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.
Hope builds faith
The devotions for the coming week are taken from Lutheran Tract Mission’s 2026 Lenten devotional, ‘Hope for Our Future’. Written by Anne Hansen, Lutheran Tract Mission’s Tract Development Officer, the devotions focus on how our futures and hopes are assured in Jesus Christ. The Lenten devotional is available here. It can be downloaded, printed or used as a digital flipbook.
by Anne Hansen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love (Psalm 147:11).
Read Psalm 147:1–11
I believe that God gave farmers a mammoth share of faith. Year after year, they sow their crops in the hope that God will send rain for a good harvest. Other farmers spend money and time on feeding their animals in the hope that God will give a good return at the market.
While in Loxton, South Australia, I truly got to understand the meanings of faith and hope. In verses 8 and 9 of Psalm 147 is written:
He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
But what happens when this doesn’t occur in our timing?
My farmer friends from Loxton have faced desperate times without rain, as well as seasons of good harvests. God asks us and those farmers to fear him (respect him) and to continue hoping that, in his unfailing love, he will provide what is needed. It may not be the desired rain, but it may come in the form of help from friends, neighbours and family coming together in faith.
When we are in need and hope, we pray! God hears the prayers of the faithful, and he will uphold you with the strength to cope for another day. Throughout the Bible, we read of God’s love and faithfulness – we only need to hold onto this hope and promise.
This is a beautiful psalm of promise in remembering all that God does for us:
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit (Psalm 147:3–5).
Our God is an incredible God. If he knows the billions and trillions of stars by name, he knows your name and hears the prayers of his children. God wants us to rest in the hope that he loves us and hears all our concerns. This Lenten season, open your hearts to pray – for your family, your neighbours, those in need and the world.
Hope builds faith!
Loving Father, you know all my needs and concerns. I come to you in prayer, asking for help for our farmers. Knowing that you hear my prayers, I place my hope in your promises. Amen.
Anne Hansen has worked as the Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer for almost 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband Mark (a pastor). She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, she loves walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
Hope-filled waiting
The devotions for the coming week are taken from Lutheran Tract Mission’s 2026 Lenten devotional, ‘Hope for Our Future’. Written by Anne Hansen, Lutheran Tract Mission’s Tract Development Officer, the devotions focus on how our futures and hopes are assured in Jesus Christ. The Lenten devotional is available here. It can be downloaded, printed or used as a digital flipbook.
by Anne Hansen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning (Psalm 130:5,6).
Read Psalm 130:1–8
It was 1980, and I sat at the bus stop, waiting and waiting for my bus to come to take me to the city, where I would catch another bus to Immanuel College in Novar Gardens, an inner south-western suburb of Adelaide.
The bus had been due 10 minutes ago; I was going to miss my connection with the city bus. What could I do? There were no mobile phones to call or to check if the bus was on time. I was unable to contact my mum, so I just had to sit, wait and hope that it would come.
Eventually, I learnt that my bus had broken down. Another arrived to take its place and take me to my destination. I was late to school that day. I sat there, trusting that a bus would come to take me to school. I knew I had the right time and the right place, but I just had to sit and wait in hope.
How many times have you sat and waited in hope for God to come and act? Waiting for a family member to come home when they are late? Sitting by the bedside of a loved one as they struggle in pain? Waiting by the phone to hear the results of a test, but it seems to take hours? God hears and cares; still, we wait in hope for the Lord.
The writer of this psalm, presumed to be King David, repeats a part of the above verse: ‘… more than watchmen wait for the morning.’ I have learnt that things repeated in the Bible are emphasised for a reason.
Watchmen were night workers; they worked all night and finished when the sun came up. They knew that their shift would end, for morning does come, but it just takes time.
We are to put our hope in the Lord our God. He hears our cries, prayers and pleas – we must wait for the morning to come. It will inevitably come … just wait with hope!
We wait as ‘watchmen wait for the morning’.
My Lord and Saviour, help me to wait and to trust that you will bring me an answer in your timing. Sometimes it is difficult to wait, but please give me patience in my hope for your help. Amen.
Anne Hansen has worked as the Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer for almost 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband Mark (a pastor). She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, she loves walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
Psalm 119
The devotions for the coming week are taken from Lutheran Tract Mission’s 2026 Lenten devotional, ‘Hope for Our Future’. Written by Anne Hansen, Lutheran Tract Mission’s Tract Development Officer, the devotions focus on how our futures and hopes are assured in Jesus Christ. The Lenten devotional is available here. It can be downloaded, printed or used as a digital flipbook.
by Anne Hansen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word (Psalm 119:81).
Read Psalm 119:41–48,81
So, what do you know about Psalm 119? It is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses. Did you know that Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem written in eight-verse stanzas, and each stanza is named after a letter of the Hebrew alphabet?
It is not known who wrote this chapter – some say King David, others Ezra and others Daniel. What we do know is that the author has a profound love and desire to obey all of God’s words, which are a source of life, hope and wisdom. The overall theme of this chapter is that through obeying God’s word, we will be blessed with happiness, guidance and security.
The word ‘hope’ appears only five times in this chapter, but each time it is mentioned, the hope is related to God’s word. God’s word, the Bible, has power. The laws, testimonies, commandments, judgements, promises and words are all written to guide, comfort and give security, life and hope.
God’s word is described as ‘sweeter than honey’ (verse 103), ‘a lamp to my feet’ (verse 105), ‘more precious than thousands of pieces of silver and gold’ (verse 72) and ‘a refuge and shield’ (verse 114). The writer faces persecution and opposition because of their devotion to God; however, they find security and comfort in all of God’s promises.
The Bible is not just an old piece of history written about people from ancient times, but it is God’s living word. Every time it is opened and read, something new about God’s love and faithfulness is discovered. God’s word is a ‘light for my path’ (verse 105), and ‘All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal’ (verse 160). It is in God’s word that our answers can be found, and our lives have purpose. In our God, we find strength for each day, comfort in pain and hope for a blessed future with a loving God.
Read the Bible – it will give your life purpose and hope for the future!
It is in your word, Lord, that I find direction and peace for my life. Your Bible is living and active. Help me to read it regularly and apply the messages to my life. Amen.
Anne Hansen has worked as the Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer for almost 20 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband Mark (a pastor). She enjoys leading Know Your Bible (KYB) and Mainly Music. For relaxation, she loves walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.