by Pastor Glenn Crouch
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The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does (Psalm 145:13b).
Read Psalm 145:10-18
I have heard the Psalms referred to as Jesus’ hymnbook or as his prayer book. This book was so important to the early church that it is quoted in our New Testament more than any other Old Testament book. Sadly, until about 10 years ago, I didn’t take the book seriously. Sure, I had read all 150 of the Psalms many times and I have my favourites, but the psalter came alive when I was advised to pray them. When I read them as my prayer to my Lord, and then built on that prayer all that has been revealed through Jesus.
In our passage today, we have the basis of a prayer of praise. Read the passage again, then use it as a prayer to your heavenly Father. Then build on that with what Jesus has revealed. So, for example, the following prayer is based on the section quoted above:
Father, you are trustworthy. You keep all your promises, and you are faithful in all of your actions. You promised Israel a Messiah. You promised a seed that would crush the head of the serpent. These and so many more promises, you faithfully fulfilled in and through your dear Son, Jesus. My faith is so feeble compared with your faithfulness – help me to trust you, help me to keep my focus on my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
See how you fare with the other verses in our passage today. It can be very helpful to write them down. Why stop with this passage? Through Scripture, the Holy Spirit can give us words when we struggle to pray.
Faithful Father, forgive me for not spending more time talking with you. Through your Holy Spirit, open your word to me. I want to know you better. I want to love you better. Help me see Jesus more clearly. In his name I pray. Amen.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul (Acts 11:25).
Read Acts 11:19–30
Barnabas, this man from Cyprus (Acts 4:36,37) is worth looking into. Why not check him out on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnabas – and don’t forget to check the Bible references given.
Following the situation with Cornelius, which we have been looking at for most of this week, reports come in that in the city of Antioch (in Syria), there were those sharing the gospel with Gentiles and that the church there was expanding – with both Jews and Gentiles. So, this needed investigation and Barnabas is chosen for the task. Notice (verse 23) that he was pleased with what he found and encouraged them to continue to remain true to the Lord.
Barnabas did not only encourage with words. He set off for Tarsus to grab Saul (who will become better known by his other name of Paul) and brought him to Antioch. This is not a trivial task – check out a Bible Atlas and see where these cities were! We see here the Holy Spirit at work. We know all that he will do through Paul (Saul) and it started by Barnabas fetching him from Tarsus so that they could work together in Antioch.
The Holy Spirit cannot be contained. The Jerusalem church did not seek out Cornelius – nor did they seek out the Samaritans, nor the Ethiopian. They did not decide to start a church plant in Antioch. Rather the gospel could not be contained, and they had to play catch up. The Holy Spirit helped them with that as well – through Philip, then Peter and now Barnabas.
Are you open to the Holy Spirit working in you? You can be his instrument in your home, your work, your school, your community – wherever you may find yourself. Join with me in desiring to be like Barnabas and be full of the Holy Spirit and faith.
Gracious Father, thank you for including me in your kingdom. Help me to be your instrument in the task of bringing heaven to earth. Fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit, so that I may not only better serve you but that I may also be an encouragement to all whom I encounter. Not by my strength, but by yours. In the power of my Lord Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the Pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and also looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Karen and he have been married since 1985 and have two grown sons – and have recently become grandparents.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life’ (Acts 11:18).
Read Acts 11:1–18
It seems what happened at Cornelius’ house (as we read earlier this week) spread like wildfire and consequently, when Peter and his colleagues returned to Jerusalem, they were not greeted with enthusiastic inquiries. No, they received criticism – it almost appears that they were put on trial. As we may struggle with change, it seems it wasn’t any easier for the very first church.
As Peter had stood up several times already in this book, so now he stands up and gives an account of the work of the Holy Spirit to his fellow members of the Jerusalem church. While it is perfectly reasonable that those in Jerusalem wanted Peter to give an account of all that had happened in Caesarea (and Joppa), it is disappointing that things started with criticisms and accusations. This is a good reminder that the church today is still a family of sinners – yes, we are forgiven, justified, redeemed, and reconciled – but we still mess up.
Not only do we as individuals need to use the Scriptures as a mirror to see how well we are loving God and loving our neighbour but our congregations and our church organisations need to do this as well. Peter and Paul will later have a conflict over eating with Gentiles (Galatians 2) and the first recorded church council (Acts 15) will look at this issue again. So, if we see that the first Christians – many of whom knew Christ and who all had direct access to the apostles – struggle to determine God’s will, it’s not that surprising that we still struggle.
It is worth noting that our text today ends with the church praising God.
Lord of our salvation, grant me your patience and wisdom as I deal with fellow believers with whom I have disagreements. Help me to keep my focus on my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and all that he has achieved for all of us. In his mighty name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the Pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and also looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Karen and he have been married since 1985 and have two grown sons – and have recently become grandparents.
I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism (Acts 10:34b).
Read Acts 10:34-48
Have you noticed that in many paintings, Jesus often doesn’t look like he is from the Middle East? A few years back I saw a wonderful painting of the crucifixion in which Jesus and all those involved were from Papua New Guinea. I think you can guess the nationality of the artist. I believe it is important that we embrace the fact that Jesus lived, died, and rose again for all those in our culture (including you and me!). The Bible teaches that God became one of us, and adopting Jesus into our culture is one of the ways to proclaim this.
However, this can lead to problems if we overlook that the gospel is for ‘all nations’, not just my nation. We see this with Peter and his colleagues. After Peter’s sermon, which was eagerly anticipated by the Gentile listeners, we have a wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These people did not need to give up their Roman ways and become Jews. They put their trust in Jesus, received the Holy Spirit, and were baptised. They were as fully Christian as any in the Jerusalem church.
Our God so loved all of us – regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, etc – that he sent Jesus to live the life of obedience that we all fail to live; to carry all of our sins upon the cross so that we all rise to life eternal through his resurrection.
This is probably a good time to examine ourselves (and our churches) to make sure that we are not excluding those who are different from us. For those of different backgrounds within your congregation, maybe you can find ways in which you can celebrate and experience that difference. Look into ways you can support organisations that spread the gospel, in word and deed, throughout different countries.
Father, you are our creator, sustainer, and redeemer. May any barriers to the spread of your gospel be removed. Through your Holy Spirit help me to show your love to my friends and family, as well as to those who have different backgrounds. Help me to see people as you see people. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the Pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and also looks after St John’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Karen and he have been married since 1985 and have two grown sons – and have recently become grandparents.
We are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us (Acts 10:33b).
Read Acts 10:17–33
Yesterday we saw the Holy Spirit preparing Peter to bring the gospel into a Gentile’s home. However, the Holy Spirit was already at work in Cornelius back in verse 2. As we start today’s passage, the men Cornelius had sent (following his encounter with the angel of the Lord) arrive, as Peter ponders his vision. Cornelius had responded to the Holy Spirit by being devout and giving generously. He responded to his encounter with God by sending the men to Peter. How will he respond when he hears the gospel?
Peter arrives and enters Cornelius’ house, showing that the repeated vision has made an impact on the apostle. He discovers not only that Cornelius and his household are waiting for him, but that the centurion has invited family and friends to be there. For Cornelius seeking the Lord was not a solo adventure, rather it was something to share with those around him. I get the feeling that Peter was quite surprised at the size of the crowd of Gentiles waiting to hear from him.
As a pastor, I am blessed to have many in my congregation who respond as Cornelius does in verse 33. We should be coming to our time of worship acknowledging that we are in God’s presence, eager to hear what the Lord has commanded the preacher (or lay reader) to tell us. Encourage your pastor or lay reader by letting them know of your eagerness to hear the Lord through them.
Perhaps like Cornelius we too could invite family and friends to come with us?
O Lord almighty, increase my desire to enter into your presence so that I may hear your word, that I may sing your praises and that I might enjoy the fellowship of fellow believers. Give me the courage and the words I need to invite others to come with me. I need your help to do this. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Glenn is the Pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and also looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Karen and he have been married since 1985 and have two grown sons – and have recently become grandparents.
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean’ (Acts 10:15).
Read Acts 10:1–16
In Acts 8, we saw that the gospel was breaking down barriers: Samaritans were welcomed into God’s kingdom, and an African was now a follower of Jesus (and we can imagine what the Holy Spirit would do through him when he got home). This week, we will see the lengths the Holy Spirit will go through to bring the gospel to the Gentiles (which, for most reading this, is ‘us’!). The Ethiopian continued home and thus was not a part of the church that was growing in Israel. That church was completely Jewish. So, how was the gospel going to be spread to the non-Jews, if the Jewish Christians could not associate with them (for example, share a meal, enter their homes, etc.)?
In today’s reading, we see that Peter has a big problem with this. Did you notice how many times the Lord had to send him that vision? Peter needed to move well out of his comfort zone to fulfill what Jesus had commanded in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), which was to go and make disciples of all nations – not just the Jews.
There wasn’t a meeting held in those early days to discuss how they were going to proclaim the gospel, let alone how Gentiles were supposed to ‘fit in’ to the church. Did they need to become Jews first? Were there to be two separate gatherings? We really don’t understand what a big step this was for Peter and the church – but the Holy Spirit did and was already at work!
Perhaps it is a good time to examine ourselves – examine our church – to see whether there are things we are declaring to be ‘impure’ that God has made clean.
Gracious and forgiving Father, do not let me be a barrier when it comes to the spread of your gospel. Rather help me to hear your Spirit within me, and to follow him. Persist with me as you did Peter. Help me, Lord, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the Pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and also looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Karen and he have been married since 1985 and have two grown sons – and have recently become grandparents.
Start or finish every day in God's word
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognised Jesus (Mark 6:54).
Read Mark 6:30–34,53–56
Our section from Mark’s Gospel bookends the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus walking on the water. Though these miracles are wonderful stories that show us who Jesus is, they are not our focus today. Rather we are looking at the people who are chasing after Jesus.
Imagine yourself as one of those in the crowd. You are eager to hear Jesus’ words as you’ve heard about the authority with which he speaks – how his very words change people. Perhaps you or a family member (or friend) need healing, and if you can just bring this need to the attention of Jesus then all will be well – or maybe just get close enough to touch his cloak. It is hardly surprising that crowds formed wherever Jesus went.
Through prayer and Scripture, we have access to Jesus today. Through baptism, we die with Jesus in his death and are raised with him in his resurrection. As we receive holy communion, we receive his body and his blood.
But do we chase after these things? Are you drawn to Jesus? Do you seek out others so that you can pray to him together? Do you cross great distances to hear the gospel preached and to share at his table? We have easy access to the Bible on our phones – are we using them to learn more about Jesus?
I think we need to look again at those people in the crowds. We need to hunger after Jesus. We need our churches, our prayer meetings, and our Bible studies to be overflowing. We need to listen afresh to the Holy Spirit as he draws us to Jesus!
Heavenly Father, you have supplied me with an abundance of resources, yet I barely use them. Through your Holy Spirit, make me like those in the crowds – make me desperate to follow Jesus. I know I need to spend more time in your word, in prayer, in fellowship – help me! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the Pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and also looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Karen and he have been married since 1985 and have two grown sons – and have recently become grandparents.
by Pauline Simonsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing (Psalm 23:1).
Read Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is my go-to comfort in the small hours of the night when sleep eludes me. Maybe for you, too?
When worries assail me, I find great comfort in the direct, simple declaration that the Lord is my shepherd, tending, protecting and guiding me, and I lack nothing. I often repeat this line to myself, over and over. Whatever I have been anxious about is answered by those powerful statements of reality.
These truths, those words of life, enable me to release my taut self to him. And then he makes me lie down in the green meadows of my imagination and relax; he refreshes me beside quiet waters of rest; he restores my ragged soul. My Shepherd brings me to these places of shalom because he is good and he is love.
The 23rd Psalm is so honest about human existence. The valley of the shadow of death is here – the times of deep darkness in our lives. Even though we walk through them, you and I need not fear evil because our Shepherd accompanies us every step of the way with his stout staff.
My enemies are present, the devil, the world, my sinful nature – and yet my Shepherd prepares a feast for me! He serves up abundance amid the battle! He is not concerned with the enemies (they are defeated). He wants me to feast on his life! And so my head is anointed with blessing, and my cup overflows with the wine of his joy.
With such a good Shepherd leading me throughout my life, what have I to fear? His goodness and loving kindness will follow me and you all our lives, until he leads us home to the house of our Father.
‘So do not let your hearts be troubled; trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house, there are many rooms … I am going there to prepare a place for you. And I will come back and take you to be with me (John 14:1–3).
Loving Good Shepherd, I lean back now and rest in your arms. You have my back; you have my life. Breathe your shalom into me. Hold me and carry me home. Amen.
Pauline Simonsen is the dean of Emmaus, a Christian training provider for adults in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Pauline is also a spiritual director and enjoys leading retreats or guest speaking for the wider Christian church. She is married to Roger, and they live with two much-loved cats in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand.
by Pauline Simonsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Peter said to him, ‘Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat’. Immediately Aeneas got up (Acts 9:34).
Read Acts 9:32–43
‘I have set you an example, that you should do as I have done’, Jesus told his disciples in the upper room on the night before his death.
Peter takes this instruction to heart! Much later, after Jesus’ ascension, after Pentecost, the apostles are taking the word of life abroad: Philip to the Ethiopian official and to the coastal towns; Saul to Damascus and Tarsus; and Peter around Judea.
Today's reading shows Peter imitating his Lord, repeating miracles that Jesus did first. Using the words that Jesus used to the paralysed man in Mark 2:11, Peter tells paralysed Aeneas, ‘Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat’. And Aeneas walks! As with Jesus’ healing back in Capernaum, the miracle profoundly affects the townspeople.
Peter is called on to Joppa, where a dearly loved believer named Tabitha has died. Peter remembers how his Lord raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, and so he copies Jesus (in Mark 5:40–42), putting all the mourners out of the room, commanding the dead body: ‘Tabitha, get up’. Like Jairus’ daughter, Tabitha sits up, alive! As Jesus did, Peter takes her hand, helps her up, and gives her back to her loved ones. Peter has literally ‘learned from the master’, and trusting in the power of Jesus’ name, speaks the words of his Lord to heal people.
Paul also learned this principle of imitating, passing on to others what he had received from the Lord Jesus. ‘Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me’, says Paul to the Philippians, ‘put it into practice’ (Philippians 4:9). And to the Thessalonians: ‘You became imitators of us and of the Lord … a model to all the believers’ (1 Thessalonians 1:5–7).
And so the word of life, spoken by Jesus, is passed on and on and on, as God’s people learn from their forerunners in the faith, and in turn pass Jesus’ words and ways on to those who come after.
Who have you heard the words of life from? Who taught you the ways of Jesus, the Master? Thank God for them now.
And who are you passing the word of life on to?
Father, thank you for giving us your word of life in your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you to those who spoke your word of life to us. Continue to plant your word in us, and grow us in the pattern of your Son, so we bear the word to others. Amen.
Pauline Simonsen is the dean of Emmaus, a Christian training provider for adults in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Pauline is also a spiritual director and enjoys leading retreats or guest speaking for the wider Christian church. She is married to Roger, and they live with two much-loved cats in the beautiful Manawatu region of New Zealand.