So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
TO PONDER
If this verse sounds familiar, it's because it is. We only looked at it a couple of weeks ago. Yet there is something else for us to consider here when it comes to maturity.
Jesus often used agricultural images to help people grasp spiritual concepts and they are very helpful. Think of a plant, for it to grow it needs to be rooted in soil. That's a good start but it it only the beginning. it needs to be nurtured and built up; it needs fertiliser and water so that the roots can absorb the nutrients and strengthen the plant, it needs protection from the elements, and pests that might eat its new growth until it has sufficient strength to fend for itself. Finally it needs sunlight to provide energy for all of those other things to occur.
Likewise, we begin by being taught the faith, usually by another person. Perhaps a pastor, or a teacher or youth leader, but for many of us it's just a friend or relative. Then we need to grow and be strengthened in the Word and usually also in community. Preferably, a healthy and productive community that encourages and supports us in using our God give abilities and gifts to communicate the gospel to others. And of course we always need the Spirit of Christ, the Son of God, at work in us to empower all those things to occur.
Then, just like a healthy and thriving plant, we too will be overflowing with joy and good fruit.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that at times, growth can be hard to see. I know that growth takes time and effort. I know that sometimes I don't allow myself the time or make the effort to be where you can help me grow most easily. Help me to engage with the process of my own spiritual growth and maturity. Give me a love for your word and for your people, so that we can love and encourage one another as we live our lives in you. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
TO PONDER
There are times when I wish I could just stop being and adult. There are days, when I just wish I could abandon all my adult responsibilities and just selfishly indulge just in the things that I love doing; fishing, barbecuing, somedays even just to do some more sleeping would be welcome! However, we all know that doesn't work, even when we take holidays, there are simply tasks that have to get done.
So I persist, I keep striving, I get up every morning because I have hope. Hope that today will be different. Hope that today I might help someone meet Jesus. Hope that today, just as every day before, no matter how bad that day might have been, Jesus will get me through it and see me safely to tomorrow.
I have noticed in my previous career as a teacher, that this is often a marker of maturity. Most children, up until a certain age (and an increasing number of adults too for that matter) have a tendency to just avoid or give nut on tasks that they find difficult or not enjoyable. "I can't do this, it's too hard" was not an uncommon thing to hear in the primary school classroom. I learned that a good way to correct that thinking was to simply remind students that what they were experiencing was certainly a challenge, but rather than allowing them to say "I can't do it", I'd remind them instead that, 'You just can't do it yet'. One little three letter word makes all the difference.
What you don't feel strong enough for today, you might just find you have the strength for tomorrow. The problem you can't solve today, might just have the solution present itself to you if you keep chasing it. Press on with whatever task God has called you to and equipped you for. You may not see how to do it yet, but God is growing and preparing you every time you get up and have a go.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Sometimes it just seems like there is too much to do, or the mountain of tasks ahead is just overwhelmingly huge. Yet you told your disciples that if they had faith as small as a mustard seed, they could tell the mountains to throw themselves into the sea and it would happen. Lord help me to trust and have faith that you will see me through all the tings I have to do today and every other day also. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me
TO PONDER
When we are children, many of us can't wait to grow up. It seems so exciting. Going to bed whenever you want, no one telling you to eat your veggies, being able to drive and go wherever you want. It all seems so exciting.
When we are adults, many of us wish we could be children again. We look back and realise that when we were children we ;t have to worry about what was for dinner, food just miraculously appeared on the table. We didn't have to pay for fuel, insurance and registration to be able to go wherever we wanted, we just asked mum or dad to take us.
Growing up is a difficult task, as we grow in skill and maturity, our society gives us greater freedom and access to opportunities, but also expects us to take on greater responsibility. Sure you can now drive a car, but you are responsible for the safety of your passengers and other road users.
As children of God, we can sit back and expect God to do everything for us. And he certainly has done a lot, dying on a cross to take upon himself the punishment for our sin is a pretty big deal. however he loves us too much to leave us as children. Like a responsible loving parent, he leaves us things to do so that we can grow and experience more of the life that he has given us in Christ. He doesn't expect us to earn our own salvation, he took care of that completely because he loves us and knew that task was beyond us. but he does want us to leave the ways of spiritual childhood behind us and follow him into a greater experience of his life as he leads us into spiritual maturity and adult hood.
Are there spiritually childish ways that God wants you to put behind you today?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father thank you for calling me and making me your child. Please help me to grow as your child so that I might not always be a spiritual infant, but that I might grow in faith and trust in you and experience even more of the fulness of life you offer through your son Jesus. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
TO PONDER
Take a look and listen to the daily news. You'll usually be confronted by stories of groups of people who feel very strongly about an issue, shouting at and belittling another group of people who have an opposing view. These are usually adults who, if we are honest, are often displaying the kind of behaviour you would expect to see from two toddlers who both want the same toy. Even though one, or possibly both sides of the debate may have noble or just ends in mind, their cause is damaged by they way they promote it with aggression and violence.
There have been times in history when the church has acted in similar ways, and it has hurt the cause of the gospel also. Rather than winning people to Christ with his love and teachings, people have been beaten into submission and conversion with either physical abuse and the threat of death (during the crusades, various inquisitions, and in many 'christian' colonisation efforts), or through relentless application of God's law and threat of his eternal punishment.
The apostle Paul gives the Christian's at Ephesus a different approach. We are not to shy away from the truth; God's laws are good and should be followed, His judgement is real for those who refuse his grace and mercy, offered to us in Christ. However, we are to communicate these truths in love towards not only those who are not yet Christians but also to one another. Shouting matches don't usually win anyone to any side of a debate, but when we make our first priority communicating and demonstrating the love of Jesus, we then can speak the truth from that established platform of love and concern for others. That's how we become a mature community in Christ.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I know there are times when I act poorly towards others and fail to speak to them with your love. Help me to grow and mature in the way I communicate your love to those who you call me to love and serve in your name. Amen
Today's devotion by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
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. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
TO PONDER:
It was a time in my life as a young person when I was extremely angry. There was a tragedy in my congregation where a young 16 year old "learner" driver was backing out the car and ran over her baby sister. It was a shocking time for the family and for the girl. As she sat, sobbing uncontrollably in my arms, I heard someone in the room next door quote this exact passage - "Remember, God works for the good of those who love him." It was meant to comfort. But it brought anger, resentment. How could a loving God e er bring any good out of this? How good a loving God love me when he lets me go through this extreme pain? How could a loving God...you fill the blank.
Over the years, I have come to understand this verse so much better. This whole passage is in the context of prayer...of how we and indeed all creation are groaning with the pain and struggle, the change and decay of this world. As we wrestle with that darkness, that pain or tragedy, the unfairness and injustice of what we see happening all around us, God who is good...all the time...is working with or through those who love him, who have been called for his purposes, to be the very ones that reveal the light of God, which shines in every darkness.
So whatever you are facing at the moment. Whatever darkness overwhelms, ask yourself, "How is God working in this situation and through this situation to make me more like him (conformed to the image of his Son)?" "How is God teaching me through this difficulty or struggle or change to trust in him, who knows all things, sees all things, is in control of all things. even if I don't understand it or get it?" As you ask yourself that, remember the promise: "...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us...For nothing can separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord."
PRAYER:
Lord God, whatever happens to me today, remind me that you have a purpose for me and my life. Help me trust that you are working in me and through me for your good purposes. Amen.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
TO PONDER:
What a timely verse! Moses has handed the baton of leadership over to Joshua, and has just died. The weight of the task to lead God’s people, rests heavy on Joshua and so God speaks to him…”Have I not commanded you. Be strong and courageous”
It’s a command. When life is overwhelming. When the task to which God has called you seems to much. When you doubt that you can do it. Be strong and courageous, God says.
Notice that the strength and courage is not found in oneself. It is not found in your own resourcefulness or abilities, or acumen. But it is a strength and courage that comes from trusting in God. It’s a promise God keeps on repeating, keeps on reminding Joshua.
What’s causing you to be afraid or lack courage today? In what circumstance do you find your strength floundering? God is more than able and can do the impossible. God will strengthen you with what you need to do what he calls you to.
There is a beautiful song we sometimes sing in worship called “Sovereign over us”
The first part of that song says:
There is strength within the sorrow, there is beauty in our tears. And You meet us in our mourning, with a love that casts out fear.’
That’s his promise to you today. God invites you to turn your fear into faith. Rest in this truth: God will be with you wherever you go. You’ve got this…with him.
PRAYER:
Faithful God, give me the strength and courage I need today to face whatever arises, knowing that you are with me all the way. Amen.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea
Do you remember Linus from Charles Schulz’ ‘Peanuts’ comic strip? He is an interesting character; a bit of a sook. Wherever he goes, he has his thumb in his mouth and that old, tattered security blanket held tightly to him. It gave Linus something tangible to hold onto; something that gave him a deep sense of security, well-being and comfort in the face of all his childish fears and anxieties. But take that security blanket away, and Linus was a mess. He would fall to pieces with tears and sorrow. He couldn’t cope without it.
What’s your security blanket in times of trouble? What do you hold onto when the pressures of life are too much, when your world falls apart, when the ground shifts under your feet?
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. This ultimate and awesome reality doesn’t keep us from having to endure the trials of life or the changes that unsettle us, rather it strengthens and carries us safely through and beyond them. Whatever we face, “The Lord almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge” (verse 11). God is more than a security blanket. He’s a personal God who loves you, actively cares for you, protects you, holds onto you, and is with you always. What more do you need as you embark on this day?
PRAYER:
Lord, you are my security, my refuge and strength. Help me rely on you, whatever I face this day. Amen.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
TO PONDER:
Necessity is the mother of invention. It is also the mother of adaptation. We saw that when Covid-19 hit. There were hands-free door openers created that could be 3-D printed, face masks made out of air-conditioning filters. Companies and people needed to pivot, to change, to adapt. Even churches were forced to innovate and use the technology for reaching and connecting with people. It was a challenging and exciting shift, and an amazing missional opportunity.
Change is constant and yet our unchanging God continues to speak through his Word into our changing times to give clarity and direction. Take these verses from Isaiah for example. They were written at a time when Judah was suffering under Babylonian exile. The people were wavering, discouraged and stuck in the past, pining for what they once had. Through the prophet Isaiah, God reminds them of his great works in the past – when he made a way through the Red Sea for the people to cross through safely. He reminds them how he defeated the power of the Egyptians so that they could trust that he would do the same with the Babylonians. Then he says something extraordinary - forget all those things, it’s nothing compared to what I am going to do. Look forward people with expectation of the new thing I’m going to do. To top it off, he gives them a promise - between the past and the future, in times where you are in the wilderness of struggle, I will protect and guide you in the present journey and lead you to the new thing I am doing.
What an encouragement for us in these times as we transition from a Pastor who has been with us for 18 years to a new season of ministry. It’s time to start dreaming…to be creative. To look around and see the ‘new thing’ that God is going to do through his faithful people. That’s exciting!? Keep your eyes open and your hearts responsive to what God reveals in these days…for you are a critical part of a new thing he is doing.
PRAYER:
Lord God, take our minds and think through them, take our imaginations and flow through them, take our dreaming and be creative through them, that we may be a part of the new thing you are doing in and through your Church in these times. Amen.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
TO PONDER:
It used to be a phrase that you would often hear in worship. "God is good, all the time." And the people would respond: "All the time, God is good." It's a great reminder to us of the unchanging character of our God; whose mercy never fails us, whose grace always saves us and whose goodness is always running after us, as the wonderful worship song proclaims to us.
We need that reminding because the evil one is constantly trying to undermine the character of God. He has from the very beginning, "Did God really say...: James sees what is happening among God's people; how quickly they forget his goodness when change, transition and struggles abound. He sees them wrestling with how to practically live out their faith in God in a confusing and messy world. Struggles will come. Trials are a given. Yet James points us to God whose grace and generosity and goodness are at work in change and transitions to produce a maturity and steadfastness in our life that will prepare us for even tougher roads ahead.
So he says “Do not be deceived.” Literally, "Stop being deceived." "Don't wander away from truth or safety. The picture is of a person who is on a journey who is being led astray so they fail to reach their destination. Or of a sheep that wanders off from the Shepherd and the flock and finds themselves lost. It's a ship that drifts off course and becomes lost at sea.
You are a recipient of God’s good and perfect gift, his amazing grace that flows over you in a never-ending stream. You are someone who has been brought to new life through his Word. You are a first fruit of his love; one who belongs to God, is claimed by God and wanted by God. So when Satan attacks the character of God to you, don't wander from the truth. The truth is that the Father of the heavenly lights, the one who created the sun and moon and starts, who created you is good to you.
PRAYER:
God, you are good, all the time. All the time, you are good. Let my life bear testimony to that truth today as a reminder to myself and an encouragement to others. Amen.