“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”
To Ponder:
Isaiah’s “yes” to God came after he was confronted with God’s holiness and his own need for cleansing. Isaiah had to be challenged. He needed to understand that what was happening and about to happen was only about him. He was not the centre of the world. That reminds us that God calling is not first about being impressive, but about being willing. God still asks for available hearts, no perfect ones, because there are pefrect hearts not matte what it looks like on the outside. .
What if God really could use you? Isaiah 6:8 shows that when God wants to work in us, the right response is trust, and readiness to go where he sends, because he is the one who cleeanses us and prepares for what he wants us to do..
Prayer:
Lord, open my heart to hear your call. Cleanse me, shape me, and make me willing to obey. Give me courage to say, “Here am I. Send me,” even when I feel unworthy or uncertain. Use my life for your purpose and your glory. Amen.
Today's devotion is written by Pr Nich, LifeWay Epping
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
To Ponder:
One of the things about our Christian faith is that we know that we are not here by accident, and our lives are not meaningless. God has shaped us with purpose, and he has already prepared good works for us to walk in. This means uour identity comes before what we do for God: We are first of all God’s handiwork, as as result of this we are called to live out the purpose he has given us.
What if God really could use you? Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that he not only can, but he already has a plan. Even the small, unseen acts of faithfulness can be part of his greater purpose.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that I am your workmanship and not a mistake. Help me to believe that you have created me with purpose and that you have good works prepared for me to do. Give me eyes to see where you are leading me and a willing heart to walk in it. Use my life for your glory. Amen.
Today’s devotion is written by Pr Nich, LifeWay, Epping
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”
To Ponder:
One thing that I have come to learn after many years of being a Christian is how God does not choose to work in people because they are the most impressive, gifted, or confident. Sometimes we are tempted to think that he does. However, the truth is he often chooses the ones who feel small, overlooked, or don't know what they are doing, so that his power can be seen more clearly. That means our weaknesses are not the end of the story. They may be the very place where God wants to show his strength.
What if God really could use you and me just as we are? Not after we become perfect, but right now, with our doubts, our limits, and our ordinary lives. God delights in using unlikely people so that everyone knows the work belongs to him.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you see me differently than the world does. Help me to stop focusing on what I lack and start trusting what you can do through me. Use my weakness, my story, and my life for your glory. Teach me to walk in humility and faith, knowing that your power is made perfect in what I cannot do on my own. Amen.
Today’s devotion is written by Pr Nich, LifeWay Epping
“The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’”
To Ponder:
As I read this reading in Judges, I can Identify with Gideon. I know the things in me that I see and know that make me unsituble to do this things that God sks me to. Yet God did not tell Gideon fo focus on these things. He did not tell him to wait until he felt stronger, braver, more prepared, or more ready. Instead, He said, “Go in the strength you have.” Gideon did not have much stregnth at this point. But this did not matter to God.
This means what we have right now, our current abilities, our small faith, even our imperfect courage is enough for God to begin working through us. God does not ask for perfection. He asks for willingness.
Sometimes we delay stepping out because we think we need more: more confidence, more clarity, more resources, more training etc. But God’s starts where we are, trusting that he will provide what we need along the way.
What if the strength we already have, no matter how small is exactly what God wants to use?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to stop waiting for the perfect moment and to trust you with what I have right now. Give me the courage to step out in faith, even when I feel unready. Remind me that you are the one who sends me and strengthens me. Use my life for your purpose, just as I am. Amen
Today’s devotion is written by Pr Nich, LifeWay Epping
1. Judges 6:12
Verse:
“When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’”
To Ponder:
I wonder what it would have been like to be Gideon in this reading. It strikes me that he didn’t see himself as a mighty warrior. In fact, it was the opposite he felt weak, afraid, and unqualified, in other words not the right person for the job. Yet God spoke to him based on who he could become, not who he thought he was.
What if God sees more in us than we see in ourselves? What if doubts, limitations, or things we have done are not things that get in the way, but the very places where God wants to work?
God often chooses ordinary people with normal everyday struggles. Like Gideon, we may feel unworthy or hesitant, but God works us you not because of our strength, but because of his presence with us.
The real question is not whether we are capable, but whether we are willing to trust that God can use us right where we are.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you see more in me than I see in myself. Help me to believe that you can use me, even with my doubts and weaknesses. Give me courage to step forward in faith and trust your working in my life. Remind me that I am not alone, because you are with me. Shape me into who you have called me to be. Amen.
Written by Pr Nich, LifeWay Epping
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
TO PONDER
When I reflected on today’s verse, I found myself thinking about the total blackness of night without any trace of light whatsoever? The type of scenario where you hold your hand up in front of your face and cannot see your hand in the darkness. I often find myself getting up from bed in the darkness of the dead of night, to visit the lavatory or to have a sip of water, or ironically even both. I don’t put a light on so not to disturb others sleeping in the household. It is generally pitch-black and hence my vision, is of little to no use to me at all. I know my house design well enough and the placement of our furniture around the home to be able to reasonably, and most times competently but slowly, make my way to the toilet or wander out to the kitchen. However, the walk (or perhaps shuffle) to fulfil my dead-of-night objective is always slow and cautious and on an extremely dark night, I will find myself tentatively shuffling to my destination with my arms and hands out-in-front of me searching for walls and corners I know are there in the darkness somewhere, but I need to make sure I do not walk into them!
Contemplating these dead-of-night expeditions of mine, I wouldn’t know how long it takes me to carefully and cautiously shuffle to the bathroom or blindly navigate my way to the kitchen but I know it is a slow trip and in fact one that would be accomplished in probably half the time (or even quicker) if I had light for the journey.
I see a real parallel with our reading today and my cautious night-time shuffles in the dark. With a light on in the bedroom to lead me to the ensuite or kitchen where the further use of the next light switch, would instantly overcome the darkness, I would achieve the objective with confidence and no trepidation.
This is exactly the life and the way our Lord wants us to live. Confidently and with no trepidation. That is, with the light on! His light in our lives, leading and guiding us. He has rescued us from the evil of Satan’s darkness. The freedom that He has won for us enables us to take every step confidently in His light. We do not need to shuffle, take cautious steps or blindly extend our arms out in front of us to hopefully anticipate what’s ahead of us. We are free from the dominion of darkness, knowing that we can take each step forward in full confidence and in His full light on our journey, as He walks beside us. We are free!
PRAYER: Merciful Saviour. Thank You for rescuing me from the inhibiting life of darkness, evil and sin and for freeing me to a life of light where I can live as Your disciple with confidence and no trepidation. Thank You also for the everlasting life that awaits me in Your Heavenly Kingdom. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
TO PONDER
My corporate role at present is in a learning and development capacity focused on the technical risk management aspect of Life and Disability insurance. Part of this risk management process requires a structured internal audit process to measure that the risks being accepted globally, have been undertaken within the businesses set risk framework and tolerance levels. This ensures that accepted risks are charged commensurate premiums. From my experience, the internal audit process in a corporate environment often brings with it a negative perception. That is, the common view is that the process is in place primarily to pedantically highlight instances where individuals have not followed rules and guidelines, and where this is detected, ramifications are brought-down on the respective individual(s). The feeling seems to be that internal audit programs are restrictive in nature and impede an otherwise competent individual with delegated authority, to be able to demonstrate their personal knowledge, experience and to make and own their decisions.
I (and the colleagues I work with) take the totally opposite view. The corporate risk frame-work and tolerance levels are in place to provide guard-rails for individuals. They provide an individual with the scope to freely use their experience and knowledge in their decision making. These mechanisms are in place to provide individual and corporate protection and ensure decisions are centred on underlying evidence-based research and within regulatory guidelines and law.
I see great similarities with today’s verse from Psalm 119. Having true freedom for us as Christians does not mean we do whatever we want. Those not of the Christian faith, will likely take the position and even argue that doing what you want means you have worldly freedom.
But today’s scripture wisely points us in the direction of obedience to God and His word as the absolute pathway to freedom. Following God and His teachings, and trying to emulate Him in the way we live our lives should not be viewed as restrictive. Obedience to Him should not be an enemy, a hindrance or a barrier. It should not hamper us or retard our momentum. In fact, it is the doorway to liberty. It is through this freedom that we are released to walk in the life He intended for us. As Christian’s, our obedience as disciples keeps us on the right path, the pathway to our freedom that we have through Him.
PRAYER: God of liberty. Help me to continue to mature in my faith and my relationship with You, so to fully appreciate Your grace and the gifts that You have given me. Teach and guide me so I am obedient to You, and can progress forward totally unencumbered on the pathway to absolute freedom. Amen
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
TO PONDER
Do the names Bruce Wayne, Peter Parker and Clarke Kent ring a bell for you? Why might you remember them?
Bruce Wayne was the civilian identity for Batman. Clarke Kent was a journalist who would slip off his suit jacket and trousers in a phone booth and be transformed into Superman, and Peter Parker was a very ordinary individual who became Spiderman. All three individuals were superheroes and possessed superpowers. They freed people from danger and saved citizens from evil. Oh, if only they weren’t fictitious!
In today’s text, Paul highlights the relationship between the Lord and the Holy Spirit. The Lord is the Holy Spirit. This underscores the Christian belief in the Trinity where God exists as three persons (God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit). Each separate member of the Trinity is the one person. Each one carries a level of power that surpasses the limits of human belief.
Paul asserts and provides surety to the Corinthians and to us, that the presence of the Holy Spirit brings freedom. Freedom to the church of Corinth of the day from the Old Covenant which was characterised by religious rules and laws of the time. In total contrast to the New Covenant of grace through faith in Christ, where believers are molded and shaped through the Holy Spirit into Christ-like people. We are set free to live in a way that reflects the glory of God, shining His light to those around us.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, (that is, living in our hearts) there is (i.e., we have) freedom.
PRAYER:Lord of all. We do not need fictitious superheroes when we know, love and have You. You, (our Father), sent Your one and only son (Jesus), to win our freedom from the chains of sin and slavery. You remain living with us through the Holy Spirit and mold us into Your likeness. Thank You for the surety and freedom that being your child provides for me. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
TO PONDER
I find it interesting when I talk to people with a pet dog how many of them reveal rather frustratingly, a story about their dog’s bad habit, that can’t seem to be rectified, even after the most dedicated and pin-pointed training.
Chewing furniture or the shoes left at the back door. Digging holes in the back lawn whenever someone is not home. Or deciding that the bed sheets blowing (and drying) in the wind are just too good to refuse and that they deserve to be played with, tackled, dragged, and most often literally ripped off the clothes-line!
No matter how devoted the training, being shown a better way and freed from the old pattern, our four-legged friends think they know better and for any one of a number of reasons (instinct, excitement, simple forgetfulness or even revenge) they revert to the old habit.
If I think honestly about this, we (well at least I), are not much different.
Today’s text highlights this for us and instructs us to ‘stand-firm!’ Being Christ’s disciples does not insulate us from the works of the evil one. Like the pets that we have just discussed, we can, and will continue to be tempted and revert to our sinful ways and bondage to sin. Paul’s message to the Galatian’s is as valid today as it was at the time of his writing to them. We should resist any temptations to drift back or return to the hole that Christ has dragged us from - to freedom.
We are not bound to sin like we once were. Christ has set us free and we need to walk forward in a disciplined manner. Standing firm in every second of every day, for each step we take, and each decision we make.
PRAYER: Awesome God. I know that just because I am Your child, doesn’t mean that I am insulated from the works and temptations of the evil one. I know though, that You are with me, walking by my side as I journey on. Thank You for the freedom You have given me. Help me not to revert back to my old sinful habits, but to stand firm, resist the many worldly temptations that are tactfully laid before me, and live in the freedom that You have provided me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping