And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
TO PONDER
My family recently enjoyed a camping trip with some old friends from Canberra. It has been quite a while since we had camped in a tent and it took all of us a night or two to remember what sleeping in a tent was like. It was noisy, as the canvas flapped around in the breeze; it was not as comfortable as the climate controlled bedrooms we have back at home; it was not as dark as our bedrooms in the house with their blinds and curtains. There was a lot to remember and get used to.
Yet in the midst of those camping 'inconveniences' we had a wonderful time, reconnecting with old friends, cooking over campfires, swimming with whales and dolphins, listening to frogs and kookaburras and just enjoying a slower pace of life for a few days.
Camping was hard but also full of joy. We all came home a bit sore and tired but also energised and renewed. Sometimes living in, and being called into God's purpose is not easy. Sometimes it can feel like a lot of hard work. And yet we can take joy and confidence from the promise that even in the midst of that, God is at work bringing about God for us and all those who put their trust in Him.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for all the gifts and joys of your creation. Tank you for calling me into your family and into your plans and purposes. Help me to confidently trust that wherever you lead me, you are at work planning good for all those who put their trust in you. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.
TO PONDER
Too often we think that joy comes in autonomy and freedom to do whatever we want. In fact, it is the opposite which is more true. God created us to live under him and to work alongside himself. We fulfil our purpose and so find real joy in a fulfilled purpose as we seek to serve God and show his love and care to others.
It really should not surprise us. Most of us feel a sense of joy, pride or accomplishment at the sight of a job well done. After all, we were created to be productive, to have purpose and meaning. Yet we often look for that purpose and meaning in all the wrong places, wanting to determine the purpose and meaning of our own lives for ourselves, rather than submitting to the good will and purposes of God for our lives.
If you want a life of purpose and joy, there is no better plan than to put your life in the hands of the one who created it in the first place and see what He wants to do with it. There could be not greater purpose than to be a part of God's eternal plan and purpose.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you know that living in the will of God the Father is not always easy. Help me to recognise the joy that comes from serving and following you, even when the path ahead does not look pleasant, help me to trust that your plans for me are good. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
TO PONDER
I can remember a time when kneeling was part of the service. Worship began with music and a hymn, usually one of thanks or praise, then as the service progressed humility and submission to God’s will was acknowledged by kneeling.
Today, we begin worship with praise and thanks giving expressed in music and song. It is our gift to God, praise is an active thing and beside singing we can play musical instruments or raise our hands. In the psalmist’s time there would have been dancing as well. Kneeling isn’t practiced as much today but the service order allows for contemplation and submission to God’s will.
If we wanted to thank and praise God for every good and gracious gift he has given us we would be singing, playing instruments and dancing all day so great is his goodness to us, his greatest gift being his son Jesus whose death set us right with God.
I love it when the last song of the service has words and a beat that makes me want to physically praise God, a song that breaks through my routine making me sing, praise and give thanks at odd times and places.
PRAYER: God of creation you are worthy of my thanks, praise and adoration at all times. You shower me with gifts, you bring me safely through all circumstances and wrap me in your love. I also have your Holy Spirit with me to strengthen my faith so that I can confidently look to being with you in eternity. Thank you for everything you have done and will do. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
TO PONDER
God has always wanted his people to give thanks, in the Old Testament we read about the temple and the required offerings for many situations including thanksgiving.
It’s easy to give thanks in the good times, and sometimes easy to forget, but God’s will is for us to give thanks in all circumstances, that means right in the middle of whatever the circumstance. This can be hard but Jesus didn’t promise us a life free of suffering. Suffering can be like applying heat to metals to refine them, to get rid of the impurities. We can take a deep look at ourselves and ask Jesus to help us identify what holds us back from completely immersing ourselves in his word and the work he wants to do, to refine us.
Suffering, whatever form it takes, if it is personal or corporate, renews and strengthens us as we live out our lives in faith and the knowledge that God keeps his promises.
As we thank God, as we praise him, as we acknowledge the beauty of his creation and his complete control over all things, his joy invades us.
PRAYER: Father God, I know and accept that suffering is a part of life. It is not necessarily a punishment but an opportunity to praise and thank you and draw closer to you. Please give me the words to be able to help others see their circumstances in the same way. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexplicable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
TO PONDER
This morning I received the weekly newsletter from a women’s group to which I belong. They were highlighting the anxiety, stress and aloneness many people are experiencing these days. The disturbing thing is that many people don’t know how to express this or have a safe place to do so. As a result, a group has formed to set up moveable cafes in an attempt to provide a place for people to ‘off load.’
I wonder how well my community and my church community provide a safe accepting atmosphere where people feel they are valued and given the care, help, love and acceptance they crave? We need to watch out we don’t become so confident in ourselves that those needing our love are too daunted and remain silent.
Suffering is an expected part of life, it is said to make us stronger and it does in the end. However, said like that, we sound very cold, unfeeling, and unchristian, yet I have heard those words spoken by many Christians, meaning to bring comfort and perspective.
Our faith in the risen Jesus sustains us through suffering, we know Jesus is beside us through thick and thin. In the real tough times, we can feel the presence of his loving arms around us. We have no right to keep this inexplicable and glorious joy to ourselves when there is a world of suffering around us - go tell it from the mountains!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I know there are times I try to ignore the problems facing many people today. I think I have no way to solve the problem or to help; forgive me Lord. I know You have shown the way to love all people regardless, to not judge, and share the gifts you have given so freely to me. Help me to be open, warm, and welcoming so people feel safe and They can hear the good news of your love and sacrifice. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
TO PONDER
Today, too often we are tempted to look at the negatives of this world and so diminish the great things God has done and still does. We fail to acknowledge them with praise and joy, singing and dancing with a joy that flows out revealing its face in happiness. We all experience happiness but Biblical joy comes from God and abiding in his love.
This is the love John writes about in today’s text, this requires obedience and Jesus shows how he remained His Father’s beloved Son by following his Father’s commands, if we obey all Jesus has taught and commanded us we too will remain as God’s dearly loved children.
When we abide in God’s love we are also filled with the Holy Spirit who can help us in every aspect of our lives to fulfil Jesus commandments, to influence our behaviors and our interactions with others, to pray often and tell the good news of the Gospel
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit [Gal.5:22 -23] our obedience bears fruit, gives Jesus joy that is complete and lacking nothing, he wants us to share that joy, a joy that is always accessible and complete in Him.
PRAYER: Gracious loving and forgiving Father, I know that sometimes I let the pressures of today’s world distract and worry me before I remember nothing happens without your knowledge and I bring everything to you in prayer. Forgive me for those times and I ask your Holy Spirit to strengthen me to face such situations in the future.Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
TO PONDER
My dad read the psalms and hymns of praise to us. As a child I did not understand them but dad had a sing song way of doing this and it always made me feel happy and safe.
Growing up I learned the history of the Psalms but never quite understood until one day someone said they are hymns of praise and I should try singing them. Have you ever done that? If not, try it, but beware you could end up dancing or banging on a saucepan as well.
Today we do not face the same problems as the psalmist but we know in the world around us there are worrying issues, disasters both natural and man made but instead of dwelling on them, remember that God is walking beside us and praise him for all that he has done. The wonder and beauty and intricacy of his creation, his unfailing gift of providing our daily needs, giving us Jesus who died that our sin would be forgiven, the Holy Spirit to nurture our faith that we can, like David, be filled with joy and look to the endless joy of being with God in eternity.
Go outside, sit quietly, praise God, He is sovereign and in control, praise drives out fear, this gives you strength to serve God and waves of joy will wash over you
PRAYER: Loving God of all creation, forgive me when I dwell on the dark side of the world, may I counteract the fear it can cause by living as your resurrection child and boldly telling the good news of the Gospel so that everyone can live free of fear and experience the joy of your presence in their lives. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle.
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to the Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
TO PONDER
This is one Bible narrative I wish I could have witnessed. It has everything - excitement - Ezra has finished restoring the temple, bewilderment - a stage is being erected and everyone is to assemble at dawn the next day, weeping - as the Book of the Law is read and explained and they recognise their sinfulness. Then Governor, Nehemiah tells them to go home rest, prepare a choice meal, no sacrifices will be offered so use the fat and break out the best drinks but be sure to share with the poor and suffering for this day is declared holy by the Lord. They are to rejoice and gain strength to serve the Lord.
Where would we be if God, knowing that for us to keep the Law perfectly was impossible, had not sent his only precious son, Jesus to die for our sins.?
We get our strength and joy from the Gospel so let us give our best as we share it with those who have yet to hear it. Live the Gospel everyday so that it might be like the advertisement “ I’ll have what she is having.”
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for the good news of the Gospel. May I learn to share it extravagantly with everyone you place before me, using the many gifts, both mental and physical, that you have given me, for joy in you is my strength. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.
TO PONDER
Conditions and situations in the world today are such that we often despair at our own inadequacy to speak the Good News, but we are not expected to do it alone; we have each other and the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself sent his disciples in pairs! [Luke 9:1-2]
The early Philippians faced opposition but God was with them as they lived the Gospel life. We, like Paul, need to pray for those who are new believers, and encourage them with our words and actions. Make prayer intentional, rather than “ I will pray for you” try “May I pray for you now?” and follow up.
Our actions too, reflect how we live a Gospel life, loving each other, forgiving, welcoming those who society rejects, sharing the gifts God gives us each day, going the extra mile for someone, encouraging parents with young children, our youth, and each other on our faith journey
Much of this can be difficult but God can do great things. Listen to where he might call you to go and with whom, remembering his Holy Spirit always walks with us.
When we live a a Gospel life we too will experience a special joy.
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your word and giving me your Holy Spirit to help me understand it and live by it. Give me the courage to seize each opportunity you give me to share these gracious gifts with those who are yet to know about them. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle