by Pastor Peter Bean
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What to make of these verses? Not the most wonderful reading in the Bible. It started off well with hospitality shown by Lot. But it quickly degenerated into all sorts of terrible things: sexual immorality, betrayal of family, disbelief, tardiness, warnings ignored, ingratitude. And, as we read on, there is more.
What do we do with all of this? Of course, it’s easy to jump to conclusions and become judgemental of actions and inactions, groups and individuals. And don’t we do that? Sorry, I’ll let you answer that for yourself. For myself, yes, I do jump to conclusions. I do make judgements. I do look down on people. Lord, have mercy.
And the Lord does. Even when we think we have more time to prepare. Even when we joke about what God might do. Even when we are inhospitable. Even when we condemn!
I guess, here, in these verses, we have a good description of human nature. Thoughts and actions are described that can lead us away from God. Even when God is present – in our face, if you like – even when God is clear, and we can hear the voice of the Spirit guiding us. (Did you know that, in the Hebrew Scriptures, to hear is the same as to obey?)
But we also have a good description of God’s nature: to be merciful, to restore those who lack trust or think they can make it on their own. Can each of us examine our lives? Look for those times when you didn’t trust God’s promises and thought you could make it alone. Look for those times when God’s mercy re-appeared: in a word of forgiveness, in a restoration of relationships, in a comforting hug, in the quiet breath of the Spirit breathing new life into you.
And give thanks for the Lord’s mercy.
Lord God, Heavenly Dad, gracious Saviour, life-giving Spirit, thank you for your mercy, shown to me in so many ways. Thank you. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing.
Soldier, athlete, farmer?
by Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this (2 Timothy 2:7).
Read 2 Timothy 2:1–8
Paul encourages us to be strong and reminds us that we are entrusted with teaching others.
We have seen recently many soldiers on the attack and others serving in defence, a difficult and courageous calling that requires strength to endure.
Earlier this year, we watched the Winter Olympics, where highly skilled and courageous athletes competed according to strict rules: a dedicated and disciplined calling requiring incredible strength.
Farmers in our own country battle against all kinds of weather elements and the constraints of daily farm work, providing the produce Australians need for basic survival: a challenging calling requiring sustaining strength.
Which vocation do you most identify with? One in particular? None?
Paul calls us to reflect more deeply and, in a sense, to identify with them all, for they share something in common. Each involves hardship, and we know that we, too, will suffer as Christians. ‘Join with me in suffering,’ he writes (verse 3).
We are called to suffer as soldiers of Christ, seeking to please our commanding officer; as a trained athlete, striving to win the victor’s crown; and as a hard-working farmer, looking forward to a share of the crop. Through all this, we are upheld by God’s grace and his eternal presence. Together with Paul, we embrace the gospel message of Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead – he who was, who is and who is to come (Revelation 1:4).
Dear Lord, grant us courage like a soldier, discipline like an athlete and stamina like a farmer, so that we may trust, follow and believe in you as Saviour of the world. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.
Mercy
by Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I was shown mercy … (1 Timothy 1:13b).
Read 1 Timothy 1:12–17
We all have skeletons in the closet. No one, other than Christ Jesus himself, can claim to be without sin. In light of this truth, our hope lies in today’s text, which pours out grace in abundance (verse 14), along with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (verse 15). A repentant heart acknowledges that we alone cannot save ourselves. We rely fully on the saving grace of Jesus, mercifully given to us.
Wow! Saving grace! Amazing saving grace! This is what is shown to us – positively radiating! Do we radiate that to others? Or, to use another buzzword, do we ‘glimmer’?
A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger. Glimmers are moments in your day that bring joy, peace and gratitude. There is a reason we can remember to glimmer this saving grace so mercifully given to us through Christ Jesus. It is a gift freely given to us. Do we freely share this hope with others?
In our current social and political world, often so lacking in hope, we are called to share the message of Christ Jesus with others. But not in a ‘hammer-hitting’, triggering way. We’ve seen the ‘trigger’ pulled too many times of late. Grumpiness doesn’t glimmer. Short-temperedness doesn’t glimmer. Complaining doesn’t glimmer. Annoyance and anger don’t glimmer. These behaviours discourage others. Right at this moment, I confess that I’m not glimmering.
Our text today proclaims that we have been shown mercy so that Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life (verse 16). Through the daily encouragement of God’s word and the power of prayer, may we also seek to show that same patience, as an example to others.
Dear Triune God, we pray together: ‘Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen’ (verse 17). Help us, Lord, to believe and live this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.
Grow strong
by Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
[Be] strengthened in faith as you were taught … overflowing with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7b).
Read Colossians 2:6–15
These days, I try to intentionally take media-free days. I don’t check the news, turn on the TV or keep my mobile phone nearby. Instead, I leave my phone on charge as far away as possible for much of the day. I begin by reading God’s word and prayerfully remembering those who are suffering – both people I know and those I’ve never met. I stop to enjoy God’s peace in this noisy world. It’s lovely to hear the birds in the garden (instead of a mobile phone). I can then engage in my art, craft or other activities with gratitude in my heart for what God has done for me. I give thanks and remember that I am alive in Christ because of his triumph on the cross.
‘Hollow and deceptive philosophy’ that depends on human tradition (verse 8) is rampant in our media-frenzied world. Paul warns us of this in the text. It was present then, just as it is now. We continue to encounter teachings that are not grounded in the truth of Christ. The elemental spiritual forces of this world remain ‘fashionable’. Yet we are taught in verses 9 and 10 that in Christ all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form, and in him, we have been brought to fullness. Christ alone is the head over every power and authority.
A world without Christ is dead in its sins (verse 13). The calamity, destruction and chaos that fill our screens are empty powers that seek to threaten our peace. But Jesus has disarmed these powers and authorities (verse 15).
So may we be reminded today that the cross of Christ reigns forever. May we take time away from the noise of our screens and be comforted by God’s word. May we pause and listen to the teaching that brings eternal peace. May our hearts be strengthened in faith and love toward Christ alone.
Dear Triune God, help us to trust in you each day. Teach us to know that you alone are the power and authority over this world, especially when trials and threats seek to unsettle us. Empower us to share the comfort of your word with others, because it is truth. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.