Not just a good season

by Mark Gierus

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The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest (Psalm 85:12).

Read Psalm 85:8–13

In the tropics, you have two seasons: the wet and the dry. In more temperate parts of the world, you have four seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring.

Wherever you live, you may notice the seasons change, bringing new things, new weather patterns and new temperatures. There are seasons when there are more flowers or fruit, and seasons when vegetable crops are ready for harvest. But who sends the rain? Who sends the sun? Who governs the seasons?

God gives us what is good in every season. You may not enjoy every season, but God continues to give good gifts in them all.

We are funny as humans, aren’t we? When it is dry for a little while, we complain because we have to water our lawns and gardens. When it rains, we complain because it is too wet. When it is cold, we are tempted to complain and say we can’t wait for the summer. When it is hot, we complain and want it to be cooler. Yet in every season God gives good things.

What season of life are you in right now? Is it a cold, winter-like season, or are you living it up in the spring–summer season of life?

Can you give thanks and be filled with joy in every season of your life? God doesn’t change. He is still the loving God who cares for you and continues to provide what is good, no matter what season you are in.

Can you begin each day in the confidence and trust in God and say, ‘The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.’

God is your God in all seasons – in times of harvest and sowing, growth, drought and flooding. He will bring a harvest of love in you as you live in him through every season. God is always present.

Loving Father, you provide so much for us, giving us all good things we need for this life and forever. Let me always be thankful for the gifts you have given, and let me always be willing to share these good gifts with those around me. Amen.

Pastor Mark Gierus currently serves as a Lutheran pastor in the Alberton Lutheran Parish, including the LORDS school at Ormeau in Queensland. He is married to Kerstin, and they have three beautiful girls aged 9, 13 and 23. They enjoy family things like hiking, going to the beach, singing and jamming, looking after their pets and going on road trips. Mark and Kerstin pray that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.

What work should I do?

by Mark Gierus

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent’ (John 6:29).

Read John 6:25–35

What sort of work pleases God? Have you ever wondered what he requires of us?

We are told over and over again that when it comes to work, we are to do our best, often going above and beyond what is asked of us. Think of students at school or university – work hard and strive to do your best. You may even have been brought up that way, encouraged to finish every job well. But when it comes to working for God, what does he really require of us as his children?

Yes, God wants us to give the work we are called to do our very best, put our hearts into it and carry it out as though we were working for God himself rather than for a boss or system. Yet what is it that God requires of us?

Jesus tells us straight about what work God requires of us. The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.

Serving, loving our neighbour, sharing God’s love and telling and living the good news of the gospel – that Jesus died for my sins, in my place so that I might be forgiven and set free – is surely the work of God and what he requires of me, isn’t it?

Yes, but the work of God first and foremost is to believe in the one he has sent, his only Son, Jesus. Then, out of faith in Jesus come good works of service, sharing and living out God’s love toward others, giving all our work our best effort. This all flows from believing in the one the Father sent – Jesus.

Dear Jesus, you tell us that the work of God is to believe in you. I believe; help me when I doubt and worry to trust that you are the one the Father sent, and you are the one who gives me peace. Amen.

Pastor Mark Gierus currently serves as a Lutheran pastor in the Alberton Lutheran Parish, including the LORDS school at Ormeau in Queensland. He is married to Kerstin, and they have three beautiful girls aged 9, 13 and 23. They enjoy family things like hiking, going to the beach, singing and jamming, looking after their pets and going on road trips. Mark and Kerstin pray that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.

God does far more than we can ever imagine

by Mark Gierus

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over’ (2 Kings 4:43b)

Read 2 Kings 4:42–44

What is God calling you to do that seems too big, too hard or simply impossible? Many things seem impossible to us, yet nothing is impossible for God.

There was once a man who was asked to build a big boat, kilometres from the nearest ocean or, for that matter, any sort of body of water big enough to float it. Yet he obeyed, and it happened just as God had said it would. This man, of course, was Noah.

There was a man who saw a bush that was burning, yet it didn’t burn up, and so he sat there and had a chat with God. Even though this man said, ‘Maybe, God, you’ve got the wrong guy to do what you would like me to do’, it happened just as God said it would. This man was Moses, and he led the people out of Egypt through the Red Sea.

We may not part the Red Sea or build a boat in a dry place, but we are called to trust in God’s provision, purpose and word, knowing that all things are possible for him.

When it comes to heaven and eternal life, you or I could not find a way there, nor could we make ourselves right in God’s sight to earn a place in heaven. We can’t save ourselves from our hopelessness in our sinful ways.

It was God who gave us a way, and that way is Jesus Christ. God sent his only Son, Jesus, to suffer and die on the cross so that we might have eternal life and be forgiven and saved from sin, death and the power of the devil.

We are free to follow Jesus as God’s children and to trust that God can do all things, knowing that he does what he says he will do. If God calls you to a seemingly impossible task, he will give you what you need to follow him.

Lord, you are amazing, always doing more and giving more than I can ever imagine. Thank you for all you do and for who you are in my life. Help me see day by day the blessings you have given me. Amen.

Pastor Mark Gierus currently serves as a Lutheran pastor in the Alberton Lutheran Parish, including the LORDS school at Ormeau in Queensland. He is married to Kerstin, and they have three beautiful girls aged 9, 13 and 23. They enjoy family things like hiking, going to the beach, singing and jamming, looking after their pets and going on road trips. Mark and Kerstin pray that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.