by Pastor Steve Liersch
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So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons … And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean’ (Acts 17:17,19,20).
Read Acts 17:16–34
Technology has brought an unlimited amount of information to us. Even if it were possible to draw a line in the sand and stop any more ever being added to the existing amount of news, stories, background information and possible new ideas, it has been cited several times that it would still take several lifetimes to read and absorb what’s out there.
So, where does Jesus fit in? Our world is overflowing with news, ideas and stories. And now, with ‘fake news’, it’s even harder to distinguish between what’s real and what’s not. No wonder people are confused. It’s no wonder people throw their hands in the air, and in their attempts for peace and quiet from all the noise and news, even Jesus gets pushed aside. We need help to know which voice to listen to.
While Paul was in Athens, he noticed a whole bunch of idols and among them one to ‘An Unknown God’. And he also had conversations with people who would do nothing but talk about the latest ideas or bits of news. Only an astute evangelist would seize such a moment to talk about Jesus and who this ‘unknown God’ really was.
For Paul, speaking about Jesus and unpacking the Scriptures was what he was commissioned to do. It is what he lived for. The gospel took him places. The gospel enabled him to meet some very influential people (Governor Felix, high priests and King Agrippa, to name a few) and influence them, too, with the good news of Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
But undergirding his missionary efforts was prayer. No doubt, before he entered a new region, city or town, his endeavours would have been immersed in prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide him to the right people so he could have the right conversations so that Jesus would be heard.
Try limiting the voices you listen to and focus on God’s word in that space. Be pleasantly surprised at what God might be saying to you as the Spirit speaks truth into your life.
Holy Spirit, please go before me into my day and conversations so I may speak your truth and enable Jesus to be heard. Amen.
Pastor Steve Liersch and his wife are almost empty nesters as their three adult children explore the world with work. They live in the southern coastal suburbs of Perth near Rockingham. Steve enjoys gardening, watching sports – especially Port Power and cricket – playing sudoku and catching up with friends. Sharing God’s love with others is still ranked as his top thing to do.
by Pastor Steve Liersch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead (Acts 17:2,3).
Read Acts 17:1–15
One meaning of the term ‘poking the bear’ from the Urban Dictionary says, ‘To act in such a way that has a good, but not definite chance, of causing trouble’. Even if Paul, the missionary, had never heard of such a saying, he certainly is a great example of what we understand it to mean.
Not once, not twice, but three times, Paul ‘poked the bear’ on a Sabbath – meaning he took a new teaching into a well-established religious setting (Jewish synagogue) and presented a new and controversial teaching about the Messiah. Call it gutsy, stupid or nothing but courageous – it was always going to get a reaction. The best reaction was some would come to believe in Jesus as their Saviour. The worst reaction was that some Jews wanted Paul and Silas to face the crowd that they had incited to react in such a way they had to hide and then leave the city under the cover of darkness.
Jesus knew all about ‘poking the bear’ too. In Luke 4:14–30, he went into his hometown synagogue in Nazareth and read from the Jewish Scripture scroll (Isaiah). All spoke well of him until he ‘poked the bear’, reminding them of their and their ancestor’s failure to heed the word of God and recognise that God’s ways are different from their understanding of what’s possible. Throughout his ministry, Jesus was continually ‘poking the (Jewish) bear’ – think clearing the temple and healing on the Sabbath in a synagogue. Ultimately, these actions would cost him his life.
‘Poking the bear’ among family and friends can be one of the hardest things to do. Try raising a topic you know will bring an adverse reaction between people who usually get along fine – so long as you don’t talk about [fill in the taboo topic]. But when are you ever brave enough to talk about Jesus? Don’t forget, you’ve got the truth of God’s word and the most powerful force in the universe – the Holy Spirit – to back you up. Go for it!
Almighty God, strengthen me with your words and Spirit to be bold in speaking about you to family and friends. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Pastor Steve Liersch and his wife are almost empty nesters as their three adult children explore the world with work. They live in the southern coastal suburbs of Perth near Rockingham. Steve enjoys gardening, watching sports – especially Port Power and cricket – playing sudoku and catching up with friends. Sharing God’s love with others is still ranked as his top thing to do.
by Pastor Steve Liersch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you’ (John 6:53).
Read John 6:51–58
It should come as no surprise that the early Christians, and all those of us throughout history since our Lord Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, should be misunderstood for what we believe and teach.
Historian Jackson Morgan wrote:
It is a historical fact that in the church’s early years, Christians were persecuted vigorously by the Roman Empire. In justifying this persecution, the Romans made all sorts of charges against the Christian community. We learn from the second-century Christian apologists Justin Martyr and Athenagoras that the three main accusations levied against Christians were atheism, incest, and cannibalism. The charge of atheism came from their refusal to worship the Roman pantheon of ‘gods’ (for more on this, see Justin Martyr’s First Apology, chapters 5 and 6). We also know the charge of incest originated from the Christian concept of being united as ‘one family in Christ’, which meant husbands and wives would refer to each other as ‘brothers and sisters in Christ’. To an outsider, this could easily come off the wrong way.
The third charge, that of cannibalism, he found fascinating. Why were they accused of cannibalism? And on what grounds? It was because of their belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and their belief that they ate the flesh of Christ and drank his blood. As Romans overheard Christians talking about consuming the flesh and blood of Christ, it would have been incredibly easy to misinterpret the act as cannibalism.
In his plea for the Christians (circa 176 AD), Athenagoras addresses the charge of cannibalism in a letter addressed to the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. He argues that Christians are not cannibals because cannibalism requires that the flesh of the victim be dead. He simply observes: ‘ … you cannot eat human flesh unless you have killed someone.’ Christians are, therefore, not cannibals because the flesh of Christ that is consumed is not dead flesh but the resurrected and fully alive flesh of Christ’s glorified body, which is given to them by Christ himself.
Praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit to enable us to believe the truth (the word), to confess it regularly (our creeds) and to receive Jesus continually in our times of worship (holy communion).
Life-giving God, thank you for revealing your truths to us and providing a way for us to believe and confess them by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pastor Steve Liersch and his wife are almost empty nesters as their three adult children explore the world with work. They live in the southern coastal suburbs of Perth near Rockingham. Steve enjoys gardening, watching sports – especially Port Power and cricket – playing sudoku and catching up with friends. Sharing God’s love with others is still ranked as his top thing to do.
by Richard Hauser, from Guidance for Each Day (LCA, Openbook, 2002)
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).
Read Psalm 34:1–8
It’s part of the experience of being human that we all sometimes feel abandoned. Caught up in illness or mental anguish, we feel alone in the world. Our cries for help seem unheard. There appears to be no answer to human suffering.
The reassuring message we find in God’s word is that he is here, he loves us, and he stands beside us in our darkest times. He will not abandon us. He showed his commitment to us by coming in human form among us, by suffering with us and for us, so that we might entertain the hope of one day living in safe and close communion with him forever.
Along with David, who wrote the words of today’s psalm, we praise God for his help and the hope it gives us.
Dear God, thank you for being there for us when we cry for help. Hear us and answer according to your will and your love for us. Amen.
Due to unexpected circumstances, the rostered contributor for this week was unable to supply the devotions. This week’s devotions have been reprinted from 2018 and feature excellent devotions from Openbook Howden publications. We thank God for the work of his dedicated servants, past and present.
by Len Tscharke, from Guidance for Each Day (LCA, Openbook, 2002)
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31).
Read Acts 16:25–40
A jailer sees himself as a failure. He is doomed because of how others will judge him. He has failed in his duty, and his shame and guilt are more than he can bear. So he decides to end it all. No hope. No future. Nothing left to live for.
Many people have travelled down that road and ended up like this jailer, wanting to finish it off. They are afraid of what lies ahead, and there seems to be no way out.
But you know that there is a God who cares for you, who has the answers to all your needs. Often it’s through Paul or Silas that he rescues. To the question, ‘What must I do to be saved?’, there is only one sure answer: ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.’
That’s how a jailer and his family found peace. And that’s how you will find peace and hope, no matter how hopeless the future may, at times, appear. With Jesus in your life, you will have a glorious future. That’s his promise. You can trust him because he is your Saviour.
Heavenly Father, you have taken care of all my needs in Jesus. Help me to trust him so much that I will never despair but will rely on his saving work. Amen.
Due to unexpected circumstances, the rostered contributor for this week was unable to supply the devotions. This week’s devotions have been reprinted from 2018 and feature excellent devotions from Openbook Howden publications. We thank God for the work of his dedicated servants, past and present.
by Len Tscharke, from Guidance for Each Day (LCA, Openbook, 2002)
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her’. And it came out that very hour (Acts 16:18b).
Read Acts 16:16–24
‘In honour of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees, and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father’ (Philippians 2:10,11). That’s the way it is and will be forevermore, because ‘in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us’ (Acts 4:12b). All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus. Even the devil knows this, and he trembles.
Rather than tremble, you can rejoice because of what Jesus promises you. He invites you, as one of his dear children, to pray to the Father in his name, and he promises that God will answer you (John 15:16b). Through the power of his name, you can overcome the attacks levelled against you by the devil and the sinful world around you and within you. Because of his name and through his name, you share in the power of his great Easter victory. That’s where the power comes from. There is no one greater, more powerful and more deserving than he who defeated all your enemies. He will one day present you to the Father as his precious child.
Lord Jesus, as I live under the power of your holy name, give me victory over all my spiritual enemies. I trust you and trust the power of your name. Amen.
by Len Tscharke, from Guidance for Each Day (LCA, Openbook, 2002)
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
That night Paul had a vision in which he saw a Macedonian standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us!’ As soon as Paul had this vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, because we decided that God had called us to preach the good news to the people there (Acts 16:9,10).
Read Acts 16:6–15
There is a popular song that goes, ‘I did it my way’. A reason for its popularity may well be that people like its positive message. We like to be in control, and we like to make decisions that affect our lives. It’s part of our nature. We find it already in our children. Just watch them as they struggle with their mother or father because they want to do it their way.
St Paul was zealous in his love for the Lord; that’s why he was where he was – out on the road sharing the message of Jesus. He had opened his heart to the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, and he was ready to do what God wanted him to do and go where God wanted him to go. What a faithful servant!
What’s it like with you? Is that the way you do it, or do you like to keep control and decide what you will do for Christ? If you want to be a true and faithful servant of your Lord, you will need to do it his way, not yours. The Holy Spirit will guide you.
Lord Jesus, you are the way, the truth and the life. Help me to seek your will before I act, and give me a clear vision of what you want me to do. Amen.
Due to unexpected circumstances, the rostered contributor for this week was unable to supply the devotions. This week’s devotions have been reprinted from 2018 and feature excellent devotions from Openbook Howden publications. We thank God for the work of his dedicated servants, past and present.
by Len Tscharke, from Guidance for Each Day (LCA, Openbook, 2002)
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
There was a sharp argument, and they separated: Barnabas took Mark and sailed off for Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the care of the Lord’s grace (Acts 15:39,40).
Read Acts 15:36–16:5
Arguments are rarely (if ever) wholesome and, if allowed to get out of control, can lead to long-lasting pain, even tragedy. Our communities are full of broken relationships because of arguments that should have been nipped in the bud but were allowed to go on. And it’s so easy to come up with reasons to keep the argument going: you need to stick to your principles, or you have to prove to the other person that you are right. But how quickly it affects your relationships!
‘Do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day’ (Ephesians 4:26). That’s how your God wants you to live. And that’s how you will find peace.
Paul and Barnabas had a sharp argument, allowing their feelings and passions to get the better of them, and they paid the price. Many, many people have followed the same path with the same results.
God’s way for you to handle arguments and anger is clear, and it works because it’s grounded in forgiveness and love: ‘Forgive others, and God will forgive you’ (Luke 6:37b).
Dear Father, help me to live in harmony with people everywhere. Make me a channel of your peace. Amen.
Due to unexpected circumstances, the rostered contributor for this week was unable to supply the devotions. This week’s devotions have been reprinted from 2018 and feature excellent devotions from Openbook Howden publications. We thank God for the work of his dedicated servants, past and present.
by Len Tscharke, from Guidance for Each Day (LCA, Openbook, 2002)
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
When the people read [the letter], they were filled with joy by the message of encouragement. Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, spoke a long time with them, giving them courage and strength (Acts 15:31,32).
Read Acts 15:22–35
Our family has a letter that’s been handed down from generation to generation. It was written to our great-grandfather by his brother. The brother had been informed that our great-grandfather had lost his faith after coming to Australia due to the hardships that he faced in his new land. It’s a letter full of encouragement and love, urging him to remain faithful to his Lord. The letter was well received, even though the information that prompted its writing was untrue. It continues to be passed on from one generation to the next.
Not long ago, I came across a similar incident where a brother had written to his brother out of concern for his spiritual well-being.
Paul and Silas sent two of their Christian friends to Antioch to encourage the small group of believers there in their lives in Jesus. It was a case of Christian brothers caring for Christian brothers and sisters who had strayed, pointing them back to Jesus and encouraging them in their walk with him.
Can you think of someone you might be able to help like this?
Lord Jesus, help me to love others enough that I want to see them in heaven, too. Help me to encourage them to come to you and make me more like you. Amen.
Due to unexpected circumstances, the rostered contributor for this week was unable to supply the devotions. This week’s devotions have been reprinted from 2018 and feature excellent devotions from Openbook Howden publications. We thank God for the work of his dedicated servants, past and present.