July 16

“Shall vain words have an end?...” Job 16:3

Job responds to his miserable comforters and challenges their arguments. ‘Vain words’ here literally means words of wind! We might say, ‘just a lot of hot air’, words which hold no true value, or help in any way, which are idle and pass by us like the wind. Exchanging casual conversation in friendship and fun, is enjoyable can be beneficial, and not to be ignored, but there are serious times, times of need, grief or pain, when offhanded, unthoghtful or inappropriate words, can do much harm to individuals and relationships. We have all had someone who has attempted to bestow upon us such inept expressions, and perhaps at some stage we too have been guilty of the same incompetence. What Job was asking is essentially a question we should all answer. It seems as long as humanity exists, frail and faulty in its outlook and perception, there are going to be vain, empty words spoken and thrown about like dead leaves in the wind. Words, when lacking in godly or edifying purpose, may not only be just irrelevant and confusing, but may also cut and damage the heart and soul. The bible often describes the beauty and preciousness of words spoken in wisdom, in context and in the right time. Those words are worth having, they give life; they assist us on the journey, provide true comfort and support in trials and afflictions. We are encouraged to carefully ‘weigh up’ our words, and avoid idle talk, knowing that we will give account for every word we speak. It is hard to say what exactly motivates us to speak empty words. Job asked that question too. What provoked his ‘friends’ to be so vocal and so opinionated about their own views and feelings, at a time when all he wanted was possibly just some silent companionship? We can learn from this event, and apply the biblical exhortation, that there is a time to speak (and when we do, it should be salient and wise) and a time to be silent. When in pain and sorrow, a friend is least likely to appreciate our observations, reminders or philosophies about what they did to land themselves in such straits! There may be a time for that conversation, but not when they are afflicted. Genuine love is sensitive about the other person and their predicament, and is able to weep with those who weep. Perhaps we fall into the trap of saying something, anything, however ‘vain’, simply because we do not wish to appear like we have nothing to say. The truth is that in some circumstances, it is not so much the sound of our voice, but the presence of our heart, that is required. There are also occasions when we may feel that our talking is necessary communication, but In fact unless what is said is relevant, wise and of assistance, it may actually hinder any true exchange and destroy dialogue. Let us be wise and pertinent in all we say, careful and godly in the advice we offer, and mindful that speaking fewer words which say a great deal, is always better than a lot of talk which is empty, inappropriate or inconsiderate.

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

June 6

“…So I prayed to the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 2:4

This example in scripture shows the importance and prevalence we should give to prayer. Nehemiah had prayed, fasted and waited on God already, yet here, before he dares to answer the king’s request, right in the middle of a conversation, he lifts his mind to God in prayer. There is not mention of a response from the Lord at this time, but that does not lessen the necessity, power and validity of Nehemiah’s prayer. It has been said that prayer should be as comfortable and natural as breathing to those who believe. It is evident from scripture that whilst special times of prayer, and special places may have been set aside for this holy exercise, that it is never out of place or an inconvenient time to connect to the Lord in prayer, regardless of where we are or our situation. Close relationship with God, will mean that we are accustomed to raise our hearts in prayer and will ‘mentally’ pray often throughout the day. It is not inappropriate to include brief and swift mental prayer, while we speak or listen, in fact it may improve the quality and nature of much of our communication! Certainly including prayer in our daily life, not only in the morning or at night, but as an integral part of our thought processes and responses, will keep us much more conscious of the Lord and aware of our accountability to Him. This should not sound ‘over the top’ or in any way excessive to us, if we genuinely believe the Lord is able to see and hear all we do and say anyway, and if, as we claim, we truly hold Him as the Lord and Master of our lives! What a privilege to communicate with Heaven on a direct, unhindered, any-time open line! How wonderful that God is interested in our individual lives so much, that He desires to hear about all and any of the details we care to raise and discuss with Him! Far from the distant, aloof and disinterested God, which many imagine and cast Him to be, the Lord Jesus wants to be to each of us, a ‘Friend that sticks closer than a brother’! He desires to be there for us in every moment and every aspect of our lives, if only we will include Him! How amazing that the Supreme ruler of the universe, the Almighty and Self-Sufficient One, never claims to be too busy or occupied, but chooses to listen to the faintest prayers we may lift to Him from our finite and limited hearts and minds! We serve a great and powerful God, who cares and wants to hear from us, all that remains is for us to build a close relationship with Him and pray as Nehemiah and many others did, to the ‘God of Heaven’!

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. 

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