feast. I think it would be safe to say that none of us would reject an invitation to such a celebration unless we had a very good excuse. But in the parable that Jesus told, the excuses people gave were very flimsy. So this challenged me to think about the excuses I use to NOT get involved in the things God might be inviting me to. A good initial excuse is that it wasn’t a specific invitation, but just a notification that volunteers were needed. The excuse I use a lot is that the invitation involves interacting with people and I am an introvert and find it hard to start conversations with people I don’t know.
What I am forgetting is that God has promised to be with us in whatever he has called us to do. We are not going on our own. (However, we can try to go alone if we want to ignore God’s presence with us and this will often lead to negative experiences that then make us afraid to respond to God’s call in the future.)
God has made me the person I am, and has placed me where I am for specific activities that he is calling me to do. Who am I to tell God that he has got it wrong and that he has not given me the skills and abilities to do what he has called me to do.
Many years ago I was asked to be a chaplain at a church conference. Part way through the conference, a pastor who I knew came into the chapel area and casually sat down beside me and we just started talking. I felt relaxed because I thought he was there in some minor oversight capacity. After he left, the though suddenly hit me that he had come in to see one of the chaplains to deal with an issue which was bothering him. If I had realised that he was visiting me in my role as chaplain, I am sure I would have been more concerned in how I was doing, rather than being the listening ear he needed at the time.
I love the way God sneaks up on us and achieves his purposes through us without us fully understanding what he was doing (until maybe later).
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us all the resources we need to do what you ask us to do and to go where you call us to go. Achieve your purpose and glorify your name through me today. Amen
Today's devotion written by Charles Bertelsmeier, LifeWay Epping
Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.
TO PONDER
I like the way God works. For some time now I have had a feeling of unease about how well I live out my Christian faith. Although I feel very secure in God’s love and commitment to me, I often wonder how well others, especially those who don’t know the love of Jesus, would see the love of Jesus reflected in what I say and do. And then Pastor Mat gives me a set of devotions to write under the heading of “Growing in Passion”.
Read the Bible verses above again. Although it speaks about love between a couple, it also describes how much Jesus loves us. His love and commitment to us was so strong that that it led to his death.
Generally, for me, trying harder to live the life God wants me to live ends in failure, then guilt and then depression, so I would never encourage anyone to go down this path. We are changed on the inside to be more like Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit in us. In addition to the Holy Spirit using the normal circumstances of life to grow us, He especially uses the time we spend in prayer and meditating on the Bible contents in our regular personal quiet times. And, of course, He uses the times we spend with our Christian brothers and sisters in church services and Life Groups and similar community activities.
In the Old Testament we read where Moses spent a month on Mt Sinai with God and when he came back down, his face shone so brightly that he had to wear a veil over his face. Similarly, when we spend time in conversation with God, we too are changed and God’s love shines out of us. And we are often surprised at what God achieves through what we do and say when we are not trying, but we give the Holy Spirit freedom to live in us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for all the ways you have given us for us to grow as your children. Thank you for our freedom to worship you openly. Thank you for our Christian friends and the encouragement they give us. Thank you for the bible and the revelation of yourself in it and of how much you love us. But thank you most of all for the way your Holy Spirit is working in us to change us to be more like your Son in our love and care for others. Amen
Today's devotion written by Charles Bertelsmeier, LifeWay Epping
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honour and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while you will learn to know God better and better.
TO PONDER:
Whilst living overseas, I needed to find something to help me unwind … One of my fellow teachers had been talking about volunteering at a Handicapped Children’s Orphanage (I know this is not the correct term in todays society, but this is what it was called back then) and invited me along. It was love at first sight. I’d found my niche. During those five years of my time in Vietnam, I spent the last four years, most mornings visiting those children, showering them with love, crawling around the floor with them, laying in bed with them, encouraging the workers and earning my place in their lives. Some of these children became “my kids.” We had English lessons, art lessons, and outings to the beach and zoo. One day I was allowed to take Bao, a 14 year old boy, severely paralysed, and in a wheel chair, who had never been outside the centre since he’d been dumped at the gate many years earlier, to the barber across the way. Oh! The joy and excitement such a small outing caused. He laughed and babbled the whole time, trying to direct the traffic, and telling the barber he charged too much. All the time the Holy Spirit was working in me and through me, not only in reaching out to those less fortunate, but opening those hearts and minds of the locals, to accept that its ok to show love, kindness and acceptance to those who are different.
I believe we were made on purpose, we were made for a purpose, and our purpose is to know God and to give God away. This adventure was meant to be. That door was opened for a reason and I had to be obedient and enter it and share God’s loving kindness. Something I will never regret. Once again, God had opened the door for another growing period.
Paul wrote these words to remind the Colossians (and us) that this knowledge has to do with obedience. It’s spiritual wisdom, meaning that it is of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks through Scripture and what He says is to be put into practice. Spiritual wisdom isn’t about knowing what God's word says, it's about learning to trust and obey what it says.
PRAYER: Abba father. Please help me to grow in wisdom, and for my life to reflect your glory. I want others to see you shining through me. Fill me with your love and light. In Jesus name. Amen
Today's devotion written by Noeline Brock (Danny's Mum), LifeWay Online.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
TO PONDER
I live with my wife in a retirement village. The facilities and resources here are fantastic for caring for people as they age (from their 60s to their 90s). We have staff and resources to help us keep our bodies fit and healthy; we have facilities and programs to keep our minds active and we have a chaplain to support us spiritually and emotionally. One downside of living in this environment, however, is that we are very aware of the impact of the ageing process on people, with regular funerals for those who have died. So the subject often comes up on how people would like to die – with a consensus that dying in our sleep is the preferred way to depart this life.
The subject also comes up about how we wouldn’t like to die, and I guess we are all aware of friends and family who have suffered to some extent in their last days and hours. So I have been pondering this question (or maybe the Holy Spirit has been stirring me). If we trust in God’s love and commitment to us, He will be with us in our dying as much as in our living. I’m not saying that it won’t be hard, but God has promised to be with us always and accompany us in this journey, even to a greater extent than His love and support in our other journeys.
I’ve mentioned in my earlier devotions how God often works through us to impact the lives of others, and I am very open to God also using His journey with me in my dying to bring a needed message to someone else.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, sometimes we need a greater trust in your love for us that you won’t take us anywhere that you don’t travel along with us on the journey. We know you have been with us in wonderful ways in the past. Please help us to remember all these times so that we have confidence in your presence with us as you take us on new journeys, even our final journey on this earth. Amen
Today's devotion written by Charles Bertelsmeier, LifeWay Epping
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed [with less effort]. (AMP)
TO PONDER:
When I moved overseas, I thought I had all my “ducks in a row” and my “axe” had been finely honed. Little did I know, I would need all the strength and wisdom I had, plus a lot more. Working with the underground church in a communist country was a real eye opener and an interesting journey in itself. Pastors were still being threatened and bullied, and put under house arrest, home groups were often raided if the lookout missed the “surprise visitors,” and most of the church buildings had been confiscated by the time I was there. In fact, just before I arrived the State Super had been put under house arrest. Having the title of Assistant Head I had the privilege of walking alongside this diverse group of people who were still wary of outsiders, and a female to boot. My job was to assist in setting up an English learning centre, help with choosing a curriculum, and to vet the English teachers who applied for a position, to liaise between the English and local teachers to make for a happy atmosphere.
I was ready, because this is where I was meant to be and where I had been sent. I knew God had it all in hand, but I also knew there would be lots of growing pains. Time was just one of the things I had to adjust too … their time is elastic … they say 10am and it could be 3pm before they would turn up. Doing this walk alongside these beautiful people, learning and adjusting to their ways, watching and listening, and not always agreeing to the way things were done, was an experience worth going through. Needless to say, my “axe” had to be sharpened daily. In fact, this was a time of letting go of my expectations and letting God sharpen my “axe” and giving me that strength and wisdom where he guided me through this journey. Without Him I would never have finished that race and come out of it knowing that through Him, I had made an impact in the lives of many, not only in the centre but out in the community. Seeds had been planted, and someone else would come along after me to water them …
Those who neglect to prepare adequately for their responsibilities, whether through lack of planning or using inadequate tools expose themselves to potential harm and failure. God has given you all the tools you need, using them well and keeping them honed and sharp is the wise way to go.
PRAYER: My Heavenly Father, I have been so blessed in my journey with you beside me. I thank you that it's never to late to seek your wisdom. I pray that you show me how to seek you first and shower me with your blessings in Jesus name. Amen
Today's devotion written by Noeline Brock (Danny's mum), LifeWay Online.
Let the words of Christ, in all richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use His words to teach and counsel each other.
TO PONDER:
I have had the privilege in my latter years of taking on two new ‘occupations’. But to achieve these I had to do two intensive courses, and the dreaded exams for each. The first was teaching (a life long dream) English as a second language overseas, and the second one was Assistant in Nursing, after returning from overseas. Once again, I was too old, but not old enough to qualify for the pension, so I had to be retrained. Oh! Those growing pains. In each of these courses I had to learn the correct “words” and how to use them out in the field to be able to teach and to counsel. I had to have an open heart and very open mind, it was a time of great encouragement for myself and a willingness to show my love and acceptance to those diverse groups of people I was encountering; learning new ways of dealing with things, not just taking but giving, knowing that this was part of God’s plan for my life, and earning my place in their world. I learnt to take God with me in my heart, in every step I took, every decision I had to make so that His love spilled over into the everyday lives of those I met along the way. When you let go and let God take control, things are a lot easier.
Colossians 3:16 is a call to dwell on the word and let it live in your heart, to learn the teachings of Jesus, his life, his death and resurrection. It is the greatest encouragement. Finding our happiness, contentment, and fulfilment in His word, and sharing it in our lives, having this as the foundation of joy in our lives is where we find fulness of life in Him.
PRAYER:Lord God, I thank you for the marvellous things you have done. Help me to turn away from those thoughts that take me away from thinking my thoughts are better than yours. Help me see that every small encounter can become a divine appointment to share hope and truth. Amen
Today's devotion written by Noeline Brock (Danny's mum), LifeWay Online.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
TO PONDER:
Fear –What is it? You hear a noise in the night, you think someone may be in your house, and you are alone. The fear of seeing shapes in those shadows? The fear when things aren’t going too well at work, its such a toxic situation, it’s just one person causing it, and you just don’t know what to do about it. The fear of being lonely, of being deserted. The fear of not knowing what is about to happen? The fear of not being good enough for God’s family. When I first gave my heart to the Lord, I was told the word F.E.A.R. meant False Evidence Appearing Real. At times we do let false evidence take over our thinking, mistakenly letting it determine how we are going to think or feel. I admit I have been very guilty of this.
There is another saying about F.E.A.R. Face Everything And Rise. The fear of the Lord is a humbling and faithful submission to God, where we learn to show reverence, obedience, attention, and knowledge and we gain confidence in our relationship with Him. It leads to a greater love, greater knowledge, an understanding, a satisfaction, protection and it is a basic pillar in our Christian walk.
Can you imagine how Abraham would have felt, the fear and doubt, when he was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. The emotional stress alone, must have been overwhelming. He prepared everything, ready to light the kindling, when the messenger from God said “Abraham. Stop …. now I know you fear God.” God saw the reverent fear Abraham had for Him. The fear of the Lord means giving God your unrivalled awe. To fear God is a desire to live in harmony with His ways, and to honour Him in all that you do.
Read God’s promises. Pray on them. Print them out and hang them on the wall. It’s a spiritual war, not a walk in the park. How far will you go to show God that you love Him?
PRAYER:Lord forgive me for those times I’ve been caught up in those things that were not all good, and in all those moments where I’ve forgotten to pray. Lord may I never forget to spend time with you. Amen
Today's devotion written by Noeline Brock (Danny's mum), LifeWay Online.