For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
TO PONDER
Any building is only as good as its foundation. In my previous career as a middle school maths and science teacher, I have seen many drinking straw structures fail because not enough attention was given to their base or foundation. It didn't even matter if we used something other than flimsy drinking straws, something with more substance and rigidity like a popsicle stick, it was always a wonky foundation at the heart of the problem.
I didn't realise until sitting down to write this devotion that when I thought those lessons as a science teacher, I was also teaching a Bible lesson. Paul is using the exact example I demonstrated with my students to proclaim a profound truth. If we are careful to build only on Jesus, then we are building something that will last. However, the minute we start building off the sure foundation of Jesus, we end up with instability.
We always build on what has come before us. People teach us and model for us what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Some of their examples are good, others might be 'a bit off' and not something that we want to build on, but we don't build alone. WE are co-workers in God's service - all of us together. So let's build carefully and help one another as we build, that way each of us can be confident that we are building on the careful work of those who work with us as workers in God's service.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help me to make you the foundation and cornerstone of my life. Only when I build on you can I be sure that everything will hold together until you come again in glory to make all things new. Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:
TO PONDER
We had a particularly clear night at our house a couple of nights ago. The moon was full and bright, and while the lights of the city washed out many of the stars, there was still something grand about looking up into the night sky that evening. It was one of those nights you can't help but feel small when you consider the size of the universe and our tiny little part of it.
And yet, today's reading from Psalm 8:4-6, reminds us that while we might feel insignificant, we should remember that our God, the creator of the universe, considers us to be his best work. We are not insignificant to him. In fact, you could argue - as many other parts of the Bible do - that all creation, the entirety of the universe, God created for us. A world full of mysteries to explore, wonders to admire, problems to solve, beauty to enjoy.
Take some time today or if you can, every day this week, to notice something about the world around you and remember that whatever you notice - no matter how small or insignificant it might seem to you - that God notices you too.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you cared enough for me, and for all humanity, that you did not leave us to suffer in the mess we made of your creation. Istead you came down into our mess and made a way for us to get cleaned up through your son Jesus. Help me to remember that I am not insignificant to you. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
TO PONDER
A steward is a person responsible for another’s resources. We don’t have the right or the power to give grace to anyone, but we are to share the grace that God freely gives us.
We also have not earned our gift, this is also given to us by God and the Spirit empowers us to use it to the full. We are also not to hide our gift away under a bowl, put it on display on the lamp stand so everyone can benefit from it. Because we all need to help each other.
We are also ambassadors of God and as Jesus has given us the awesome power of the Holy Spirit, we are to represent Him with our words and serving of others. In doing this, our neighbours will get to see the love of Jesus.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for allowing me to be your ambassador. Help me to use my gift to point towards you.
Today's devotion written by Josh Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Westside.
If it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
TO PONDER
Through our faith, the Spirit gives each one of us a special gift to be used in and for the church. As part of the greater body of Christ, we all belong to each other, and are to be in service to one another.
We are called to serve not for our own glory or benefit, as no member should think of themselves greater than any other member. If we all give genuine love and prioritise someone else before ourselves, we collectively raise up and glorify the Body of Christ.
Cling to what is good. Reading this gave me the image of a baby monkey holding onto it’s mother back. The little creature holds on for dear life to their provider of food, protection and love. We must cling to our own provider and share in all the good things that God gives us.
PRAYER: Thank you, Spirit, for the gifts you have given me. Help me use them to love and lift my brothers and sisters for the glory of the church.
Today's devotion written by Josh Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Westside
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
TO PONDER
The definition of equip is: to supply with the necessary items for a particular purpose.
In the job that you work in, you need the right objects to successfully complete certain tasks. In an office you would need a computer, the internet, a printer, stationery, etc. A tradie building a pergola would need a circular saw, drills, drop saw, hammer drill, charged batteries and many other countless items. If you don’t have what you need you cannot complete the project!
This is like the body of Christ, which is the church. Not the building we go to on a Sunday, but a group of people. Jesus has given His church all the tools required for it to grow and be nurtured.
God made each one of us unique and blessed us the tools to carry out His grand project. With our daily works of service, we can lift each other up in harmony to spread the Good News.
PRAYER:Thank you, Jesus, for the tools and abilities you have given me. Help me use them to the full for your glory.
Today's devotion written by Josh Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Westside.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
TO PONDER
We all have stories of our own, or know of others who have made some poor decisions after too much alcohol. Alcohol itself is not a bad thing, but if you let it consume you by having too much, you will make foolish decisions.
We have a choice on what to fill our bodies with. This could be the short-term vices and pleasures of our physical world, where wickedness and evil are not hard to reach. A dedication and worship of such things is the pathway of sin.
We form a connection with God when we are filled with the Spirit. Dedicating our being to God’s wise plans and purpose. When we are ‘under the influence’ of the Spirit, our lives are transformed as we overflow with praise and thanks and love for God and for others.
PRAYER: Lord, fill me up with the good Spirit that only you can provide.
Today's devotion written by Josh Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Westside
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
TO PONDER
Jesus is moments away from ascending to heaven, with His final words on the earth, he leaves his lasting instructions to the disciples.
To be a witness in this era was dangerous! Jesus was telling them to stick their neck out, to step out of their local area and talk to people. They would be risking their lives in some places they would go. How would they have the courage to do this? Only with the power of the Holy Spirit.
He uses ordinary people supercharged with the extraordinary Holy Spirit to continue the mission to spread the Good News, further than one man could do.
We are also called to spread the news to our state and country and the whole world. It’s a daunting task, so how about we start with our street, or our neighbour instead? Thankfully our lives won’t be at risk in this country. The Holy Spirit is always there to help us.
PRAYER:Dear Jesus, thank you for sending the Helper, power us up to carry out God’s plan.
Today's devotion written by Josh Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Westside
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
TO PONDER
God likes to use fire to make His presence known. Think back to Moses standing on holy ground in front of the burning bush, and the Exodus for the towering pillar of fire to lead and to guard the Israelites. Again, God uses fire to signal the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
Humans understand what wind and fire are, so God uses them to bring our attention to something special.
Through the Holy Spirit, the disciples were able to speak in all the different languages of the region, to tell of the amazing news of Jesus, and ignited the early church to rapidly spread.
God has plans for many great things for us, so we must be completely filled and charged up by the Holy Spirit, leaving no room for anything else. When we put our faith in God to do this, the Helper will enable us to do unimaginable things!
PRAYER:Holy Spirit; help me! Open my eyes to your presence. Fill me up and enable me to do amazing things.
Today's devotion written by Josh Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Westside
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
TO PONDER
Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday; the day often called 'the birthday of the Christian church'. There are lots of reasons why people have referred to it this way throughout history but I think the most common and the most significant is that it is the day that the promised 'Holy Spirit', the helper or advocate that Jesus had promised he would send to the disciples arrives and it is really the first public proclamation of the death and resurrection of Jesus, beyond the group of his close followers, which also linked Jesus death and resurrection with forgiveness of sin for all who believe that Jesus is the Christ. I'm sure we'll hear more about that next week.
So today, let me just say this...the facts themselves are not enough. Just saying Jesus died and was raised to life doesn't bring joy. However, when we can articulate why he died and rose, as the disciples were able to do on that first day of Pentecost, it is a very different story.
Jesus died, so we could be forgiven. He was raised again to life so we could have joy and peace and that we might overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit. - The facts themselves are not enough. Even the explanation itself is not enough. It is only as we encounter the person of Jesus, the son of God, the word made flesh, by the power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit that the joy of that news hits us as it should and the hope that is within us begins to overflow and impact others.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Please help me to see and hear where the Holy Spirit moves and is at work in my life. Please help me to see and to hear where he leads and how I should follow. Help me to trust more in you as you lead and guide me to the places and the people you have prepared in advance for me to encounter in your name. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.