“Through him we received grace and were given the work of being an emissary on his behalf promoting trust-grounded obedience among all the Gentiles”. CJSB
TO PONDER
Gentiles here can be translated as nations, ethnic groups, non-Jews, pagans, or heathens. Doesn’t that old word ‘heathens’ conjure up old missionary preachers banging on the pulpit, threatening weeping, and gnashing of teeth for those who won’t accept the gospel. Before we get on our self-righteous high horse and reach out to others, we must admit that we ourselves are also Gentiles, and see the ‘heathen’ within our hearts, the outsider in ourselves, or our own sinful nature, our shadow side, whatever you want to call it. We are saved only by the grace of God. Today, followers of Jesus are of diminishing importance and value in our society. But from a place of honest vulnerability, we can reach out to others offering the grace of Jesus, the fellowship of the Spirit, the gentle hand of the Father. For how can we recognise grace unless we have known it, how can we see grace in others unless we see it in Gods work within us, how can they live in obedience to Jesus if we don’t let them see our broken pieces and show them Jesus fully alive in us?
Prayer: Jesus, as we see our own lack, remind us that in your grace we lack nothing, and so we have everything to give to others, your grace, your mercy, your love. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.
“Her [wisdom's] ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace”. CJSB (Complete Jewish Study Bible)
TO PONDER
My NIV bible heads this chapter “Wisdom bestows Well-Being”, but I also like what I read in my Jewish Study Bible Intro to Proverbs: “Wisdom is not an inborn trait, temperament, or intellectual acumen, but rather an experiential relationship to the Creator.” Sometimes we refer to the Holy Spirit as Wisdom, or even Lady Wisdom. Today’s verse is about peace, and it says, “all her paths are peace”, not just some days, some moments, some situations. It reminds us that all her paths are peace, not just the good days, but the tough days, the unsettling days, the terrible days, or for me the dry barren days. These are the very days we rest in the peace of the Spirit, whether we feel it or not. With absolute trust we place ourselves at the centre of the Spirit of God within our own spirit, our own soul, our own mind, and own body. Then I am part of something larger, better, safer, and more peaceful than I can ever accomplish in my own ways.
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, Wisdom of God, bring your peace to our hearts, souls, minds, and spirit today and centre us in your presence. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” NIV
TO PONDER
Do we live knowing that we are not just forgiven, but accepted and loved in our state of brokenness, despite out failings and mishaps as we ‘miss the mark’?
If we live in that state of acceptance, there is a freedom to continue in the day, to turn around from the mishap, living in the grace of Jesus, growing, and learning in the guidance of the Spirit, gaining strength and wisdom as we walk in the Truth. If we don’t, we live rejecting that grace, negating the work of the Jesus and the cross, ruled by our guilt and shame, succumbing to a smaller and rigid containment of our own spirit as we try to live in our own righteousness, instead of God’s righteousness; our being right with God through Jesus.
PRAYER: Jesus, we cry out to you as the parent seeking healing for his child. “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” Let me walk in your righteousness today. (Mark 9:24).
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” NIV
TO PONDER
Truth is a tricky business. The Pharisees had their truth: Jesus declared himself to be the Truth. The believing Jews came to see the Truth and found him; the Pharisees could not see past their own truth or accept those who questioned their truth, especially Jesus who declared himself the I AM.
Maybe the world has not changed that much after all in this regard. What truth do I live by? To be honest, most of us probably live with convenient bits of Jesus’ Truth mish-mashed with our own concept of truth into something that is palatable for our psyche, lifestyle or even denomination. There is not much freedom in that kind of control over Truth. But the verse starts with “then” so the previous verse must be important for it to make sense. Verse 31 says to believe Jesus, hold to his teachings and really be his disciples….ahh, then… I will know the truth, Jesus, and he will set me free.
PRAYER: Jesus, help me to understand that freedom is not the end reward, but the journey itself, freedom to believe, freedom to understand your teachings, freedom to be discipled by you, finding freedom in experience, whether good or bad, that leads me to you, the Truth. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
TO PONDER
When did you last read Ephesians in one sitting? I love the flow of Ephesians. Chapter 1 has Paul’s famous prayer for enlightenment, hope and power, chapter 2 has Luther's cornerstone “saved by grace, created to do good works”, chapter 3 has Paul’s prayer for insight and understanding, chapter 4 focuses on unity and maturity, leading into chapter 5, being filled with the Spirit. The first verses of chapter 6 are about relationships with others and God, and then verse 10 starts with “Finally”. This word pulls together the previous chapters into a conclusive “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”. It is followed by the how and why – the famous armour of God passage that names our enemy and prepares us for battle, just as Jesus battled in the desert with the Enemy. May our future direction always come from our Triune God as we move forward in his power.
PRAYER: Our blessed Trinity of Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, may we all be strong in Jesus and live in his power, courage and daring. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
So, when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted.
TO PODER
St. Paul considered the congregation in Thessalonica to be his glory and joy before the Lord Jesus (chapter2). They had become his dear friends and partners in the Gospel, bringing him joy and satisfaction even while under persecution and suffering.
Is it that we forget too easily, or perhaps we have never become aware of the repayment we receive for loving others with the Gospel. Those who receive willingly become our friends and allies in a dark world. They become our joy, strength, and support, even when times are tough. As his thoughts of them strengthen him, so he goes out of his way to strengthen them by sending Timothy as their spiritual advisor while under their own persecution.
Jesus said that the measure of loving service we use for others would be repaid as much as ten times. As we love, so we are loved.
PRAYER: Father, as we have been gifted, so may we gift. Amen.
Today's devotion written by David Schuppan, LifeWay Illawarra
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
TO PONDER
The word ‘gift’ in the text is ‘charisma’ in the Greek of the New Testament. That is, a gift from the Holy Spirit to be used for the specific purpose of sharing the Good News in some way or form. A gift to bring blessing to those God gives to you, to serve. So, the focus is not what gift or gifts you may have, but on the people who will receive the blessing from the Spirits gift to you. It’s for you, through you, to others.
What is your gift from the Spirit. You may say that you don’t know. But don’t stop there, and don’t say you haven’t been gifted, because that would be a lie whispered in your ear by that old snake from Eden. If you don’t know, then say, ‘I don’t know yet’. And then pray and wait on God’ revelation. While you wait you may choose to exercise the greatest gift of all, serve with love. God will reveal his gifts at just the right time.
PRAYER: Father here I stand ready to serve my neighbour lovingly. Here I stand waiting your revelation of how I may serve through the Spirit’s gifts. Here I stand ready to follow Jesus today. Amen.
Today's devotion written by David Schuppan, LifeWay Illawarra
Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
TO PONDER
“From little things big thing grow”, right? I believe so, but the growth is rarely instantaneous. Growth takes time. We must first grow in faith and trust in God as we risk ourselves, our possesions and our reputations in His service. This kind of faith bears fruit; resilience in the face of adversity, skills, and the gifts of the Spirit to follow through with difficult relationships, a capacity for love that exceeds our expectations and at times, respect from others for the love we demonstrate.
A journey of a thousand miles, however, begins with that first step. We can expect nothing to be added to our character unless we step out in faith, trusting in God’s faithfulness, guidance and provision.
PRAYER: Father God, forgive my unbelief, heal my doubts, expand my horizons, and shove me out the door. Amen.
Today's devotion written by David Schuppan, LifeWay Illawarra
And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’.
TO PONDER
In John 1, we read that “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. In John 20, Jesus appeared to his disciples and breathed upon them saying “receive the Holy Spirit.” When we are baptised into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, we receive that same Holy Spirit. We have been united with Jesus forever and he has breathed his Spirit into us through the cleansing water of baptism. What now?
The written Word was inspired by the Holy Spirit. What greater resource for living full and fulfilled lives can we possibly hope for, than the Word and Spirit together. To receive the presence of The Father and the Son through Word and Spirit, and the further gift of ongoing revelation through the same Spirit.
PRAYER: Come Holy Spirit and create a new heart within me today and give me a new and right spirit.
Today's devotion written by David Schuppan, LifeWay Illawarra