June 11

“Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens” Lamentations 5:2

God had given the land in which Israel lived to Abraham and his descendants for an inheritance. As such it was to be considered precious and valuable. The Israelites had turned from the One True God, lost their relationship with Him, forsaken His ways and disobeyed His commandments. Here they lament the result of their disregard for God, the loss of their inheritance and property. They had become enslaved by the heathen people they had chosen to imitate, and servants to the strangers they should have ruled over. The provisions and blessings which had come their way freely and plentifully from the hand of God, now were scant and they had to pay for them dearly! Life was miserable, costly and painful, and affliction marked their days. The events of their lives and how God dealt with them, is a constant reminder to us today, to pursue godliness and righteousness assiduously. The apostle Paul taught that if God cut off the olive tree (Israel) because of their disobedience, we Gentiles, who are grafted into the olive tree should walk carefully, lest we also be cut off! Like them, we too have an inheritance which we could forfeit if we do not walk according to the ways and purposes He has set for us. Some preach a gospel of unconditional salvation, stating that essentially once we are saved, we are always saved, regardless of how we live our lives, or whether we remain obedient to God. This however, is not the pattern or teaching of the Bible. Faithfulness and continuance in obedience, holiness and righteousness are upheld in scripture, as necessary measurements of our sincerity and stated belief in God. Staying on course with God and aligning our lives with His Word is as necessary as staying on course with north on the compass, given that was our destination! It would be foolish to think we would still get there, by selecting any other direction than the north marked by the faithful, tried and reliable position of the compass! The Israelites lost their physical land and homes, because of their choice to abandon the truth, take their own direction and ignore the warnings of God. As Christians today we stand to lose and great deal more, for we have been given much more again! Our inheritance is eternal not merely some country or property here on earth! Our final home in a heavenly country, a city built foursquare where God is the light and there is no darkness, sorrow or sin. Our inheritance includes eternal life, immortality and complete bliss with Jesus forever, in a place where no sin, sickness or death will ever again exist! Most of all we will be forever with Jesus, eternally at His side and recipients of His glory! There is far too much at stake for us to lose, and too long an eternity to lament our loss! How much better to be wise and walk prudently with the Lord each day, in His love and nurture, following His will and Word, sensing after His Spirit and in humility obeying His commands, that we may inherit all that He has prepared for us in heaven! 

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

May 11

“…as cedar trees beside the waters.” Numbers 24:6

Balaam the prophet had been employed by king Balak to curse the people of Israel, whom he viewed as his enemies and a potential threat to his kingdom. On three separate occasions, however Balaam could not but utter blessings and praises to God over Israel, a fact which angered the king immensely. In this third instance Balaam praises Israel of God, with unfettered admiration and beautiful comparisons. He speaks of the people of God as being like rich valleys spreading out in front of him, fruitful gardens, and beautiful forests, and finally compares them to the most majestic of trees – the cedar. Balaam then goes on to sing of the blessing which God will bestow on Israel and the protection He will give His people. The use of the cedar tree in scripture to describe strength, majesty and beauty is not infrequent. The tree is known for the size it can grow to, usually straight timber with branches spreading out horizontally and parallel all the way to its top forming a ‘cone’ shaped silhouette. The strength and quality of the wood made it a preferred building material, and it was used in important structures and edifices. Solomon employed it extensively in the building of the temple in Jerusalem. Although it is generally a mountain tree, this particular description places the cedar beside waters, where most trees would naturally best thrive. Balaam’s anointed description is an apt summary of how God views and values His people. In the same manner that He created the cedar and gave it the qualities that make it unique, God has given believers distinctive qualities by which they too can be known. The people of God can be recognised, like the cedar tree. They have a distinctive manner and spirit to them. They bear the signature of God in their soul and are different from the world around them. They are strong in their convictions, values and purposes, not easily moved and durable; stable in whatever position they are used. God utilizes such people in positions of leadership, and responsibility, to carry load and bear burden for others. Better still, God supplies His people with an in exhaustible supply of living water, which keeps them spiritually alive, strong and growing. He ensures that they are supplied all that is necessary to function and do the work they were intended for and purposes in His will! We are truly blessed to be counted among God’s people and valued in this manner by the Creator God!

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

Apr 4

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake…” Matthew 5:10

Having warned His disciples that they too, like their Master, would be persecuted in this world, Jesus here teaches the blessing of such persecution. It is not in our natural spectrum of understanding, to see or feel blessing when persecution is waged against our name, reputation, property, person, or our loved ones. Yet it is a truth of scripture, the reality of which is imparted to us, by the teaching and example of Jesus, and the power of His Holy Spirit. The word persecuted here implies, being pressed upon, pursued after, and hunted as prey! There is no blessing in such ill-treatment, if we as believers find ourselves at the receiving end of it, because we have acted unwisely, whether in pride or in foolishness, spoken out of line with God’s word or betrayed the values we claim to live by! When in the course of living a godly life, and in humility upholding the values of God, however, we find ourselves at the butt of the attacks of those who in hatred towards God, hate us also and revile the uprightness we stand for, then we can align ourselves with the teaching of Jesus regarding the blessing found in God as a result of such harassment by man. God has sent us into this world as ‘sheep among wolves’, an analogy which speaks of itself of the necessity for us to lean heavily of Jesus! There are those who are favourable towards godly men and women, admiring their stand in God, even if they do not desire to participate in faith toward God personally. Others instead remain quite unaffected, neutral and even dismissive, of the godly behaviour they may see in believers. Then there are those who become inflamed, enraged and take personal offence, at the mere suggestion of righteousness, whenever they spot it in the virtuous manner or speech of a Christian. Some of these do not hesitate to turn on the believer, with ridicule, accusations, and attempts to victimise and belittle him, particularly when they are in company with those who know them, and may ‘look up’ to them. We are instructed that whatever the persecution, and regardless how severe, we are not to retaliate or give back in kind, but rather show the love of God, and conquer our enemies the way Jesus did, by standing, living and if necessary dying for righteousness’ sake. Great blessings are laid in store for those who follow the Master’s way and obey His principles. May God grant each believer the conviction, peace, strength and anointing to stand for God, God’s way!

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

Jan 16

“...keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him...” Daniel 9:4

We demonstrate our love to God, by keeping His commandments and following His ways. Like a good and loving father who cares for his children, the Lord shows us the right we should do and warns us to avoid the wrong. He teaches us at length about the rewards of righteousness and the repercussions and judgments of sin. He regards those who are faithful and shows open mercy and goodness towards them. His promises and pledges are renewed to the obedient and diligent follower, improving the quality of his life through blessing and growth. Some view God as capricious or whimsical, but the opposite is true, He has made known His stand and position from the beginning. It is us who are moody, inconsistent and change our position far too readily. We weaken our stand and commitment towards Him, reduce our discipline and abandon our convictions. The adjustments God makes are largely in response to our variability, but His intention and desire is made very clear – He wants to bless! He is faithful, He keeps His covenant, if there is distancing or loss in our relationship with Him, it does not find its genesis with Him! If we want to please the Lord, the best thing we can do is to remain faithful to Him in response to His faithfulness, and allow Him to bestow upon us the bountiful gifts and goodness He so much desires to bless us with! 

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