In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
TO PONDER:
Have you ever been lost for words? I have to admit, it’s not a problem I had ever really struggled with until recently. I have increasingly found, however, that the words I need are difficult to find. Thankfully, this doesn’t present itself when I am needing to get across a serious point, but rather when I am telling my children where to find something, or recalling the name of someone. The words are gone from my brain. It can be extremely frustrating!!
In our walk with Jesus it can sometimes be the same. Being acutely aware of my failings and my sinful nature and yet, unable to find the words to pray or sometimes even put into words how I am feeling about my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I want to share my life with Him, and yet sometimes I struggle to talk to him. How precious is it that God has provided us with our helper, Holy Spirit, to speak on our behalf and to do with even with wordless groans. Our God desires deep relationship with us, and have given us himself to help us to cultivate it. So, let’s not let lack of words keep us from spending time with Him, but instead ask Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf and trust that our hearts cry will be expressed perfectly.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you that you desire deep relationship with me. What an awesome privilege it is to be called you child! Help me to deepen my desire for relationship with you also. In those times when I find it hard to know how to express my heart and prayers, thank you Holy Spirit for interceding for me in perfect wordless groans, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
TO PONDER:
Freedom is a funny thing. Most of the time we don’t really even think about it, however as soon as it is taken away or even restricted we are acutely aware that we are in a very uncomfortable situation. Once we are aware of the limits that have been placed on us we can choose to succumb to the situation and accept it, or we can choose to fight against it to once again earn our freedom. Have you ever considered the fact that you are a captive? Each of us is a captive to sin, it restricts us from the life intended for us by our Creator and Father God. It is also a freedom we cannot work our way towards. We are helpless! However, as Jesus says in today’s verse; the Son sets us free! We don’t need to resign ourselves to our sinful capture. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has bought us back, we are free! Knowing that we were captive, but now we are free should change the way we live our day to day lives. It is not just a gift for a future time, we have been given a full life now! So, let’s live in our freedom, for we are free indeed!
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that you could not leave me in my captivity to sin. Instead you came to earth and lived a life like mine. Even more than that, you paid my ransom and set me free from the burden of my sin. Help me to remember this truth each day and to live my new, free full life for your glory, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
TO PONDER
Have you ever been tired, I mean really tired. So tired you can’t keep your eyes open and you’re not sure if you could even make the short walk to your couch or bed. I am sure most of us have felt like this at least once in our lives. Maybe we have had a particularly busy week with work and family and other commitments, and come Friday evening you are exhausted, or perhaps you have completed a ‘good’ workout or other physical exercise and every muscle in your body aches. You are tired, exhausted and weary and you want a rest. Perhaps you can’t relate to this form of exhaustion, but you have felt the weight and burden of the world and all its struggles and pulls. It feels like each day you are going through life with weights strapped to your legs, making each movement an effort. We can bring these feelings to Jesus. He understands what it means to feel burdened. As he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing the road set before him, he explained His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. He understands your burden, but more than this, He promises to take it upon himself and replace it with his good, perfect and complete rest. So, if you are burdened today with the weight of your life, bring it to Jesus and receive rest.
PRAYER: Jesus, as you prepared to go to the cross, you felt the full weight of the task set before you. As I walk into this day I also feel burdened and overwhelmed. Help me to stop striving, to stop ploughing through in my own strength, and instead to turn to you,and receive your perfect rest, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
TO PONDER: I have never been 4-Wheel driving, but I have seen videos. It always makes my heart go into my throat when I see the track, often very steep and rocky, with water at the bottom. Or perhaps it is a river that is flowing, the depth of which is anybody’s guess. I don’t know how the drivers have the nerve to move the car forward so it tips over the edge, or it slowly drives into the unknown water. I guess it is because they have experienced or been told that it will be okay. Our faith walk can be like that too. We have times where we experience the unknown, the scary and rocky. Without being confident about the road ahead, we stay still, stuck to the spot. However Isaiah reminds us that we don’t need to fear, we don’t travel this life alone! We have Jesus with us as we pass through the water and walk through the fire and He promises that we won’t be burned or swept away. So, if you are feeling stuck in an area of your life, ask Jesus to help you have the courage to take the first step forward, and the faith to know that you don’t do that on your own.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank you that as I walk through this life, with its excitement and also its struggles, I don’t do that on my own. When I feel stuck, help me to turn to you. Give me the courage to move forward into the life you have for me, and the faith and trust that you are with me through it all, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
TO PONDER
Anyone who has spent any time around babies or young children will know that patience is not something that we are born with. When babies feel they are lacking something, they need it right away. They will also let you know they need it, and not stop until they get it! While this can become overwhelming for new parents, there is a huge amount of trust and faith involved in this too. Babies need, and they trust that the adults around them will meet their need. In many ways this is like our relationship with Jesus. We have so much need, not only our salvation, but also our daily needs too. We can seek to meet the needs ourselves, or we can seek them from the Lord and trust that He hears us and meets our need, even if it’s not in the way we might expect. Unlike new parents though, Jesus never tires of us calling out to Him. If things are taking longer than we would like or expect, it’s not because he is weary of us. There may be bigger lessons we need to learn, or our answer may not be what we were hoping for. So continue to cry out to Jesus, He hears you, and also wait patiently for His perfect and complete provision and direction.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that you never tire of my crying out to you. Help me to trust that you are there and give me the patience to wait for your help and healing. When your answer comes in a form I was not expecting, help me to be thankful and to see your bigger picture for my life, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”
At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath
TO PONDER
We have had a few occasions as a family where mobility has been an issue. Most recently, our son broke his leg and was in a full cast and wheelchair for a number of months. As you can imagine, expecting a seven year old boy to simply be immobile for that long was not really an option. Creative solutions were needed to make sure that he could still get to school safely, spend time with his friends at break time and also attend his sporting activities, even if it meant more observation than participation for a time. He didn’t want his limitations to stop him from being involved in life, so we found ways to help him.
This is true of us in our faith lives also. We all have limitations, however Jesus doesn’t want those to stop us from getting involved in our lives and the work He is calling us to. He didn’t want the limitation of our sin to stop us being in relationship with the Father, so he took care of that on the cross, and he didn’t want us to be lacking when we are called into His work, so He left us His Holy Spirit. Jesus is inviting each of us to get up and walk, let’s be ready when he does, knowing that if He calls us to it, he also gives us what we need to get it done!
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for your gift of healing and your invitation to join you in your work here on earth. Help me to now focus on my lack or limitations, but to instead focus on your power and Holy Spirit at work within me. Thank you that I never walk alone, you go before me as a guide, beside me as a friend and behind me as an encourager, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
To Ponder:
After the manger and the miracles, after the cross and the resurrection, after everything—this is the promises, Jesus spoke: "I am with you always."
Where is Jesus after Christmas? The answer is stunning: He is with you!. Right now. Today. Tomorrow. In every season, every circumstance, every moment until the end of the age.
After Christmas, we pack away the decorations and the nativity scenes—and without meaning to, we might kind of “pack away” Jesus too, as if he only shows up for the Christmas season. But that’s never what Christmas was about. It wasn’t a quick visit from God—it was the start of him being with us for good. Emmanuel means “God with us,” and that name doesn’t run out on December 26. Jesus doesn’t say, “I was with you at Christmas,” or “I’ll be with you when life gets tough.” He says, “I am with you always.” That means all the time—on your best days and your hardest ones, when you feel close to him and when you don’t, when your faith feels strong and when it’s hanging by a thread. He’s there. Once the holidays are over, we go back to work, to chores, to everyday life. And it can feel like the “holy” part is over too. But it’s not. Jesus’ promise breaks through that lie. There’s never a moment or place where he’s not present. The same Jesus who came at Christmas still walks with you today.
So, the question isn’t “Where is Jesus after Christmas?” He’s already answered that—he’s with you, always. The real question is, will you notice him?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise that echoes across the centuries into this very moment: "I am with you always." Forgive us for living as though you were absent, as though your presence were something we only experience in special moments or sacred spaces. Open our eyes to see you in the everyday—in our morning routines, our work, our relationships, our struggles, our joys. Help us to practice your presence, to cultivate awareness of the truth that you are here, now, always. May the wonder of Christmas—Emmanuel, God with us—become the wonder of every single day. We are not alone. You are with us. Let that truth transform how we live. In your name we pray, Amen.
Today's Devotion written by Pr Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping
"Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?' They said, 'Rabbi' (which means 'Teacher'), 'where are you staying?' 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.' So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him."
To Ponder:
The two disciples in today’s reading ask Jesus the question we should all be asking: "Where are you staying?" When they asked this they wanted to know more than his address—they wanted to know where they could find him, where he'll be, how they could spend time with him.
Jesus' answer is beautiful in its simplicity: "Come and see." He didn’t give them directions or draw a map. He offered an invitation. And notice what happens—they spent that day with him. Not just a quick visit. Not just a moment of inspiration. They invested time in his presence.
Where is Jesus after Christmas? He's extending the same invitation he gave those first disciples: "Come and see." He's not hiding. He's not distant. He's inviting us into relationship, into his presence, into the ordinary rhythm of spending time with him.
We often treat Jesus like a holiday guest—wonderful to celebrate with during special occasions, but not someone we make daily space for. But Jesus isn't looking for occasional admirers. He's looking for people who will ask, "Where are you staying?" and then actually go there. People who will rearrange their schedules, adjust their priorities, and spend time with him.
The Christmas story brought Jesus near. Now the question is whether we'll accept his ongoing invitation. "Come and see" isn't just for that day two thousand years ago. It's his invitation to us today, tomorrow, and every day after Christmas. He's staying. Are we coming?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we ask you the same question those early disciples asked: Where are you staying? We don't want to just celebrate you once a year and then lose track of you in the busyness of life. We want to know where to find you, how to stay with you, how to spend our days in your presence. Thank you for your gracious invitation: "Come and see." Give us the wisdom to accept it—not just once, but daily. Help us to prioritize time with you above all the demands that compete for our attention. May we be people who don't just ask where you are, but who come, see, and stay. Draw us close, Lord, and teach us what it means to stay with you. In your name, Amen.
Today's Devotion written by Pr Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping
"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:
I liked reading this after Christmas. Why? Because the Christmas baby is now a man with a mission. Mark's Gospel does not tell the birth story but shows us where Jesus is after those quiet years in Nazareth: he's in Galilee, preaching, announcing that everything has changed. The waiting is over. The kingdom of God has arrived.
Where is Jesus after Christmas? He's not lingering at the manger. He's on the move, proclaiming good news. He's calling people to a radically different way of living. He's announcing that God's reign has broken into human history, and nothing will ever be the same.
Notice the urgency in his words: "The time has come." This isn't a gentle suggestion or a philosophical discussion. This is a declaration that demands response. The King who was born in Bethlehem is now claiming his kingdom—not with armies and force, but with an invitation: "Repent and believe."
After Christmas, it's easy to let Jesus remain a sweet memory—a baby in a manger. But Mark jolts us awake. Jesus didn't stay in the stable. He grew up and got to work. He's out there right now, still proclaiming the same message: the kingdom is here, turn around, believe the good news, follow me.
The question isn't where Jesus is after Christmas. He's actively building his kingdom, calling people to himself, transforming lives. The real question is: Are we still sitting by an empty manger, or have we heard his call and started following him into the world he came to save?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive us when we try to keep you contained in the Christmas story—a baby we can admire from a distance. You didn't come to stay in a manger but to proclaim your kingdom and call us to follow. Wake us up to the urgency of your message. Help us to truly repent—to turn from our own agendas and embrace yours. Give us faith to believe the good news, not just intellectually, but with our whole lives. May we hear your voice calling us forward and have the courage to follow wherever you lead. The time has come, Lord—help us to live like we believe it. In your powerful name, Amen.
Today’s Devotion written by Pr Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping