July 12

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:…” Isaiah 9:2

The Messianic Prophet Isaiah, speaks here of the great light which was to come to the world, in Christ Jesus. Both the people of Israel who had fallen in spiritual darkness through sin, and those nations who had never known anything but the darkness of their lost spiritual condition, would soon see the Great Light. God’s personal expression, the image of His person, would be revealed on earth as the promised Messiah, to bring spiritual deliverance to the lost and dying. The term ‘walked’ refers to living life, continuing in this case, in spiritual murkiness. Such is the condition of every man, woman and child, before they ‘see’ and receive the light of God’s love and grace! Christ’s coming to earth, to save the lost, was the brightest star to ever light mankind’s tenebrous sky! The darkness of sin is dark indeed. No glimpse of hope or clarity exists there. The destiny of man without Jesus is to grow, live and die in that spiritual gloom! God understood the self-inflicted plight of man, and loving us beyond our most vivid imaginations, He made a way to remove the darkness from us! He came as the Son, in the human form of a servant, lived a sinless life, and died to give great light to all those who would receive it. The light that God shone for man is undeniably great! Many purposefully hide from this light, placing barriers to shield themselves from it, as they would from sunlight. Yet God has made certain that anyone who wants to, can and will ‘see’ it, receive it and benefit from its benevolent, magnificent influence. Viewed from a carnal standpoint, Jesus’ life and death may be dismissed as some miniscule ‘candle’ lit for a short while, in some remote corner of the earth, insignificant or at least no more momentous, than the life of many other individuals. From a spiritual standpoint however, the life Jesus lived, and what He did at Calvary, is the singular, most significant event in the history of humanity! It shines brighter, more permanent and more powerful, than the brightness of the noon-day sun! God’s light is still available today even for those who have lived in the darkest, darkness of sin, and have not to date recognised or accepted this divine gift! If allowed to shine into our souls, the warmth, healing and blessing of God’s Great Light, will fill us, renew us and forever chase away the deepest, thickest, most resistant darkness!

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

June 23

“But they also have erred through wine…” Isaiah 28:7

Judah had fallen prey like Israel to the mind-robbing, sin-encouraging vice of drunkenness. Sadly the enslaving habit had found its mark even with the priests and the prophets who were intended to be beacons of God’s direction to the people. Their erring while in this intoxicated condition, included failing to discern the direction of God, and being unable to correctly judge matters. What an indictment against God’s people that Isaiah should be able to point at their lives being so devastated by sin, initiated and continued while under the influence and in the stupor of strong drink! Drunkenness is forbidden and deemed a sin in the bible, and for good reason! It robs reason from the mind and causes many to pursue and fulfil the sinful tendency of their flesh even more readily. It has always been at the centre of social deterioration in every culture and civilization of the past, and accompanied every degradation and moral failure that humans are capable of. In our present modern and so-called civilised western world, it is one of the main contributors to social problems. Alcoholism is associated with many serious and life threatening medical conditions; responsible for poor performance in the work place, and creating a host of complications and severe setbacks for people in various relationships. It is often at the centre of domestic violence, driving offences and many other crimes and socially abusive behaviours. It pollutes every area of organised, societal living, ruining and destroying the fabric of our cultures and undermining our ability to work and behave responsibly. Alcohol abuse affects the drinker’s life, his immediate environment, family and work, and the overall society the drinker is a part of. God visited stern judgement on His people for their abuse of strong drink and the resulting sinfulness. It is important as Christians, that we take note of the things which caused God’s hand to fall in punishment in the past, both in our lives and in the lives of others, learn from those mistakes and lessons, and determine to stand strong against anything that can be offensive to the Lord. As believers we have been given the Spirit of a sound mind - God’s Holy Spirit, which causes us to live holy and grants us a clear and sober mind as to moral and spiritual issues. Anything that can cloud, inebriate, intoxicate and distort our thinking and emotions is not holy, and cannot be tolerable before the Lord! We are to avoid such aberrations and keep to the trueness of love, faith and holiness God has prescribed for us. When we present our bodies a living sacrifice unto God, holy and acceptable unto Him, we are acting in a manner pleasing unto the Lord and are doing what is our ‘reasonable service’ to God!

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

Apr 19

“For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect…” Isaiah 18:5

Certain things cannot be timed by a calendar or a clock. The picture presented to us in this verse, is in regard God’s timing of judgement. We cannot tell by an exact date, the time of grapes ripening on the vine, it is done by observation. We can at best approximate that somewhere during a period of time, we will be able to see ‘signs’ of the fruit maturing and becoming ready for harvesting. One of the signs is after the flower blossom has past, and the grapes are perfect in shape and size, but still green. This is prior to harvest, and while there is yet time needed for the maturing and sweetening of the grapes, the promise of a healthy and abundant crop is already evident. In this same context we can discern the matter of the judgement of God. Not by a specific date and time, but by the signs which surround us. Many have set dates based on calculations they have made, and have attempted to foresee the action which God has planned and is in His mind. All such attempts have failed in ascertaining precisely, those things which God has shown us only in part. We have been told in scripture some of the signs to look for, and what processes take place before the hand of God will intervene, but we know not ‘the day nor the hour’ of the events which must come. There are without doubt all sorts of reasons which can be raised and rationalised, as to the ‘why’ God has chosen to deal with the timing of future events in this manner. One day we will fully comprehend. In the meanwhile, as we observe what we can ‘read’ as fulfilment of the signs given to us, it is not unusual for us to feel like somehow God has ‘forgotten’ what is written or is simply ‘late’. Neither would be correct, for the exact time of the fulfilment of His promises and warnings, belongs to Him alone. We don’t need to know the details of the future, we just need to know and trust the One who knows the details of the future, and be content in the assurance that His word and promises will be fulfilled, ‘when the bud is perfect’!

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

Apr 7

“…This day is a day of trouble…” Isaiah 37:3

Hezekiah along with Israel faced severe times. Enemies will try to drive us away from God, but in their efforts, if we remain faithful, they will actually drive us closer to Him. Though Israel had wrongly held onto the Lord in a loose and careless manner, and Hezekiah had somewhat trusted in Egypt, when faced with the blasphemies of the emissary of the Assyrian king, he and all the people found refuge by going to God. Much of what the enemy will try to do is to inject fear and promote intimidation, so that weakened and discouraged, we might let go of our faith and trust in God. Satan continues to use his old tricks against unsuspecting Christians, and one of his main weapons is fear, in many facets - fear of the threats of unbelievers, fear of being ridiculed, fear of the unknown, fear of the future and fear of failure.  The cure for all unhealthy and devil-driven fear is a close, intimate and trusting relationship with Jesus! Hezekiah was being weakened by the calumny and derision of the enemy, but Isaiah, the prophet of God, strengthened him with reminders that God is in control, even of those who have no regard for Him. There may be times of sorrow, rebuke and persecution which we may have to face also. It is good for us to be reminded not to allow anything the enemy throws at us, to terrorise us. We must remember that Jesus is ultimately in control, and He will perform His will and fulfil His purpose. Dark times may come, but the Lord will bring light. We must not be cajoled into believing the lies that the enemy of our souls pushes and promotes, but rather be fully persuaded of the truth and encouragement that comes from the Lord God Almighty!  

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