Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
TO PONDER
When I was growing up with four siblings, our parents would often tell us that there was no room for boasting. A common expression, at least to me was, ‘Stop showing off!’. They even made up a sticker which they plastered everywhere that said ‘No boasting allowed’, Okay, they didn’t really make the sticker, but the point was, there’s no need to boast.
This was one of the things we passed onto our children. You shouldn’t boast. Leave your ego out of it, because boasting is for people who are full of themselves, who are selfish, and who tend not to think of others.
The saying that ‘pride comes before a fall’ was part of the justification. And it’s true! If you have time, look up the Youtube clip entitled ‘Athletes who celebrated too early’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6gga_2UTtc
Every athlete involved thought they had won the point/game/race, and began boasting about it, but their joy was short-lived.
Our reading today says there is something we can boast about. There is something we are allowed to proudly tell the world about. And that is God and what he has done for us. We can proudly boast that we will live forever with Him, that we can begin again each day knowing he forgives us, and that we are never alone. So boast away friends, and share that whenever you can.
PRAYER
Father, we have many things to thank you for. Thank you for life, for freedom, for loving us no matter what, for accepting us as your children and for giving us the opportunity to share all these things with others. Bless our actions and words when we attempt to do this. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
TO PONDER
A couple of my children play drums. A drummer in a band is a very important member of the band, despite all the jokes about drummers! They are the visual timekeeper for the band. They ensure (or at least they are meant to) that the band stays in time and keeps a continuous rhythm for the whole song. When I was in the classroom teaching duration (rhythm), I would constantly remind the children that when you provide a rhythm, keep going for the whole song. Do not stop! Do not slow down! You never hear a song on the radio slowing down or speeding up.
It is a similar job to an orchestra conductor. Apart from choosing the music and organising rehearsals, the conductor keeps the orchestra in time. They are the visual timekeeper.
Jesus is a timekeeper. An invisible timekeeper. And Jesus keeps perfect time. All things are achieved in His time – not ours. And that is the problem for us humans. We like to see outcomes. We like to see a result. We like to be in control. But often Jesus says, ‘Hey. Back up the truck. Let me do my job - in my time. Don’t forget I’m in charge’.
When you have asked God for something in prayer and the answer is not immediate, what is your response?
Prayer
Lord, sometimes we forget you are in charge. Please forgive us for the times we are impatient or lose patience with you or others. Give us the peace and trust in you that even though we don’t understand, is perfect for us at that time. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping.
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
TO PONDER
The rising cost of living, inflation, recession, interest rate rises... these things and others like them, seem like the only thing that the media wants to talk about at the moment. But why would they report on anything else when so many of us are primarily concerned about our own kingdoms. We are concerned about being able to maintain the same standard of living that we are accustomed to; about positioning ourselves and our families in order to ensure that we don't lose out as the world seems to crumble around us.
How often do you think that your first thought in the Morning is about God and his kingdom? How often does God's agenda get the first say in your plans for the day over and above your own plans or desires, or your employers plans or desires? I'm not suggesting we all need to quit our jobs, almost the opposite in fact. God can use you to grow his kingdom right where you are, but what would be different if instead of going to work simply to earn a wage, you went to work to serve God and bless others? Would that change the way you viewed your work?
God knows things are tight for many of us at the moment, but he also knows what we need and promises to meet our needs. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and trust that he will sustain you with all that you need.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, There are many things going on down here that make it difficult to focus on your promises and your faithfulness to those promises. The fear and uncertainty that is constantly placed before us raises doubt and fear in our own hearts and we turn our attention inward to ensure that we can meet our own needs. Help me to trust that you have all my needs taken care of and help me to seek you first in all things and all situations. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.
TO PONDER
Just a couple of days ago I set out to do our weekly grocery shop. While I knew there was going to be some shortages of fresh produce, I was surprised to see so many empty sections of the fresh grocery section in our local supermarket - not a single green leafy vegetable in sight. Interesting to read a scripture like this which says, 'the land will yield its harvest' when quite clearly so much of the harvest has been wiped out by floods this year.
Although I suspect that the psalmist is talking more about a spiritual harvest here. Probably with something like the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) in mind. When we are overcome by God's love for us and respond by seeking to serve him faithfully; when we are robed in Christ's righteousness and our minds are set on his mission of peace and reconciliation with his people, then the conditions are perfect for us to see God working in and through us in powerful and miraculous ways.
God is with you and wants to lead you. Living in Christ's righteousness is the one sure way to be prepared to follow wherever God leads.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, you are the creator and sustainer of all things. You cause the sun to shine, the rain to fall, and the plants to grow. You lead us by your Holy Spirit into faith and give us, through the Son, eternal life and salvation. May all those gifts bear good fruit in my life to your glory. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.
TO PONDER
Psalm 72 is credited as a psalm of King Solomon, the king who asked God to grant him wisdom to rule God's people wisely and to administer justice fairly and rightly.
We might not be kings and queens like they had in the days of ancient Israel, but in Christ we are sons and daughters of the king of heaven, we are royal sons and daughters, just like Solomon and just like he requested, we have been endowed with Christ's own righteousness.
What does that mean? Well it means that when we are living first and foremost out of a right relationship with Christ, approaching life with Him as our central focus, then increasingly our lives will reflect his justice, mercy, love, and forgiveness. And just as encountering the justice, mercy, love and forgiveness of Jesus led us to faith in Him, those same traits (the gospel) on display in our lives will draw people to faith in him also.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, just as Solomon prayed for wisdom, make me wise in seeking and following you. As you draw me deeper into your love and mercy, may they become more evident in my life and draw others into your arms of divine grace and love. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
TO PONDER
Have you ever had a friend who you found difficult to trust? Chances are, if that didn't change, you probably didn't stay friends for very long.
Sometimes we talk about righteousness in relation to the things we do, and I supposes there is that element to it. But I think being in a 'right relationship' with someone or being 'made right' always has more to do with the trust that exists between two parties. That's why we can be right with God simply by trusting what he says is true!
God made a fairly outlandish promise to Abram, one that would have been difficult to believe given the advancing years of Abram and his wife. Yet Abram took God at his word and God credited that faith and trust to Abram as righteousness. God's promises to us are also difficult to believe some times, maybe we think we are too sinful and that God could not possibly forgive us, or perhaps it is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that sometimes seems unbelievable. Simply trust the God who came through on his promise to Abram (who became Abraham), who delivered on all his promises to his people as we see in the Bible. Trust that he has saved you and receive Christ's righteousness in return.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, my relationship with you is often not a right one. It is just too easy to put other things in your rightful place as my Lord and Saviour. By your Spirit, help me to trust more completely your word, and the work that you completed on the cross for my salvation. Make me bold in trusting that I have everything I need to share that reality with others. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
TO PONDER
I have been thinking about this weeks theme and about the idea of ransom. It makes me think of hostage or kidnap movies like 'Speed' or 'Taken'. When those who have been captured are reunited with their family and friends, rarely do they just walk up to each other and say hello. There is usually a scene of them running towards each other and embracing one another with big hugs. They are excited to be free and to have escaped their captivity.
So how do you react to the news that Jesus has freed you from your sin? Do you run towards him who paid the ransom for your freedom, or is there a greater love in your life which you run to and embrace?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, your love for me and all creation is clearly on display in the redemption that you have given me through Jesus. Help me to always remember how much you love me and all that you have done for me. By your Holy Spirit, may I grow in my love for you and your word so that I will always run to you, my saviour and redeemer. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
TO PONDER
Do you ever catch you reflection in the mirror and notice a stain or a mark which you didn't see when you got dressed? Perhaps it was always there but you just missed it, more likely though (at least in my case) you have accidentally spilled some lunch or coffee or brushed up against something dirty during the course of the day. When I notice these kinds of marks I usually wonder how long they have been there and how many people have noticed. I then spend the rest of the day, until I can get home or get changed trying to find ways to cover up the mark.
Sometimes I think we deal with sin like this too. Often we miss it at first, but when we are made aware of it we can try to cover it up and ignore it, hoping that others won't notice. Or we divert people's attention away from our sin by pointing out someone else's.
The only way to deal with the stain of sin is by acknowledging it (repentance) and handing it to Jesus. He is the only one who can remove it from us, and what a blessing that is.
PRAYER
Jesus, my saviour and friend, help me to avoid those things that often drag me into sin and cause me to pick up dirty stains. But more than that, when I inevitably do find myself caught in sin, please help me to boldly return to you to seek your grace and forgiveness so you can remove the guilt of my sin and others might see you at work in my life. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
TO PONDER
No one likes to be labelled 'judgemental' but it is a condition we all suffer from. We all have people who we think that we are better than and other people we aspire to be like who we suspect might be better than us. The strange thing is we often make these judgements without all the facts and rarely do we judge ourselves with the same level of scrutiny as we judge others.
the Apostle Paul warns us in this passage that judging ourselves to be better than others does not grant us a 'get out of jail free' card when it comes to God's judgement. God's judgement is fair and impartial and applies to all people who are all guilty of sin. That means everyone, regardless of how 'good' you might think your are.
The only way to avoid God's judgement is to have your faith in Christ, the one who has borne that judgement on your behalf. Let him lead you to recognise your sin and to repent and be free from its consequences. That's what Jesus has done for you, and that truely is good news!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you are my refuge and my defence. Help me to always have sound judgement about my own sin and to be confident in turning to you for my salvation. Help me not to think more highly of myself than I should, and may I only ever boast about you and what you have done for me. Amen
Today's devotion provided by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.