Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
TO PONDER
I have heard numerous pastors and theologians over the years admonish myself, and others, for referring to Jesus as an example for us to follow. Their concern is that if Jesus becomes an example, then we lose sight of his divinity and the significance of his death and resurrection as an atoning sacrifice for all humanity. Keep that in mind while I talk about Jesus being an example for us to follow.
While those pastors and theologians might have a valid concern, I don't think we can ignore the fact that Jesus tells us to follow him. Not only that, but he goes so far as to say, "take up your cross and follow me" - literally telling us to do what he is about to do. And he basically says the same thing in today's devotion verse. "As the Father sent me, I am sending you." Jesus is not just saying I was sent, now you are sent; he's saying, I'm now sending you in the same manner in which I was sent by the father. I am sending you to serve, not to be served. I am sending you to give your lives as a ransom for many. I and sending you to show my love to the world and tell them all the things I have done to make them my own.
If we are truely Jesus' apprentices, then we have to learn by watching what he does, how he lives and how he loves. Like any other apprentice we learn from our masters who model and demonstrate to us the right way to to the work we have been given to do.
Don't be afraid to make Jesus your role model or example - just also remember that he is also your saviour, redeemer and friend.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that I can look to you for guidance and inspiration as I try to follow you in my life. Help me each day to faithfully take up my cross and follow you wherever you lead me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
TO PONDER
What makes someone 'qualified' to teach? These days, you would need a four year bachelor degree in Education, or an equivalent in some kind of specialist field plus a diploma of education in order to be considered qualified to teach in a school but what about outside of a school? What makes you qualified to teach in an informal setting?
The answer is quite simple - you are qualified to teach if you know something that someone else doesn't. I might have mentioned that I have recently taken up guitar building classes. My 'teacher' is actually just a long term student of the luthier (guitar maker) of the guy who owns and operates the school. He doesn't hold some kind of fancy degree or formally recognised qualification, he just knows more about building guitars than I do and so he is able to teach me.
Same is true for Christians. You don't have to be a pastor with a 5 (or 7) year tertiary theology degree behind you in order to be qualified to teach people about Jesus. You just have to know something more than the other person does. The good news (or not so good news) is, if you know Jesus, then you know more than 2 out of every three adult Australians. This means you have something to teach people - you are qualified. You may not have all the answers, but simply sharing what you do know might begin the journey for someone to their own discovery of who Jesus really is. You have heard it from reliable teachers, people entrusted with the task to pass the faith on accurately - now that you have been taught, you are also qualified to teach.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you taught your disciples many things about life, humanity, and God the Father's love for his people. Things that have been taught and passed down from generation to generation right down to me. Please help me to have the confidence to share what I know of you and to trust that what I don't know, I will learn as I take up the task of teaching others all that you have shown me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
TO PONDER
I want to offer you three things to think about from the reading today...
- God's co-workers receive a reward - we are given God's grace and forgiveness. This is what God dives us freely when we become part of his 'crew'. We should not expect more or less than this. Anyone who claims that someone who is doing the work of God should expect material blessing or prosperity is adding to what God has promised. We absolutely can be confident of his grace and mercy, and his provision of our daily needs. But many of us think we need much more than we actually do, and we can get bent out of shape if we think we deserve more from God than what he has already given us in Jesus. God's grace and mercy is already so much more than we deserve.
- . Paul is implying that God's gift of grace has a purpose and that we should not receive it in vain. Yes God's grace to you in Jesus saves your from your sin but it also saves you for a purpose! What purpose has God given you his grace for? Maybe spend some time thinking about that today.
- God has given you his grace and forgiveness not just as an insurance policy against death in the future, but as something to be utilised and relied upon for today, right now. We are not supposed to sit on our hands and wait for the day of God's favour and salvation - we are supposed to live in it right here and now. How will you do that today?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you invite me to live today in your grace and favour. Thank you that your mercy and grace are not a far distant promise but a daily reality which allows me to live and experience this life in relationship with you. Help me not to receive your grace in vain, but to live fully in it each day so that others may also be drawn into your mercy and grace. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
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