by Faye Schmidt
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‘Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:15,16).
Read Mark 10:2–16
Can you see yourself as one of these children, wrapped in Jesus’ arms and receiving his blessing?
In baptism, God declares that we are his children, co-heirs with Christ. In Galatians 3:26,27, we read:
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
At baptism, we are gifted with the ability to pray the Lord’s Prayer and call on God as our ‘Father’.
As such children, we can place ourselves in this image of having a close relationship with Jesus, our Saviour. This is not a remote relationship, or one held at arms-length, but close, in his arms with his hands upon us, blessing us.
We also recognise from this text that we are part of a family. The plural is used. We are not an ‘only child’ in a relationship with a God who focuses just on us. We are part of a family. When Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer, it begins, ‘Our Father … It is not about ‘me’ or ‘my’. As the children of God, we live in community, in a family.
There is a saying, ‘You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your relatives’. It is not us who choose the members of this family. God established it through Jesus; it is God who says, ‘You are mine’. God claims us and places us in this family. We recognise and endorse this family as we confess our faith together in the words of the Nicene Creed: ‘We believe …. ’
We have been created as individuals, unique – our DNA and fingerprints are ours alone. As individuals, the Holy Spirit seeks to bring each of us to faith and into God’s family, where we are united to form one body.
We give thanks that we can come to you as our Father, knowing it is your will that each of us knows you love us as your children, heirs with your Son, Jesus Christ, to eternal life through your grace. May the Holy Spirit renew and refresh our faith in you daily as we worship and serve you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
by Craig Heidenreich
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You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet (Psalm 8:6).
Read Psalm 8
Psalm 8 speaks of how God has made humankind rulers over the earth a theme repeated a number of times in Scripture.
In Genesis 9, when God blessed Noah and his family after the flood, he said: ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.’
If we understand what the Lord calls us to, our life takes on purpose. God calls us to partner with him and bring his rulership into the situations we face.
I am aware that whenever I pray the petition in the Lord’s Prayer – ‘Thy kingdom come, thy will be done’ – I, and the rest of the church, am part of the answer.
Let’s take our rightful place and declare, ‘How majestic is your name [Lord] in all the earth!’
Lord, you are great, and everything has been placed under your feet. Please help us to live this day with purpose. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
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Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other (Genesis 11:7).
Read Genesis 11:1–9
Today, in Genesis 11, we have the story of the Tower of Babel.
At about this point in Genesis, the biblical account starts describing the events we see in recorded history (perhaps 3000 BC) as people ‘moved eastward’ into the area that eventually became Babylon.
The rebellious attitude that brought about the recent flood is rising again; however, this time, God initiates a new plan – one that continues to unfold throughout history.
There is more to this story than ‘confusing their language’.
God effectively creates the nations of the earth (dividing them into smaller units) with the view of winning them to himself.
In the next chapter of Genesis, Abraham appears, and God says that all peoples of the earth will be blessed through him. That the Messiah will come from his descendants.
As Jesus comes, this plays out wonderfully with the ‘Great Commission’ (go into all the world). Then, on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit enables all to hear in their own languages (a reverse of Babel).
God has been reaching out to the nations of the earth through Israel and the church, and we have the wonderful description in Revelation of every tribe and tongue worshipping before the lamb (Revelation 7:9).
What begins as confusion at Babel ends with united worship in heaven.
Lord, your ways are truly wonderful. Thank you for persevering with us through all these generations, and we look with anticipation to joining that great multitude in heaven, worshipping you for all eternity. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth (Genesis 9:13).
Read Genesis 9:1–17
The flood story is a major deal in Genesis – taking up four chapters in considerable detail.
In chapter 9, the Lord is at pains to reassure Noah and his family by declaring a covenant with them and with his descendants (us).
God is so emphatic about this that he repeats the word covenant seven times (just in case they missed it).
Not only is he saying it, but God also gives a visible reminder by placing the rainbow in the clouds.
One thing I noted in rereading the passage is the reference in verse 13 when God states, ‘I have set my rainbow in the clouds’. This is not just a meteorological phenomenon – it is his rainbow!
In recent years, people with another agenda have claimed the rainbow as their symbol – let’s remember it’s God’s rainbow through which he declares his wonderful covenant.
Lord, we thank you that you are a covenant-making God – that you are faithful, and we live under your new covenant made possible by the death of Jesus. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord (Genesis 8:20a).
Read Genesis 8:6–22
Imagine how confronting it would be to wake up one day to find you and your family were the only humans left on earth. This was Noah’s experience as the flood subsided.
It’s the sort of scenario in those apocalyptic movies when a few people survive a nuclear war, and everything familiar is destroyed.
Noah doesn’t freak out – he turns to God as they step out of the ark and worships by building an altar.
What a picture of this faithful man who knows where his priorities lie.
We all face turning points when we need to make a declaration that our lives belong to God. To build a personal altar!
Lately, I have had the occasion to reflect on the passage in Matthew 6, calling us to ‘seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well’.
It is so easy to seek the ‘things’ rather than building an altar of obedience to the Lord himself.
Lord, thank you for those who have gone before, who inspire us to run our race. I pray we can see you amid the challenges and not lose sight of our goal. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him (Genesis 7:5).
Read Genesis 7:1–10,17–23
When Noah was a young fellow (about 550 years old), the Lord spoke to him about building an ark and the coming judgement.
Who knows what derision Noah and his family endured as they obeyed (out of sheer obedience) and the boat took shape.
The flood story is a dramatic example of God’s judgement, recorded as a warning of the final judgement at the end of the age. Let’s look at this more closely.
If you don’t know the heart of the Father, you might conclude that he judges with a certain indifference, but some clues in the story suggest otherwise.
I think the first thing to note is the many years that Noah took to build the ark. This was a tangible warning to any who might take heed. The judgement wasn’t exactly a sudden thunderbolt from heaven.
Another curious element that reveals God’s heart of mercy is found in Jewish commentary on the story. The ‘clue’ is in the genealogy – when Enoch and his son Methuselah are mentioned.
You would remember that Enoch was famously taken up to heaven (a bit like Elijah), but his son Methuselah is famous as the man who lived the longest in history (969 years).
Apparently, the name Methuselah means ‘his death will bring’.
The flood came in the year that Methuselah died.
Perhaps you can see the amazing relevance of these events. Methuselah’s very name is prophetic, and in a sense, God keeps him alive as long as possible, delaying the coming judgement.
As we look for the Lord’s return, let’s reach out with his love and remember 2 Peter 3:9:
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
Dear Lord, help us to stay true to you and to declare your great love to those around us – a love that led you to die and reconcile us back to the Father. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in SA’s Barossa Valley after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward (Mark 9:41).
Read Mark 9:38–50
The apostle John is remembered as ‘the one whom Jesus loved’ and wrote letters full of instruction on how we should love – but he didn’t start out that way.
At one time, Jesus called him and his brother James ‘sons of thunder’ due to their fiery natures, after they got so cross with some Samaritans that they wanted them zapped.
Here again, John is objecting to someone Jesus chooses to commend. It’s encouraging to see how much John eventually gets transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit. There’s hope for us yet!
In Mark 9, John is defending the exclusiveness of their group, which is a common attitude among Christians. We can learn from Jesus’ response when he says: ‘Whoever is not against us is for us!’
God is at work in places and people we might overlook if we limit things to our familiar group. He is sovereign and mighty to save; we are not the only ones he uses.
We praise you, Father, for constantly working in the lives of people to defeat the enemy. Give us secure hearts so we can join you and not miss the connections you are providing. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in SA’s Barossa Valley after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Norma Koehne
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May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14).
Read Psalm 19:7–14
The psalmist sings a hymn of praise to God for his precious word. God’s word is described as perfect law, trustworthy statutes, right precepts, pure commandments, firm and righteous decrees, and true and righteous promises. It is the truth, something we can trust and know that through it, God has revealed himself in his fullness as our loving and saving God and has revealed to us his good and gracious will for our lives and the world he has created.
In our devotions this week, we have seen many ways that God’s word works in our lives. The word tells us about Christ and his servant-act of salvation for our sakes. We know that when we boldly proclaim this word of salvation, we will cause some to turn away. But we are encouraged to continue to bring the word of salvation into a world that desperately needs to hear it. We have read about God’s powerful, creative word, which has made us his children in baptism and strengthens us through the sacrament and reading the Bible daily. We have seen the devastating consequences of allowing Satan to undermine God’s word. We hear both God’s word of judgement and forgiveness when we sin.
In trying to show how precious the word is, the psalmist compares it to gold and the sweetness of honey. One can’t help but be reminded of Jesus’ parables about the pearl of great price or the treasure found in the field. The word teaches us that to be a member of the kingdom of God is his greatest treasure and gift. How blessed we are to have become members through the word and water of baptism.
As we immerse ourselves in God’s word and treasure it, this makes a profound difference in our lives. Whatever our circumstances are, with the help of the Holy Spirit, God’s word refreshes the soul, makes wise the simple and gives joy to the heart and light to the eyes. It also has a sobering task as it shows us our hidden faults and guards and warns us against committing willful sins so that, through repentance, we are made innocent, blameless and forgiven.
‘The word shall stand despite all foes … for God is with us and bestows his gifts and Holy Spirit … and take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife, though these all be gone, yet have our foes not won; the kingdom ours remaineth’ (Martin Luther LH 195 v4).
Norma grew up in Koonibba SA. She was a teacher at Concordia College in SA and then served in various roles in Papua New Guinea with her husband. Returning to Australia, Norma worked as an International Student Advisor and, after completing a PhD, worked in administration at the University of Divinity. She has been privileged to serve the LCA on the General Church Board, the Seminary Council, and as president of Lutheran Women of Victoria and Lutheran Women of Australia. Currently, she is happily retired.
God’s judgement and compassion
by Norma Koehne
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If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it (Genesis 4:7b).
Read Genesis 4:1–16
This tragic example of jealousy and anger so vividly illustrates what Jesus later said in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:22:
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca’, is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
It is illustrated again later in what we read in 1 John 3:15: ‘All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them.’ What festers in the heart has terrible consequences.
We are not told why God rejected Cain’s offering. However, it is evident from God’s response to Cain’s anger and despondency that he saw into Cain’s heart and knew not all was right. Sin was ‘crouching at [his] door’. God gave Cain a chance to repent, take stock and ask for forgiveness. He said, ‘Sin desires to have you, but you must rule over it’ (verse 7).
Sin leads to punishment. In his perfect holiness, God abhors sin and must punish the offender. Cain is cursed, banished from God’s presence and is to wander the earth all his days. When Cain realises the dire consequences of what he has done, especially that he ‘will be hidden from [God’s] presence’ (verse 14). In despair, he says, ‘My punishment is more than I can bear’ (verse 13). God has compassion and marks Cain to wander the earth unmolested.
Each of us knows that sin is crouching at our door, waiting for a chance to destroy us. With the help of the Holy Spirit, as baptised children of God, we do well to heed the advice given to us in our confirmation to daily examine our hearts and repent. Through Christ’s death, we are assured that our sins are forgiven, the slate is wiped clean, and we are clothed in his robes of righteousness.
Lord, forgive those secret sins that fester in our hearts. Lead us to repent and praise you for the forgiveness we receive through the life and death of your Son, Jesus Christ, who paid for those sins. Amen.
Norma grew up in Koonibba SA. She was a teacher at Concordia College in SA and then served in various roles in Papua New Guinea with her husband. Returning to Australia, Norma worked as an International Student Advisor and, after completing a PhD, worked in administration at the University of Divinity. She has been privileged to serve the LCA on the General Church Board, the Seminary Council, and as president of Lutheran Women of Victoria and Lutheran Women of Australia. Currently, she is happily retired.