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So from now on we regard no-one from a worldly point of view … Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:16a,17)
Read 2 Corinthians 5:11–6:2
From a human point of view, Jesus can be considered a great man, prophet, freedom fighter, religious teacher and martyr. From a human point of view, when Jesus is viewed like this, the cross can only mean shame, weakness and defeat.
However, for those who are in Christ, the full truth of Christ is revealed. We’re given a new perspective of his life, death and resurrection. And more than that, we are recreated by him. A transformation has taken place. Everything old has passed away. And now we can see things from the perspective of the end when the new heavens and earth will be complete.
That means we can put away old attitudes and judgements against our fellow believers. Instead of making assumptions about them and having opinions based on how they look or what they are doing, we can look at them with new eyes.
Just as God has given us a new status, he has also made these people new creations. When God looks at me in Christ, he sees a forgiven sinner. When God looks at my sister or brother in Christ, he sees a forgiven sinner. Now, when I look at my fellow Christians through the eyes of faith, I can see them as a forgiven, restored, newly created child of God.
And that enables me to minister to them, serve them, honour them, support them, encourage them, forgive them, seek forgiveness from them, be reconciled to them, and uphold them as I uphold Christ himself.
What a difference that makes to Christian communities when this takes place. What a privilege it is for us to be part of such communities. What a challenge and encouragement it is to play our part in these communities.
Lord God, thanks for reconciling me to yourself through Jesus Christ. Open my heart and give me the strength to see others as you do. Help me to honour them as people who you love and care for. Forgive me when I fail you and others. Renew me each day by your grace in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Mark Lieschke is a retired pastor living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. He served in parishes in South Australia, New Zealand and New South Wales before being elected as bishop of the LCANZ’s NSW and ACT District. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and relaxing.
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For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes’. For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Read 2 Corinthians 1:12–22
Life is filled with uncertainty. People change, circumstances shift, and promises can be broken. But God is not fickle. His word is not uncertain. His promises are not fragile. In a world of shifting circumstances, hesitant commitments and broken assurances, God’s answer in Christ is a resounding ‘YES’!
Yes to grace. Yes to mercy. Yes to redemption. Yes to love that never fails. Yes to new life, new hope and a future secured in him. Every promise God has spoken finds its fulfilment in Jesus. There is no hesitation, backtracking or half measures; only abundant, overwhelming, unshakable assurance.
And here is the truth that sets us free: We don’t have to live in fear, questioning whether we are enough. We don’t have to second-guess God’s faithfulness or wonder if he will change his mind about us. In Christ, God has already said yes.
Yes, you are loved. Yes, you are forgiven. Yes, you are chosen. Yes, you are favoured. Yes, you belong to him.
The enemy whispers doubt, trying to convince us that we are disqualified and have strayed too far, and that God’s yes has somehow turned into a ‘no’.
But that is a lie. I repeat: That is a lie.
Scripture reminds us that all of God’s promises – every single one – find their answers in Christ. There is no condition, loophole, wavering; just the fullness of his yes, forever secure. So, live in the joy of this yes! Cast off fear, step toward faith and trust in the unwavering faithfulness of God. Let your life be an echo of his yes! And, as you do, declare your own Amen! So be it! To the glory of God!
Almighty God, you are the God of yes! Yes to grace, yes to mercy, yes to a love that never fails. Your yes is unshakable, unstoppable and undeniable. No fear, doubt or failure can silence your yes over my life. I stand in the fullness of your truth, rejecting every lie that tells me I am too far gone, too broken or too unworthy. Fill me with boldness, Lord. I walk in the power of your unbreakable truth. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen and Amen!
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Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9).
Read 2 Corinthians 1:1–11
When hardship strikes, it has a way of consuming our vision. Problems feel all-encompassing, like storm clouds that block out the sun. Paul understood this feeling well. He and his companions faced trials so extreme that they thought death itself was upon them. But in that desperate place, Paul discovered something profound: suffering can shift our reliance on ourselves onto God.
When everything else is stripped away, we see more clearly that our strength is never enough – but God’s always is. Trials expose our limits, but they also reveal God’s limitless power. He is the one who raises the dead, who brings hope out of despair, and who carries us when we cannot walk on our own.
What burdens are weighing you down today? Do any feel impossible to bear? What if instead of letting them crush you, you allowed them to deepen your dependence on God? What if your hardship became the very thing that sharpened your perspective, turning your eyes from self-reliance to the one who sustains all things?
This is not to diminish the reality of our struggles. The pain we experience is real. But so is God’s faithfulness. Hardships are not the end of the story; they are reminders to trust the one who holds your story in his hands. A kingdom perspective does not deny suffering; it redefines it.
Heavenly Father, when troubles surround me, remind me that you are greater. Let my struggles refine, not define me. Give me a kingdom perspective, trusting that my trials are never the end of the story. In all things, let your holy angel be with me so that the evil one may have no power over me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jane is a former Lutheran school principal and now serves as Governance Leadership Director for Lutheran Education SA, NT & WA. Jane has a keen interest in psychology, enjoys hiking and loves learning about and trying new things.
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At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures (Titus 3:3a).
Read Titus 3:1–15
Yesterday, we reflected on the call to teach. Today, we are given an equally important reminder: we are learners, too.
This is a humbling truth – no-one is beyond learning, and no-one is beyond grace. The moment we forget where we came from, we risk becoming harsh rather than helpful and judgemental rather than gentle. That’s why we are called to teach with compassion, not superiority.
Paul, the author of this passage, understood this firsthand. Before encountering Christ, he was Saul – a man who persecuted Christians in his fierce quest for genocide, convinced he was serving God (Acts 26). But when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, grace shattered his old life and rewrote his future (Acts 9). Paul’s transformation was not just a moment of enlightenment. It was a radical reorientation of his heart.
Think about the people who have shaped your life. The ones who influenced you most likely weren’t those who made you feel small, but those who met you where you were and walked alongside you in your growth. Paul experienced this too – not only through Christ’s direct intervention but through believers like Ananias, who welcomed and guided him despite his past (Acts 9). Likewise, we are called to extend the same patience, humility and grace to others, remembering that we, too, are still being shaped by God.
And here is our hope: God is still in the business of transforming lives. Just as he pursued Paul and changed his heart, he actively seeks those who are lost. And he often works through us. No-one is beyond his reach, and he longs for all to experience the power of his grace.
Our role is simple yet profound: to love, to reflect his grace, and to trust that God is moving in hearts, just as he continues to move in ours.
Lord, help me remember my need for grace and extend it to those around me. Let my life be a reflection of your love. May my words encourage, not discourage. Use me, Lord, to build others up in faith. Amen.
Jane is a former Lutheran school principal and now serves as Governance Leadership Director for Lutheran Education SA, NT & WA. Jane has a keen interest in psychology, enjoys hiking and loves learning about and trying new things.
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But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound instruction (Titus 2:1).
Read Titus 2:1–15
Who has shaped the person you are today? A family member, friend, coach, mentor or teacher, maybe? Whether their impact was positive or negative, one thing is most likely: you had a strong connection with them. Teaching is not just about sharing knowledge; it’s about transformation. And transformation happens through relationships.
We learn best from those we trust; people who take the time to know us, validate us, invest in us and walk alongside us. The greatest teacher of all, Jesus, modelled this perfectly. He didn’t just tell people what to do; he lived among them. He ate with them, listened to their struggles, shared in their joy and showed them love.
True teaching is not about imposing authority or issuing orders. Judgement and criticism are also not forms of teaching. Teaching is about inspiring others to follow. Teaching involves inviting others into transformation, not by force, but by example and relationship. We are most effective when we listen before we speak, mentor with patience, influence with love and lead by example. Whether guiding a child, encouraging a friend or strengthening a community, our teaching is most powerful when it flows from genuine care.
The good news is that we are not left to do this alone. Paul reminds us, ‘The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people’ (Titus 2:11). God’s grace enables us to teach – not with superiority, but with humility and love.
Lord, thank you for the people who have shaped my life. Help me to trust in your grace to continue to shape me into a teacher who inspires, encourages and uplifts those around me. Amen.
Jane is a former Lutheran school principal and now serves as Governance Leadership Director for Lutheran Education SA, NT & WA. Jane has a keen interest in psychology, enjoys hiking and loves learning about and trying new things.
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Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:4,5).
Read Psalm 30
Psalm 30 contains King David’s thanks and praise to God for delivering him from an unidentified life-threatening episode in his life. This episode may be related to some failure on David’s part since he refers to God’s anger. There are a few recorded episodes in the Bible where David’s actions were clearly against God’s will: pride, adultery and murder.
When confronted with the realities of his actions, David entrusted himself to God’s mercy each time. God forgave David, but he didn’t take away the consequences of David’s actions. David had to live with these consequences, but didn’t lose his close relationship with God.
David wants the whole congregation in the temple to join in praising the awesomeness of God for the way he deals with his people in justice and mercy.
God’s aim in dealing with us is not punishment but healing and restoration to a close relationship with him. When we lose our way, God, in his love for us, doesn’t just let us wander off, getting more lost, but he works to help us see our mistakes and lead us back to him. His motivation is his deep love for us. This is something we really struggle to understand – that Jesus would love us so much that he was prepared to suffer a humiliating death to take from us the guilt of our failures and restore us to being his brothers and sisters.
So, of course, we should be thanking and praising our God for what he has done for us – exuberantly.
Heavenly Father, thank you for not letting us get away with wandering away from you. Thank you for drawing us back to you for healing and restoration. We praise you for your awesomeness. Amen.
Charles is a retired engineer who has worked on communications projects for the air force, army and navy. He lives in retirement in the outer north-western suburbs of Sydney with his wife, Diane. They have four children and eight grandchildren, all of whom they love spending time with. He keeps himself busy looking after their pot plants and the community vegetable garden, researching his family history and volunteering in the community and at LifeWay Lutheran Church.
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Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness — in the hope of eternal life … (Titus 1:1,2a).
Read Titus 1:1–16
How do we know God’s will and purpose for our lives? God leads us in many different ways, through the circumstances of our daily lives, through the things we hear, see and read and through the message in the pages of God’s revealed truth to us in the Bible. But many things also impact us negatively, encouraging us to concentrate on ourselves and what we can get out of life, sometimes even at the expense of others.
The Apostle Paul had been working with Titus to share the good news in Crete. When he departed, he left Titus behind to complete the work he had been doing. The believers in Crete were being impacted negatively by the views expressed by other people on Crete, often with ulterior motives. Paul’s instructions to Titus in his letter aimed to provide a solid foundation for the believers.
The foundation for how we live our lives is Jesus. He lived a life of perfect obedience to his Father. It helps us to regularly go over his life’s story in the gospels to see how he made clear his Father’s purpose in what he said and did. Jesus also did this amazing swap with us, where he takes on himself the consequences of all our failures to live as he did and allocates the perfection of his own life to us. So, in God’s eyes, we are legally perfect and sinless. All this was done through Jesus’ deep love for us. It is only as we are overwhelmed by the extent of this love that we can surrender our whole lives to God’s will and purpose.
Paul’s letter to Titus then gives lots of practical advice on living a life surrendered to God’s will and purpose for us, living as his children and enjoying the guidance and support provided by the heavenly family we are now part of.
Again, Jesus, we thank you for all you have done to make us your brothers and sisters. Help us more clearly see the vision of ourselves being part of your family, working in your family business and sharing in the blessings of our close relationship with you. Amen.
Charles is a retired engineer who has worked on communications projects for the air force, army and navy. He lives in retirement in the outer north-western suburbs of Sydney with his wife, Diane. They have four children and eight grandchildren, all of whom they love spending time with. He keeps himself busy looking after their pot plants and the community vegetable garden, researching his family history and volunteering in the community and at LifeWay Lutheran Church.
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Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6,7).
Read 1 Peter 5:1–14
In researching this passage, I came across a quote attributed to CS Lewis: ‘Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.’ I was also reminded of the Bible passage in Philippians 2:8: ‘he [Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to death …’
The God we trust in and surrender our lives to loves us so much that he was prepared to be humiliated by dying as a criminal in one of the cruellest methods of execution that humans could think up. Might we not try to better understand how to live in a state of humility ourselves?
As you read about the life of Jesus in the New Testament, you never find Jesus letting himself be used by others. He was never anyone’s doormat. He was always in control. You may also notice that a number of times, people were intent on killing him; however, it didn’t happen because Jesus’ Father prevented it.
Peter’s directive to humble ourselves ‘under God’s mighty hand’ is important here. The ‘mighty hand’ is God’s very powerful protective hand, not a threatening hand. As we live and follow the direction of our Heavenly Father, we are also under the protection of the same Heavenly Father. This means we can concentrate on what God is calling us to do and not be concerned about the impact on ourselves.
Peter adds that whatever is worrying us and distracting us from what God is calling us to do, God wants us to hand those concerns over to him so that we can concentrate on the servant tasks he has given us.
Here is a little anecdote. I live in a retirement village and participate in a few servant activities. I take pride in how well I carry out my servant activities and appreciate the acknowledgement of others. Last weekend, in front of more than 100 people, I embarrassed myself twice when carrying out my servant duties. So much for my pride. And I need to hand over my embarrassment to my loving Heavenly Father and get on with serving humbly.
Jesus, thank you for setting an example for living humbly under the protecting and guiding care of you and our Heavenly Father. Amen.
Charles is a retired engineer who has worked on communications projects for the air force, army and navy. He lives in retirement in the outer north-western suburbs of Sydney with his wife, Diane. They have four children and eight grandchildren, all of whom they love spending time with. He keeps himself busy looking after their pot plants and the community vegetable garden, researching his family history and volunteering in the community and at LifeWay Lutheran Church.
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Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10).
Read 1 Peter 4:7–19
Many of us would be familiar with the situation in any organisation or group where a gifted person leaves. We wonder how we will continue to operate with the same effectiveness or enjoyment after they have gone.
If we believe God is working personally in the lives of every person on Earth, then God must also have an intimate concern for each group of people. However, it is not about the perpetuation or operation of the group but about the growth and development of the people in the group.
Let’s take an example. Consider the conductor of a community choir. They could have a number of goals in leading the choir. One conductor I knew collected a group of people who liked to sing, and they met regularly to have a fun night of fellowship and singing. People wanted to join this choir. They regularly sang at events and occasionally put on concerts. People enjoyed going along to hear them because of their infectious joy. But nobody raved over how good they were. Then the conductor got sick and died and was replaced by a competent musician who just happened to come along at the right time. Their goal was to lead a very capable choir that people would want to listen to because of the high-quality singing. The choir members found it was less fun and more hard work, and began to drop out. Soon, the choir folded.
One difference between the conductors (obviously, there were many) was that one served the choir to build up the members; the other tried to use the choir to build up their own prestige.
Jesus, while here on Earth, demonstrated over and over again the importance of serving others, even to the point of giving his life so that we could live eternally with him and have the Holy Spirit live with us now.
In the same way, God wants us to use the gifts he has given us to be servants to one another, not to use his gifts to big-note ourselves or to fill some need we have.
When that capable person leaves the group, it is amazing how skills and capabilities are discovered dormant in the group and then released to serve the group. There will be some mistakes and learning, and the group may even change its character and focus; however, if the members are committed to loving each other with that same sacrificial love of Jesus, the group will continue to function and grow.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the abilities you have given us. Please help us use these gifts with the same servant heart as your Son. Amen.
Charles is a retired engineer who has worked on communications projects for the air force, army and navy. He lives in retirement in the outer north-western suburbs of Sydney with his wife, Diane. They have four children and eight grandchildren, all of whom they love spending time with. He keeps himself busy looking after their pot plants and the community vegetable garden, researching his family history and volunteering in the community and at LifeWay Lutheran Church.