Mar 31

 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God…” 2 Thessalonians 1:8

Many have constructed an erroneous image of God in their minds. They have believed that because God is love, He cannot therefore be a party to distributing judgement, which may cause the suffering of anyone, regardless how sinful or guilty they may be. This could not be further from the truth of the essential and righteous nature of Yahwah. That God is love is a fact of scripture, but that this fact precludes and disqualifies Him from being a righteous judge of sin, is gross error! It is in fact His love that will demand justice be brought on those who have not ‘known’ Him. God’s love is not a fickle, fluffy, cover-all-without-righteous-process, kind of love. Calvary is the evidence that His love demands justice. Those who believe in Jesus have their sins remitted and paid for by Christ’s sacrifice at Golgotha, but their sin WAS PAID FOR! The love and righteousness of God, demanded that sin be judged! Through the atonement at Calvary, He has already given mankind the way ‘out’ of future judgment and death, by judging sin on the cross, in the death of Jesus. When humans refuse to ‘know’ God, that is, to acknowledge Him, His love and what He has done for them, they are placing themselves in line for the judgement, which is coming on this earth. They are saying by their actions, they do not want the salvation from death, which God has provided. They are despising God’s provision, and turning away from the only hope of escape. They are stating, they are not accountable for their actions to God and that He has no claim or authority over them. They are denying the fact that as the Creator of all things, including humans, He is our God and King! In spite of this wilful ignorance of God, disregard of His laws, choice to live in sin, and give their life’s allegiance to the devil and their own fleshly desires, many will still claim that ‘because God is love’, He will not judge them or punish them with an eternal retribution! This is simply wishful thinking! The kind of judgement which God has already purposed and revealed in His Word, which He will visit on sinful humanity, is intense with the purity of His Holiness and the indignation of His righteousness! Described as a ‘flaming fire’, the vengeance or judgement of God, is not going to be comparable in devastation, destruction and permanence, to anything man has ever known before! Sin demands and merits such reckoning. God has given man plenty of time and warning to evade, get out of the way and escape such judgement. The real question is why does most of humanity not heed to the loving wooing of the Saviour? Let us make every effort to warn those around us of the impending danger they are facing outside of Christ!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 30

“Hear my cry, O God…” Psalms 61:1

It is possible to pray silently and inwardly without making audible sounds. It seems clear however, from the many references to 'calling on the Lord', ‘crying out unto God’ and ‘lifting the voice to God’, that not only in praise and worship, but also in prayer, the cries of the heart and soul, made into audible sounds via our voice box and lips, are acceptable to God. In times of distress, trial and difficulty, or conversely of rejoicing and victory, resounding cries may be lifted to God in prayer and worship. This is a necessary aspect of our relationship with the Lord. Of course God knows how we feel, and what we are experiencing, but our willingness to express those feelings to Him in prayer, helps to build our bond with Him, and show our openness towards Him. We may relate our feelings to some individual whom we trust, but probably would keep them from those we don’t really know, or know are not trustworthy. The concept is the same with Jesus. If we know Him, trust Him, recognize that He understands us, and desire to have a close and intimate rapport with Him, then expressing our feelings to Him, complete with all the sounds that come with them, will be no problem. The Bible speaks of crying, groaning, weeping, shouting and labouring as expressions associated with prayer and worship. We are all relate to this ‘language’. When we try to articulate our feelings to God, it is much easier if we can also show them, by the sounds and actions associated with them, the Lords does not mind us doing so and in fact encourages us to be honest and open with Him. In talking with God with real feeling and expressions, we are reminding ourselves of the reality of the relationship we have with Him. This is not a written oration, or an exercise in protocol! It is discussion and rapport with the One who is our dearest friend, our closest companion and our most loving Father!  

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 29

“Yet all this availeth me nothing…” Esther 5:13

Pride and self-importance causes many individuals to be totally consumed with themselves, and tormented with envy and malice towards anyone else who may, even without knowing take away attention from them, on their self-established pedestal. Haman was such a man. In spite of having the honour of the king, an enviable position of employ in the king’s palace, and clearly the respectful fear of most people around him, the sight of Mordecai refusing to give him the obeisance he felt he deserved, caused him to lose sight of all else! He made it his life’s ambition to destroy the one individual he could not control. How can one become so consumed with selfish, egotistical motivation that he sees nothing of all the privilege, blessing and provision he already has? Well actually this is not so far from what happens with many today, who are taken with a spirit and mind set of material accumulation, and pursuit of wealth, to such a degree that they enjoy none of it, see no blessing in it, nor can they rest and be content for even a moment, in their money-rich but miserable lives! Jesus teaches us the mind-blowing concept of preferring others to ourselves! Giving not only of what we have, but of who we are, for the benefit of others. This is so contrary to our natural bent, that it revolutionises our thinking, and blasts us out of our comfort, when we begin to consider it. Taking care of me, my, mine and everything to do with me, is often the natural response we give to life, but when we do, we soon discover there is no joy, personal fulfilment or lasting enjoyment, in this self-consumed approach to life. When we do it the Lord’s way, giving others their place, genuinely honouring them ahead of ourselves, giving respect and trust where it has been earned and being interested in others more than in ourselves, we find a different and higher level of purpose in living our lives. The ‘Haman approach’ to life will end the way it did for him, in sad, pitiful and shameful death. The way of Jesus, on the other hand, results in life more abundant here on earth, and in heaven for ever! 

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 28

“For with thee is the fountain of life…” Psalms 36:9

God is the source of all life. Life is not taken here to mean merely the physical existence, though truly that is only possible because of the Lord’s great love and mercy. It must be taken to mean life of all kinds, whether physical, spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social. God is at the creative centre of every aspect of what life is and means to us, and to any other creature on earth or in heaven! This is indeed a grand thought! Every breath or symptom of life, finds its source in God. Everything that represents life and is desirable in life, for it to be worth living – joy, happiness, companionship, love and a myriad of other factors, all spring from this same Original Fountain of life! Man is generally insensible to the reality that everything he really desires and works so hard for, is actually the gift of God, and can only be truly realised, when Jesus becomes the centre of our focus and interest. Most utilise the gift of life, for their own means and purposes, not caring why life even actually is a reality in the first place, or whether a higher purpose is intended by it. Many even directly turn their efforts and entire life’s energies, into futile attempts to minimize, ridicule and discredit, the very God of life that supplied the gift in the first place! The most important aspect of all life, is that which is going to continue eternally – life in the spiritual realm. This is the greatest facet of life, which God has granted to man. In arid countries, where water is scarce, finding and having access to a fountain of water, is indeed a most precious and valuable commodity. Water to all living organisms can make the difference between physical survival and death. It is the same in the spiritual plane. The soul of man needs the flow from the Eternal Fountain, to have and maintain life. Without the life from the spiritual fountain of God, our soul, shrivels up and dries into a broken, tortured, suffering being, ever longing and searching for relief. Nothing else in any other levels of living, can fill the ‘hole’, supply the need or satisfy the soul. Humanity has for all of its history, attempted to replace God as the font of life, and all that life means, with alternatives of every possible kind, and from all other possible sources, but in vain! God is the true and only Fountain of Life for our entire being, He is the supplier of all we need for life at every level, and for an abundant, healthy, excellent quality of spiritual life! 

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 27

“…the high priest rose up with…the priests, and they builded the sheep gate…” Nehemiah 3:1

Eliashib was Joshua’s grandson, and appears to be the first high priest since Israel had returned from the captivity in Babylon. Under Nehemiah’s leadership, he started the restoration work setting the pace and frame for his fellow priests and the people. This is the correct attitude towards any work physical or otherwise that needs to be done in the church. Some insist that because they are called to the ministry, they should not ‘soil’ their hands with physical labour or effort. Whilst it is important never to lose sight of the spiritual labour, and the focus and precedence that it requires in the life of a minister, there is clearly room for rolling one’s sleeves up, and getting into the physical work also! How encouraging it is to see and have the spiritual leader, show enough concern for what needs to be done, that he doesn’t merely ‘direct’ the work, but  initiates, propagates the vision for it, begins it with personal involvement and inspires others to join-in and lend a hand! How appropriate that such heart and attitude should be found with those who are ministers, considering the term which titles them, is one of willing servitude and self-sacrifice! Very fitting also was where these ministers began their work of rebuilding. The text indicates they focused first on the ‘sheep gate’. This is understood to be a special entrance into the wall, through which sheep were brought into the city. They would then be ‘washed’ at a pool near this entrance, before being taken to the temple to be offered as sacrifices. Here again we see a necessity for the minister and worker for God, to always make a connection between the physical work and its higher purpose - the service of God. We should never lose sight then that when we may be mowing a lawn for a widow, or laying some concrete, or digging a drain in the church backyard, or helping needy brethren with any of their physical load, the physical labour, with all its pressures, difficulties and cost, has a spiritual connection to it – we are doing it - ‘as unto the Lord’! Individuals may benefit from the efforts, but the Lord is glorified and the He is the motivation and reason for the service!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 26

“…subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” Galatians 2:5

There are instances when pressures from fellow believers, who may express their opinions openly and forcefully, would cause some to compromise their stand in God. Paul found himself facing some perhaps well meaning, Judaic Christians, who were insisting that certain practices of the law, be observed as necessary to salvation of Gentile Christians. The apostle was confident in his stand for truth that he did not, even for the least time, give in to them in the least detail on this issue! What Paul faced in his day, with some not giving place to the newly established Christian way, we are finding somewhat in reverse. In our day, we are faced with many determined to do away with the established  Christian way and resolute on re-inventing Christianity, giving rise to a re-interpretation of all that believers over the centuries have stood, lived and died for! There may be many areas in Christian living, where we can allow for various degrees of personal conviction and individual stance, as the Lord may guide. There are however, core doctrinal issues, on which there can be no compromise, or room for negotiation. As we head further into the last days of time, the bulk of Christendom is allowing for modernisation, change and adjustment, in an effort to appeal to the contemporary mind. We are seeing more compromise, watering down of Biblical truth and revisionism, taking place at every level of Christian belief and practice. We are surrounded by many church goers, who insist that it is ‘old fashioned’ to believe in holiness and sing hymns, preferring rather that rock and roll be used as a means of worship. We are pressured into thinking that unless we can get ‘with the times’, become relevant to contemporary thinking and preferences, we cannot grow or survive as a church. We are faced with the criticism that rejecting agenda-driven, new age versions of the Bible, is narrow minded and separates us, identifying us as a sect! The opposition we face may be ‘new’ and geared to our modern times, but in fact it is motivated by the same old and antichrist spirit, which would bring believers into bondage and lure them away from the truth and simplicity of the gospel of Christ. The devil tried to undermine the church in its infancy, and is now trying to topple it, in its aged and established state. Like Paul, we must not give place or subjection to these things, not for a moment, that the truth of the gospel may continue with all those who sincerely desire it. In this we rejoice, that Jesus has already determined that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church of God! There will be a remnant, faithful to God till the end, enduring in the doctrine and the faith, without compromise and adulteration! Let’s be sure we are among those who stand faithfully for Jesus, till He comes!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 25

“…but will ye weary my God also?” Isaiah 7:13

King Ahaz and the people had again gone astray from the ways of God. The repeated warnings and rebukes of the prophets had fallen on deaf ears. They had continued in following after their own ways and totally disregarded the Lord. Isaiah points out that they had already exhausted the patience and efforts of the men of God. Now Yahwah, through the prophet offered them a sign, so they might listen, but they turned down that too! To this Isaiah attaches the grievous warning, a charge of ‘wearying’ also the eternal God, whom he serves. God is longsuffering and ever so patient with mankind, and particularly so with His people. It is clear from scripture however, that Yahwah sets a limit to the abuse he will allow from man. A boundary is set in God’s mind to how far man can ignore His love, kindness and forbearance. In our day especially, we are most blessed, and have been given much more again by the Lord. We have knowledge and personal experience of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. We have the full revelation of God’s Word in writing, to teach us the details of His will. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us, and lead us into all truth and righteousness. We have the established record of the millions who have gone before us, and have lived unto the Lord, their testimonies bearing witness of the reality and power of God. We have an ever deeper and greater understanding of the created world around us, shouting the glory of God, by its divine design. What else can God do for us to convince us we must serve Him, and turn from our flesh and the mindset of the world? What more can God supply to show His great love and care for us and the desire for good things He has towards us? If we continue to disregard His messages, and turn from His ways are we not wearing God? When we prefer the world’s tinsel and baubles, the material and perishing things, to the spiritual treasure of God’s Word and principles, are we not trying His patience? When we insist on a lukewarm spiritual walk, empty of fervent prayer, riddled with complaints, irritation and criticisms, are we not abusing the goodness and kindness of God? When we are empty of spiritual righteousness and works unto God, but full of the works of the flesh, are we not teetering on the edge of the precipice and meriting His judgement? May we wake up to the many blessings and provisions the Lord has given us and in true thankfulness, with an attitude of gratitude, reach out toward heaven, and wholeheartedly embrace all that God has for us, without wearying Jesus one minute more!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 24

 “…but the word of God is not bound.” 2 Timothy 2:9

Paul was in prison. This was no new experience for this faithful servant of God. He had been frequently imprisoned throughout his ministry, for preaching the gospel. Here again we find him incarcerated like a common criminal, and bound in chains. In previous instances, Paul had seen miraculous deliverance from prison, but God does not always choose to be glorified in the miraculous! This time we find Paul remains in prison, and remains bound! His testimony is that his captivity had no reflection on his faithfulness - the word of God IS NOT bound! Praise God, for men who will not allow their situations, however desperate and discomforting, to limit or incapacitate the ministry of God’s word! It is held in Roman tradition that on this occasion, Paul was placed in a dungeon below ground, which could be accessed only by a small hole above. It had neither natural light nor a staircase by which to exit. Although it cannot be verified, it is said that during this time Paul witnessed to, and baptised two of his prison keepers, as well as a number of other prisoners! This much we do know, that it was from prison that Paul wrote several of the Epistles which ministered to the hearts and needs of the growing churches, he had planted. The letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon and this epistle to Timothy, were all written while Paul was in a prison, treated as a wrong-doer, for preaching the gospel of Christ! We also know that while imprisoned in Rome, his testimony reached even into Caesar’s palace! Far from defeated, Paul continued to faithfully work in spite of his adverse and discomforting circumstances! Sometimes we complain of the ‘difficulties’ we face, in coping with ‘everyday living’ and trying to serve God, and think that if only we could have this or that ‘ideal’ circumstance, condition or provision, we might then really be able to do a work for the Lord! The evidence of scripture and the lives of other Christians, who have worked for God, and remained faithful in the worst possible circumstances, often under persecution and threat of death, shout at us, that we are really kidding ourselves when we think that way! Paul may have been in chains, but the word of God was not! He made every effort in spite of his situation to spread and share the gospel of salvation. If we genuinely desire to serve God, then we will in whatever situation we find ourselves in! The challenge is there for each of us, not to complain and ‘wish’ for better, but to make the best of every situation of life, and use what we have and what we can, for the glory of God and the furtherance of His kingdom. 

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 23

 “…and confess the sins of the children of Israel…” Nehemiah 1:6

We don’t know a great deal about Nehemiah, except what we learn from the book that bears his name. He was one of the Jews of the Dispersion, following Israel’s deportation into Babylon, and was in the service of cupbearer to the Persian king. Persia had by this time conquered Babylonia and was set up as a sprawling and mighty kingdom. Somewhere along the line, he heard of the desolate condition of Jerusalem, his heart became heavy, and caused him to weep, mourn, fast and go to God in prayer. Communication with God in prayer, is where many great things originate. Nehemiah’s prayer did not begin with requests or petitions, but with confession of sin. Even though he lived many years after the Jews had been removed from their land to a foreign nation because they had turned away from the Lord, he confessed to God their sin and his own, as one. He took personal responsibility and included himself in the sin that brought God’s judgement against Israel, even if at that time he wasn’t yet born, and had probably never been in Israel personally! It is a prayer God answers, and a need God provides. It is a prayer steeped in repentance and sorrow, based on God’s word, and on fire with true humility. When we see wrong doing in the church, this is the kind of response that gets God’s attention! If only we would pray like Nehemiah did, taking personal responsibility for the communal performance of the church! It is naturally difficult for us to take on the shame and guilt of someone else’s unrighteousness, but if we reasoned it through, we would see that when one member in the body is sick, the whole body feels it and does not attack it, but participates in the healing process! That healing starts by admitting that we collectively have sinned before God, and need His mercy and grace. Instead we are often given to passing judgment, expressing negative and destructive criticism, attacking the spiritually sick with accusations, and turning our backs on those who are struggling, as if it is nothing to do with us! In fact, we become so detached from the reality of being part of the church, that even when we personally commit sin, we do not think of it as affecting the rest of the family of God! As lively members of the body of Christ, let us develop a deep and sincere sense of responsibility, firstly that we may be quick to repent and cleanse our own souls of any personal unrighteousness against God, and secondly to be just as willing to go to prayer and repent, for the wrong we may see our brother commit. In true sincerity and humility recognising that we should bear a common, contrite and compassionate burden, when it comes to praying and pleading with God to cleanse and restore the church! 

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 22

“That ye may be mindful of the words…the commandment…” 2 Peter 3:2

Peter exhorts the saints of God to have the words of prophets of old and the whole tenor of the commandment, that is, the doctrine of Christ present in their minds. Why is this so important that it merits the apostle’s pressing encouragements to hold such things in memory? Peter was warning of the increase of false prophets and the subtle way by which they would find their way into the church and among the believers. One of the sure safeguards against false teaching, is to have present in mind the true counsel of God, His Word and commandment. This allows the believer to perform a comparison between the truth he knows and the doctrine he may hear. Without such plumbline or standard to compare against, the Christian, though sincere, may easily become prey to those who intend to do damage to the cause of Christ, or do so by pandering their fleshly ideas and practices. Being mindful of the truth of God is therefore a safety against such individuals, but also helps us to line up with God’s principles, any thoughts, words and actions we are about to initiate or participate in. Keeping ourselves pure and aligned with the Lord is a primary necessity of our Christian walk. We can easily test our readiness of mind and heart, in any one situation we often land in, by asking ourselves questions like: “What does God say about this?” “How should I feel, think or act in this situation?” If answers to these questions and others like them, are not present in our minds, then how ‘mindful’ are we of the directives and commands of God? We need to keep our heads in the Book, and the Book in our hearts! We cannot become and remain mindful of the Lord’s principles and teachings, if we have not taken time to read, study and digest His word and appropriate the concepts for ourselves. The Lord has provided us, with all we need to survive the attacks of the devil and his agents, and conqueror all error and falsehood, by the truth of His word! How many have fallen to false doctrine, influences of ungodly, fleshly professors of the faith, or their own doings and mistakes, simply because they did not heed, this simple yet profound directive – be mindful!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 21

“…Look on us.” Acts 3:4

The lame man had since his birth, sat daily at the gate Beautiful, looking for alms. He had probably developed an ‘eye’ for individuals likely to give him a coin, for his physical sustenance. He had no idea what was about to happen, and what kind of gift he was about to receive from God through His servants. It was necessary however that he should have faith to receive, and to this his attention was summoned. He might have been distracted by his usual habit of looking around at anyone who might give to him, but not today - today he was to look with expectation, to a different source. He gave heed to the apostles, who under the unction of God’s Spirit were being used as channels of God, to bring him deliverance. The text says he looked “expecting to receive something of them”! When in faith we look to God, we can expect to receive. The look of faith sees beyond the natural and physical realm. It perceives the greater and bigger spiritual reality, the plane above, from where God works. It is this look of faith that sees hope in despair, strength when weakness exists, and answers when we are faced with problems. There is room in this action to look on those who in faith are attuned to God’s Spirit, and are moving in harmony with His directives. We are inspired to have faith, by looking at men and women of faith. We are encouraged to believe when we look at those who by believing God, are achieving His purposes and receiving His blessings. By looking at individuals who are aligned with God, we are not turning our gaze in the wrong direction! If they are standing with God and line up with His Spirit, there is no harm in others looking in ‘their direction’, because we are really looking at God’s direction with them! They are not the source of God’s blessing, but can be the channel of it, when God so determines. In that sense then it is appropriate for someone in need to ‘look on us’, and what others will see is Jesus in us, and the power of the Lord through us. As the apostles were quick to point out, when questioned later about the healing of the lame man, the work, miracle and blessing is not something we can do, but it is performed by God and the glory for which belongs to the Lord! 

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 20

“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person…” Hebrews 1:3

Jesus has existed from eternity as the one and solitary ‘person’, the Only Eternal God, The Father. God became incarnate when He overshadowed the virgin Mary, and the child Jesus was born. He was the Son of God, the ‘body’ of God, the incarnate God, the Messiah, the Sent One. Jesus on earth was still the Jesus of eternity, not a separate person, but rather the same eternal God in a different office, fulfilling the function of Redeemer of the world and Saviour of a lost humanity. The Son (God the Father, in flesh), was born for the purpose of showing the invisible God to the world and dying as a substitute in payment for the sin of the world. The role of Sonship, was specific in purpose, and pre-determined in outcome.  Everything Jesus did while on earth as the Son, was intended to glorify the Father (Jesus in Eternity), teach man how to obey the Father, and show humanity the way of salvation which the Father has provided. Our verse clearly reveals the identity of the Son! Jesus on earth shone the brightness of His own eternal glory, as the Father in heaven! No man could ever stand to see the raw brightness and glory of God, but in Christ, humanity saw it. God’s glory, brilliance, intensity of power and wisdom, is seen and revealed through Christ Jesus, as the Son on earth. All we know and understand of God and His will for us, has been brought to us, via His incarnation. The entire tenor of the teachings of Christianity, revolves around this very glory, the bright light of truth which has challenged the darkness of man’s sin. The eternal God is a Spirit and has no bodily form, except in what He showed us through Christ Jesus. Jesus as the Son, while on earth, was the express image of the eternal God. What could ever be seen of the substance of God, is seen only in Christ! When we reach heaven, once again we will only ever be able to see the Eternal God, in the One and singular person and substance of Jesus. Jesus will have fulfilled His role as the Son, and will continue to be the Eternal God (the Father), He has always been! God did not send another to show us His glory, express His substance and die for us - He came Himself!  

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 19

“…and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Psalms 32:2

Webster defines guile as “Craft; cunning; artifice; duplicity; deceit”. The context of our verse is the blessedness of the individual who has been freed by the Lord from the charge and guilt of his iniquity – that is the description of what God does. Our part is to ensure we remain blessed because when God looks, He can see no duplicity or hypocrisy in our hearts! The ‘new’ man has a new spirit! He no longer attempts to hide his sin or colour his performance, through craftiness and deceit. He is a new creature, forgiven and freed to bring glory and honour to God. This is the blessedness of our life in Christ that we are delivered from the sentence of death which was hanging over us, and that we now walk in the purity of spirit, mind and heart, which glorify our Saviour! How incongruous that while claiming salvation and newness of life, we can yet uncover ulterior motives in our hearts, which align us with our past desires and works of the flesh! Such things must not be found in us, yet often we mar our blessedness in God, because they still exist, though hidden and under cover! What is worse is that we attempt to hide them from God, as if there was really a way we could keep any of our thoughts, words or actions from His scrutiny! If there is truly no guile in us, then our primary concern will be with how God sees us. We will not concern ourselves with the impression others may have of us. We will not attempt to cast a larger than life image of ourselves, highlighting our achievements and status. We will not mind admitting our faults and showing our mistakes. We will have no desire to be seen as anything but a saved, born again, cleansed and living holy, child of God! The idea here is not that we can claim perfection and innocence before God, but that we may have the honesty to confess our sins and faults to God without concealment. May we truly live as the blessed people God intends us to be, that the world around us may see and ‘taste’ of the wonder and glory of God’s salvation and of righted, pure and honest  Christian lives!   

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 18

“Thou hast given him his heart's desire…” Psalms 21:2

David had desired to fulfil all the counsel of God. He had wanted to be granted nothing that was not in the heart of God. It is such praying that honours God. It is born not of a selfish and self-consumed mind and heart, but issues from a yielded and devout spirit. When God fulfils His will in such a heart, there is great rejoicing, greater than if all the richest prizes of life, and the most munificent bequests of wealth had been given. God is always very willing to provide the desire of our hearts, when we desire His will and want His purposes. It should be noted that David considered it an immense personal privilege to be granted fulfilment of a desire which reflected God’s heart! This should be also our genuine joy and pleasure, to see all that God wants for us, take place in our lives, without hindrance or hesitation on our part. We spend a great deal of time cataloguing our ‘needs’ and wants before God, making our prayers laden with our own requests. David’s approach suggests that our prayers should start with wanting what God wants, and requesting fervently that He may satisfy and bring about first and foremost, all that He desires in us. Then we might find as David did, an unmatched joy in the knowledge that the Lord has indeed granted the desire of our heart.  As bible commentator E. R. Conder suggests, this is possibly a very practical test of both our desires and prayers. “Of our desires. Are they such as we can put into prayer? Are they pure--such as God can approve; reasonable--such as we need not be ashamed to put into prayer; unselfish--such as consist with the great law of love; unpresumptuous--within the scope of God’s promises? Of our prayers. Do they indeed express the desires of our heart? Prayer without desire is a dead form; a featherless, pointless arrow that will reach no mark.”

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 17

“Rooted and built up in him…” Colossians 2:7

The apostle Paul here uses two metaphors together, to convey the strongest concepts of the quality of the walk we ought to have in God. The foundation of our faith has been laid and is established, and that Foundation is Jesus! Through salvation, we are positioned on this Foundation, the firm rock of the Lord’s teaching.  Paul alludes to the way we should continue in Christ. He states that “as we first received” Him, we should also walk in Him. This walk is intended to be a progressively more profound experience with God! Like roots of a tree digging deeper and becoming stronger, even so, as we walk in the Lord, we must go further in the truth and understanding of His Word, and so become more firmly held, into the true and solid foundation Jesus has laid. There is no other foundation necessary, but there is for the believer, a necessary work of going deeper in His truth, deeper in love for Him and deeper in desire and obedience towards the Lord. No true believer can continue in a surface or shallow relationship with God. We are planted in the ‘good soil’ of His truth, and there, we must put down deep and healthy roots. Thus Paul firstly indicates the necessity of a deepening walk in Christ, and along with that and of equal importance, being built up in Him. We all recognise this is an ongoing aspect of our relationship with the Lord! Being firmly gripped into the Foundation - Jesus Christ, we can now, if we allow the Lord to work in us, become the kind of structure and edifice for God that He desires us to be. Here too we see a progressing and continuing work, as stage by stage, the Lord helps us to build, enlarge and improve on what we have had to date. It is again important to realise that the believer cannot remain stationary in his growth in God. Stagnation for the Christian would be like a structure that is partly built and then abandoned. It is God’s will that His people are growing people, constantly learning and becoming more perfected in His ways and principles. Spiritual growth is a process which will endure through life, and we can facilitate it by being willing to both go deeper and higher in God! Jesus is both the ground into which our roots can grow deeper, and the solid foundation upon which our edifice is established! 

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Mar 16

. “…that Wicked…whom the Lord shall consume…” 2 Thessalonians 2:8

The wicked one referred to in this verse, is the antichrist. The term wicked here means literally ‘lawless’, for he considers himself above and beyond the law of God, and urges all men to follow him, in this lawlessness. We are told that the essence and spirit of antichrist, is and has been in the world already, but soon will also become apparent and tangible, in and through the ‘man of sin’. In His wisdom and foreknowledge, God has already informed His people that these things will happen. We will be able to verify what God has revealed to us, and see this entity rise to a position of power and authority, abuse his station and set himself up as God to be worshipped. The world will fall for the deception of the man of sin, who will ultimately lead all humanity into rebellion and rejection, of the One True God and His law. There is no doubt we are seeing this same spirit at work in the world today, but it is only going to get worse! In light of this, how relevant and imperative that we develop and maintain a strong and intimate, personal relationship with Jesus! Nothing else is going to sustain us in the times we will soon face. When we relegate the importance of building our relationship with the Lord, to the lower levels of priority in our lives, we are already preparing ourselves, to fall prey to antichrist and his regime! For Christians this would be the most disconsolate condition, for having known in advance about the devil’s devices and plans, we should most certainly not become his victims! This is a time to stand strong in Jesus, fight and be counted on the Lord’s side! Ultimately the battle is the Lord’s and He will end this evil reign promptly, and with unquestioned superiority! The Lord will consume ‘by the spirit of His mouth’, the lawless one and all who choose to align themselves with him. This is an awesome and frightening concept! There is glorious and staggering creative power, in the words which are uttered by God’s mouth. All it took was for Him to ‘speak’ the universe and everything in it into existence, and it was so. There is however, also terrifying and indescribable destructive power, in the words God can speak! At His voice and command, the heavens can roll back like a scroll, and all matter, which consists and is held together by His power, can collapse and be abolished in a moment! The battle of the Lord against this ‘wicked’ one and his followers, is not going to be a lengthy or drawn out epic! The same eternal, omnipotent voice that created all, will utter the words that will consume and destroy, leaving nothing of the pride, realm and rebellion of the lawless one. Let us remain close to God, watchful and alert, making sure we stay on the ‘winning side’ with Jesus!

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Mar 15

“…behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

We see that in human life there is a time for everything. When it comes to the spiritual realm, there is not in the present, a God-ordained time to be or remain unsaved, and separated from the grace of the Lord! This is why we find the prompt and urgent exhortation to partake and benefit from the salvation Jesus has supplied, expressed by the very pressing term ‘now’. It was relevant at the time the Apostle Paul wrote it to the Corinthians, and it is still pertinent today. The ‘now’ spoken of here, is not so much a time of the clock, as it is a dispensation, a period during which God’s salvation is still available to mankind. In the past this glorious condition in Christ, could only be alluded to, by types and shadows, but was not yet accessible. In the future again, there will be an end to the possibility of finding safety and redemption in Christ. In the present however, it is a real and obtainable spiritual condition. ‘Now’ – we can be born again and be free from our past; now – we can know the joy of forgiveness and the resurrected life; now – we can live with Christ in heavenly places and prepare for eternity with Him! There is another way to consider this expression of present urgency and opportunity. No human being has a guarantee of tomorrow. For each of us, part of life is the very present, and without-regard-of-person, reality of death. Young or old, rich or poor, healthy or ailing, we could suddenly and without notice, cease to exist in this physical realm. The exhortation of our text, takes on the meaning of urgency for us personally, as individuals. While salvation maybe yet available tomorrow, and others may have the opportunity to participate still, there is no surety of another day for any of us. Today, now, therefore, is the most relevant and appropriate time to respond to God’s call, and make our soul right with Him. Too many have thought of acting upon the good will and grace of God another day, but never lived to see it. There are some things we cannot afford to put off, and salvation is the primary item in that category, the first entry on the list of ‘to dos’! All else is dispensable, but not this! Today, now - while God is near, while His salvation is available; while the heart is pumping, the lungs breathing and life is yet coursing through our bodies; while our minds are exercised and challenged, by the reality and possibility of such great salvation; while our souls are being drawn to the Saviour, let us answer with wholehearted and positive acceptance, to the plan and gift of salvation, Jesus extends – right now – to each of us!

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Mar 14

“And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line…” 2 Samuel 8:2

David had previously been friendly to the king of Moab, and had even entrusted his parents and siblings into his care. However the Moabites had determined to become David’s enemy, even when it was not necessary, and they appear to have killed his parents and brethren. Usually the way Israel treated enemies and prisoners, reflected the mercy of God, and not the harsh severity of the heathen nations around them. In this case severity was in order, and Moab’s wrong allegiance became their own judgment. Even so, we read mercy in the narrative, as we are told that a ‘full’ line was used to keep some alive.  The measurement of our mercy should always be greater than that of our punishment. Certainly we see a reflection of how God deals with us. He wants us to be on His side, the winning side and the blessed side. Too often we sell Him out, and form alliances with the enemy of God and of our own souls! In vain God deals with us, and patiently sends messages to warn us away from our choices. His longsuffering love, waits for a season, giving us space to recognise our dangerous situation. Finally when we have ignored Him, pressed Him and forced His hand, we find ourselves under the punishment and judgment, we so rightly deserve. It is wise for each of us to avoid being found in that position in the first place! The alternative is simple and effective – yield to God, do His will and serve Him sincerely. Never turn back on God or allow any association with sin and the ways of the world. Stay close to God in prayer and love His precepts, living them every day. Finally for all the imperfections and flaws through which, in spite of our best efforts we are still likely to fail Him, let us daily fall in repentance upon His great mercy and amazing grace!

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Mar 13

“…I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2

The Pharaohs of Egypt, considered themselves to be gods in their own right. Pharaoh was stating he had neither respect for, nor obligation towards Yahwah, and His command through Moses. Such is the arrogance and ignorance of humanity. Often blinded by position or status among other men, some think they are beyond the Almighty’s reach, or that because they choose not to acknowledge Him, that He does not know them, or that He is not Lord over them regardless of their indifference! This is a typical case of humankind functioning with an inflated ego and overstated self-importance. Pharaoh might have been the greatest and most cherished king in the Israel’s early history, had he listened to God and facilitated God’s will towards His people. Instead, he hardened his heart and resisted God, and might be considered a fool, in line with the biblical definition of the word, for denying God and His directive. Certainly this man paid severely for his haughtiness; losing position, control, respect, children, the kingdom and ultimately his life! It is important for all mortals to realise that in spite of our grand talk and boast against God, we are only ever a breath away, from demonstrating how weak and frail we really are! It is futile and foolish to defy God and the purposes He has set for us. The end result cannot be good, when we dare to superimpose our will onto God’s. That was true of Pharaoh, and it is true of anyone who can be so impertinent. Yet we find most of humanity still blissfully and blindly, existing as if they have not a single responsibility toward God. Even when shown, with love and patience, they deny knowledge of the Lord, or duty towards Him. It is prophesied that God will come with judgment, to repay the disobedience and disregard of His word, for which so many men and women, are guilty. On the Day of Judgment, there will be no human boast or self-aggrandisement! Ignorance, defiance or indifference will not be possible, when we are face to face with Almighty God! Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess the supremacy and Lordship of Jesus Christ! Yet this acknowledgment will have come too late, to make a positive difference to the eternal destiny of our souls. Doesn’t it make very good sense, to willingly bow a knee now, and receive the amazing benefits that come by serving Jesus!? 

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Mar 12

“…it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.” Esther 7:2

Persia was at this time an immense and powerful kingdom. Some have pegged Ahaseuerus, with the rather unwarranted reputation, of being a frivolous, gluttonous drunkard, given to flights of fancy, and childish tantrums! A careful reading of the story of Esther, without personal bias or pre-conceived ideas, will show a very different picture. This man was not petty, childish and given to peevishness, but a wise man and one who carried a great deal of responsibility. He was king over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces and ruled with firmness and fairness. In fact because of the love, wisdom and generosity he displayed, as relayed in the story of Esther, he has been deemed by some commentators, as an apt type of the Most High God. The scriptures describe how that fearing for her life, Esther came unsummoned in the presence of the King. The law of the country stated this was not to be done, and could merit punishment by death! Instead of the judgment she was dreading, she found favour, audience and assistance with the king. The statement before us, shows the largeness with which the King was willing to meet her request – even before he heard it! The parallel for us, is discernible, when we think that we too, came as needy sinners before the King of Kings. He was in the position to judge and destroy us, but in pity and love, he stretched forth the sceptre of His power and authority and provided for us the solutions and answers for our souls! He gave us what we needed to rid our souls of sin, the only and greatest fluid capable of washing away sin – the blood of Jesus! Like Esther, we came trembling and left triumphant - He kept nothing from us! Not only made us new, and granted us new life here and now, but has also made available for us, in His great wisdom, love and power, the kingdom of heaven for eternity! We serve a great God and Almighty King!

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Mar 11

“Which is not another…” Galatians 1:7

Paul had laboured hard with the church at Galatia. He had ensured that they were exposed to the whole counsel of God and understood the gospel of truth. Here we find him expressing surprise and concern over how quickly and with little discernment, they were influenced to follow teaching, which did not support or reflect the truth they had learned from him. Sadly this is not an uncommon fact among many believers. Those who instead of aligning what they hear to God’s Word, as the plumbline and benchmark, merely accept anything that ‘sounds like truth’, will inevitably end up accepting error and a false gospel. False doctrine, promulgated by false teachers, was a serious concern in the early church, and it remains a primary cause of alarm in our day and age. Far too many subscribe and too easily consent to teachings of men, that cannot be satisfactorily substantiated by the Holy Scriptures. Tradition and cultural preferences, often play a major part of bending understanding, and twisting the truth of the Bible to suit the customs and practices of the people being addressed. To some degree this was happening in the early New Testament church, where people of various cultures and established religions, came into the relatively new Christian faith, in spite of accepting Christ, they also tended to include and impose factors of their own beliefs, upon others. Paul speaks against these troublesome individuals, and sees them as perverting the pure and true gospel of Christ. Satan has been intent in manipulating humanity to adulterate and pollute the purity of God’s Word. During the establishment of the church, and often since, many ‘gospels’, so called, have been formulated, and offered as ‘truth’. Paul makes it clear that though some may present alternatives as ‘another gospel’, they are not really “the Gospel” at all! We too must take a stand the way he did. We live in a time when all kinds of substitutions, changes and replacements are being inflicted upon the established Word of God. Many gnostic writings, which had in the past already been disqualified from being included as part of the revealed and inspired message from God, are being resurrected, and presented as viable options and choices of belief for Christians. We should view this as Paul did - a perversion and falsification of the truth! When we hear or read material which cannot be aligned with the revealed Word of God, the Bible, as it has been known and established now for many centuries, let us stand firm and resolute for the truth. It has been correctly stated that "if we do not stand for truth, we will fall for every lie". We are encouraged to distinguish and discern truth from error, through the Spirit of God and the inspired text. It ultimately becomes our personal responsibility to stay true to God and not be moved, affected or persuaded by any of the winds of false doctrine and false gospels, published and proclaimed by false teachers. Let us carefully buy into, treasure and never sell out, the truth God reveals to us from His Word!

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Mar 10

“…and David enquired of the LORD…” 2 Samuel 2:1

Problems, difficulties and things hard to understand, can appear and take place in all of our lives, without regard to our person or position. This is true of believers also, as can be seen in the life of a man who was indeed close to God in all aspects of life. When unexpected and prolonged famine appeared in the land, David, whose life had been in favour with God, sought Yahwah and enquired from Him, about this hard to reconcile problem. Without God or without correct relationship with God, we would be inclined to panic, or get angry and react in our own strength when faced with unknowns. This leads to many mistakes and unwarranted actions. The man of God has another solution for the problems which may afflict him or his, and which he finds difficult to comprehend or accept. He can talk to the Lord and ask Him for wisdom and understanding! In our example, God answered David very specifically, allowing him to act in righteousness, and make things right. God is willing to answer sincere prayer, and respond to genuine petitions. He will supply answers, directions, instructions and lead those who trust in Him to happier, superior solutions, and victories otherwise not possible. As believers we need not fear, or become angry, frustrated and anxious, when faced with hard to fathom difficulties in life. If we will trust God and pray to him from open and earnest hearts, we will find answers and directions from God, or at the very least, the strength, courage and resignation to bear the load and continue on faithfully, until relief is brought to us! Our starting point is always the same, on our knees before God in communication and contact with Jesus! At the altar of prayer, are found the best solutions to life’s hardships and challenges. They are sourced from the mind and heart of the One who is omniscient, and for Whom there are no limits or difficulties! 

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Mar 9

“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life…” 2Timothy 2:4

One of the difficult realities of Christian living, is to accept that as believers, we are at war. Our battle is not against ‘flesh and blood’, but a life-long confrontation against spiritual powers, against our own flawed human nature and against the swelling tide and influence of the world. It is a real conflict, a struggle in day to day living, against all that would dissuade us from pursuing God, and cause us to fail in our love and service to Him. Paul instructs Timothy to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, enduring and tough against anything that would turn him from this first and primary calling. We too are to take note of this instruction, and make it ours. We must settle once and for all the priority of our lives, and ensure that it is and remains - Jesus and our faithful service unto Him. In days of old and particularly among the Romans, when a man became a soldier, it was not a casual undertaking or a part time profession. The army became his entire life, calling and vocation. He was not allowed to pursue any other occupation in life. A soldier could not also be a farmer, trader or business owner. His focus, interest and time could not be split or given to anything else, but being the best soldier he could be. Paul takes this fact, as an illustration to show us the reality of our calling and vocation to God. Like a good soldier for Christ, we cannot afford to become ‘entangled’ with other affairs of life. Successful Christian living is the result of making our obedience and service to Jesus, the priority of our lives. Paul is not saying we cannot have family, a job or own a house. He is saying that as true Christians, we should be soldiers unto the Lord, and therefore cannot become ‘entangled’ that is, ensnared, caught up and limited by these things, so that we can no longer effectively serve God, and fight the good fight of faith. Honesty on our part would declare how real and common this mistake is. It is easy to become so absorbed and engrosses in pursuing a ‘living’, providing for our families and generally taking care of the physical needs and necessities, that we lose sight of spiritual ones. When the cares of life have taken over in our priorities, and service in God’s army is a mere façade rather than a true profession, prayer ceases amidst the busyness of daily life, or at best becomes a recited repetition. Meditating on God’s Word is relegated to a quick read of words from ‘the book’, with little or no thought attached to them; and evangelism becomes something someone else is called to do. Attending church becomes optional, and secondary to other interests, responsibilities or our feelings at the time; while Christian fellowship with brethren, becomes a luxury we have no time for. Jesus warned that the cares of life, if allowed place, would be like thorns growing, choking and destroying our spiritual life. If we find ourselves in these conditions, we have clearly lost sight of who we are meant to be, and what we are enlisted by God to do. Paul’s reminder is most appropriate. We are soldiers called by God to serve Him, to fight as part of His army, in valiant combat for the faith. We are God’s family whose primary task in life, is to please God who has called us and chosen us to be His ambassadors in this world. Our life’s commitment and goal is to do God’s will, and fulfil the purposes He has set for us, and never allow this to become secondary to any other interest or responsibility!

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Mar 8

“That thou mayest regard discretion…” Proverbs 5:2

Words can sometimes mean different things in different situations. There is also a difference between the meanings of some words when taken in a scriptural context, and when understood by the common or cultural context. Discretion is a good example of the above. According to the dictionary for instance, when someone does something ‘at their discretion’, they are exercising the power or right to decide or act according to their judgment. The ‘age of discretion’ in context, was considered the age at which a person was old enough to determine their own affairs. However the same word can mean to act with prudence or decorum, so as not to be offensive in a social setting. The biblical emphasis of the word as used in the text before us, and in other, similar passages of scripture, actually highlights neither the freedom of judgement or choice, nor the necessity for being cautious of social feelings. In the word of God, discretion is an aspect of spiritual wisdom, as it relates to the conduct of one’s life toward God. God instructs His people to observe ‘discretion’ - the wisdom of conducting their lives in line with His precepts, and being careful not to be offensive or affronting to Him! The focus of our discretion in other words, should be to have prudence that we remain pleasing to God in what we say and in the way we behave. This means taking care to obey God, and is quite the opposite of asserting our own rights or preferences! It also sets straight the issue of ‘Who’ we should care more to be inoffensive towards.  We should emphasize right and harmonious relationship with our God, ahead of that which we strive for, with our society, particularly when culture and social practices contravene God and His Word! It can even be seen by various examples of scripture that at times in serving God and pleasing Him, some, including Jesus, were not at all ‘discreet’ with regards to the sensitivities of the cultural ways around them, choosing rather to act discreetly unto God! The spiritual wisdom of obeying and following God’s ways, and honouring Him above anyone else, whilst not a licence for rudeness or inappropriate behaviour towards our fellow-man, prioritises our diligence and allegiance, and reminds us that in all things, we are to please God ahead of man! 

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Mar 7

“... Hearts...might be comforted, being knit together in love…” Colossians 2:2

Our text expresses the comfort and encouragement, experienced by those who are united in faith to God. Christians are well acquainted with the distresses and trials of life, the rigours of persecutions and the challenges of reaching the lost. All such things add to the ‘discomfort’ that may be experienced as we walk ‘in Christ’. Yet God has not left His people without comfort! He not only sent the ‘Comforter’ - His Holy Spirit, to fill, empower and guide the believer, but He has also ensured that our hearts may find comfort in the reality of the companionship, fellowship and brotherhood that exist within the Church. The bonds of this company of blood-washed, redeemed individuals are strong! God’s family is meant to be close-knit and cohesive. Like the sinews and tendons that hold the joints of our bodies, even so the members of the Body of Christ, are held together by the strong bonds of the truth and love, which God has imparted to them. This is the mortar that joins each brick in the building and forms the edifice of God! The brethren that belong to the family of God, are not meant to be disavowed, distanced acquaintances, empty of common purpose and devoid of interest and love for one another.  The opposite is true! God’s will for us is that we are ‘knitted together’ into a solid, unified ‘oneness’, fused with the ‘glue’ of His amazing love, and motivated by His Spirit to carry out His godly and spiritual purposes! May the hearts of those who willingly put aside their own program of life, and embrace God and His ways, find in Jesus, and in the wonderful family of God, the joy, comfort and strength of His love, and the blessing of intimate unity.

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Mar 6

“For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us…” 2 John 2

The love that is expressed among the saints is the result of God working in the lives of believers, through the truth of His Word. The basis of our unity, love and co-operation are all established on the firm foundations of God’s truth. In a general sense we express this as meaning, firstly Jesus Himself as being ‘the Truth’, and secondly, the Truth of what He says and teaches - the gospel of truth. Jesus said of Himself that He is ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life’ - it is ALL in Him! It is for the sake of, or on account of, this great truth that all who believe in Him, participate in His love. As a family gathered from all walks of life, backgrounds and nationalities, believers mutually benefit, from having the God-supplied ability to both give and receive, His incomparable love.  The Bible speaks of Jesus indwelling the saint, but also of His word, dwelling within those who obey Him. Clearly the truth of God, what He has taught and delivered to humanity, is meant to live ‘within us’. This clarifies that the truth should not be found merely in our Bibles, our religious ceremonies or our churches. It is the will of God that His truth abides and be found, deep within the believer’s heart, mind and soul. It must become his life and the basis upon which all thought, speech and action is founded. Indwelling truth is not relegated to a mere few, but the privilege of all who come to salvation and believe in Jesus. This Truth sets us free from sin, to serve the Living God! It liberates us from the bondage of error and redirects our feet to the path of life! The indwelling truth of God becomes the moral compass, which helps us navigate the treacherous waters of the world, and guides us safely to our eternal home!

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Mar 5

“…and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:9

Paul had just encouraged the saints at Philippi, to observe the godly patterns established in his life and to imitate them. The concept of following (Paul) a leader, as he follows Christ, is both acceptable and desirable in scripture. Naturally it is up to us to align the individual’s life with God’s Word and deem it a correct paradigm to follow, or a poor example to be shunned. Note that the emphasis is not in following the ‘man’ himself, but Christ’s patterns of life and teaching, in that man. The apostle intimates, that following in a godly manner will bring the peace of God into the life of the believer. This expression ‘the peace of God’ is repeated often in the New Testament, both as a condition to be desired and pursued, and as a blessing directed at fellow believers. Among believing Jews the word ‘Shalom’ is used in salutation, this is taken around the world to mean ‘peace’. It is used as a greeting also among many Christians, who in their own language convey once again, the idea, concept and desire for God’s peace. Apart from the main meaning of peace, for which it is known, according to Strong's Concordance (7965), Shalom means “completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord”. It is associated with another word which carries the meaning of being ‘fully paid’! Each of those definitions embellish and describe the kind of ‘peace’ God intends us to have, and makes available for us, when we follow His principles. God brings peace to us and is thus titled, among many other things, the ‘God of peace’. This is the true peace, which is beyond all human understanding, and which has been the subject of many hymns, prayers and sermons. It comes as a result of being ‘at peace’ with God, meaning not fighting against Him by our sin or worldly behaviour, but fulfilling His will and complying with His word. Being in conflict with ourselves or others is unpleasant, but warring against God is futility and extreme absurdity. Heavenly peace can only be received from God, and only when we place ourselves in alignment with Him. This condition is most beneficial to our hearts, minds and souls. This is the reason why ‘seeking to make peace with God’, and then ‘having the God of peace in our lives’, are exhortations often heard and frequently presented in Scripture and the exposition of it. In all His dealings with mankind, God has indicated and shown that He desires the best things for each of us. Experience has taught humanity, over some six thousand years, that one of the best things to have and hold, is the very condition we all seek at heart – peace. The world tried to achieve this by all other means except yielding to God, and fails. True, lasting and fulfilling peace can only come from the God of peace, and benefits us when we finally yield to His ways and principles, and apply them in our lives. What a blessing to know and have the peace of God! How precious and health-giving is this quality and condition of life! It should become a priority in our lives to obtain and maintain this glorious, soul healing peace, defend it from all which would damage and lessen it, and like Paul, share it with the people and situations around us, by godly example and loving instruction. 

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 4

“Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,” Jonah 2:1

This is probably the most unusual place from where any man has ever prayed to God! Jonah, a usually good man and a prophet called of God and sent on a mission, initially disobeyed and determined to run away from the Lord God. He seemed to have temporarily shut off his communication with Him. On the ship he was quite asleep, seemingly unaware that the tempest raged and threatened to sink the vessel. He had to be called from his sleep and encouraged to pray, by men who probably didn’t even know the One true God! There is no record that he actually did pray while on the ship, though he seemed to know what would bring calm to the waters. Now, however, from the fish’s belly, after three days and three night of unthinkable torment in his rather bizarre prison cell, he prays, and his prayer is wholehearted, sorrowful and sincere. Our disobedience and resistance to God and His will, can sometimes cause us serious and unnecessary distress. Some insist that we can only learn by personal experience, but we often may find ourselves learning that way, because we leave God no other option, but to teach us that way! It is significant that we should keep a close and intimate relationship with Jesus, and learn to be obedient to His directives and commands. When we remain open and teachable to God’s Spirit, He leads us in every detail of life and helps us avoid costly mistakes and hurtful setbacks. When we insist of being obstinate clay, the Master Potter cannot at times, but ‘remake’ us, and that is for us, a painful process! It is largely our choice in most instances. The Lord is willing to teach us the ‘easy’ way, if we only work with Him, and quit behaving like we know better than Him! When we are going through a ‘Jonah’ type moment, it may not feel that way, but God is actually still dealing with us in love and wanting to bring out the best in us. He gives us space to repent, straighten up and walk right again. God uses the circumstances and situations we so foolishly land ourselves in at times, to teach us, correct us, build us up in the faith and when necessary be made an example to others, so they may benefit and learn from our mistakes! In this again we see His great love. We could learn an easier way, but if the ‘hard way’ is what we select for ourselves, then God has just the right method, to teach us the same lesson! Interestingly, part of learning the ‘easier’ way, is to take note of the experiences and mistakes of others, and avoid falling into the same pitfalls. Jonah, and many others who have gone before us, are all great examples of both right and wrong, from which, if we are wise, we can draw a great deal of personal instruction and growth. 

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Mar 3

“Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it…” Jonah 3:2

Nineveh was a metropolis in its day and age. ‘That great city’, was indeed great in the number of people that lived there, its fortifications, its towers and its riches. Nineveh was also great in its sin! In fact the wickedness of the city was so great that God was passing judgment upon it! That is where Jonah was sent to preach. He was to be God’s herald, and cry against the sin of the city, taking to it God’s message of impending destruction. Some tasks, to which God calls us, are less than pleasant and may go totally against our preference or leaning. They may be considered difficult, a ‘ten’, on a scale of one to ten! Scriptural examples show that some tasks to which God calls us, may require the risk of our personal comforts, resources, security and even reputation. A servant of Yahwah, the Living God cannot afford the luxury of personal inclinations, when doing a work for God. Following God’s instructions and sensing after God’s Spirit, is all important in being faithful as ministers and servants of the Lord. We live in a time when it has become acceptable to make ministry merely another ‘job’, at best a professional occupation or business. This is not the intention and meaning of the word and the position of ministry, as described in scripture. The only correct motivation for entering the ministry must be a call of God on a man’s life, corresponding to his desire to serve the Lord, in His way and in all areas of life, at whatever personal cost. He must become willing without exception, to remain obedient to every directive the Lord gives and faithful in carrying out the tasks God has set – even the hardest ones! Jonah did not have an easy task ahead of him, but he did have the power of God behind him. This is the core thing to remember – that with each task God calls us to, if we trust Him, He supplies the ability and all that may be required to carry it out. The power of God behind us is always greater than the task before us. It follows that it is on Him we must place our eyes and not ourselves, and that from Him we must draw our strength, wisdom and capacity to meet the challenges, He directs us to address. Once Jonah aligned himself with the Lord’s will, and obediently carried out the mission God had sent him on, he was mightily used of God and a great revival resulted in Nineveh. We too can find great blessing and wonderful success in God, if in all our ways we acknowledge Him, and in each endeavour we go forth in His strength and wisdom, obediently, patiently and faithfully, loving and trusting Jesus.

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 2

“…a message by the hand of a fool…” Proverbs 26:6

In an age of technology where zillions of messages are sent via all the electronic gizmos and gadgets we employ, our scripture text may not seem at first reading, all that applicable. It is probable that most of the messaging communicated on our phones and electronic apparatus nowadays, is barely relevant, and certainly not essential to life or survival. However in the context of the time the verse was written, sending a message was not only of the highest importance and may be a matter of life and death, but was also no easy task for the despatcher. Often specially trained ‘runners’ would travel on foot or beast for hours, or days non-stop across all sorts of terrain, at the risk of their lives and with one goal and sole aim in mind, to safely deliver the message into the hands of the receiver. In those circumstances, the sender of a message would want to make certain that a reliable individual was chosen for the task. With that in mind, we see the point of the proverb at hand. The text implies that not to use someone, who with prudence and diligence could deliver the message and perhaps return an answer, safely and in good time, would be equivalent to cutting off the feet of the runner or sending someone who had no feet! The imagery is strong! The moral in the proverb, is that ‘important’ tasks should not be relegated to irresponsible people. This is true of life in general and it should form a part of what we do and practice in the service of the Lord. The task of serving God is one of the most important undertakings any human being can be involved with. God needs reliable, dependable, wise and enduring messengers, to take His Word and deliver it to the lost! It is an urgent task, a pressing task and one which one be handled with care, prudence and faithfulness. This is no job for a fool! In all our personal grounding let us personally prepare in excellence to serve the Lord, and never settle for ‘just getting by’. In turn, let’s make certain that all that which is of spiritual importance is delegated to sensible individuals, filled with the Spirit of God and wisdom from above, who have shown themselves to be reliable in their personal lives and witness for Christ, for all service unto the God, is of great importance! 

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 1

“Then rose up Zerubbabel….. and began to build the house of God…” Ezra 5:2

The work of rebuilding the house of God, had come to a standstill. Inspired by the Lord, the prophets began to preach, and their message spoke to the heart of the leaders, whose response was to again take up the building work and encourage others to do the same. We are reminded of several principles in these verses. Firstly we recognise that in spite of early enthusiasm by most of God’s people, often even the work of God is put aside, and the vision for it lost when difficulties arise, or the work requires extended time and constancy. We often begin a project or effort supported by many, but soon, the desire and involvement lapses, and other things take over the time and energy which might have been invested as a sacrifice and service unto the Lord. Secondly, we see the necessity of teaching and preaching God’s messages, in order to rekindle the fire, passion and vision of service unto the Lord. These reminders must be ordained of God, and must be in His timing and anointed by His Spirit, to touch the hearts and minds of those who hear them. The result of re-awakening, revival and renewal of heart and vision, can have tremendous effects on the people as a whole, and the culmination and fulfilment of the work at hand. Unless the hearts of the people are revitalized, however, it is unlikely that any work they may undertake, physical or otherwise, will actually continue. Thirdly, we note the beauty and joy of various groups of people, or various individuals working together for a common goal and aim. Here we see the prophets, the civil leaders and the priests, all co-operating to complete and bring about the construction of the house of God. Each one of us has a task to do, and everyone can contribute and lend a hand, in doing what the Lord wants accomplished. When people put aside their personal agendas, strip themselves of the pride of their position, and willingly ‘roll up their sleeves’ in hearty, loving and courageous labour unto the Lord, much is accomplished and great joys and growth results from the experiences.

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion