“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
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: his mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
TO PONDER
“Pregnant through the Holy Spirit”. You should say that out aloud a few times and let it settle in. We hear it every year at Advent. It’s very familiar to us, but have you ever sat with it a while and let it settle in? What does that mean for us? Well, the Saviour of the world became human through his mother Mary, we know this, but what may it mean for you and me today now that Jesus mission has been completed? Is it that we could all fall pregnant – with the possibilities of the Kingdom growing in our hearts?
A few weeks ago, Nehemiah 1:1-11 was read in Sunday worship. In this text we heard that God ‘moved Emperor Cyrus’ heart’, or to say it another way, God placed a thought on his heart. God moved Cyrus to send the Jews in Babylon back to Israel. It was a kind of pregnancy, don’t you think. A seed of an idea was planted in the centre of Cyrus’ desire and an act of great generosity was born.
In many places and in many ways, everyday, God’s ideas come to life through his people, who, like Mary, have said, “let it be to me, Lord, as you have said”. Saying yes to God’s move in our hearts is the way to a life of great and lasting joy and legacy in your community.
Prayer: Move my heart, Lord. Increase my faith and inspire a ‘yes’ from my lips. Amen.
Today's devotion writer by David Schuppan, LifeWay Illawarra
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
TO PONDER
Occasionally the devil whispers in our ear that we have done something so terrible that God wants nothing more to do with us. Our guilt may feel painful, and the fear of separation unbearable.
One evening, King David found himself looking out over Jerusalem. As he looked, his gaze stopped at the house of his general and friend Uriah. On the roof top, the most beautiful woman David had ever seen was bathing. His desire burnt so powerfully that he commanded Uriah back to the war and ordered him to the front line and so, too a predictable death. David was free to marry his heart’s desire, Bathsheba.
In this Psalm we witness his anguish. Do not murder, do not commit adultery! We can hear the thoughts churning in David’s mind and his heart being crushed by his sin. “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”
At the cross, Jesus united all of creation with himself (John 12:32 & John 17:21). You are in him, and he is in you. His Holy Spirit will never be taken from you. He is with you to the very end. (Matthew 28:20). There is no escaping the love of God. Not in the depths, nor in the heights, nor in all of creation.
He is with you to stay. The news from the cross is that you are forgiven.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you will never abandon me. Create in me a new heart and put a new and right spirit within me for today. Amen.