by Grace Simpson, from God’s Promises for Each Day (LCA, Openbook, 1999)
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‘Stop grumbling among yourselves,’ Jesus answered. ‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day’ (John 6:43,44).
Read John 6:35,41–51
Throughout time, people have grumbled about God. The Israelites had a good old grumble only a month after God had rescued them from slavery. ‘Why did you bring us here to the desert, where there’s no food?’ they grumbled. God’s response? He sent them bread from heaven. It saved their lives.
Many years later, the people listening to Jesus grumbled about him because he claimed to have come down from heaven when everyone knew he was the son of Joseph and Mary. Jesus’ response? He told them he was indeed the bread that came down from heaven. Bread that could save lives for eternity.
People still grumble about God today. ‘If there is a God,’ they say, ‘why doesn’t he stop wars and child abuse and other horrors?’ God’s response? He still offers a sin-sick world life-saving bread: Jesus.
It’s an offer we need to pass on. When people are drawn to Jesus and filled with the life he gives, there won’t be so much for them to grumble about.
Jesus, may I always feast on you so that I can live forever. 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 Stuart Gray
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I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).
Read Psalm 34:1–8
Fear is a significant motivator in our lives – sometimes for the good, but it mostly has a negative impact.
Fear of something new is very common, as is fear of missing out. Fear of standing out, such as expressing who we really are or what we believe in, is also a big one. Ask people if they like public speaking. Overwhelmingly, it is the last thing people want to do.
We fear other people and what they can do to us. We fear being tested, of being found out that we are not good enough. The list goes on.
Fear can sometimes be a motivator for making sensible decisions. Fear of the consequences of speeding or walking too close to a cliff edge can be lifesaving.
The two sides of fear are expressed in this psalm. In verse four, the Lord delivers from all fears. Yet, in verse seven, those who fear the Lord are delivered. What a beautiful image verse seven presents: ‘The angel of the Lord encamps around them who fear him, and he delivers them.’
God wants to take away our negative fears and protect those who fear him.
So, how do we do what God wants about fear? We have to seek the Lord, listen to his responses, and have faith that his saving grace is real in our lives.
John Newton, the author of the lyrics for the song ‘Amazing Grace’, put it succinctly:
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace, my fears relieved.
Looking back on events in my life, I see several times I let fear dictate my actions or lack of action. If only I had had more faith in God’s grace to say, ‘I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears’.
What fears are stopping you, and which ones are you going to allow God to deliver you from?
Heavenly Father, thank you for your promise to take away our fears. Give us the faith to live in your promise so that we fear the things we should fear and surrender all other fears to you. Amen.
Stuart, with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh, lives in Mansfield, Victoria. Stuart has a background in agricultural science, rural journalism and corporate affairs. He loves living on a small farm in the beautiful High Country of Victoria, being involved in the Mansfield community and travelling. He is currently travelling in Europe, which will include a visit to the Poznan region of Poland, where some of Australia’s original German Lutherans came.
by Stuart Gray
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It is my judgement, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God (Acts 15:19).
Read Acts 15:12–21
This passage starts with Barnabas and Paul relating the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. Their story was so powerful that the whole assembly became silent as they listened.
I can’t remember the last time I heard a speaker so powerful that the room became silent, let alone felt awe-struck by a speaker telling of what God has done through them.
Part of the story Paul and Barnabas were telling has been covered in this week’s devotions – the almost frenetic travels around parts of the Mediterranean, converting people to Christianity, enduring beatings and stoning, experiencing terrible conditions and conflicts, yet coming back to fledgling communities to support them in their spiritual growth.
In yesterday’s devotion, we saw that the relationship between Judaism and Christianity was a significant issue in the early church. Were Christians just a subset or sect within Judaism, or was this new?
In today’s passage, we get a resolution to the dilemma. James quotes Amos 9:11, 12 saying it was always God’s plan and purpose to ‘take in’ the Gentiles and that they should be part of God’s kingdom. He concludes that they shouldn’t make it difficult for people turning to God and should welcome the fulfillment of God’s promises. But as with all negotiations, a compromise was made, and while circumcision would not be required of the Gentiles, they were asked to abstain from four practices that were difficult for the Jews to accommodate.
Do we put roadblocks in the way of people turning to God on a journey of spiritual inquiry?
We could knowingly or unknowingly do this by our actions, our attitude towards them or our insistence that they have to go to church or the ‘right’ church.
What can we do to stop being a roadblock to those seeking God?
We pray that you work through us to bring healing and understanding to those around us. Help us to encourage people and not put obstacles in the way of people seeking your love and grace. Amen.
Stuart, with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh, lives in Mansfield, Victoria. Stuart has a background in agricultural science, rural journalism and corporate affairs. He loves living on a small farm in the beautiful High Country of Victoria, being involved in the Mansfield community and travelling. He is currently travelling in Europe, which will include a visit to the Poznan region of Poland, where some of Australia’s original German Lutherans came.
by Stuart Gray
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved (Acts 15:11).
Read Acts 15:1–11
It is often hard to let go of habits or beliefs we have held for a long time, even if they are no longer appropriate. For around 1500 years, circumcision had been part of the Law of Moses and a mark of belonging to God’s people; therefore, suddenly accepting this was no longer the case was difficult.
This passage relates to another great turning point in the early church. What is the relationship between the traditional Jews who now believe the promise of a saviour has been fulfilled and the Gentiles newly converted to the faith? I note that the church leaders were not afraid to tackle the significant issues impacting them as they arose and did so robustly.
Peter argues the Gentiles are accepted by God because they have the same Holy Spirit as the Christian Jews, and why burden the Gentiles with burdens that they (the Jews) nor their ancestors could bear? The Christian Pharisees argued that the Law of Moses must be maintained and that circumcision was a critical part of that law.
Then Peter states one of the fundamental tenets of Christianity: it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved. There is no place for legalism, the law has been fulfilled, and salvation is not by works of the law.
In an age where we think we have control over our lives, it is difficult to accept that the most valuable aspect of our lives – being in a relationship with God and being with him eternally – is only available by the grace of someone else. God’s grace is truly humbling and awesome at the same time.
Heavenly Father, we pray for faith to truly believe that we are saved by the grace of your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray that the Holy Spirit sustains us in that faith. Amen.
Stuart, with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh, lives in Mansfield, Victoria. Stuart has a background in agricultural science, rural journalism and corporate affairs. He loves living on a small farm in the beautiful High Country of Victoria, being involved in the Mansfield community and travelling. He is currently travelling in Europe, which will include a visit to the Poznan region of Poland, where some of Australia’s original German Lutherans came.
by Stuart Gray
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
They gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27).
Read Acts 14:19–28
One thing I really like about travel is that it takes you out of your routine and comfort zone. It makes you live at a more conscious level. You may confront unfamiliar airports, train stations and road rules. Overseas, we may confront different languages, customs and foods. Sometimes, travel can be exhausting, but a good trip creates lots of stories to tell friends and family.
When reading the Book of Acts, at times, I have felt exhausted by the pace of travel that Paul, Barnabas and others undertook to spread the word of God.
In this passage, having been left for dead, a revived Paul set out the next day to go to another city that needed to hear about God’s saving grace. Then he and Barnabas returned to the three cities where they had encountered opposition but had also created new churches that needed support. Then, they were off again to other cities before returning to Antioch.
When the people of Antioch first heard the word, Paul was challenged by the Jews who stoned him. That must have made it difficult for the Christians of Antioch, new to a faith that the powerful people in their city strongly opposed.
How encouraged the newly converted at Antioch must have been to hear the stories of all God had done through Paul and Barnabas on opening the door of faith to the Gentiles! The Christians at Antioch were not completely isolated; their faith would have been reinforced and validated by hearing of the faith of others.
I have been very moved by stories of people’s conversion to Christianity, what it means to them when they talk of a sense of freedom, being loved and supported, and how their lives have been transformed.
But with all travel, even our life’s journey, we need to stop and take heed of all that has happened and to reflect, consolidate and take care of ourselves and others around us. It’s good to know Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch ‘a long time’.
Heavenly Father, help us to be ready with stories of how you work in our lives and how Christ died for all. Sustain us on our journey of life. We thank you for the people around us who support and validate us in our faith journey. Amen.
Stuart, with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh, lives in Mansfield, Victoria. Stuart has a background in agricultural science, rural journalism and corporate affairs. He loves living on a small farm in the beautiful High Country of Victoria, being involved in the Mansfield community and travelling. He is currently travelling in Europe, which will include a visit to the Poznan region of Poland, where some of Australia’s original German Lutherans came.
by Stuart Gray
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God (Acts 14:15a).
Read Acts 14:1–18
In this and many other passages in Acts, God’s word is a sword through the fabric of the communities in which the word is preached. We are told on many occasions that the preaching was effective, and many people came to believe. But there is active opposition to the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, and the Jews who refused to believe ‘stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers’ (verse 2).
And then some misunderstand or struggle to grasp the point because this new teaching is so foreign to them. Even though Paul and Barnabas have been preaching the gospel in their midst, the people at Lystra are so amazed by the miraculous healing that Paul and Barnabas perform that they hail the missionaries as gods! All they know are their existing gods – Zeus and Hermes – and their familiar ways of worshipping. They are trying to make this new teaching, this new God, fit their existing ideas.
When Paul and Barnabas realise what is happening, they are horrified, tearing their clothes. How can they redirect the focus of their listeners, pagan people with no background in the Old Testament or real knowledge of Christ crucified? Their message is simple: reject worthless things (the old gods, the old ways) and turn to the God who made heaven, the earth, the sea and everything in them. And the evidence of this God? Well, he has given you good things, such as rain, crops and plenty of food, and fills your hearts with joy.
No doubt Paul and Barnabas would have followed up with the preaching of God’s love and saving grace through Christ crucified as they did so effectively with the Jews and Gentiles in many places. But, during this moment, they need to point the people first to the God of all creation, who gives them all good things.
There are many people in our society who are so disconnected from Christianity that simple messages are needed to connect with them, such as pointing to the wonders of God’s creation, that God created us to be in relationship with him, and we can be in relationship with him through Christ crucified.
The opposition to Christianity we see in today’s society, particularly in Western countries, is nothing new, yet through all of that, the church survives and, in some areas, prospers.
As God’s people, we need to share the good news at a level that people can understand, that meets them where they are and helps them grow in their knowledge from there. Sometimes, a simple message may be the best one.
Heavenly Father, help us tell people about you, the good you provide to all and, in particular, your saving grace. We pray we can relate to people at many levels with appropriate messages about your love and grace. Amen.
Stuart, with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh, lives in Mansfield, Victoria. Stuart has a background in agricultural science, rural journalism and corporate affairs. He loves living on a small farm in the beautiful High Country of Victoria, being involved in the Mansfield community, and travelling. He is currently travelling in Europe, which will include a visit to the Poznan region of Poland, where some of Australia’s original German Lutherans came.
by Stuart Gray
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46b).
Read Acts 13:44–52
There are several verses I could have highlighted in this passage, so rich is its content. What would bring out almost a whole city to hear a speaker? How often do we see jealousy drive contrary actions? When the Gentiles heard the word, they were glad and honoured it. However, the text that struck me most was the dramatic turning point described in the focus text.
God wanted the Jews to know that the promise of a Messiah had been fulfilled, so the disciples and teachers concentrated on telling the good news to the Jews. However, many non-Jews were hearing and believing the word, and this created jealousy amongst the Jews.
The jealousy was such that Paul and Barnabas saw that being stuck in their point of view was even more important to the Jews than eternal life.
What a turning point in the history of the church. Like other great turning points in history (Martin Luther’s 95 Theses comes to mind), we see dramatic divisions between peoples, with one group usually holding onto the past and another taking a turn in a new direction.
This works at a personal level as well.
It helps greatly if we are aware of what is holding us back and when we need to take a new direction. Luther said we should ‘die daily to sin’. My interpretation is that we must choose the direction of Christ each day anew.
This is not easy. Just think of the turning points in our own lives, positive and negative. We have the big things in our lives that make us change direction, such as completing education, taking a new job, getting married, having children and experiencing the death of family members and friends. Each requires us to adjust to new ways of being, a new paradigm.
Through all of those turning points, we need to be aware of the need to turn to Christ, the risen Lord, in the big and little events of our lives and daily.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us a beacon in Jesus, so we know in which direction to turn. Give us the power and desire to always turn to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, in all we do. Amen.
by Stuart Gray
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For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world (John 6:33).
Read John 6:24–35
I find preparing these devotions very challenging. I am not trained in theology, so I am constantly wondering whether I have made the right interpretation of the texts, if relating my life’s experience is relevant and whether the devotions are engaging enough for people to read.
But the challenge is so very rewarding. I am forced to read widely, compare translations, ponder and contemplate, pray for guidance, and draw on personal experiences to illustrate points and to share my thoughts and feelings.
In preparing for this item, I read the online NIV version of the text and then looked at my NIV study Bible to check the notes when I noted a small but significant difference in the highlighted text.
‘For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world’ (online version).
‘For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world’ (NIV study Bible).
The second version, by personalising Jesus as the bread of heaven, was an ‘ah-ha’ moment for me, a tangible deepening of understanding of an important biblical truth.
Yes, I know the texts say that Jesus is the bread of heaven, that Jesus is the bread of life, but on reading ‘For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven …’, within moments, I had a greater depth of understating of the interconnectedness between the Israelites supported by manna from heaven during their wandering in the wilderness, Jesus, as the bread of life, sustaining us and giving us eternal life and the sustaining wonder of the Eucharist, ‘unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you’ (John 6:53).
It was an awesome moment – I was literally in awe of God’s plan for his people and how he executes that plan through Christ, the bread from heaven who died for our sins, so we may be in relationship with God, and who sustains us with the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the rewards you give us when we study your word. We pray that we gain new insights and new understandings that reflect on who we are in the church and the community. We thank you for Christ, the life-giving bread from heaven who sustains us until we are eternally in your presence. Amen.
Stuart, with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh, lives in Mansfield, Victoria. Stuart has a background in agricultural science, rural journalism and corporate affairs. He loves living on a small farm in the beautiful High Country of Victoria, being involved in the Mansfield community and travel. He is currently travelling in Europe which will include a visit to the Poznan region of Poland, from where some of Australia’s original German Lutherans came.
by Sal Huckel
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Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven, and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven (Psalm 78:23,24).
Read Psalm 78:23–29
‘Yet’. Today’s lectionary reading starts with this small, three-letter word directing us to what goes before to get the full sense of our passage. We need to look to the beginning of this Psalm to understand today’s reading.
Psalm 78 is headed: ‘Tell the coming generation’. Today’s passage comes from the second longest psalm in the Bible, which tells of God’s miraculous provision of food to the Israelites in the desert. So, why the ‘yet’?
To marvel at our amazing God and his provision for the Israelites, and of course for us – we need to understand the context here. This psalm encourages us to teach the story to future generations and recounts the story of God’s people from Jacob onwards, and Israel’s history. Pastors and households must tell the accounts of the wonders of God’s work to our children to be passed on. When we learn of the miraculous food that rained down on the Israelites in abundance, we marvel at the works of the Lord. When we investigate the ‘yet’, we realise this: the Israelites time after time tested God, sinned against him, forgot his miracles, and complained about him some more. ‘Yet’.
Read today’s section of Psalm 78 and be in awe of our amazing God. Put it in context and worship even more our forgiving, loving God, who removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Worship God the Father, whom Jesus shows us is like the Father welcoming back his prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). Worship Jesus the Son, who while we were still sinners, died for us (Romans 5:8 is one example of many).
What can we learn from this psalm? Just as in our previous readings in Acts, where the history was recounted up until the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection in the testimonies and teachings of the apostles, we too need to take note of this history. We must note the inability of humankind to keep God’s law – and the saving grace we have in the gospel. We will make mistakes, like the Israelites, time after time. God forgives us over and over again. ‘Tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders he has done’ (Psalm 78:4).
Father God, you are the creator of the universe: almighty and everlasting, forgiving and loving. Through the power of your Holy Spirit help me to live daily in my baptism, to come to you for forgiveness, and to tell of your mighty acts and deeds to the next generations. May we remember our history and learn from it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature, and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking and walking to the beach at every opportunity.