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Today's Devotion

  • 17 May 2012

    Christ crowned King - Romans 8:31-39

    Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34(NIV)

    Today is Ascension Day — the festival of Christ the King. We remember him as the one who for our sakes laid aside for a time all the glory and power he had with the Father. He came down to live and suffer among the lowest of the lowly, experiencing depths of suffering no human being could know.

    But today we worship him as the one restored to his rightful inheritance, to a glory and power no human being can even imagine — to be for us the Lord of lords and the King of kings.

    The Ascension event has tremendous significance for us. Since Jesus Christ ascended to his deserved inheritance, we too will share in it, not only at the end of time when he returns in glory, but right now in the midst of what often seems defeat.

    When Christ first spoke of his return to the Father, the disciples were filled with dismay. Was he letting them fend for themselves? How wrong they were in their fears they soon discovered on the day of Pentecost. In the coming of the Holy Spirit they saw and experienced a surge of heavenly power far beyond anything they had known when Christ was visibly present with them. Sitting at the right hand of God, he was able to intercede for them in a way he could not while upon earth.

    Christ is our King 'at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us'. What a tremendous assurance this is when we go through dark and lonely experiences! We are not left to ourselves. Our eyes need to be opened to see Christ at the right hand of God, in the place of ultimate power, ready to plead for us and to give us wisdom and strength for every conceivable situation in life.

    `If God is for us, who can be against us?' (v 31). If the Lord is on our side with all his love and power, who and what is there for us to be afraid of?

    Lord, we confess that too often we dishonor you with our needless fears and our nameless anxieties. Remind us that the kingdom and the power and the glory rest with you forever. Amen.

    (adapted by Pastor Richard Mau from a devotion by Pastor C. Scheer – a service provided by Lutheran Media Ministry.)

Previous Devotions

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    Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them.  Matthew 6:1 At another time and place Jesus warned against making a public show of fasting. In today's reading we have the same principle in regard to all piety. It is im...
  • Who comes first? - Luke 9:57-62
    Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”  Luke 9:61 (NLT) If someone wanted to be friends with you, you would probably see it as a compliment. When someone gives you a gift, you don't check it ...
  • Victory parade - Revelation 20:1-6
    I also saw the souls of those beheaded because of their witness to Jesus and the Word of God. Revelation 20:4(The Message) St Justin is a well-loved hero for many Christians. He was born of pagan parents about 100 AD. After a long search for truth...
  • Get lost, satan! - Matthew 16:21-28
    Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me Satan!' Matthew 16:23 We are generally careful about what we say to our friends. We try to use kind words and phrases. If we are desperate to keep a friend, we ensure that we are as diplomatic and cou...
  • The wings of welcome - Luke 13:31-35
    Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets, you stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me! Luke 13:34 (GNT) In ...
  • The long journey - Luke 18:31-34
    Jesus took the twelve apostles aside and said, ‘Listen! We are now on our way to Jerusalem. Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will happen there.’ Luke 18:31(CEV) Here Jesus announces his death and his resurrection. This w...
  • What sort of ears do you have? - Mark 4:24-25
    If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches! Revelation 2:29 In the Bible, there is a big difference in the way people hear. Some people hear what is said, but do not listen. We say that what is said ‘goes in one ear a...
  • Secrets which save - Luke 8:8-10
    Jesus said, "You have been given the chance to understand the secrets of God's kingdom. Luke 8:10(NIRV) Can you keep a secret? I'm sure that at some time you have told someone else a secret you promised to keep. Secrets are fun. There are sad secr...
  • Hanging on - Luke 8:8, 15
    The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and hold it fast in a good and obedient heart. Luke 8:15 When we were little children, we were told to 'hang on' to a parent's hand as we walked through crowds. As we grew up, w...
  • Pressured by the thorns of life - Luke 8:7, 14
    As they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life. Luke 8:14 People with gardens or farms know how weeds can affect the health of crops or plants. The Bible uses the same image for the thorns which strangle the ...
  • Faith on the rocks - Luke 8:6-13
    But the message does not sink deep into them; they believe only for a while. Luke 8:13 (GNT) We often hear success stories about growing churches and about how people’s lives have been changed and they are on fire with the Holy Spirit serving th...
  • The satanic pest - Luke 8:5, 11-12
    Then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts. Luke 8:12 Some birds are real pests to crops. Farmers complain and try everything to drive them away. Sometimes trees are covered with huge nets to protect the fruit. Or trees are spr...
  • Together, but different - Luke 8:4-15
    A sower went out to sow his seed. Luke 8:5 Successful sporting teams usually have players with a variety of abilities. Some members are strong in attack, others in defence. One tennis player will have a good backhand, while another will excel in t...
  • Doing your job - Luke 17:5-10
    We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty. Luke 17:10 Most jobs these days are done to gain a reward. People who work for a salary or wages usually expect and look forward to financial advantages. On the other hand, sometimes p...
  • Send me - Isaiah 6:1-9
    As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life. I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:6-7 (GNT) When Jesus said: 'The labourers are f...
  • My witness to others - 2 Timothy 1:1-2:1
    That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 2 Timothy 1:6 (JB) St Augustine could never forget the faithfulness of his mother in her prayers and concern for a wayward son, a faithf...
  • Why me, Lord? - Hebrews 12:1-13
    You must have heard of my career as a practising Jew, how merciless I was in persecuting the church of God, how much damage I did to it, how I stood out among other Jews of my generation, and how enthusiastic I was for the tradition of my ancestor...
  • Only me - 1 Kings 19:1-18
    And after the fire there came the sound of a gentle breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Then a voice came to him, which said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'...
  • Witnesses - Hebrews 11
    These are all heroes of faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had made provision for us to have something better, and they were not to reach perfection except with us. Hebrews 11:40 (JB) As a small boy, I received a book ent...
  • Live in the presence of God - Exodus 3:1-6
    Why? Because no prophecy ever came from man's initiative. When men spoke for God it was the Holy Spirit that moved them. 2 Peter 1:21 (JB) We hear the frequent charge today that we do not allow enough scope for the Spirit to do his work in our ser...
  • That I may know him - Deuteronomy 4:5-13
    For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. 1 Cor. 1:25 (JB) The whole world of humanism, of man-centred psychology, or study of oneself, seems to be the 'in' thing in person-to-person rela...
  • God for us - Romans 5:1-11
    But that is not all we can boast about; we boast about our sufferings. These sufferings bring patience, as we know, and patience brings perseverance, and perseverance brings hope, and this hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been po...
  • Free to be - Matthew 5:17-26
    When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.Galatians 5:1 (JB) It usually isn't too difficult to persuade a young man to put long hours into training if there is the possi...
  • Like looking in a mirror - Hebrews 1:1-4
    No one has ever seen God, but God the only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. John 1:18 NIV A young boy whose father had died when he was only quite small, one day asked his mother: 'What was my father like?' The mother replied:...
  • Conversion - Luke 19:1 -10
    The Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God. Micah 6:8 (GNT) 'What do I do now that I am a Christian?' is a question people who have ma...
  • Jesus and others - John 4:5-26
    In spite of this, most of them failed to please God and their corpses littered the desert. 1 Cor. 10:5 JB When we read the great and stirring stories of how God brought his people out of the land of Egypt, and saved them to be his own people, it i...
  • Jesus and me - Romans 12:6-16a
    His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you'. John 2:5 Wine is the essence of celebration in many cultures — as it was in the week-long celebration of the Jewish marriage at Cana. It's no wonder that it was a most embarrassing cri...
  • Only Jesus - Mark 1:21-28
    We are people of flesh and blood. That is why Jesus became one of us. He died to destroy the devil, who had power over death. Hebrews 2:14 (CEV) The TV series Dr Who and the movie Star Wars suggest that there is some other life 'out there', life w...
  • Only grace - John 1:45-51
    They answered, “We do not want to stone you because of any good deeds, but because of your blasphemy! You are only a man, but you are trying to make yourself God!” John 10:33(GNT) The Christian faith is unique in the world because it is based ...
  • Faith alone - Romans 4:16-25
    What will you gain if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul? Matthew 16:26 (CEV) The Festival of Epiphany throws light on God's wonderful mercy to us in Jesus; the following weeks of the Epiphany s...
  • In the world — not of the world - John 6:28-40
    This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. Revelation 13:10b NIV What does our text mean by 'patient endurance' and 'faithfulness'? Once again we face the age-old question: 'What does it mean to live as a Christia...
  • You give to me! - 1 John 4:9-16
    At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus. Mark 3:6(NLT) There just has to be some mistake! Surely God must come up with a better formula for success than this incident. Why would Jesus want to ...
  • Just me and you, Lord - Psalm 78:1-20
    And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him. Luke 2:39-40 We often r...
  • All together now - Psalm 22
    Think of God's mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Romans 12:1 (JB) Is the liturgy of the Church really 'dead', as s...
  • Called to be : 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11
    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NIV Are you someone who goes out of church an...
  • Who called us? 1 Corinthians 15:3-11
    In our work together with God, then, we beg you who have received God's grace not to let it be wasted. 2 Corinthians 6:1 TEV One young man heard this text and the following verses read to him at his ordination. In the confusion of being commission...
  • Light —for what? Ephesians 5:8-20
    Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children. They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their Father. Jo...
  • The Light — to where? Acts 8:26-39
    The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Matthew 4:15-16 NIV Both yesterday's longer reading (Luke 4:16-21) and the setting for today's text (Matt. 4:12-17) follo...
  • Light in our lives. Luke 4:16-21
    What I am writing to you, and what is being carried out in your lives as it was in his, is a new commandment; because the night is over and the real light is already shining. 1 John 2:8JB The world often uses the phrase: 'Have you seen the light?'...
  • (Epiphany) They saw the Light Ephesians 3:2-12
    When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Matthew 2:10-11 Some of us get quite excited at the idea of those poor heat...
  • Let’s celebrate Psalm 95
    O come, let us sing to the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1 This is the last day of the Christmas cycle. Celebration is still very much in order — though every day is a day of celebration for the Christia...
  • Silence-breakers 2 Corinthians 1:5-22
    For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20 In his writings, Martin Luther often used the term ‘the hidden, or silent, God’, referring to the way God rem...
  • Right attitude Matthew 9:35-38
    Have this mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 Angry — yes, very angry — was the woman who was staying at a certain hotel. I’m leaving your hotel immediately’, she told the manager, unless that piano playe...
  • Right priorities Colossians 1:24-25
    In this way they will know God’s secret, which is Christ himself. He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge.  Colossians 2:2-3 TEV There was a man who once had his priorities all wrong. But then something...
  • In God’s care Psalm 31
    I am always in your care.           Psalm 31:15 TEV Psalm 31 is a psalm of trust in God. Nowhere is that trust expressed more beautifully than in verses 14 and 15: ‘But my trust is in you, O Lord; you are my God. I am always in your car...
  • Soon gone! Psalm 90
    Seventy years is all we have — eighty years, if we are strong; yet all they bring us is trouble and sorrow; life is soon over, and we are gone. Psalm 90:10 (GNT) Psalm 90 is the Psalm which talks about time. God has always existed, the opening v...
  • Glorifying and praising God Psalm 47
    The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.  Luke 2:20 (NLT) Thanks partly to my own rural background, I have a high regard for today’s farmers an...
  • Thoughtful hearing of the Word Luke 10:38-42
    But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.  Luke 2:19 The message of the Christian faith has big-print headlines. The biggest is not: God made man. The biggest headline is: God became man. It is everything that is connected with...
  • Spiritual commitment Romans 12:1-3
    They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Luke 2:16 (NLT) In Australia, shepherds use sheep dogs (and, in more recent years, motor bikes) to muster their sheep. No insult is meant to my man...
  • Peace Romans 5:1-11
    Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased. Luke 2:14 You can be at peace in the midst of a war, and you can be at war in times of peace. You can be at peace in the main streets of Sydney, surrounded by noise...
  • A sign Matthew 12:38-42
    You will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. Luke 2:12 (NLT) The only spectacular events which occurred at the birth of Jesus, as far as I can recall, are the star which led the me...
  • Christ the Lord Philippians 2:5-11
    This very day in David's town your Saviour was born—Christ the Lord!  Luke 2:11 (GNT) The world at the time of Jesus’ birth was familiar with the title ‘Lord’. In fact, there were lords in abundance. Kings were known as lords, some of the...
  • Like Salvation Jane Titus 2:11-14
    This very day in David's town your Saviour was born—Christ the Lord!  Luke 2:11 In New South Wales a certain obnoxious weed is called Patterson’s Curse. In South Australia that same weed is called Salvation Jane. The difference is due to th...
  • Forgiveness for a fresh start Colossians 2:11-15
    Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her... that her iniquity is pardoned. Isaiah 40:1 When you backtrack, you have to admit that you were going the wrong way. You have to back up (or do an about-turn) ...
  • Great joy 1 Peter 1:3-9
    Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Saviour was born—Christ the Lord!  Luke 2:10-11 (GNT) Let’s be perfectly honest: there is nothing so smart or ...
  • Good news 2 Timothy 1:8-10
    Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Saviour was born—Christ the Lord!  Luke 2:10-11 (GNT) In Asia and Africa somewhere at this moment, there will be...
  • Do not be afraid 1 John 4:11-21
    The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid’. Luke 2:10 (NIRV) To be filled with fear is a natural human response to a sudden and unexpected occurrence. We are told that the appearance of a very bright aurora in southern Australian skies in the ...
  • The glory of the Lord 2 Chronicles 5:11-14
    An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. Luke 2:9 The association of ideas is an important part of life. In Australia, for instance, in contrast to the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas is associated with su...
  • Jesus is the greatest Luke 3:7-17
    Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. Luke 3:16 (NLT) ‘I am the greatest’ was the cry which for years was associated with the reign of ...
  • Behold, your God Colossians 1:15-20
    Go up on a high mountain and proclaim the good news to Jerusalem! Call out with a loud voice, Zion; announce the good news!Speak out and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah that their God is coming! Isaiah 40:9 (GNT) ‘What or who is the g...
  • Speak out and do not be afraid Isaiah 60:1-5
    Go up on a high mountain and proclaim the good news to Jerusalem! Call out with a loud voice, Zion; announce the good news!Speak out and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah that their God is coming! Isaiah 40:9 (GNT) Christmas is a time to ...
  • The word lasts forever Isaiah 40:1-9
    Grass withers and flowers fade, but the word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:8 (GNT) Our world may be a dying world. Heaven and earth may pass away. You and I may pass away according to the flesh. Grass may wither and flowers may fade. ‘Bu...
  • Human beings and grass. Romans 8:18-30
    Human beings are like grass...People are no more enduring than grass. Yes, grass withers and flowers fade. Isaiah 40:6-8 (GNT) The Australian Aborigines not long ago were in danger of becoming extinct; they were a dying race. That trend has recent...
  • No worries, mate! Psalm 51
    ‘The time promised by God has come at last!’ Jesus announced. ‘The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!’   Mark 1:15 (NLT) The characteristic philosophy of Australians is summed up by the saying: ‘She...
  • Be on your guard Matthew 24:40-51
    So be on your guard! You don't know when your Lord will come.  Matthew 24:42 (CEV) Growing up on a dairy farm on the reclaimed swampland of the lower part of the Murray River, one of my boyhood tasks was to watch out for and herald the arrival of...
  • Business-as-usual Matthew 24:36-44
    When the Son of Man appears, things will be just as they were when Noah lived. Matthew 24:37 (CEV) Cyclone Tracey was a tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day 1974. It killed 71 people, caused $837 ...
  • Then the end will come Matthew 24:9-28
    This gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come.  Matthew 24:14 The Australian outback contains a lot of emus. This large bird could be classified as first cousin t...
  • The first pains of childbirth Romans 8:18-30
    All these things are like the first pains of childbirth. Matthew 24:8 (GNT) Pains at birth point to one thing: the imminent coming of a child, of another human being, into this world of ours. As soon as she is aware of her pregnancy, a woman knows...
  • Be on your guard 2 John 4-11
    And Jesus answered them, ‘Take heed that no one leads you astray’. Matthew 24:4 A basic difference, I am told, between a crocodile and an alligator is that the teeth of the former protrude outside its jaws. This gives the crocodile a very dece...
  • What are the signs? Matthew 24:1-14
    The disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?’ Matthew 24:3 In various places on Australian roads you find the sign: ‘Kangaroos crossing — ne...
  • When will Jesus come? Luke 12:32-40
    The disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?’ Matthew 24:3 ‘When will it rain?’ is the question farmers ask constantly, especially in those ...
  • Jesus comes — in the Lord’s Supper 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
    The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a very sharing in the blood of Christ? When we break the bread do we not actually share in the body of Christ?  1 Corinthians 10:16 (PHILLIPS) Some strange things happen. Perhaps the strangest of all ...
  • Jesus comes — in Baptism Romans 6:1-11
    All of you are God's children because of your faith in Christ Jesus. 27And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes. Galatians 3:26-27 (CEV) You had no say or control over your birth. Yo...
  • Jesus comes — but is rejected Luke 13:31-35
    They rose up, dragged Jesus out of town, and took him to the top of the hill on which their town was built. They meant to throw him over the cliff. Luke 4:29 Rejection is a tragic thing. I sometimes feel rejected — and it hurts, I can assure you...
  • Jesus comes — today Luke 4:16-30
    And he (Jesus) began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing’. Luke 4:21 This is the time of the year when bushfires start to break out in various parts of Australia. Summer temperatures can soar to over 40 deg...
  • Jesus comes — to release the prisoner Galatians 5:1-6
    The Spirit of the Lord is upon me ... He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives. Luke 4:18 Release the Prisoner was a Christian program broadcast on radio in both Australia and New Zealand. It is understandable that some listeners wrote i...
  • Forgiveness for a fresh start Colossians 2:11-15
    Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her... that her iniquity is pardoned. Isaiah 40:1 When you backtrack, you have to admit that you were going the wrong way. You have to back up (or do an about-turn) ...
  • Presence of the Lord 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
    For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 The Lutheran Church could be called the Church of the Real Presence — the real presence of both body and blood and of brea...
  • Jesus comes — to bring good news Isaiah 61:1-4
    The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. Luke 4:18 I like to hear good news. And I am sure that you do, too. There is something about good news which excites and interests us. In addition to th...
  • Jesus comes — in the Word Romans 10:9-17
    He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day. And he stood up to read. Luke 4:16 There will be all sorts of comings and goings next month; December seems to be that kind of ...
  • In the light of the Lamb Revelation 21:22-23
    And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. Revelation 21:23 What a magnificent picture with which to bring the Christian Year to a close! What glory to look forward to! Th...
  • Water of eternity Titus 3:1-8
    He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but  according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 (ESV) In the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, ordinary water is combined with the p...
  • The moth-proof robe Psalm 93
    The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty. Psalm 93:1 In the previous devotion we discovered a rust-proof kingdom: here we are confronted by a moth-proof robe. Not only is this robe mothproof, but nothing, not even the devil himself, can so much as ...
  • The rust-proof kingdom Daniel 7:13-14
    His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.       Daniel 7:14b There is a law in the universe that we could call ‘the law of decay’. Nothing seems to escape it. Mo...
  • The be-all and end-all Revelation 1:4-8
    ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8 Jesus revealed God to us. In him God came near and opened his heart to us. Seeing Jesus, we see the Father. The unapproachab...
  • What is truth? John 18:33-38
    For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. John 18:37b It seems fitting that, as we enter the last week of the Christian Year, we should consider the question of truth. What is the truth to which Je...
  • New natures, new ways Colossians 3:5-11
    Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:9 Both the reading and the devotion for toda...
  • Minds aimed high Colossians 3:1-4
    Think about things that are in heaven. Don't think about things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 The basic equipment required for the sport of archery is a good bow and some straight arrows. There is, however, one more item essential to it — a ...
  • Hearts of peace Colossians 3:12-17
    Let the peace that Christ gives rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15(NIRV) It is not the meek that rule the earth. The strong, the ruthless, the warlike do. People who love power and prestige; politicians who are ready to cut the political throats...
  • An educated heart Psalm 119:1-16
    I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11(NLT) ‘Have a bite!’ is clearly an invitation to have something to eat, but ‘Have a heart!’ is not an offer of some delicacy. We all know that this expressi...
  • A long line of teachers Deuteronomy 6:1-9
    You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are get...
  • First-hand salvation Hebrews 7:23-28
    He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people: he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:27 Christians are so used to hearing that we are saved simp...
  • You are right, teacher Mark 12:28-34
    The man replied, "Teacher, you are certainly right to say there is only one God. It is also true that we must love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and that we must love others as much as we love ourselves. These commandments are more i...
  • Eyewitnesses 2 Peter 1:16-21
    We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16 Christianity is the only religion that claims as its founder a man who lived, d...
  • The case for hope 1 Peter 3:13-18
    Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you.          1Peter 3:15 It is fashionable today for people to form pressure-groups for the achievement of various objectives. They seek out t...
  • Something to tell the world 1 Peter 2:9-10
    You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9 It is John who tells us in his gospel that Jesus Ch...
  • Something to shout about Psalm 126
    The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.         Psalm 126:3 How has life been treating you lately? I hope your part of our walk together has not been too difficult. Almost daily we are asked: ‘How are you?’ Mostly we say: ...
  • Lord of the lame Jeremiah 31:7-9
    See, I will …. gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame.  Jeremiah 31:8 (NIV) From his prison John the Baptist sent two of his followers to ask Jesus this question: ‘Are you the one who is to come, or ...
  • Today Hebrews 4:2-10
    Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.   Hebrews 4:7 (NLT) The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds his readers that there were those in the past, who, having heard the words of God, ignored them and so missed out on t...
  • I’m blind, not deaf Mark 10:46-52
    Bartimaeus, a blind beggar... was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out. (Mark 10:46-47) There is something very familiar about the way some of the crowd reacted to poor Bartimaeus’ cries f...
  • The secret of super-Paul Philippians 4:10-13
    I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. Philippians 4:13 (GNT) Those of you who have children, or who have observed children, will know that most of them go through a stage in early life when they think their ...
  • Worth everything Philippians 3:7-16
    Even more, I consider everything to be nothing compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. To know him is the best thing of all. Philippians 3:8 (NIRV) A coin collector discovers the availability of a very rare coin, one he has been seeking for many...
  • Worth your life? Philippians 2:19-30
    He risked his life and nearly died for the sake of the work of Christ, in order to give me the help that you yourselves could not give. Philippians 2:30 (GNT) What sacrifice is our faith worth? Voluntary sacrifice, that is — for anything done un...
  • Air-cover Psalm 91:9-16
    He will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11 Every military commander knows the value of air-cover. Without wanting to give the impression that I am a public relation’s officer for the Air Force, or a warmonge...
  • One of us Isaiah 53:10-12
    He poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 Who are these ‘transgressors’? Quite simply they are ordinary people like you and me, quietly going about their sinning. Sure, there are one or two notoriou...
  • Servant priest Hebrews 5:1-10
    Even though he was God's Son, he learned through his sufferings to be obedient. Hebrews 5:8 (GNT) Among the Jews a high priest was ‘appointed to act on behalf of people in relation to God’. His main task was to offer sacrifices to God for the ...
  • Reformation, October 31, 1517 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
    Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 In his book, Luther's World of Thought, Dr H. Bornkamm writes: `Religious faith spells the life of nations and ... unbelief spells their doom. Therefore ...
  • A leading servant Mark 10:35-45
    Don't act like them. If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others. Mark 10:43 (CEV) There is much lip service paid to the servanthood of those in power. Kings are said to ‘serve their country’, politicians ‘serve their ...
  • The Lord is faithful 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5
    The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 There is no denying it. There are times when everything seems to go wrong — moments when the world collapses like a house of cards around your ears. I hard...
  • Pray all the time 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
    Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (GNT) This text seems like the perfect answer to a question raised in the previo...
  • Thieves don’t knock 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
    You yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (GNT) As the church year draws to a close, it is a tradition for the church to focus on the end of all things. There is probably no sub...
  • Time is precious Psalm 90:12-17
    Teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise.  Psalm 90:12 (GNT) We would normally consider a span of 70 to 80 years quite a long life, wouldn’t we? Yet our psalmist says of such people that ‘they are soon gone’. In my experie...
  • Creative wisdom Proverbs 3:13-20
    The Lord created the earth by his wisdom; by his knowledge he set the sky in place. Proverbs 3:19 (GNT) Curly, springy wood shavings; off-cuts; tools at odd angles; sounds of hammering, sawing, drilling; the smell of saw-dust and glue; timber, lig...
  • The eyes of the Word are upon us Hebrews 4:12-13
    No created thing can hide from him; everything is uncovered and open to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 (JB) Perhaps you think there has been a mistake in the title of this devotion; that it should read Lord in place...
  • The shock-exchange Mark 10:17-27
    Jesus… said, ‘There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. … And come follow me.’ Mark 10:21(MSG) The Stock Exchange is a place where people invest their money. They buy shares in various companies and ventur...
  • Untamed tongue James 3:1-12
    The tongue is a fire. James 3:6 Perhaps you and I have advanced far enough on our walk together for me to make a personal confession. I find the above theme so relevant to myself that it is painful to contemplate writing about it! Don’t tell me ...
  • Unemployed faith James 2:14-17
    So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:17 What is the difference between a live cat and a dead cat? The answer may seem simple, but if we think about it for a moment it will help us to understand the relationship between faith an...
  • Unfruitful doubt James 1:2-8
    But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. James 1:6 (GNT) James gets straight to the point. Some of the sharpest and most colourful observations a...
  • Fruitful fear Psalm 128
    Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! Psalm 128:1 Walking in fear is not everyone’s idea of enjoyment. If walking in God’s ways means to be in constant terror of punishment, we would hardly feel ‘blessed’. Probabl...
  • Before the cover-up Genesis 2:18-25
    The man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:25 Cover-up has become one of the catch-terms of our time. It seems that almost every time a government, company, or some public figure is involved in a scandal, accusations of ...
  • A surprising answer Hebrews 2:9-11
    What we do see is Jesus, ….. and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9 (NLT) We often ask the wrong questions, but God gives some surpr...
  • Wrong question Mark 10:1-12
    Some Pharisees came to him and tried to trap him. ‘Tell us,’ they asked, ‘does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife?’ Mark 10:2 (GNT) You have, I hope, just read Jesus’ answer to that question. He pointed the Pharisees back to their o...
  • Meanwhile, back in the world Ephesians 4:22-32
    Be kind to each another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) You and I don’t walk around with our heads in the clouds, do we? Christians have their feet on the ground and their ...
  • Ages of praise Ephesians 2:1-10
    Thus he shows for all time the tremendous generosity of the grace and kindness he has expressed towards us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7 (J.B Phillips New Testament) Christianity, because of its belief in a real after-life, has been called a ‘p...
  • Praise free grace Ephesians 1:3-14
    He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ .... to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6 Human language can hardly bear more meaning and feeling than the Apostle Paul cramme...
  • Praise the Lord Psalm 135:1-7,13-14
    Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good: sing to his name, for he is gracious! Psalm 135:3 Does God really need our praises? Not really! Does a father really need the praises of his children? Not really! What then, is the point of praise? A father m...
  • Prophets in the pews Numbers 11:24-30
    Would that all of the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them. Numbers 11:29 Please don’t think that you are the only one on our walk together who is learning anything, the only one who is encouraged. Be assur...
  • Pain for truth James 5:1-11
    As an example of suffering and patience, brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord. James 5:10 There is an old saying: ‘You may as well be hung for a sheep as for a Iamb!’ It would be unfortunate to be hung for either, yet...
  • The painful truth Mark 9:38-50
    If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.     Mark 9:43 Strong advice, isn’t it? How do we reconcile this with: ‘There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Rom. 8:1)? If God offers me a free pardon throu...
  • God reads lips Romans 10:5-13
    If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 We say of some people, usually with a degree of admiration, that they ‘speak their minds’. What we mea...
  • The Spirit knows the way Romans 8:11-17
    For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.     Romans 8:14 I wonder if you have heard of the song: ‘I’ve been everywhere’ with the dozens of towns named at tongue-tangling speed? The singer claims to know the way to almost...
  • The Spirit helps Romans 8:26-30
    Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought.     Romans 8:26 Does we need help to breathe? The answer would seem to be ‘No', for nothing comes more naturally than breathing. Nevertheless, there ar...
  • Help! Psalm 54:1-7
    Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.    Psalm 54:2 You cannot read Psalm 54 without noticing that the psalmist seems rather keen to see his enemies bite the dust. The reason is not that he is particularly bloodthirsty; rath...
  • A wise response Jeremiah 11:18-20
    For to you have I committed my cause. Jeremiah 11:20 Poor Jeremiah! Everyone and everything seemed against him. It was the story of his life. Time and again he was threatened with death. He was beaten and imprisoned. He was lonely and misunderstoo...
  • Who is wise? James 3:13-18
    Who is wise and understanding among you? By your good life let you show your works in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13 We are still on the way, aren’t we? I might just mention that ‘the Way’ was a very early description of the Christian li...
  • Something to look forward to! Mark 9:30-37
    The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him ... after three days he will rise. Mark 9:31 Yes, I know you can’t stop for a chat; you must keep moving. If you don’t mind, I’ll walk along with you for a while;...
  • Lost and found Luke 19:1-10
    The Son of man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 We close where we began — with the keynote message of Dr Luke. It is truly a marvellous Gospel to read, for in it not only do we receive a wonderful insight into the life of the Saviou...
  • What Jesus left behind Luke 24:45-49
    And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49 The angel Gabriel had announced that the child to be conceived and born of Mary would be the Son of God (Luke 1:3...
  • The lights go out Luke 22:47-53
    But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Luke 22:53b The Good Friday Service of Tenebrae, also called Light into Darkness, concludes with seven references to Jesus the King. Each is a series of responsive readings, and each closes with th...
  • Like a wound-up spring Luke 9:51-56
    When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 This seems a most unlikely text for a devotion, and yet it is a key verse in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus begins his ministry proper in Nazareth and move...
  • Reaching beyond ourselves - Acts 11:1-18
    If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when’ we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God? Acts 11:17   There is at least a little comfort in the fact that the early church went through traumas as ...
  • Witnesses of the resurrection - Acts 2:14-36
    This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Acts 2:32   The man who thought only of saving his own skin a few weeks before now stands and proclaims exclusively the power of God. And, instead of bolstering the troops and flattering...
  • The Lord has risen: is it true? - Luke 24:9-12
    Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.  Luke 24:12   The RSV relegates verse 12 to the footnotes because some of the ancient manuscripts om...
  • Peter and Judas - Luke 22:54-62
    And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. . . And he [Peter] went out and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61,62   If we compare the accounts of Matthew and Mark with this incident in Luke’s Gospel, we will see very clearly that Luke has a soft spot for P...
  • Jesus prays - Luke 22:31-34
    I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. John 17:9   Well might we say: ‘Peter, Peter what a fool you are! Your impetuous bravado was sure to get you into trouble, and now y...
  • More than a prophet - Luke 9:28-36
    A voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ Luke 9:35   Luke has a special place for Peter in his writings. When speaking of things that are going well, Luke usually gives a longer account than either Ma...
  • God employs sinners - Luke 5:1-11
    Woe is me! For I am lost: for I am a man of unclean ups, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts! Isaiah 6:5   The events that took place in the boat are almost prophetic. Jesus, a...