Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
TO PONDER
I have met a surprising number of people in my life journey who have told me they don’t go or need to go to church to be a Christian, that their walk with God is ‘personal’.
In yesterday’s verse we looked at the two questions we all face during life; “who am I and what am I here?” We really only answered the first question and looked at our identity. We are a child of God, our identity is in Him. Today’s verses explore the second of those questions; “What am I here for?”
Today’s verses demonstrate a truth about our identity, the truth about who we are as a child of God. See God didn’t stop at Jesus as an only child of God, he made a way for us to be children of God. God doesn’t have only ‘childs’, God doesn’t have grandchildren, God doesn’t have fatherless children, God has a family that we are part of.
The word ‘church’ used in the bible is the Greek word ‘ekklēsia’ which is ‘a group of people gathered together’. The early church met together in the temple courts, in their homes and shared meals together, they became church, they didn’t stay alone, hidden away in their own homes, they became church together. They knew you couldn’t be church on your own.
As a result of fulfilling the “why’ of the “who” they discovered God’s purpose. They discovered that if they became church, became family others would notice and want to become family too.
PRAYER
Father God, I thank you that my identity and purpose are in you as I have been adopted into your family and as I live in this identity, loving as you loved, others will see and become family. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
TO PONDER
Who am I and why am I here?
These are two questions that we all face during our lives. They are studied in some way in most Academic Fields from Philosophy to Quantum Physics. They are often claimed to be solely owned by the realm of religion. There is a case to be made that the story of Adam and Eve was a story of identity and purpose.
So let me ask you those questions again but pointing them towards you; Who are you and why are you here?
Today’s verse talks directly to these questions, the Message translates it this way “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”
Verses 4 and 5 lay the foundations of the idea of ‘predestined’, before time even existed God already chose us to be family. Our identity and purpose are found in God. We are all a child of God adopted through Christ to be part of His family since before there was a before.
PRAYER
Almighty God, I thank you that my identity and purpose can be found in you as your adopted child. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
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
I recently watched an old movie called ‘When Harry Met Sally’. The movie released in 1989 has been lauded as the greatest ‘Rom-Com’ of all times climaxes when Harry earnestly runs to find Sally in a New Year’s Eve party to proclaim his love for her by pointing out some of her most annoying personality traits.
I suspect, one of the reasons people love the ending of this movie is due to the human desire to be loved for who we are, warts and all.
Today’s verse is part of an explanation by Paul about how God has a Kingdom Purpose for us because of who we are, warts and all, because of our weaknesses, because of the things we have been through, because of our struggles, because of who we really are not despite of that.
Martin Luther put it this way, ‘God created the world out of nothing and as long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us.’ Or to put it yet another way, it’s out of our lack, out of our weakness God’s power is revealed.
God chose you because of your weakness, God chose you because of who you really are but unlike the movie that realisation is not the climax, the climax it’s the beginning.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I thank you that even though I am a floored, broken person you still chose me by grace through Jesus. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
TO PONDER
I was visiting a church where I hadn’t been at for over 17 years but I still recognised a bunch of familiar faces. One of the familiar faces was the music director at the church and when he noticed me in the congregation he gave me the head-nod of recognition.
During a break in the songs, he publicly welcomed me from the stage as ‘an old friend’ but although he got the name correct he introduced me as the ex-Worship Pastor from the church we were part of some 20 years before. The problem was I don’t play an instrument or have any musical ability whatsoever, I was the ex-Youth Pastor not the ex-Worship Pastor.
John’s public introduction of Jesus in today’s verse is perhaps the last time someone identified and recognised Jesus for who he really was.
Even the people Jesus travelled with, shared meals with, shared accommodation with, was closest with for 3 years, his own disciples, misunderstood who he really was or what his mission was even though he told them. The issue we see throughout the Gospels is that people saw Jesus as who they wanted him to be, or for what they needed from him, not for who he really was, even John the Baptist sent his own disciples some time later to ask Jesus who he really was.
Do you see Jesus for who he really is or for who you want him to be for you?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I repent for the times I have made you into the god I wanted you to be not the God who you really are. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
TO PONDER
Listening to radio and chat show television recently, there have been a number of debates about "the right time" for certain things. When is the right time to take down your Christmas decorations? Is it too early for hot cross buns to be appearing on the supermarket shelves? Is it the right time for another interest rate rise? We may have some power over some of these things and a lot less over others.
In fact, when you look through the Bible, it is often when people are completely powerless that God acts most powerfully. Joseph, attacked by his brothers and sold as a slave, becomes second in command over all Egypt and saves not only Egypt, but his own family from famine. Moses, after fleeing Egypt as a murderer, is called by God to free the Israelites. David, the young shepherd boy slays the giant Goliath and eventually becomes King over Israel. Jesus, born in a manger, to a humble and lowly carpenter and his young wife came into the world to become its saviour at just the right time.
God moves in our weakness so that we will know it is Him who has done great things and that we will give him the glory. In the midst of your sinfulness, Christ died for you. What makes you think that in the midst of your insecurities, doubts and fears that God won't show up, especially now that you are his dearly beloved children in Christ?
PRAYER
God, I am so often guilty of thinking that I am doing life on my own. I can often overlook the fact that you are with me and that with you, all things are possible. Please help me in my insecurity and deficiencies, to remember that in your power is made perfect in my weakness. Help me to trust that when I follow where you lead, you will supply all my needs. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
TO PONDER
All of my schooling was done in Lutheran and other Christian schools and universities. While it was not my favourite subject I was made to study History for most of my high school years. We learned about the great kingdoms and civilisations of the past. Ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire, Ancient Mayan and Aztec civilisations, The colonial expansions of the British, Dutch and Spanish. We learned all about the reasons for the rise and fall of these nations and empires; over extended military, technological advances in scientific knowledge and weaponry, the rise of other nations and civilisations, financial mismanagement and excessive lifestyles. But nowhere did any teacher ever suggest that God might have had something to do with the rise and fall of empires.
Much of the Old Testament historical writings deal precisely with this idea that God even uses the kingdoms and nations of men to achieve his purposes. Sometimes, in the midst of those circumstances seeing God at work can be difficult. Even the Israelites sometimes struggled to see God at work on their behalf as they walked through the wilderness or were held in captivity and exile in Babylon and yet, on this side of History we can see how God shaped his people and led them in such a way as to bring about salvation for all humanity through them.
Our world is still shaped to a large extent by the rise and fall of powerful leaders and nations but we can have confidence that whatever happens, God is sovereign over even those things and that their times are limited and that God has boundaries set even for them.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, when you see the news it is hard to imagine any sense or purpose to what can only be described as the chaos of the world around us. So today I pray for those who have been appointed as leaders, may they find wise counsel in faithful people who have you as their true leader. May they become aware of the reality that they are indeed tools in your hand, meant to serve the good of those they lead and not their own selfish ambition. And amidst the chaos, give me confidence to trust that you are still in control. Amen
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
TO PONDER
You know what strikes me about this reading is that the message Jesus is proclaiming, "the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe" is not very different from the message that John the Baptist, now imprisoned, was also proclaiming, "repent and be baptised for the kingdom of God is at hand."
The thing that was different about Jesus message was that first phrase, "the time has come". It was time for him to take over the role that John had been playing. There was no more time for preparing the way of the Lord because the Lord had come it was now Jesus' time.
Sometimes I think we get caught up or deceived by the kind of thinking that says, "I'm not ready" or "I can't do evangelism like that person so I'll just leave it up to them". John had a part to play in God's plan and he played that part faithfully until that part was finished. Although he recognised Jesus superiority, he didn't say, "well Jesus is coming and he's so much better than me I'll just let him do it." God has a purpose for your life and tasks he is asking you to see to. The time has come, your time has come! God has called you up and put you in the game, are you going to play your role or just walk back to the sidelines and spectate?
PRAYER
Lord God, sometimes it is hard to see the game plan the way you see it. Sometimes I have no idea the role you want me to play and at other times I might know very well but feel too afraid or unprepared to do the things you ask of me. Please forgive me and help me to trust you more so that I might see more clearly the times and place you are calling me to play my part. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
But when the set time had fully come,God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
TO PONDER
Many people have speculated why God came to earth in the middle of the reign of the Roman Empire. I suspect that there are many more reasons than we could ever guess at but I suspect that at least one of the reasons was the roads. One of the reasons the Roman Empire was so successful was the way in which they connected even the furthest flung parts of the empire with well maintained and regularly patrolled roads. Roads which any Roman citizen was supposed to be able to travel in safety and freedom.
So, after Jesus resurrection, his disciples were able to travel freely across the Roman Empire spreading the news of what had happened to Jesus. In a similar way, Martin Luther's rediscovery of the gospel was not entirely unique to Luther, there had been others before him who had raised som of his concerns but without access to the printing press, they could not easily disseminate their ideas like Luther did and so Luther gets most of the credit for the Reformation.
What are the things that make our time unique? What thing of God might the time be fully right for today? Maybe today the time will be fully right for that person you have been praying for to come to faith in Jesus. Maybe today the time will be fully right for God to break through in a specific situation in your life or the life of one of your friends or family. God is the only one who knows when the time is fully right so trust that he knows what he is doing even when things seem uncertain.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You have a plan which you bring about in the fulness of time. Help me to learn to pay attention and see what you are doing so that I can play my part when the time is right. Amen
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
TO PONDER
This verse may not seem like much to us but it was a HUGE thing for Jesus to say. Israelites and Samaritans had been arguing for generations about whether you had to be at the Jerusalem temple for your worship and sacrifices to be valid. Jesus is basically saying, "now that I am here, none of that matters any more!"
We can often be guilty of thinking about the Bible as a book full of old stories (and that is certainly part of what the Bible contains) but the reality is that the Bible is a book which speaks to us today just as it did to those who first wrote and read the words those thousands of years ago. See how Jesus says, "a time is coming and has now come" - that means now. The time has come, Jesus has come into the world and because of that we don't need temples, we don't need to go find God in a temple or a church, because he has come to us. All that's left for us to do is worship him in spirit and in truth.
Now's the time - Let's worship him!!!
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You are worthy of all our thanks and praise. May every time be an opportunity to praise and worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle