Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God
TO PONDER
The apostle Paul was a lot of things. He was a Jewish scholar, a Roman citizen, an ex-persecutor of Christians. He was often a prisoner, he was a missionary, he was a tent-maker (see Acts 18) but in all of these things he was called and set apart by God to [proclaim the gospel of Jesus. Whatever else he might have been we see here in his introduction in his letter to the Romans he considered himself a servant of Christ.
Most of us wear many hats too, we might be parents or children, students or teachers, employers or employees, friends or colleagues button all of these things we are also servants of Christ. As hs servants, it should always be Jesus who sets the agenda.
Sometimes we let the other roles we have set the agenda rather than Jesus. Even Paul made the occasional plans that ultimately did not seem to line up with what God wanted, Paul usually figured that out in time to realign his plans with God's. We can do that too if we are just willing to be prayerful and to be observant in watching and listening to what God is doing. God knows we have varying, and at times conflicting, commitments but he has a wonderful way of making everything that is necessary part of his plan for us.
So, if the pile of hat's you are wearing feels like it's so tall that it is about to topple off your head, then consider starting with the righteousness of Christ and his call on your life. If you put that hat on as the foundation, he'll find a way to make the others fit.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you have given me roles in my family, in my community and workplace and in my church community. Help me always to remember though the the most important call I have in life is to follow your son Jesus, in whose name I pray, Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
TO PONDER
I don't know who first said the line, 'you can call me whatever you want, just don't call me late for dinner', but I know that it has worked it's way into the colloquial rural lingo of many country towns around the country. Being called late for dinner, especially after putting in a hard days physical labor of working the land as many people do in these rural places, is not a prospect anyone would invite. And yet some of these characters who use this kind of colloquial slang, have also got some very interesting, and at times colourful, nicknames that many of us in the city would probably find offensive.
The problem for many Christians is that we don't want to be 'called late for dinner'. I know many Christians who have shared that they don't make a big deal about their faith, or that they try to keep it hidden at work because they fear if it came out it might cost them a promotion, or some kind of career opportunity. I hear many Christians concerned about sharing their faith with friends for fear of it ruining their friendship or perhaps even doing damage to a family relationship.
Peter reminds us in this letter that this is actually part of what Jesus calls us to. He calls us to take up our cross and follow him. We are called to suffer for doing good. However we often seem to expect to be rewarded for doing good. and so complain of the 'unfairness' when we have tried to do and bee good in a certain situation, only to be rewarded with the bad attitudes or criticism of others. The key here is to fix your mind on the right prize. Do you really want the short term sugar fix of the meal that others are offering, their good opinions and accolades, or do you want the nourishment that comes from being called by Jesus to eat and drink the bread and water of life that only he can give? Call me whatever you like, but don't call me late for that meal!!!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you have called me to follow you. Please help me to remember that following you is not always easy, but it is always worth it. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
TO PONDER
Names are interesting things. I don't know if you have ever seen those displays of gift items outside a newsagent or gift shop, they usually have cards, posters, bookmarks or coffee mugs with a persons name printed on it and then either the meaning of that name or sometimes also a list of character traits that are supposed to summarise what people with that name might be like. I am usually amazed at how accurately these kinds of items describe the people that I bring to mind who have the names that adorn these gift items. I am probably even more amazed when I find one with the name Mathew and how well it describes me!
It makes me wonder what it means to be 'called by God's name' like the passage from Chronicles talks about. Surely, if being 'called' by my name all my life has led me to act and behave some what predictably like a 'Mathew' then surely as we are called by God's name, we should grow and mature in that name and that calling to more closely resemble the character of God, which we see and understand most clearly as shown to us in his son Jesus Christ.
And what are those characteristics that people called by the name of God display. Well they are articulated differently at different places throughout scripture but here in Chronicles it is humility, prayer, seeking God, and turning from evil. So consider that today whenever someone calls your name, consider how you will respond as one called by the name of God. How will you respond with humility, prayer, and concern for what God might be up to in your interactions with others?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of being called by your name and adopting me into your family through your son Jesus. Please empower me with your Spirit to live in the new identity that I have in you and to grow each day into that new identity. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
TO PONDER
To live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Since our theme his week is being fully engaged by God's call, you would think that's the part of the verse we'd focus on today, but I want to draw our attention to the other part.
the Apostle Paul writes this letter to the Christians in Ephesus as a prisoner. He has not done anything wrong except go around talking about Jesus and promoting the Christian message. But even in prison, Paul uses the opportunity to live a life worthy of the call he has received. Even in prison, he considers himself 'a prisoner of the Lord'. His status as an apostle, called to bring the good news of Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles didn't end because he was in prison, at least not as far as he was concerned.
I think sometimes we can be guilty of letting our life circumstances dictate how we engage with God's call. Perhaps you are raising young kids and are thinking, once my kids are a bit older and more independent, then I'll have time to meet with and talk with my friends about Jesus. Maybe you are working in a workplace that makes talking about your faith with colleagues a bit difficult and feel like your hands are tied. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that Paul probably literally had his hands tied and likely dictated this letter to someone to write for him, but he did not let the circumstance of his imprisonment keep him from the calling he knew he had been given by Jesus. So let Paul, the prisoner of the Lord also urge you to live a life worthy of your calling, don't let your circumstances define how you engage with the call God has given you, instead, see where God has called you and use that as inspiration as to how you might engage with that call in a practical and meaningful way.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank you that you have called me to follow you and to share the good news of your death and resurrection. Help me to see the way you are calling me to live in that call in every situation so that I might live each moment worthy and faithfully engaged in the calling you have given me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
TO PONDER
I think I have mentioned this before, but there is one word in American English, that you just don't hear in 'proper' English. I understand you encounter it more often in the Southern States, but it's a wonderful contraction of 'you' and 'all', which gives us the wonderful word 'Ya'll'.
The plural form of the word 'you' appears so frequently in the Bible, but in regular English, we only have the one word both for referring to an individual or a groups of people. This American invention is one of the good additions to the English language because we can use it to better understand scriptures like this one.
Here Peter uses the Greek plural form of the word you, so we might be better off translating it like this, (you can imagine a Southern American accent if you want)
"But ya'll are a chosen people, a royal nation, God's special possession, that ya'll may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light."
It is not just pastors, or evangelists, missionaries or profits who are called to serve as priests. All of us who are called by Christ to follow him, have been called to act as intermediaries between God and those who are yet to recognise or acknowledge him. It is every Christians task to declare the praises of Jesus who calls us out of the darkness and into the light. So how will you get to work doing that today?
PRAYER: Jesus, it is easy to forget, among the business and pressures of this life that you actually call me to be more than just my occupation, more that just a parent, or child, student or teacher. You call me and all Christians to be a priesthood, a group of people dedicated and set apart for you to act as your spokespersons in all the places that we live work and relax. Help me to live out that role each day. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you."
TO PONDER
Have you ever had to prepare for a big public speech or presentation, or had to find the right way to break really bad news to someone? If so, then you might know something of the apprehension that Jeremiah may have been feeling after being given the task of proclaiming the word of God to the people of Israel. It would have been a daunting task.
They say, "proper planning and preparation promote peak performance". There is something to that. When we make a plan and are well prepared for a task the more likely we are to experience success. I guess the only question is, How to I prepare or 'get myself ready' for saying what God is calling me to say?
The answer really is quite simple. We prepare by listening to God and spending time in his presence. One of the biggest reasons many Christians back out of the task of sharing faith with others is because they expect to just be able to do it without any practice o preparation. When they finally pluck up the courage to try, it often doesn't go well because they have not prepared, they have not prayed, they have not listened to either God or the person they are speaking to, or both.
Jeremiah had time listening to God before he went to speak, Even Jesus took time away to listen to the Father and spend time in prayer, preparing for what was to come. Whatever makes us think we can do anything without preparing in the presence of God?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we can come to you and sit in your presence. Please help me to remember to start every day, and every endeavour, in your presence and according to your plan and purpose. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.
TO PONDER
Doing dishes is one of my least favourite jobs to do around the house, especially with a full belly after a long day, relaxing in a comfortable chair is a much better way to let your food digest and rejuvenate your tired body…
But, guess what, my amazing, hardworking wife is tired too and probably doesn’t enjoy doing dishes either, so last year I decided to insist on doing the dishes every night.
Today’s verse is one of those verses that can be taken out of context, used to push agendas, and confuse the works verses grace discussion. Paul is challenging the Philippians to continue to follow the instructions he has personally given to them, even when he isn’t there (do what I tell you to do because I’m the leader?), then says to work hard in relation to salvation and to obey God with “deep reverence and fear”.
Dallas Willard the philosopher/theologian said this in relation to works/effort and grace; “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning.”
The Message Bible translates the “obeying” idea in the verse as “responsive obedience”, we obey God as a response to His grace, not to earn that grace.
Every night I do the despised job of dishes as a response to the love I have for my wife, especially if I am mad at her to remind myself that I love her.
PRAYER: Faithful Saviour, I pray the same prayer the man cried out to you asking for help with his child “help me overcome my unbelief!”. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. (MSG)
TO PONDER
I was at a P&C Cake Stall last week when I got into a discussion with some of the other parents about discipline, mainly about counting to three to warn the boys about the seriousness of the issue they needed to respond to. We used this method on both our boys and for the most part, I personally, never got past two before their behaviour was altered. In the discussion with the other parents, I confessed to my relief that I never actually made it to three as I had never had a plan for the consequences if I got that far.
See, as a child I was smacked, so the result of arriving at the dreaded number three was a sore bum as a result of its collision with a hand/wooden-spoon/belt. Our boys were not smacked but there were consequences through the loss of privileges ie. Things they enjoyed.
Today’s verses address what happens when you obey God, when you follow His ways, you are blessed, you receive the rewards of His grace.
John 10:10 is used often when we talk about the vision of LifeWay in regard to “Living Fully”. The John 10:10 life is a promise of overflowing life and it is the result of God’s blessing through grace as a consequence of following His road. Just as the loss of privileges was the consequence of our boys choosing not to follow our family road so too not following God’s road results in not living in the blessing of the John 10:10 life.
It’s not a punishment, just the natural consequence of deviating from the path.
PRAYER: Almighty Father, I praise you for all the blessings you lavishly share on me as your child, for the blessing of grace and an overflowing life as a consequence of following your path, help me to walk it daily. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside
and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go…
TO PONDER
I have told the story about the grace prayer my darling wife prayed over our family dinner the day I found out I was going to plant a church for LifeWay in Western Sydney already but just as a reminder let me share it again…
“God, we thank you for Papa’s (that’s what our boys call me) new job, we pray that he doesn’t mess it up…” Now, that is maybe not a direct quote but it is the essence of what was prayed and so not to interrupt the prayer or the meal I waited until the next day before I questioned the prayer. The response given for the prayer from my supporting wife was “Well you do know you are a rebel, right? And, these are Lutherans…”, again not a direct quote but close enough.
Today’s verse is part of the advice King David gives to his son Solomon as his death was approaching. It can be summed up as “Make sure you do everything God tells you to do, follow all the rules and regulations and don’t mess it up!” Sounds like great, supportive advice from a proud dad…
Kind of reminds me of the grace my wife prayed those four or so years ago, although it sounds harsh and perhaps even judgemental from an overbearing father, I’m sure Solomon heard the advice in context. David is described in the Bible as “a man after God’s own heart”, so you would think the advice would be full of superiority from an expert of all of God’s rules and commands but the context was different. David was a flawed man, he was an adulterer, a murderer, at times mentally ill, he was broken, he was a rebel, but most of all, David understood the grace of God because he was restored and forgiven.
Solomon would have heard the advice through the lens of grace.
After Michelle’s prayer I agreed with everything she prayed but I recognised it through the lens of grace, the focus on God’s grace practiced as a Lutheran and then the rebel part of her explanation… Well Jesus was considered a rebel, his teaching offended the religious people, Martin Luther rebelled against the wrong teaching of the church to the extent of being shunned by the church, but David, Jesus, and Luther all understood and obeyed the truth of grace.
PRAYER: Loving God, I thank you for showing me you grace, your aggressive forgiveness you showed to David and all of your followers help me obey your command of love. Amen.
Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside