Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
TO PONDER
Have you ever been lost for words? It can be an uncomfortable place to be, but it can also be the result of overwhelming feelings. Not knowing where to start or what to say, or ask for. This verse from Romans is an amazing reminder for us. When Jesus rose he then returned to the Father and is now seated at God’s right hand. This is a place of authority and power. And what does Jesus choose to do with that power? He interceeds for us. Jesus is interceding for us, He sees us and knows our needs and shares these with the Father. We are not condemned. Instead, we are held in the hands of the risen Jesus. Jesus has defeated death and been exalted to the highest place, and because of this we can be assured that we are not alone, the Father knows us and our needs. Our Saviour interceeds on our behalf!
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that you see and know my need and you intercede on my behalf. Help me to cry out to you in my need, and trust that you hold me in your care. Amen.
Today's devotion written by the Monday Night LifeGroup, LifeWay Newcastle
‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
TO PONDER
This verse made us think of Psalm 23. There are many times when we walk through valleys that seem dark and full of death. Our world is so very broken and so are we. Yet, we are never alone in those times, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares so deeply for His sheep. In these verses from Revelation we are also reminded that Jesus is the Lamb, the spotless lamb who was the sacrifice for all. We need not fear death or pain, because the Lamb at the centre of the throne is our shepherd and he brings us the living water we need. So, if you are walking through a valley at this moment, rest in the hands of Jesus, the good shepherd and know and trust that all tears will be wiped away, and all pain will cease!
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for me. As I walk through the valleys of my life help me to lift my eyes up to you, my help and my shepherd. Thank you that you are with me, and you know everything I am going through, because you have lived this life too. Amen.
Today's devotion written by the Monday Night LifeGroup, LifeWay Newcastle
Don’t be alarmed, he said. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified . He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
TO PONDER
Put yourself in the women’s shoes. They had witnessed the death of Jesus just days earlier and then early on this morning they head to the tomb to anoint his body. They had been unable to do it on the day he died and so in their grief they head to the garden to do something to honour Jesus.
When they arrive, they see the stone has been rolled away. Perhaps their first thought was that Jesus’ body had been stolen. Instead of a body they see a white figure that is alarming it seems. But they are told not to be alarmed, instead they are given the words, He is risen! Why are these words of comfort to the women? Well, they are a reminder of what Jesus said would happen. He would not stay in the grave, but rather would rise again! This was the fulfilment of a promise made. This is significant for them, but it also reminds us today that Jesus keeps His word, what He says, is so! We can trust Him and His word. The words, ‘He is Risen’ have significance for lots of reasons, but especially for this! He can trust all that Jesus says! He is Risen!
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you that you are risen, just as you said! Thank you that this gives me assurance that all you have said is true and I can trust it. Help me to put my trust in your words and promises, Amen.
Today's devotion written by the Monday Night Life Group, LifeWay Newcastle
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
TO PONDER
As a dad I often use that discussion ending word in which all explanations are contained, all questions are answered, and all arguments are ceased; The word is “Because!”.
Of course that word connects with other words; words such as “I said!”, “I’m your father!” “I know better!”, etc. and those words are various based on circumstances and situations, moods and energy levels but those extra words need not be said due to their obviousness in that moment of time. Thus, regardless of topic, my parental trump card is played, the conclusion has been reached.
Today’s verse contains within it one of those statements, a statement of authority, a complete reason for everything and a final answer to any argument.
“It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.” Within these sentences the “because” is answered, Because He was the word in the beginning in Genesis 1 spoken of in John 1, He was the one who interrupted history and ended religion with those three words, “It is finished!” on the cross, He was the one who destroyed death in the resurrection giving us His resurrection life.
In today’s verse we have the because for those three big words “It is done.” Because he is the beginning and the end, He is all that!
PRAYER: Almighty God, Thank you for coming down to earth as a servant to restore relationship with me, even though I am so insignificant compared to you, you still died for me. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! (MSG)
TO PONDER
Do you ever get stuck on certain words/terms we hear parroted in worship, voiced in prayers, and yes even read in familiar/favourite scriptures and think what does that mean?
Its called ‘Christianese” or “Church Speak”, it’s a secret, often coded language used in churches to help us sound righteous, holy, mature, full of faith, and yes, often, superior. OK, once again, I am talking only to myself because I realise nobody else has these issues…
Just in case, let me throw out a few of these phrases and words I am talking about; righteous, sanctified, worship, salvation, grace, the John 10:10 life, baptism, resurrection life, just a few Christianese terms and phrases and I’m sure you could probably add some more of your own.
I am bringing this up because I have blatantly thrown out some of this Church Speak this week as I have posted the daily verses. I am thinking specifically about the term “resurrection life” and what it actually is and how to live it.
Today’s verses I feel is a great explanation of what living a resurrection life actually looks like, almost a “template” on how to live it out.
I would encourage you to print out these verses and study them, memories, them, make them part of your life but in case that is too difficult, let me give you the “cheat code” on living the resurrection life; Live purposefully, pray like your life depends on it, love sacrificially, forgive first, practice extreme hospitality, serve wholeheartedly, and be the tangible presence of Christ.
PRAYER: Mighty Jesus, I thank you for the overflowing life talked about in John 10:10 the resurrection life that is available to me by your grace, the life given to me so I can be your tangible presence to everyone I encounter daily. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
TO PONDER
It’s the day after what we call Reformation Day, the day after the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses to the church door, the day after 506 years ago, dare I say, the 95 Theses hit the fan to reform Christendom once again.
So what, what now?
In today’s verses, Paul reminds us that Jesus, once for all ended religion through His death and resurrection. Jesus’s last words on the cross “It is finished!’ announced religion was done away with, through His life, death and resurrection He reformed how we relate to God. We no longer have to live the right way, do the right things (good works), follow the correct procedures (sacrifices) to earn our way into a loving relationship with God because it was finished through Jesus but that ending was the beginning of a new way of life, the resurrection life.
The “so what” of the 95 Theses nailed to the church door was a call to ongoing reformation of the church (that’s us, you and me), it didn’t end on the day after Reformation Sunday 506 years ago but was the beginning.
The “what now” is a daily call to reformation of our lives, and of our churches as we live, and share the resurrection life.
PRAYER: Saviour Jesus, I thank you for sacrificing yourself once for all so that we could live in your resurrection life as your family. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
TO PONDER
A common saying, I have heard during my church life has been, “I’m not religious, I’m a Christian!” and unfortunately when I look at the people who most often use this cliché, they seem to be VERY religious. And then I am convicted to repent for my judgemental attitude.
In yesterday’s post I said that Jesus brought about the end of religion through his death and resurrection, realising the semantics of that needs some clarification; Religion is mankind’s attempt to reach God while the life death and resurrection of God’s ‘one and only Son’ (John 3:16) was God’s attempt to restore relationship with mankind.
When Jesus said ‘it is finished’ he was declaring the ‘destruction of death’ and the beginning of the resurrection life, a new life of relationship over religion, a life lived in a constant relationship with us and God, destroying the dominion of religion.
In its simplest form, paraphrasing the ‘Great Commandment’ (Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28, Luke 10:27) no longer a life going to church but a life being church together.
PRAYER: Jesus, I thank you for destroying death to make a relationship with you now and for all eternity possible. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside.
Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! (MSG)
TO PONDER
It was in the very early hours of July 22, 2008 when I ran a red light on the way to the hospital because ‘we’ were having a baby -I realise the use of ‘we’ here could trigger some readers- there were no cars on the road, would be more than a few hours before sunrise and if you can’t drive through a red light at a time like this when else?
It wasn’t until 6:15pm that evening the Doctor said ‘Congratulations, it’s a boy!’ signalling the finish of a long day but that statement of conclusion was heralding a beginning, the genesis of a new world, a new life for the Brock family.
Today’s verses Paul is writing about the aftermath of the end of religion, the beginning launched when Jesus said, ‘It is finished!’, when relationship replaced religion.
Sure, the statement made by Jesus on the cross as he died spoke to our eternal future but it spoke to our here and now, our new earthly life. Theologians would call this new earthly life as the ‘now and not yet’.
To often as followers of Jesus we think of the death and resurrection of Jesus securing our heavenly eternity, but Paul reminds us here what the end of religion meant ‘just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life!’
The end of religion changes our here and now and how we live.
PRAYER: Almighty God, I thank you for the end of religion and the new expanding life that end began. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside.
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
TO PONDER
Today is Reformation Sunday, a day that I barely, thought about before my Lutheran ‘conversion’. Now, I am mostly joking when I say ‘my Lutheran conversion’ but in some ways my journey into becoming Lutheran (confirmation) was in itself a ‘Reformation’ of my Christian life, a new, deeper, and yes, powerful exploration into God’s grace.
In Verse 30 we are told that Jesus declared three words as he hung on the cross ‘It is finished’ and then he died…
I hope you paused there as you thought about those ‘last’ words of Jesus, the dying declaration of God. God who moved into our neighbourhood, God who died a criminal’s death, God who took the judgement we deserved upon himself so we wouldn’t have to, God who did it all to bring reformation to the corruption of creation.
Those three ‘last’ words declaring it was finished was the beginning of the ongoing reformation of the world, of creation, of us.
As Lutherans we bare the name of the Reformation when the sound of grace was heard on October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door he was echoing those three words of Jesus with every hammer blow ‘it is finished’ ringing throughout creation reminding us that ‘it is finished’ was just the beginning.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I thank you for words of reformation, those three final words of ‘it is finished’ reforming my life on a daily basis, a life empowered by grace. Amen.
Today's devotion Witten by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside.