Read Luke 13:1–9
The practice of digging around a tree is common when it is not growing well and, in turn, not producing the fruit it was planted for. When the soil around the tree is disturbed, the roots are damaged in the digging, and then the tree has to grow new roots, which, in turn, strengthen the tree to bear fruit for the next season.
Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that doesn’t bear fruit. The owner says, ‘Well cut it down’, but the man taking care of it says, ‘Leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilise it’.
The tree doesn’t need to be destroyed but disturbed and fed instead.
We are like this tree. We were planted in the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus and given a purpose – to bear fruit. Yet it is easy to drift away from Jesus and begin to follow the way of the world and the way of ourselves. We find it easier to listen to the devil, tempting us with lies in the idea that ‘it is my life and my body; I can do what I like’.
But Jesus has chosen you as his own for his purpose. To bear fruit. The fruit of God’s love in action toward those around you. You are created to be a blessing to others. You are blessed to bless others with God’s love in action.
When the word of the Lord challenges you to live differently, it is like Jesus digging at your roots – the roots in self rather than in the word. You see, the word is the fertiliser of life, and the word of Jesus Christ will feed and sustain you in bearing the fruit of God’s love in action.
When Jesus digs at your roots, hear the word, and be ready for his word to guide, challenge, heal and restore you. Be prepared for his word to nourish your hungry soul, ready to go out into the world with new growth and fruit that blesses others.
Dear Jesus, dig into my roots of selfishness and worldly ways. Let me grow in you to bear fruit for others. Help me to be a blessing to everyone I meet today. Feed me, nourish me, and strengthen me daily in your holy word. Amen.
Pastor Mark lives with his two daughters aged 11 and 8 in Redcliffe, just north of Brisbane. He currently serves as a pastor in the LCANZ and is passionate about sharing Jesus’ love with those around him. Pastor Mark loves to travel with his family to see the wonders of God’s creation and meet people who share their stories of what God has done for them.
The Creator cares about me?
by Stuart Gray
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life (Psalm 138:6,7).
Read Psalm 138
The theme of this week’s devotions is that God is the God of all peoples, not just Israel.
There is an encounter Jesus had with a Canaanite woman (an outsider), and the prophecy in Isaiah of the creation of new heavens and a new earth where people of all nations worship God. Then there was the struggle the Jews had in accepting that Christ died for all, and the passage from 1 Timothy saying that it is through Christ that God connects to all people. Then we had a vision of what reconciliation between God and humankind will be like.
In keeping with this theme, Psalm 138 also references that God is the God of all. ‘May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed.’
But the verse that really caught my attention is something I have pondered many times. ‘Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly.’
In Psalm 8, the contrast is made greater. ‘When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?’ (Psalm 8:3,4).
The Creator of the universe cares about me? While it might seem arrogant to believe that God pays attention to me, I approach this with humility.
And the psalmist expresses faith in God’s care. ‘Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me’ (Psalm 138:7).
We are not promised a stress- or trouble-free life. But we are promised that God is with us.
So how can we believe this? It is because God has kept his promises by sending his Son to die for us so that we might live, for and with God.
God is the God of all peoples, and that includes me. Only with humility can I thank and praise God.
And humility opens the heart to grace.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for caring for us and looking kindly on us through all the ups and downs of life. We thank you for reconciling us through your Son, who sacrificed his life so that we might live. We pray that we can approach you with both confidence and humility. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Stuart lives with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh in Mansfield, in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. In between helping to maintain a large garden and domestic orchard with 80 fruit trees, Stuart is a volunteer mentor for learner drivers, a Red Cross patient transport driver and is involved in a very active Mansfield Anglican church community. Stuart loves travelling, being outdoors and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.
All light, no night
by Stuart Gray
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever (Revelation 22:5).
Read Revelation 21:10–22,22:5
How do you describe perfection? More specifically, how do you describe God’s perfection and the promised eternal life with him?
Today’s reading offers a good attempt to describe the divine splendour. It is rich in imagery, a breathtaking vision of extravagant beauty and perfect fellowship with God and the Lamb.
I doubt if modern film technology could do justice to the glory and brilliance expressed in this passage. It is beyond human comprehension.
But apart from the dazzling description of the New Jerusalem, there are three very interesting insights.
Verse 22 says, ‘I did not see a temple in the city.’
The temple in Jerusalem was central to Old Testament Jewish life. As well as a place of worship, it was the spiritual, religious and national centre of Israel. The inner sanctum of the temple represented God’s presence. But while the people worshipped at the temple, their access to the inner sanctum was very limited, only by a priest on the Day of Atonement.
In the New Jerusalem, there is no temple, ‘because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple’. There are no barriers between God and the redeemed; there is direct fellowship with God as full reconciliation has been achieved.
The second important message is that there is no more night. Darkness is often associated with fear, danger, evil and death, but in the New Jerusalem, none of these exists, only the pure light of the Lord God.
And the third insight of this vision: ‘… and they will reign forever and ever.’ This relates to Genesis and God’s original intention that humankind should rule over creation under God’s authority. A creation that was ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31).
Redeemed humanity is not merely living eternity; they are reigning with God.
What a wonderful vision and hope to hold onto.
Heavenly Father, we so look forward to your promise of being in direct fellowship with you and the Lamb in the New Jerusalem. Help us to be your light in this world so that all people may come to you through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Stuart lives with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh in Mansfield, in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. In between helping to maintain a large garden and domestic orchard with 80 fruit trees, Stuart is a volunteer mentor for learner drivers, a Red Cross patient transport driver and is involved in a very active Mansfield Anglican church community. Stuart loves travelling, being outdoors and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.
One mediator
by Stuart Gray
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and humankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people (1 Timothy 2:5,6a).
Read 1 Timothy 2:1–7
Today’s reading raises a difficult question. Are Christians the only ones who will see salvation and eternal life? The text says, ‘For there is one God and one mediator between God and humankind, the man Christ Jesus.’
But the next verse says, ‘… who gave himself as a ransom for all people.’
A definitive answer to the question is way above my pay grade, so I would like to take a wider look at the passage and explore what Paul is saying to us.
First of all, Paul urges us to pray for all people. That’s a big ask. During intercessions, when we have the opportunity to pray for those in our hearts, I soon run out of names of family and friends and a few general categories. But Paul says to pray for all people.
And he has distinctions in prayer: supplications, requests for specific needs; prayers, general worshipful communication with God; intercessions, pleading on behalf of others; and thanksgivings, expressions of gratitude.
Paul says we should pray for all those in authority so we can live in ‘all godliness and holiness’.
And the reason for this? Verses 3 and 4 say, ‘This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.’
Again, Paul says God wants all people to be saved and know the truth. And the truth Paul refers to is that there is one mediator between God and humankind. This is ‘the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all people’.
It is clear that Christians are to place their trust in Christ alone as mediator, but God wants the salvation of all people. Thankfully, it is not our role to judge individuals. Our faith is in God’s justice and mercy.
As Christians, we can bear witness to Christ crucified, the mediator between perfect God and sinful humankind; we can respect and love people of other faiths and leave the final judgement to God.
Heavenly Father, we pray that the Holy Spirit works through us to be witnesses to Christ crucified. Help us to treat all people with love and respect. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Stuart lives with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh in Mansfield, in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. In between helping to maintain a large garden and domestic orchard with 80 fruit trees, Stuart is a volunteer mentor for learner drivers, a Red Cross patient transport driver and is involved in a very active Mansfield Anglican church community. Stuart loves travelling, being outdoors and maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.