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
Todays scripture is a very comforting one for us. How would you try and sum it up in one sentence?
I'd say - "nothing at all, neither in this world or the world to come, can separate us from the love of God."
What certainty this provides us.
In many ways, this is a very cosy and insulating scripture. Like a foetus in its mother's womb, totally loved and protected against just about everything. Did you know that psychologically, this is why a human being will often curl up in a foetal position during a time of fear or uncertainty? This position provides the psychological perception of ultimate love and protection.
But just like a developing baby in its mother's womb, there is no purpose or anything gained from the baby remaining there indefinitely. It is born into the world to live life. Just like God sent His son to be born into our sinful world, be crucified, and raised to life on Easter Sunday so we can also have real life with Him forever. So as Jesus' disciples, we too also need to be bold in our Christian faith and step out with the certainty we have been given to live life and show the world our identity and assist in the mission work here on earth to grow God's Kingdom.
How might you be able to step out today with certainty and show your identity in our risen Christ to someone?
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father. I know that I belong to you and that your love for me and all believers will not be separated by anything. As your child, help me to bring this good-news to others as I step out into the world daily, into the mission-field that awaits me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping.
y sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
TO PONDER
Sheep are often described as stupid animals. They don't think or weigh up the situation but blindly follow the sheep that is next to them. Hence a sheep farmer will always tell you the importance of a good sheep dog to keep the flock together as they splinter off in different directions blindly following the sheep next to them!
We Christian's are often like sheep splintering off and straying from the right path, bowing to cultural, community and peer pressures by following the worldly sinful norm!
A shepherd's livelihood in biblical days was centred on protecting and caring for his sheep.
Our Heavenly Saviour and Shepherd Jesus Christ took our protection and care to the ultimate point of dying for us on the cross to pay the price of our sins and through His Easter Sunday resurrection, provide us with the promise of eternal life with Him in Heaven having defeated sin once and for all.
As Christian's, we belong to His flock and have absolute certainty of His promise if we listen to Him and follow Him. He will give us eternal life meaning we will never perish. No one will snatch us from our Shepherds caring hand!
With this certainty, we can live bold Christian lives for all the world to see.
What reservations do you have in living out a bold Christian life? Why? (Remember, Christ has done everything for you and provides absolute certainty).
PRAYER: Our loving Shepherd. Your sacrificial actions of love for me means I am one of your very own flock. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so I am bold with my Christianity and stirred to show the world my identity through You. Amen
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping.
This is how we know what love is; Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
TO PONDER
The Message Bible puts it this way, ‘this is how we come to understand and experience love; Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, not just be out for ourselves.” These verses are explaining and showing what love to the point of death might look like, not just the extreme moments of sacrifice, but in the give and take of the everyday loving life. We are blessed with possessions, which are gifts from God, and we are asked to share these with our fellow brothers and sisters when we see that they are in need or are suffering from lack of everyday provisions. Some of our possessions may have become, for various reasons, quite precious but still need to be cheerfully sacrificed to help another in need.
By faith we are linked into Christ and linked believer to believer by love, these connections keep us aware of what is needed and help us to willingly give what is required. We serve Christ as we serve one another and fulfill his command to love one another.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have shown us, by your death and resurrection the ultimate sacrifice, may we also be willing to make sacrifices for our fellow believers, when we see them suffering and in need. Help us make and keep strong connections between one another that we can reflect your love for us by our actions. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
But I tell you who hear me; love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you
TO PONDER
Mark Twain, the author, was once asked, “Don’t you have a problem, as a Christian, with all those bits of the Bible you do not understand?” He replied, “It’s not the bits I don’t understand that cause me problems. It’s the bits I do understand that give me problems.” I agree, as I consider the text for today, it is hard to read and even harder to begin to act as Jesus did and also asks us to.
I am fortunate that I have only experienced situations where misunderstandings created tension; where the parties involved soon saw the damage being done and worked at forgiveness and restoring friendships. However, that doesn't always happen. Many people suffer physical abuse, racial abuse, and verbal abuse designed to destroy their name or reputation, it is evident in our own communities and sadly, also in our churches.
Human nature wants revenge and pay back. However, Luke tells us there is a better way. Jesus showed us the ultimate way – as he suffered on the cross he asked his Father God to "forgive them as they did not know what they were doing.” Throughout Jesus’ ministry he faced opposition and in his last days endured much abuse and cruelty, but he didn’t fight back. Even though he was suffering for our sins, he endured our abuse and evil and he prayed for us and obeyed his Father. That’s where our journey in dealing with people who abuse, hurt and mistreat us begins -with prayer. We need help to overcome our natural emotions of resentment and anger and mirror God’s own mercy and love for all people, even those who are ungrateful or evil. God’s Holy Spirit will give us words and cues as we begin the journey. We are not asked to like the offender but to act in love so that even his attitude might be changed.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, during your life and ministry on this earth you set an example how to love all people. During your trial and crucifixion, you showed how to deal with extreme hate and cruelty by depending on God and Holy Spirit to give you strength. I pray that I you might deliver me from evil, but when I do have to face it, ask that you would help me to face it with your love. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
TO PONDER
When I began nursing, eons ago, we had to abide by very strict rules. There was always someone to ensure they were adhered to. From our workplace to the dining hall, attending lectures [on our days off!!], even the nurse’s home didn’t escape. There were curfews and spot checks on our rooms. Free time, if we weren’t too tired, was cherished and spent walking beside the river and the nearby gardens, or if funds allowed, walking to the shops to enjoy one of the great drinks migrants had introduced -cappuccino! So entrenched were these rules that we were quite sure that there was someone watching us and who would report back that we were always on our best behaviour and correct anyone who wasn’t – so precious were those few moment of freedom.
In today’s text, Paul is speaking to the Galatians who were struggling under the complex Jewish laws. He told them that Jesus had freed them from those laws; only one remained -to love your neighbor. He warns them to cherish this freedom and not give in to their sinful nature, rather, use this freedom to serve God and one another in love. The Holy Spirit and faith would help them to do this; and, at the end of this chapter we can read what the fruits of the Spirit are that to help us in a life of service.
At great cost, Jesus has won us freedom from sin, death, and the devil, so that we can, with renewed faith and strength, serve God and our community with loving care. The evil one is not pleased with this situation and will try his hardest to entice us to abuse our freedom and slip back into bad habits. Part of our loving needs to be watching out for and encouraging each other to live and cherish the freedom Jesus has won for us.
Prayer: God of love and forgiveness, you sent Jesus to teach us how to live and serve you and others with love and to have freedom from old laws. Through his death you have given us freedom from sin and death, and granted us eternal life. Give me the strength to encourage others, so that together, we are not tempted to abuse that freedom and slip back into bad habits and unloving ways. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
TO PONDER
These are often referred to as the wedding verses, but the situation at the church in Corinth, whom Paul was addressing with these verses, was very different from the one where two happy people are cementing their love, making their vows before the altar and a peaceful congregation. The church at Corinth was made up of Jews who had held positions in the synagogue, Greeks who were proud of their heritage and culture, slaves [it was said there were 4000 slaves in Corinth] and passing traders. The congregation was divisive and did not have love at it’s centre; it was conflict-ridden. Paul does not romanticize love; he says it is something we have to work at, and he goes on to explain what love does and what love does not do. He was asking the Corinthians to create an accepting attitude: one of love, faith and hope – the three things renewed in us following Jesus’ resurrection.
In our everyday life, we can experience difference and division in our families, our workplaces, our communities, and sadly, in our churches. Paul was saying to the Corinthians that to show love was to begin to understand each other, to accept that differences can heal divisions, which will lead to acceptance and a healthy, growing church that non- Christians will take notice of. Today’s world has many challenges, including a lack of understanding and tolerating differences and regular segregation and exclusion. May we follow Paul’s exhortation to put Love first and shine it into the divisive and difficult situations we may face.
Prayer:Father God, you loved us first, and we just need to look at the risen Jesus’ nail-scarred hands and feet and the wound in his side to really know what love is. Please help me to always work at loving others, whether they are in my family, workplace, community, or church. Help me to foster acceptance, understanding and peace. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
TO PONDER
I needed some time to consider these verses and their context; I always like finding a new fact or two. In this case, it is that John mentions love in various forms 43 times in this letter.
God has always loved us. Even from 'the fall,’ he has had plans to reconcile us to Himself and when the time was right, He sent His only beloved Son, Jesus, to live among us and teach us, then to suffer and die on the cross. Our sins were forgiven, and we are right with God – that is love! In Scripture, God reveals much of His nature to us; His goodness, faithfulness, love and mercy, all this and more, so that when we come to Him, we may truly know Him and grow to be more like Him.
We are aware of the bitterness, greed, and many other negative attitudes in the world today because people refuse to love. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God because God is love – so you cannot know him if you do not love. One thing I learned from the new Christians in the group I mentioned in yesterday’s devotion is, that for our love and knowledge of God to grow, it needs feeding. Saying I have faith and trust in God is not enough; we need to feast on God’s word, meet with other believers to strengthen and encourage each other so that we know more intimately the goodness of God and show his love to others, and our lives are a testimony that God is love and love comes from Him.
Prayer: God of love, thank you for the many people you have placed in my life who have taught me, through your word and by their nature, that you are love, that love comes from you, and that this knowledge helps me love others. May I always use this knowledge to lead others to know your love. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.”
TO PONDER
Some years ago, the study group I was part of was studying John’s Gospel. There were several new Christians attending the group, and they had many questions, making me think, “Oh, I never thought of that!” This was especially true when we came to the verses in our devotion today. Loving your neighbour was a huge block to climb over. It seemed everyone experienced difficulties with those living around them.
The group leader read the parable of the Good Samaritan, and we were asked to describe who our neighbour is. As I recall, the response was anyone who needs our help and care, regardless of background or status. Our neighbour is not limited to those near to us or who share our beliefs, ethnicity, or social class. The discussion then took off about how we love ourselves and translate that to caring for our neighbour. We show our love of self by caring for our bodies, we value our possessions as they are gifts from God, we maintain a good reputation so hopefully no one will speak badly about us. We read and share God’s word, and we maintain friendships. If you look at your copy of Luther's catechism, you will not only read how not to treat your neighbour but also how to help him in keeping commandments seven to ten. Add to that the care we take of ourselves, and we are on track to help and care for our neighbor.
It is not always easy; we might want to cross the road or pretend we can’t see; but we have fresh in our minds Jesus’ dying on the cross so that we might have our sins forgiven. We have our hope and faith renewed; we want to thank and serve Jesus. He has shown throughout his ministry how to connect with all people. We too, can do this because we have Holy Spirit living in us to give us words and strength in those awkward encounters. The more we, with Jesus’ help, practice being good neighbours it will become easier and we can claim “Good Neighbour” as our ID
Prayer: Father God, you created us to love and live in unity with one another; to speak well of each other and to welcome and help the stranger. I have sometimes ignored this; I ask for your forgiveness. Help me see when my neighbor needs help so that, with your help, I can supply his need. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
TO PONDER
The disciples were aware of Old Testament commands to love because that command was given in Leviticus 19:18 – "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord."
While, in a formal sense, this wasn’t a new command, Jesus gave it a deeper meaning, and his life showed us how it is to be done. It means that as we show a deep and genuine love for others, it becomes part of our Christian faith –and our ID.
We are resurrection people; we have examined ourselves and asked for forgiveness during Lent, walked those last final steps to the cross with Jesus, and then experienced Jesus’ triumph over death on Easter Day. We cannot help but be changed as we look to the future with hope and a deeper understanding of the injustice and inequality in the world around us, and none of this is conducive to peace.It is easy to love those who agree with us and whom we are partial to, but we need the help of God and His Holy Spirit to reach out to the unlovely.
Jesus showed love to those the world rejected. It is unlikely that we will ever need to express our love by dying for someone as Jesus did for us so that our sins would be forgiven, but we need to continue in the Gospel to understand just how Jesus loved. The service of love we are to show is not just words, it is to become a way of life. It can be difficult to show God’s love and forgive a person who has wronged us, but that is what Jesus is asking us to do. When love prevails, our world can change. We are fully living that love when we work for mercy and equality.
It is said that in his old age, John continued to remind those around him to love one another. When asked why he did this so often, his reply would be, “Because it is what our Lord commanded. If it is all you do, then it is enough”
Prayer: Loving Father God, thank you for your Son Jesus, who displayed perfect obedience to you; as He lived on this earth, He taught us to love everyone, that forgiveness is essential to promote justice, equality and peace. Forgive me for the times I have not always loved as Jesus taught me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle