“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
TO PONDER
Following on from yesterdays thoughts, I definitely don’t live in that powerful, Holy Spirit blessed place of charisma, power, authority as a daily existence. I’m no Peter, that’s for sure. However, the presence of the Spirit is always there, deep in my heart, and I live with an awareness that I am to share that with whomever Jesus places in my path, that needs to hear it, see it in action, or benefit from it. So knowing that nothing can separate me from the love of God imparts responsibility to share that love, ability to do so with God’s strength, courage to create larger comfort zones, integrity to step out in faith, wisdom to recognise the nudge of the Holy Spirit, and reassurance that I am not alone, ever. There are no excuses.
PRAYER
Jesus, I am yours, and you are mine, and your banner over me is love. I am captivated by your love and bound to you eternally. For this I give thanks and praise. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
“…then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”
TO PONDER
Backstory - It’s the Jewish Hag Shavuot (Pentecost) celebrations, 50 days after Passover, when all Jewish men go to Jerusalem with offerings and celebrations for the grain harvest, and to recall God giving the Torah (10 Commandments) at Mt Sinai. So Jerusalem is pretty packed out.
Now, God revisits this celebration with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and a wild unleashing of power and authority manifests in glory to Jews from all over the country! (Talk about free advertising!) Tongues, healings, conversions sweep the city, and Peter declares to all that it is by the power of Jesus that this is happening. God creates here an added dimension to this festival, the Holy Spirit given freely for each person. An offering for his people, who have come to offer him thanks on this pilgrim festival.
Do we live, really live, in that wildness of the Holy Spirit within us? Do our mouths itch to share his grace with others when the opportunity arises? Do our hands burn to lay hands on others with prayers of healing for body, mind, spirit and soul? Is the Holy Spirit our dearest friend who whispers his love into our hearts and gives us courage and perseverance?
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, set my heart on fire, burn off the dross, may I see your goodness and power this week, May I be a willing participant in your tasks this week, no matter how small or large. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.
“Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his town.”
TO PONDER
Jesus and the disciples cross the lake, a storm comes up that threatens their lives, so they wake the sleeping Jesus and he commands the storm and restores calm seas. Sweet! Then on land, he encounters the demons, commands them to enter a large herd of pigs, who then rush into the lake and drown. Not so visually sweet! Then… he gets back in the boat (probably with the gobsmacked disciples) and crosses back over the lake to his own town.
Jesus has expressed his authority twice – over the storm, and the demons. He now confirms and puts his stamp on that authority by calmly crossing over the risky lake waters again and also where the demonised pigs have been sent (culturally, the dead and demons reside in deep waters). Is he cool or what!
Am I cool with Jesus and his authority? Do I live gobsmacked but never the less willing to be in the boat with Jesus? Do I use his authority to calm the storm of life? Do I use his authority to pray into spiritual attacks and learn to recognise them in myself and others when they come?
PRAYER
Jesus, I don’t want a gentle Jesus, meek and mild, I want a wild Jesus of authority and power. Help me not to confine you to the manger this week. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra
‘Then Jesus came to them and said "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."’
TO PONDER
This is the opening line to what is called “the Great Commission” - to go and make disciples, baptising, and teaching, knowing that Jesus is with us always.
Jesus doesn’t beat around the bush here, he begins with a James-Bond-worthy opening teaser! He has the authority! And then he sets the tone for the commission with a “therefore”. He declares he is the foundation stone for ministry, and all the disciplining, baptising and teaching we do is under his banner. He has proven this authority by his resurrection, he claims his authority, and shares this authority with them and us now through his Holy Spirit.
So how is our “therefore” going? Do we disciple each other well, walking with each other in encouragement and hope? Do we baptise, not just the baptismal ritual, but do we baptise ourselves into Jesus every day, releasing the old, taking up and being the renewed person? Do we teach each other to listen to Jesus, apply his word to our life, share his prophetic word to another? Do we forgive and accept forgiveness graciously? Do we take on the tasks he points us to?
PRAYER
Jesus, as I live in and under your authority this week, surprise me with unexpected blessings and opportunities to experience your authority in my live. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.
“But say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
TO PONDER
A Roman army officer has treated the Jews under his control kindly, justly, even generously. So much so that the Jewish elders plead his case before Jesus to heal his dying servant. The Roman officer has been influenced by the faith life of these people and pays attention to their trust in this Jesus, the travelling healer. But he feels unworthy to have Jesus in his home.
So what is going on here between these two men of power? Does the Roman see some authority in Jesus that displaces his own authority? Does he see something greater than Roman power and dominance here? He humbly steps aside to create room for Jesus to do his work. He exhibits trust and faith that astonishes even Jesus.
How is my trust and faith in Jesus? Do I allow the leadership and authority of Jesus to displace my own? Do I set aside my plans to create room for Jesus to do his work in my heart, life, community? Do I allow him to “say the word” and bring healing balm into my life, and the lives of others?
PRAYER
Jesus, forgive my stubbornness, grant me a humble and trusting heart that steps aside to allow you to be active in not just my life, but in the lives of others through me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
TO PONDER
I know as a mother it’s easy to be concerned about my children if they are about do something a little risky or unknown. A prayer of protection and guidance as they left the house made me feel more content that they would have God's ongoing protection.
In this verse for today, Jesus prays for the disciples, for their protection and that their future ministry would be effective. He not only prayed for the disciple’s but for you and me now, and for all believers in the future. It is through the word of Jesus disciples that we have come to know and believe today.
How is Jesus' prayer for unity working its way out in your life today?
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending your son, Jesus, for giving us your word of life through men that you chose as your disciples. Unite us in your will, your love, and your truth Lord, so that through us the world will see that you are a living and loving God. Amen
Today's devotion written by Josi Weiss, LifeWay Office Coordinator
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
TO PONDER
When have you had an opportunity to do good for someone else – to show them the love of Jesus? Did it come about unexpectedly?
Recently I was working from home and heard a strange noise outside. I didn’t think much of it at first, but the longer it went on, the more curious I became to know what it was. From one of our upstairs windows, we are able to see partially into our neighbour’s yard. When I looked out, I could see our elderly neighbour lying on the concrete. I realised that the noise was him yelling for help while his dog barked by his side.
We hadn’t met before, but I immediately felt called to go and help him. I said to God ‘Please help me help him. Please let him be ok’ and I rushed over there. It was a hot day and he had fallen while gardening and wasn’t able to get up. He thought he had had a heart attack. Thankfully an ambulance was able to get there quite quickly, and he was ok. ‘I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t heard me’ he kept saying.
I was so thankful to God that I was able to be in the right place at the right time to help this man. I later found out that my neighbour and his wife are also Christians! Which was a beautiful reminder that God really does take care of his flock.
PRAYER
Dear God, Thank you for giving me opportunities to do good for other people. Help me to notice when they come about, and act eagerly so that I can be the light of Jesus for someone else. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elysia McEwen, LifeWay Graphic Design and Communications
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
TO PONDER
Have you ever been away from your home church on a Sunday and decided to visit another church? It is a beautiful thing that it doesn’t matter where we are from, Christ unites us. We can visit a church community far away from home and still feel a part of it because we are from the one family.
Maybe it wasn’t a church you went to, but a person you met where you experienced this sense of community. I have met strangers before, where as soon as we have discovered we are both Christians, there is an instant sense of connection. This connection goes much deeper than simply sharing the same interests or coming from the same backgrounds in life. As Christians we all share citizenship in God’s kingdom. We are his chosen people, a holy nation (see 1 Peter 2:9).
Later in this passage, Paul tells us that together we are the body of Christ and each of us has a special purpose and part to play in it. (v27) Whatever our gifts are, they were designed by God, just for us! And using them is one way to let Jesus’ light shine through us into this dark world.
What gifts have you been given by God, and how will you use them today?
PRAYER
Dear Lord, Thank you for my family of fellow Christians that stretches far and wide, and for connecting us so deeply regardless of where we come from. Help me to use my gifts to build up the body of Christ and shine Jesus’ light into this dark world. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elysia McEwen, LifeWay Graphic Design and Communications
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
TO PONDER
Debt. It’s a word that most of us adults are all too familiar with! From bills, to taxes, to paying the mortgage to owing someone a favour - debts are all around us! No sooner do we pay one off than we gain another one. My husband and I are in the process of buying our first house, which is the largest and scariest debt we have ever taken on!
Most of us are aware of the things we owe, and strive to pay them off. But have you ever added ‘loving others’ to your list of debts? I find this such an interesting concept. That our obligation to love is actually viewed by God as a debt that we owe. On top of that, it is a debt that will always be outstanding. When we begin to count up how much God has done for us, forgiving all of our sin, the assurance of eternal life in heaven, plus all the countless things in between, it is easy to realise why our debt of love to one another can never fully be repaid. But it is one that we will benefit from as we pay each instalment day by day.
Paul says here ‘whoever loves others has fulfilled the law’, and in verse 9 and 10: ‘The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.’
When you think about it, all of those commandments would be automatically fulfilled if we were truly approaching each situation we face with an attitude of love to those around us. That’s why love is the fulfilment of the law, and Jesus’ greatest commandment. So how will you pay the next instalment on your debt of love today?
PRAYER
Dear Lord, Thank you for the countless things you have given me, and especially Jesus, who paid the ultimate debt when he died on the cross for my sins. I owe it all to you God. Give me the courage to pay instalments of love to those around me with open arms each and every day. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elysia McEwen, LifeWay Graphic Design and Communication