So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
TO PONDER
Have you ever stopped to actually consider what each of these roles are? They must be different from each other, or there would be no reason for Paul to mention each by name. So, a quick look at each; an apostle is one sent with a mission. A prophet is an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the word of God. An evangelist is someone who proclaims the good news of Jesus. A pastor shepherd, someone who is called to lead and look after those in their ‘flock’. A teacher is one able to impart truth or wisdom for life. It is very clear that no one person is able to do all these jobs. Also, it is clear then that each role is given by Jesus, and each is important for the church to be all it is meant to be. It follows then that many will need to fill these roles. None of these roles are for the glory of those exercising them, but rather so the church can be built up and attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. So, which role do you believe God may be calling you to?
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that you call each of us to perform our own unique roles within your church. Help me to understand and be excited about me role, and help me to carry it out with humility and love, so that there might be unity within my community of faith. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
TO PONDER
Have you ever been a member of a club? Maybe one with a membership card, or a uniform. Maybe as a child you had a club with a secret password or handshake that granted members access to the secret clubhouse. Being a member of the club gives a sense of belonging, of being a part of something bigger than yourself. However, the nature of membership means there are inevitably people who are excluded. God chose the Israelites, at the time of Abraham, to be His chosen people. When His people were suffering in slavery in Egypt God did miraculous things to set them free. With the death and resurrection of Jesus that membership was available to all people (Gentiles) not just God’s chosen people (Israel). We are Gentiles and we are heirs, members and sharers in the promises of Jesus. We are one body, working together to do the work of God. What a wonderful gift of promise!
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that through your amazing gift of grace the way has been made clear for me to become part of God’s family, His body. I pray that you help me to do my part and to share the wonderful gifts a life with you brings, that others may understand the mystery of your grace and see themselves as part of your family too, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
TO PONDER
Do you have a job description? Have you ever had one? That list of tasks you are required to perform as part of your job. A job description outlines for you, the worker, what you will need to do to carry out your job correctly. It is a document your employer can use to reprimand you when you are not pulling your weight, but it can also be a helpful tool when you are asked to do something that falls outside your roles and responsibilities. This is what the disciples are doing here in the early church. They have been presented with a problem, those in need are missing out on the offering, there is no-one allocated to ensure they receive their food. It might have been easy for the 12 to jump on the task and make it right, however this was not the job they were being asked to perform. Jesus had given them a specific task to perform, the ministry of the Word of God. They wanted to stay faithful to their calling, to their job description and so they instead asked for others to be assigned the task. The job was important, however it was not theirs to perform. What is God calling you to? Are you doing it, or are you too busy doing other important things that keep you from your specific God-ordained task? Don’t be afraid to take steps so you can step away from something in order to complete the job God is calling you to.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that just like the disciples you have given me important tasks to perform in your church and in your world. Help me to discern where you want me work, and give me the strength and courage to step out of tasks, even if they are important, if they are not where you want me to be. In your name I pray, Amen.
Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
TO PONDER
A burden shared is a burden halved. This adage truly is wisdom, we are not supposed to do the work of God on our own! Moses was doing the work he believed God had called him to, to lead the people of God. However, this job quickly became too much for 1 person, with daily disputes and arguments amongst the people. Moses’ father-in-law offers a solution, some words of wisdom. Share the job! This not only lessened the burden for Moses, but also cleared the way for others to use, grow and develop their gifts of leadership. We are called to do the work of God here on earth, but we are never called to do it alone! God has given his church to support one another and work together so we don’t grow weary in the work He is calling us to.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for the gift of your church. Help us to listen to one another and to look for opportunities to offer support. We thank you for our leaders, those who serve diligently and those who are learning how to lead. Help us to call out to you and to one another for the strength we need to do the work you are calling us to, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the sun set. And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword.
TO PONDER
I'm sure we have all felt tired at one point or another. I wonder if you have every experienced that kind of tiredness that just washes over you and you find you suddenly can't keep your eyes open and you just have to go take a nap. It's the kind of thing new parents are often all too familiar with.
Sometimes following Jesus can feel like that too. We struggle with sin each day, we try to bear witness to Jesus and shine His light in the world and sometimes feel as though we are not making any progress. We begin to feel tired from the effort and sometimes just feel like crawling into a ball and giving in to the fatigue.
It's true, each day is a battle, but God has given us Himself and each other as places we can go to be encouraged and supported in the midst of the struggles of life. Sometimes the biggest struggle is simply admitting that we could use some help and reaching out and asking for it.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the way that you provide people, places and opportunities for me to find help and support not only in you but also through your people, the church. May our community at LifeWay be a place where all may come and find love, encouragement, and support in the midst of whatever battles they face. Amen
do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness
TO PONDER
Times are tough, spiritually tough. The Christian virtues of humility and contentment are sometimes out of step with the culture we live in. Whether our culture makes it easier or harder to be a Christian, we are all challenged to soften our hearts so that the Holy Spirit may shape us to become like Jesus. But how soft is our heart? How open are we to the Spirit’s work? How easily do we accept the place God has for us in His world? How do we react when we are spiritually tested? If we are honest, we will admit we are often like the Israelites who grumbled against God. After all, we are as human as they were. We need to continually take stock of our openness to God’s Spirit. The spiritual disciplines of prayer and meditation on Scripture will help prepare the soil of our hearts for God’s leading.
PRAYER: O Holy Spirit, make my heart warm, soft, pliable, and open to your work. Heal my spiritual hard-heartedness for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempteda] by the devil.
TO PONDER
Jesus meets the devil in the desert and is tempted to enjoy ease, power, and fame. Jesus chooses otherwise. He takes the road of inconvenience. Would we do the same? Jesus models an important truth: the way we follow him points out why we follow him. Jesus answered all the devil's questions with the words of Scripture, the only way to follow the Lord. Are you hungry for more of God's Word or for more material blessings? Does God have to prove himself in order for you to experience his presence? Are other things competing for your worship? Only by holding firmly to God's Word and praying that God's will would be done in him, was Jesus able to withstand his time in the wilderness.
PRAYER: Thank you, Jesus, that it's not about me but about doing your will in your way. By your strength, help me to become more and more like you always. In your name I pray, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
TO PONDER
Sometimes, our faith and hope in God ebb so low, that we need assurance and consolation that we are actually released out of captivity from sin. God is the Lord our redeemer. God reminds us of the great things He did for Israelites when He brought them out of Egypt. For the encouragement of our faith and hope, it is good for us often to remember what God has done formerly for His people against their enemies because if He did it for them He can do it for us also.
PRAYER: God of new beginnings, thank you for a fresh start in Christ. Help me to leave behind my sin and to live joyfully for you. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
TO PONDER
What does it mean to really know someone? What does it take to get to know someone? Does God want us to know him? He absolutely does! We are encouraged to ask God for things we need, but we are also given the greater privilege of knowing, really knowing, God. It is our earnest desire to come close to God and our hunger and thirst are then filled by the Lord.
PRAYER: Lord, I pray that your would correct and direct my desires toward you. May you be the beginning and the end of them. Fill me, O Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Francis Leung, LifeWay Epping