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
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