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I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another (John 13:34).
Read John 13:31–35
Love is a blessing in day-to-day life. It’s experienced in various forms. The love we consider in this devotion is the love of Jesus towards us that we then offer to one another.
As I write this devotion, I’ve found it helpful to be reminded of the ‘new commandment’ Jesus gave. It has led me to contemplate the kind of love he was referring to – the love of Jesus, which we as Christians know through our relationship with him. From this relationship, we are called to show and give that same love to others.
The words of Jesus in this reading prompt our actions and responses in this love – see the phrases ‘… should love one another … have love for one another’. This is the living and holding of love towards others, specific to the love of Jesus for humankind.
We know that the commandment to love was not new – it is mentioned throughout the Bible. The greatest commandment is to love God, and the next is to love our neighbour. But then we have this commandment of Jesus – ‘a new commandment’. It is not just about love but loving as Jesus loved.
Limiting myself to my own resources, I feel overwhelmed by this commandment. I am also aware of my human frailty, tendency to make mistakes, misjudge and get tired (and all that goes with that). Given this, how do I participate with integrity in ‘loving one another’?
John 13 shows the scene in the upper room where human frailty abounded, but also profoundly present is the love of Jesus, who predicted betrayal and disbelief among his disciples but washed their feet anyway. Giving grace, respect, care, dignity, honour, acceptance and welcome were attitudes in Jesus’ love in action to these people. Offering these in our behaviour to others is part of how we love one another as Jesus has loved us.
Loving others as Jesus loves is not only about our giving of love to others, but also our receipt of this love from others as they offer this to us as ‘another’ loved. Indeed, our ongoing immersion in this love is through our relationship with the source: the Triune God.
Every blessing to you.
Loving God, thank you for this experience of being loved and loving others, which has its endless resource in you. Please help us offer, accept and grow in this love that is from you. In the name of Christ, we pray, Amen.
Jo is a wife and mum who serves in various roles in her local Lutheran church and also in chaplaincy as the assistant director of Chaplaincy and Ministry Development for Lutheran Services.
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Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendour is above the earth and the heavens (Psalm 148:13).
Read Psalm 148
Imagine the psalmist is a conductor with a huge orchestra or choir in front of him. Imagine that this orchestra or choir is the whole cosmos!
He begins by calling on the heavenly beings to praise the Lord. Then he calls on the heavens – the sky, sun, moon and stars – to praise the Lord. After that, he calls on the forces of nature and all creation on the earth, sea, storm, wind, mountains and the animal kingdom to praise the Lord.
And finally, he calls on all human beings, all classes, women and men, and people of all ages, to praise the Lord.
Can you imagine such a magnificent and awesome event? What a hallelujah chorus!
And why should they praise the Lord? Because he is greater than all, and (this is the most important point) because he, despite his greatness, has come down to his people to save them.
This great choir still exists and still praises God. And we are part of it! And we have even greater reason to praise him than our Old Testament counterparts. We sing our praises to and for the Lord, because in Christ, he has come near to us, nearer than at any time before. And he is still near us. He has table fellowship with us, who are sinners.
God is the greatest of all. And although he is above the heavens and the earth, he has come near to us and given us the most precious gift: his only Son.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forevermore. Amen.
Mark Lieschke is a retired pastor living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. He served in parishes in South Australia, New Zealand and New South Wales before being elected as bishop of the LCANZ’s NSW and ACT District. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and relaxing.
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Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
Read 2 Corinthians 6:3–7:1
We live in this world. We have constant interaction with people of the world. We have powerful influences around us, wanting us to conform to the world. We can’t avoid having relationships with people who don’t share our faith. In fact, we are encouraged and challenged to build relationships with them, serve them and be Christ to them.
So, how are we supposed to understand Paul’s words about not being yoked together with unbelievers?
There may well be people we should not associate with, not because of who they are, but because of the evil influence they may have over us, especially in our faith. Any association with unbelievers that threatens our desire and ability to confess our Christian faith is to be avoided.
And more than that, those who have been saved by God’s grace through Jesus Christ can’t live like those who don’t know or keep God’s holy will. We can’t participate in their ways of life or share in their values or faith systems.
We have a much higher calling – one that challenges us to think carefully about how we interact with the world and to be bold in standing our ground in the face of temptation.
This call is from a gracious God who has committed himself to us and gives us all that we need to be able to grow to become the people he still wants us to be, reflecting his love and grace in all that we do.
Loving Lord, keep us holy. Please help us identify those things and those people in this world that may hinder our relationship with you. Surround us with your grace so we can grow to become more like you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mark Lieschke is a retired pastor living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. He served in parishes in South Australia, New Zealand and New South Wales before being elected as bishop of the LCANZ’s NSW and ACT District. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and relaxing.
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So from now on we regard no-one from a worldly point of view … Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:16a,17)
Read 2 Corinthians 5:11–6:2
From a human point of view, Jesus can be considered a great man, prophet, freedom fighter, religious teacher and martyr. From a human point of view, when Jesus is viewed like this, the cross can only mean shame, weakness and defeat.
However, for those who are in Christ, the full truth of Christ is revealed. We’re given a new perspective of his life, death and resurrection. And more than that, we are recreated by him. A transformation has taken place. Everything old has passed away. And now we can see things from the perspective of the end when the new heavens and earth will be complete.
That means we can put away old attitudes and judgements against our fellow believers. Instead of making assumptions about them and having opinions based on how they look or what they are doing, we can look at them with new eyes.
Just as God has given us a new status, he has also made these people new creations. When God looks at me in Christ, he sees a forgiven sinner. When God looks at my sister or brother in Christ, he sees a forgiven sinner. Now, when I look at my fellow Christians through the eyes of faith, I can see them as a forgiven, restored, newly created child of God.
And that enables me to minister to them, serve them, honour them, support them, encourage them, forgive them, seek forgiveness from them, be reconciled to them, and uphold them as I uphold Christ himself.
What a difference that makes to Christian communities when this takes place. What a privilege it is for us to be part of such communities. What a challenge and encouragement it is to play our part in these communities.
Lord God, thanks for reconciling me to yourself through Jesus Christ. Open my heart and give me the strength to see others as you do. Help me to honour them as people who you love and care for. Forgive me when I fail you and others. Renew me each day by your grace in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Mark Lieschke is a retired pastor living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. He served in parishes in South Australia, New Zealand and New South Wales before being elected as bishop of the LCANZ’s NSW and ACT District. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and relaxing.
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For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes’. For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Read 2 Corinthians 1:12–22
Life is filled with uncertainty. People change, circumstances shift, and promises can be broken. But God is not fickle. His word is not uncertain. His promises are not fragile. In a world of shifting circumstances, hesitant commitments and broken assurances, God’s answer in Christ is a resounding ‘YES’!
Yes to grace. Yes to mercy. Yes to redemption. Yes to love that never fails. Yes to new life, new hope and a future secured in him. Every promise God has spoken finds its fulfilment in Jesus. There is no hesitation, backtracking or half measures; only abundant, overwhelming, unshakable assurance.
And here is the truth that sets us free: We don’t have to live in fear, questioning whether we are enough. We don’t have to second-guess God’s faithfulness or wonder if he will change his mind about us. In Christ, God has already said yes.
Yes, you are loved. Yes, you are forgiven. Yes, you are chosen. Yes, you are favoured. Yes, you belong to him.
The enemy whispers doubt, trying to convince us that we are disqualified and have strayed too far, and that God’s yes has somehow turned into a ‘no’.
But that is a lie. I repeat: That is a lie.
Scripture reminds us that all of God’s promises – every single one – find their answers in Christ. There is no condition, loophole, wavering; just the fullness of his yes, forever secure. So, live in the joy of this yes! Cast off fear, step toward faith and trust in the unwavering faithfulness of God. Let your life be an echo of his yes! And, as you do, declare your own Amen! So be it! To the glory of God!
Almighty God, you are the God of yes! Yes to grace, yes to mercy, yes to a love that never fails. Your yes is unshakable, unstoppable and undeniable. No fear, doubt or failure can silence your yes over my life. I stand in the fullness of your truth, rejecting every lie that tells me I am too far gone, too broken or too unworthy. Fill me with boldness, Lord. I walk in the power of your unbreakable truth. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen and Amen!
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Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9).
Read 2 Corinthians 1:1–11
When hardship strikes, it has a way of consuming our vision. Problems feel all-encompassing, like storm clouds that block out the sun. Paul understood this feeling well. He and his companions faced trials so extreme that they thought death itself was upon them. But in that desperate place, Paul discovered something profound: suffering can shift our reliance on ourselves onto God.
When everything else is stripped away, we see more clearly that our strength is never enough – but God’s always is. Trials expose our limits, but they also reveal God’s limitless power. He is the one who raises the dead, who brings hope out of despair, and who carries us when we cannot walk on our own.
What burdens are weighing you down today? Do any feel impossible to bear? What if instead of letting them crush you, you allowed them to deepen your dependence on God? What if your hardship became the very thing that sharpened your perspective, turning your eyes from self-reliance to the one who sustains all things?
This is not to diminish the reality of our struggles. The pain we experience is real. But so is God’s faithfulness. Hardships are not the end of the story; they are reminders to trust the one who holds your story in his hands. A kingdom perspective does not deny suffering; it redefines it.
Heavenly Father, when troubles surround me, remind me that you are greater. Let my struggles refine, not define me. Give me a kingdom perspective, trusting that my trials are never the end of the story. In all things, let your holy angel be with me so that the evil one may have no power over me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jane is a former Lutheran school principal and now serves as Governance Leadership Director for Lutheran Education SA, NT & WA. Jane has a keen interest in psychology, enjoys hiking and loves learning about and trying new things.
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At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures (Titus 3:3a).
Read Titus 3:1–15
Yesterday, we reflected on the call to teach. Today, we are given an equally important reminder: we are learners, too.
This is a humbling truth – no-one is beyond learning, and no-one is beyond grace. The moment we forget where we came from, we risk becoming harsh rather than helpful and judgemental rather than gentle. That’s why we are called to teach with compassion, not superiority.
Paul, the author of this passage, understood this firsthand. Before encountering Christ, he was Saul – a man who persecuted Christians in his fierce quest for genocide, convinced he was serving God (Acts 26). But when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, grace shattered his old life and rewrote his future (Acts 9). Paul’s transformation was not just a moment of enlightenment. It was a radical reorientation of his heart.
Think about the people who have shaped your life. The ones who influenced you most likely weren’t those who made you feel small, but those who met you where you were and walked alongside you in your growth. Paul experienced this too – not only through Christ’s direct intervention but through believers like Ananias, who welcomed and guided him despite his past (Acts 9). Likewise, we are called to extend the same patience, humility and grace to others, remembering that we, too, are still being shaped by God.
And here is our hope: God is still in the business of transforming lives. Just as he pursued Paul and changed his heart, he actively seeks those who are lost. And he often works through us. No-one is beyond his reach, and he longs for all to experience the power of his grace.
Our role is simple yet profound: to love, to reflect his grace, and to trust that God is moving in hearts, just as he continues to move in ours.
Lord, help me remember my need for grace and extend it to those around me. Let my life be a reflection of your love. May my words encourage, not discourage. Use me, Lord, to build others up in faith. Amen.
Jane is a former Lutheran school principal and now serves as Governance Leadership Director for Lutheran Education SA, NT & WA. Jane has a keen interest in psychology, enjoys hiking and loves learning about and trying new things.
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But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound instruction (Titus 2:1).
Read Titus 2:1–15
Who has shaped the person you are today? A family member, friend, coach, mentor or teacher, maybe? Whether their impact was positive or negative, one thing is most likely: you had a strong connection with them. Teaching is not just about sharing knowledge; it’s about transformation. And transformation happens through relationships.
We learn best from those we trust; people who take the time to know us, validate us, invest in us and walk alongside us. The greatest teacher of all, Jesus, modelled this perfectly. He didn’t just tell people what to do; he lived among them. He ate with them, listened to their struggles, shared in their joy and showed them love.
True teaching is not about imposing authority or issuing orders. Judgement and criticism are also not forms of teaching. Teaching is about inspiring others to follow. Teaching involves inviting others into transformation, not by force, but by example and relationship. We are most effective when we listen before we speak, mentor with patience, influence with love and lead by example. Whether guiding a child, encouraging a friend or strengthening a community, our teaching is most powerful when it flows from genuine care.
The good news is that we are not left to do this alone. Paul reminds us, ‘The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people’ (Titus 2:11). God’s grace enables us to teach – not with superiority, but with humility and love.
Lord, thank you for the people who have shaped my life. Help me to trust in your grace to continue to shape me into a teacher who inspires, encourages and uplifts those around me. Amen.
Jane is a former Lutheran school principal and now serves as Governance Leadership Director for Lutheran Education SA, NT & WA. Jane has a keen interest in psychology, enjoys hiking and loves learning about and trying new things.
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Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:4,5).
Read Psalm 30
Psalm 30 contains King David’s thanks and praise to God for delivering him from an unidentified life-threatening episode in his life. This episode may be related to some failure on David’s part since he refers to God’s anger. There are a few recorded episodes in the Bible where David’s actions were clearly against God’s will: pride, adultery and murder.
When confronted with the realities of his actions, David entrusted himself to God’s mercy each time. God forgave David, but he didn’t take away the consequences of David’s actions. David had to live with these consequences, but didn’t lose his close relationship with God.
David wants the whole congregation in the temple to join in praising the awesomeness of God for the way he deals with his people in justice and mercy.
God’s aim in dealing with us is not punishment but healing and restoration to a close relationship with him. When we lose our way, God, in his love for us, doesn’t just let us wander off, getting more lost, but he works to help us see our mistakes and lead us back to him. His motivation is his deep love for us. This is something we really struggle to understand – that Jesus would love us so much that he was prepared to suffer a humiliating death to take from us the guilt of our failures and restore us to being his brothers and sisters.
So, of course, we should be thanking and praising our God for what he has done for us – exuberantly.
Heavenly Father, thank you for not letting us get away with wandering away from you. Thank you for drawing us back to you for healing and restoration. We praise you for your awesomeness. Amen.
Charles is a retired engineer who has worked on communications projects for the air force, army and navy. He lives in retirement in the outer north-western suburbs of Sydney with his wife, Diane. They have four children and eight grandchildren, all of whom they love spending time with. He keeps himself busy looking after their pot plants and the community vegetable garden, researching his family history and volunteering in the community and at LifeWay Lutheran Church.