by Maria Rudolph
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Read James 3:1–12
I grew up in Germany, with today being St Nicholas Day. Now, it is my children’s turn to clean their shoes on the eve of 6 December and place them neatly outside their bedroom door. When they awake, they will find small goodies in their shoes - lollies, nuts and gifts. St Nicholas Day is a joyful event of giving and receiving.
Nicholas was the 4th-century bishop of Myra, located in modern-day Türkiye (Turkey). The stories surrounding his generous giving and godly conduct have somehow taken on a life of their own and curiously culminated in the modern-day creation of Santa Claus. While this is a far cry from the original person of Bishop Nicholas, it serves as yet another reminder of God, the giver of all things. St Nicholas is credited with this quote - ‘The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.’
How blessed we are with godly quotes from him and many other faithful Christians throughout the ages. How blessed we are with Scripture verses full of wisdom said and recorded by the people of old. Yet an observation and warning from St James in his epistle is true for all of them and us - ‘Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be’ (James 3:10). Even well-quoted people do not always use their tongues appropriately.
We already focus on giving gifts and sharing kind actions during this Advent season. But let us also focus on our tongues. Martin Luther instructs us in his Small Catechism on the eighth commandment:
Do not give false testimony. What does this mean? We should honour and love God and so we should not tell lies about other people, give their secrets away, talk about them behind their back, or damage their reputation in any way. Instead, we should speak up for them, say only good things about them, and explain their actions in the kindest way.
It takes effort to use our tongues appropriately, but with a focus on the giver of every good and perfect gift, we are on the right track. Let us all challenge ourselves to take note of our tongue and pray daily that we may use it solely for blessing.
Holy Spirit, living water, we need your help and guidance. We do not want to be a spring from which fresh and saltwater flow simultaneously. But we trip up and fail. Fill us with your living water so our cup overflows into our lives and the people around us from the spring of life inside us. Store the fruit of your Spirit in our hearts abundantly, so our mouth speaks of what our hearts are full of. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Maria is overjoyed to be a candidate for ordination as a pastor of the LCANZ while serving the St Johns Perth congregation and supporting the ministry of her pastor husband, Michael, at Concordia Duncraig congregation in Western Australia. They are parents to three children who are busy with primary and secondary schooling. Maria also serves the church as a member of the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
Woe to the backyard brewers!
by Emma Strelan Werner
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If anyone causes one of these little ones … to stumble, it would be better for them … to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:6).
Read Matthew 18:6–10
Woe to those who brew backyard beer and lead children around corners!
We used to live in a house with one entrance from the street and one from the laneway around the back. One day, my brother, who was 18 months old, was playing in the front yard while my dad washed the family van on the lawn. After finishing the final polish, Dad jumped in the van to drive it around the block and park it in the backyard. Seeing my dad leave the driveway, my brother decided he would follow and toddled after him. Of course, his little legs meant that by the time my dad had turned the first corner, my brother was left in the dust, now seemingly completely alone, happily toddling through the neighbourhood in just his nappy.
All was well, as father and son were soon reunited. But I can certainly say the police were not too impressed when, after a call from an observant neighbour, they came to do a welfare check only to find my dad hanging out in a backyard littered with beer bottles (from his recent home-brew endeavours). It was not a good look for a pastor’s family, to say the least.
It’s a good thing for our society to care about the safety of our children. God takes our misleading those who are ‘little’ in faith (so, perhaps most of us!) seriously, too.
Whether we intend to mislead or not, maybe a question we should consider is: ‘If someone who looks up to me in my community was to follow what I’m doing, where would that take them?’ And ‘What could this behaviour look like from an outsider’s perspective, even if it is actually quite innocent?’
It’s a good thing we have a Heavenly Father whose eye never leaves us when we wander, and a bloke called Jesus who’s worth following more than even my dad.
Dear Lord, please show me if any of my actions have led someone into sin because I didn’t think enough about the implications. Please keep me from stumbling, and may I fix my eyes on you and your ways, especially when it matters most. Amen.
Emma works part-time as a content producer at Lutheran Media, where she creates the Messages of Hope radio show and podcast. On her other days, she takes freelance video jobs, filming weddings and all manner of projects that come along. Having gotten married herself in May, she’s enjoying this new season of life with her husband, Tim.
Are you happy to take instructions from God?
by Steve Liersch
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Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it (Psalm 119:34,35).
Read Psalm 119:33–40
How often have you got excited about being told what to do? It seems to go against one of our basic instincts, as pride often leaves little room for someone else’s advice when we think we know best. It can be observed in a very young child (think learning to eat) right through to a very elderly person (think using a modern TV remote).
Sure, there are times when being given instructions can result in a new skill being learnt, some danger being avoided, or even making us look good in the eyes of others. Often, however, there is a hidden motivation just beneath the surface. It reflects a ‘What’s in it for me?’ attitude. Words and phrases like ‘impress’, ‘climb the social or corporate ladder’ and ‘outdo a rival’ quickly come to mind.
Our psalmist, however, is here praying for instruction in God’s will as he longs for the opportunity to joyfully follow God’s path for his life. Wow! Let that sink in for a minute. The first seven verses begin with a request – almost a demand – for God to intervene, instruct, teach and guide his way through life so that he can actively delight in living for and serving his God, our God, the God of the universe.
To have a heart that seeks to live for God is truly a work of the Holy Spirit, as our sinful nature is not this way inclined without truly divine intervention. The wonderful thing is that our God of love is more than willing to answer such a prayer request because he knows what a blessing it will prove to be in our lives.
Identify a time when you willingly asked for instructions to gain life skills. Were you happy with the basics, or did you constantly seek more help to refine that skill?
God of love and giver of all good things, you know what’s good for me. Change my heart so that it willingly asks for your word and Spirit to instruct me in life skills that will honour you and bless others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Pastor Steve continues to enjoy his ministry in the beautiful southern coastal suburbs of Perth. Having announced his retirement date for May 2027, he will always be passionate about serving God, though it may look different in retirement.
Lord, I hope it never happens to me, but if it does …
by Steve Liersch
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Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings (1 Peter 4:12a,13a).
Read 1 Peter 4:12–19
I have just finished reading a fascinating and sobering report called ‘Australian Christian Freedom Index 2025’. If you go to the Canberra Declaration website, you will easily find it.
While I normally don’t intend to get into anything that could be misconstrued as a political bias or wrongly interpreted as ‘far-right ideology’, I couldn’t help but have a heavy heart for the way that Christianity is being attacked in Australia in our modern era. Between 27 February and 6 April 2026, 10,808 Christians from all eight states and territories completed the inaugural Australian Christian Freedom Index survey.
Here is what the report incorporates. There are 40 documented cases of Christians penalised for their beliefs; 74 laws passed since 2000 restricting Christian freedoms; 92 per cent of respondents say it’s riskier today to affirm Christian beliefs publicly than five years ago.
One of the things I found most interesting was the report’s use of an internationally recognised eight-stage persecution scale, with many parts of Australia assessed as being at stage five.
Peter wrote about this nearly 2,000 years ago. God knows that his followers will suffer for believing in Jesus and seeking to live according to his word. However, there is also our sinful nature, the wily ways of the devil and the world around us to contend with.
Thankfully, and ultimately, Jesus defeated sin, death and the power of the devil when he gave his life to bear the sin of the world. While the war is won, the battle rages. Pray for strength to remain faithful.
Merciful and loving God, pour out your Holy Spirit in me to create a desire to be more aware of suffering and persecution within your kingdom. Make me strong in faith, consistent in my spiritual battle and more reliant on your word. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Pastor Steve continues to enjoy his ministry in the beautiful southern coastal suburbs of Perth. Having announced his retirement date for May 2027, he will always be passionate about serving God, though it may look different in retirement.