May 21

“…but we glory in tribulations also:…” Romans 5:3

Christian living is not for the faint-hearted or for anyone who unduly fears pain and discomfort. The path of eternal life is narrow and fraught with difficulties and challenges, but for all these, God has made provision. He does not say that as believers we will never face trauma or hardship, but He does say He will make available all we need to overcome our worst life’s situations. There is therefore, something counterintuitive yet extremely powerful, expressed in this portion of the Holy Text! We are all naturally disinclined to difficulties, trials, persecutions and afflictions, and thus logically avoid and decry these things, desiring nothing of them in our lives. The true believer however, though he will not purposely seek out affliction, finds ‘glory’ that is, rejoicing in these times and circumstances also. Along with the great blessings and provisions of salvation and sanctification, he who trusts in Jesus, can find reason to rejoice in difficult and troubled times. This may be contrary to our usual disposition, but becomes more ‘natural’ in concept and more acceptable in practice for the believer, the more and further he trusts the Lord. In fact, this truth holds a powerful and invincible principle, which over the centuries has seen many, face even their martyrdom as Christians, with calmness, quiet resignation and even welcoming joy! What could possibly cause a human being to actually rejoice, when faced with some of the worst possible circumstances and threats of life? It is an inner knowledge and divine peace, which strengthens and steels the soul of a man, into a conviction that God can transform the pain, suffering and distress of any affliction, into patience, hope, strength and power greater than ever known before! In other words, rather than seeing defeat, detriment or destruction, the believers ‘sees’, and finds God-ordained victory, improvement and life, from the times of distress which face him! Here then is the remarkable power of the Christian life that is truly committed to Christ – it is built up and improved by the wonderful blessings and privileges God provides, and it is also enriched, strengthened and enlarged by the sufferings He allows! In this context, the yielded life is impregnable and beyond conquest! It continues and improves regardless of what it is faced with or challenged by. This is true life in Jesus, it is the overcoming life, and it is His will for all who believe. 

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

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! 

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

Feb 9

“I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:” Job 5:8 

It seems always easier to give advice when we may not have experienced, or are not personally in the situation we may be addressing. Eliphaz - one Job’s ‘comforters’, makes a point here however, which we may all benefit from. The reasoning supporting his statement, is that if we believe that all things (including our afflictions), are ultimately in the merciful hand of the Divine Potentate, the Lord Yahwah, the Almighty One - then complaint, anger, foolish accusations or attributing blame to others for our condition or situation, is not going to help resolve matters, improve our state or lift our smitten morale. In fact even in attempting to gain a basic understanding or at least become reconciled to some degree, with the troubles and sorrows which life inevitably brings to us all, we will be better served if in humility and openness of heart, we seek God and commit our cause to Him! What God does and how He does it, belongs to Him alone and is the privilege and right of His Supreme Deity. This is an essential aspect of what it means for us to be His servants, and to claim Him as our Lord and God! If we rebel or cannot accept His Lordship at every level, and in all circumstances of life, even those we cannot grasp or comprehend, then the veracity and quality of our faith and submission to the One we call our God, must be audited. As we “wait on Lord”, patiently and faithfully accepting His will and direction in our lives, we will find the strength and resolve through Him, to be delivered from, or overcome, the most difficult of life’s challenges. When it is all said and done - only Jesus can help us over those afflictions and setbacks of life for which we have little or no explanation, as in Job’s case! It is with Him then, we should cast our vote of trust and confidence; searching in prayer for His wisdom and understanding, strength and ability, as we constantly, willingly and thankfully deposit our burden and cause at His feet.  

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

Jan 9

 “In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.” Psalms 120:1

There had been great times of rejoicing in David’s life, but he was also well acquainted with sorrow and distress. With David we too can truly say that the Lord is the God of the good times, and yet He is still God in the bad and troubled times. In the seasons of difficulty, anguish and pain, we may feel alone and ill-equipped to cope with the misery that life can bring. Friends are not always there for us or able to help and understand. Although these are not the only times when we should remember to call on the Lord, it is most appropriate that we do so. The Lord is prompt and ready to hear us, He does not slumber or sleep, and is not put off by the difficulty of our request. Though God is supreme and can select to answer us as He chooses, we have an assurance that He will heed our cries and that He is interested in us and our troubles. Faith to trust Jesus, and believe for His intervention and provision, is necessary if we are to be blessed by the Lord. We all know we will be faced with turmoil and struggles in life, as wise servants of the Lord, we therefore ought to uphold a strong, holy and pleasing walk with God at all times, so when the storms hit, as we know they will, we will find harbour, solace and assurance in the God who can calm the sea!

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