by Ruth Olsen
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Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
Read Acts 2:37–47
Do you recall being ‘cut to the heart’ about something? Maybe it related to something you said, heard, watched or your attitude, and you just knew with an inner conviction that you needed to take notice – and humble yourself perhaps – but respond with compassion and care. I can!
Jesus said that when the Spirit comes, he will convict the world of guilt about sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:8). If we are wise, we will notice when we experience an inner conviction that we need to apologise to someone and make something right again. That inner conviction of sin or wrong attitudes and words is the Lord showing us mercy because he does not want us to be trapped in that sin but instead set free from its hold or tainting.
To repent is to change one’s mind, to turn around and go the other way – away from where we were going. It was a military term describing a soldier marching in one direction and doing an about-face, 180-degree turn.
Acting on the call to repentance enables us to let go of thinking and attitudes that dishonour Jesus; to instead leave all of that at the cross and receive forgiveness, a clean heart, and a renewed mind that’s open to the Lord and his word. Hence, the Spirit’s prompting to repent is a beautiful gift! He cares about us! What an exchange that Jesus makes possible!
God’s mercy and grace were being extended to Peter’s listeners. The Spirit was at work. Many accepted his message and were baptised. The fruit of the Spirit’s working was a deepening of sharing life, of teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer with a new joy of discovery as the Spirit nurtured life in Jesus amongst them and their community.
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me! Change my heart, renew my mind and draw me into a closer walk with Jesus and Abba Father. Thank you! Amen.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.
by Ruth Olsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
You, with the help of wicked [people], put him to death … But … it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him (Acts 2:23,24).
Read Acts 2:22–36
As you read these verses today, what caught your attention?
Did you notice that Peter reminds his hearers that they would have seen and heard what Jesus was doing – ‘as you yourselves know’? That, although it was by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge that Jesus was handed over to the people, they, corporately, chose his death? They are responsible, and we are too, for we share the same sinful nature, and our sin nailed Jesus there.
But death could not hold him down!
I have learned that the Holy Spirit will enable us to recognise how Jesus has fulfilled Old Testament law and prophecies. As mentioned previously, the Holy Spirit knows the Scriptures thoroughly and which Scriptures link to our current situation. Peter here speaks of what King David had written in Psalm 16:8–11, referring ultimately to the Messiah (Acts 2:31). David knew, with God-given prophetic foresight, this was speaking of a descendant of his. Peter links it together that David spoke of the resurrection of the Christ (Greek)/the Messiah (Hebrew), meaning ‘the Anointed One’ and speaking of Jesus. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of this fact (verse 32).
Again, this time using Psalm 110:1, ‘the Lord (Yahweh) said to my Lord (the Son of David, the Messiah): “sit at my right hand …”’, Peter declares ‘this Anointed One’ that David spoke of, whom they had crucified, is Jesus, both Lord and Messiah. It is he who has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has now poured him out! Sent from heaven to help us!
This message would have been confronting for Peter’s listeners, yet also reassuring. Likewise, for us! We are also answerable for what we do with Jesus – do we believe him, and are we growing in taking him at his word and acting on it?
Holy Spirit, Spirit of Jesus, thank you for bringing God’s word alive to us. Open our ears to hear and our hearts to believe and receive from you. Keep it coming, please. Amen.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to put to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.
by Ruth Olsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven (Acts 2:5).
Read Acts 2:1–21
Devout Jews from different parts of the world were in Jerusalem, either visiting or currently resident. When they suddenly heard the violent wind – without the warnings a large storm or cyclone would give – understandably, they were bewildered. ‘What is that?’ ‘What’s happening?’ If you were there, what would you be thinking? Perhaps you would have joined the gathering crowd, curious about what was happening. And then heard those simple Galileans speaking in languages they surely had not learnt!
What an amazing entrance when God poured out his Spirit on all humankind! There could be no human explanation for that happening! The visitors to Jerusalem came from all over the Middle East and from Rome, there were Jews, converts to Judaism and Arabs. A dynamic connection happened through them hearing these simple Galileans declaring the wonders of God in all these different languages. God always has the right timing for things he brings about!
Of course, some cynical voices said these simple Galileans had had too much wine. Yet if they had seen the tongues of fire on these followers of The Way, surely they would have wondered what it meant? And, apparently, on a festival day such as Pentecost, a devout Jew would not break their fast until at least 10am.
There needed to be an explanation for these bewildering 9am happenings. Peter stood up and raised his voice to do just that. Starting by saying that it was too early to be drunk, he declared that what was happening was what Joel had prophesied several hundred years earlier (Joel 2:28–32) – ‘in the last days’, God would pour out his Spirit on all people on earth, Jews and non-Jews, irrespective of sex, age or rank. Everyone – that means anyone – who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!
Because of Jesus, and through Jesus, the door has been opened for all to be brought back into right relationship with God by the power of the Spirit of God at work in human hearts. What an invitation!
Father, surely ‘all people’ also means those who do not yet acknowledge Jesus? Please open the ears, eyes and hearts of more people everywhere to Jesus. Amen.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to put to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.
by Ruth Olsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (Acts 1:15a).
Read Acts 1:15–26
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles – ‘men of Galilee’ (verse 11) – returned to where they were staying in Jerusalem. Together with the women and other followers of Jesus – about 120 people, including Jesus’ brothers – they all met together, constantly in prayer. That is a good way to build a faith community! Prayer helps us take our focus off ourselves to lift our focus to the Lord instead and remember his faithfulness, promises and mercy to us each day.
During that time, Peter was reminded of two seemingly random Scripture verses and how they related to the space left vacant among them by Judas Iscariot (who had betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins. Although Judas had returned the money to the priests, it was used to purchase the potter’s field where Judas had hanged himself).
Have you noticed during prayer or a conversation regarding things of God that a Bible passage comes into your mind? Jesus had earlier told his disciples that when the Holy Spirit was sent to them, he would teach them all things and remind them of things Jesus had said (John 14:26). After Jesus’ resurrection, he had appeared among the disciples in the upper room and breathed his Holy Spirit on them (John 20:19–23). Although the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out on everyone at Pentecost, he was still at work leading Peter.
The Holy Spirit knows the Scriptures thoroughly! And he knows how we are to apply which Scriptures to our situations. When we speak those words in our situations, because God’s word is living and active and a double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17), something happens, and the situation changes.
Luke acknowledges that it was the Holy Spirit who spoke these two Scripture passages through David centuries earlier. With Peter’s leadership here, the gathered believers selected two candidates, prayed, and Matthias was selected. Although we hear no more of Matthias after this, the task was completed.
Lord, sometimes our ‘next steps’ can seem insignificant, yet if that is what you are leading us to do, then there is purpose. Thank you for your Spirit, who continues to lead us! Amen.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.
by Ruth Olsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
… all that Jesus began to do … until [he ascended], after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit … (Acts 1:1,2).
Read Acts 1:1–14
I wonder if we have an idea of what Jesus meant when he said to his apostles that they would be baptised with the Holy Spirit. I wonder if our understanding is far too small or limited.
After his resurrection, Jesus spoke a lot with his early disciples about the kingdom of God. His words were like seeds; they carried life. They were given through the Holy Spirit. As with yesterday’s reading, the growth that comes will look different from the seed it has come from, but God has given it the capacity to produce a hundredfold.
Yet the apostles needed to wait in Jerusalem until they received God’s power when the Holy Spirit came to them personally. It’s like those seeds needed to wait in the soil (picture language) of their hearts for the conditions required for them to strike. Then it’s the power of God by the Holy Spirit who causes the seed to swell, burst open and strike forth new plant growth.
This new growth is kingdom-of-God thinking, changing our hearts, renewing our minds, transforming us one day at a time! And, even as you read this, the Holy Spirit’s power is at work, giving new insight and understanding. The plant is sending up new growth as it also sends down roots that anchor the plant and absorb the nutrients it needs! This picture language can help us recognise and creatively receive what the Lord is working on in us.
It’s the very same Holy Spirit who gives us the power to be witnesses to Jesus wherever we are. Do we expect to move with him in his power, or do we focus on our inadequacies and, thereby, nullify his power to be at work in us? It’s healthy for us to consider these challenges prayerfully. Of ourselves, we do NOT have the power to be witnesses to Jesus. But do we believe Jesus’ words? Do we trust the Holy Spirit to lead us, to empower us?
Father, in Jesus’ name, forgive our unbelief. Work whatever is needed in us so your Holy Spirit’s power is released in and through us, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to put to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.
by Ruth Olsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
… this is what the kingdom of God is like (Mark 4:26).
Read Mark 4:26–34
Seeds are a witness to the intelligent design of our amazing creator! They are a fascinating small creation with the needed ‘DNA’ for growth after its kind. Whether scattered or intentionally planted, they need suitable conditions for the change and transformation we describe as ‘growth’. This growth looks very different from the original seed, yet it carries the capacity for a hundredfold multiplication of that seed. Kingdom dynamics and principles are at work!
The two parables in today’s reading give us a glimpse of what this dynamic does and the purpose the seed serves in carrying that dynamic. Seeds themselves are God’s creation, given to us to use. The power of life within the seed then connects with any conditions that promote growth, and the transformation process begins. What happens in that growth environment can determine the harvest to come.
These parables or ‘word pictures’ are seeds that can produce a rich harvest as we ponder them. Sharing the message of Jesus and our hope in him – scatters or intentionally plants the seeds (words) that carry God’s kingdom life to us and others. As we ask the Holy Spirit for insight, he can creatively open diversity and depth, bringing God’s word alive to us. It’s an invitation to take adventures with him, to become aware of him at work in us and through us as he communicates to others in their heart language, renewing their thinking and ours.
This week, as we move into readings from Acts 1 and 2, we will explore some of this kingdom dynamic at work. It’s also an invitation to adventure because not one of us can conceive what God has prepared for those who love him, but he reveals it to us by his Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9–13), for his word comes to us also as seed.
Holy Spirit, you open our ears, eyes and hearts to Jesus. You search the deep things of God and reveal them to us. Enable us to recognise you at work in and through us, to work with you and not resist you, for Jesus’ sake.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.
by Pastor Mark Lieschke
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon (Psalm 92:12).
Read Psalm 92:1–4,12–15
The cedar of Lebanon, revered by civilisations for thousands of years, is a rare wood with a natural lustre and distinctive, long-lasting odour. In biblical times, it grew extensively around the mountains of Lebanon, giving the cedar its name.
For thousands of years, the cedar’s 20-to-30-metre height and 5-to-8-metre width have inspired thoughts of strength and solidarity, with the wood widely used for shipbuilding by various ancient civilisations. Today, it is admired by woodworkers, who find it perfectly suited to cabinet-making and joinery.
In Ezekiel 31:3–5, Assyria is compared to a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest; it towered on high, it's top among the thick foliage … it towered higher than all the trees of the field; its boughs increased, and its branches became long.
To be reminded that we (the righteous ones because of God’s grace) will grow like cedars of Lebanon is an incredible encouragement and inspiration. We (planted by the Lord in himself) are promised to have what we need to flourish, bear fruit (even in old age!) and remain fresh and green in our relationship with him and our service in his kingdom.
We are valuable in the eyes of the Lord, revered, unique and have his strength. We have been crafted to reflect his precise, beautiful and precious work in his creation.
Our new nature – our Christ-redeemed lives – can be lights that shine in the world and a distinctive, long-lasting, pleasant odour for people to be drawn to the one who has planted us and provided for us.
And for that great privilege and honour, we can give him all praise and glory, proclaiming his love in the morning and his faithfulness at night (Psalm 92:2)!
You make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound are your thoughts! You, Lord, are forever exalted. Amen (Psalm 92:4,5,8).
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 New South Wales District. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and relaxing.
by Pastor Mark Lieschke
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49).
Read Luke 24:36–53
When St Luke recorded these words, he wanted to make sure that what Jesus Christ had said and done was documented so that there would be no doubt about the fact that this ‘power from on high’ would continue to be acknowledged, relied on, made use of and celebrated.
Despite what we see and experience in this world, the good news is that God’s power hasn’t failed. His resources haven’t run out. Unlike every other power supply that can run down or have its energy source dry up, God hasn’t gone flat. His power has been – and is – active, alive and supplying energy for his people all the time.
After Jesus’ resurrection, the apostle Thomas refused to believe what his colleagues told him about them seeing Jesus. He was hesitant to acknowledge the risen Lord and to be transformed by his power. But Jesus didn’t turn his back on him. Instead, he confronted him in a very loving way.
And Jesus lovingly confronts and challenges us today when we hesitate to rely on his power in our lives. When our efforts to remain close to him and serve him are weak, and when we doubt and worry and wonder whether or not we can stay close and hold on to him, he comes to us in our doubt, laziness, half-heartedness and fear, and he says: ‘Here I am; here are my promises; here’s my power; take me at my word.’ We might not be able to hold on to him – but he holds on to us.
He meets us face to face each time we hear or read his word, celebrate our baptism and come to the Lord’s table and commune with him. He assures us of the mighty power that he brings to our lives. And he invites us to take hold of that power and let it flow through our lives.
Holy Spirit, continue to point us to Jesus. Continue to empower us to reflect Jesus in our lives. Open our hearts and minds to be bold and confident in our trust and acknowledgement of Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. 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 New South Wales District. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and relaxing.
by Pastor Mark Lieschke
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them (Luke 24:15).
Read Luke 24:13–35
When his followers were plagued with questions and doubts, Jesus didn’t stand by and watch from a distance. He doesn’t let us suffocate in our uncertainty either. He comes to us and serves us. He knows our hearts. He understands the anguish we sometimes experience. And he’s ready to help us at all times.
That’s what he was like throughout his earthly ministry. He looked out for the weak. He caught up with the grieved and confused. He searched for those burdened with guilt. And he accepted those who were regarded as outcasts.
He still does that today, especially when people travel on a troubled road. He’s still the same Jesus, the companion of the men walking on their way to Emmaus. He’s still friendly and considerate, understanding, compassionate in his approach, helpful in his guidance, and always ready to bring a word of comfort and hope. He came to the Emmaus disciples when they were confused. He came to them without a great fanfare or a spectacular demonstration of his power.
We may sometimes wish that he would appear in our lives with a thrilling miracle, a startling display of his power, or an irresistible appeal in his invitation to believe in him. But he doesn’t usually work that way.
He still comes, though. He comes to us and enables us to trust in what he’s said in his words, even though we might not always understand it. He comes to us and strengthens us when we must face hard times. He comes to us and equips us so that we can be more effective in carrying out our responsibilities. And he comes to us to give us the courage to witness openly and boldly to our faith in him.
Lord Jesus, we live with uncertainty, doubts, fears and worries. Sometimes, they can get the better of us. Thank you for understanding us, continuing to come to us, walking with us, forgiving us and giving us strength and courage for the journey ahead. We praise you for your presence and help. 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 New South Wales District. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and relaxing.