July 9

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 1:4

The greatest joy a Christian parent can experience, is the knowledge that the children who have grown in his own family and under his care have made their personal choice to follow the Lord, and that over time, whether still at home or elsewhere, they continue faithfully in that choice! In the home of the minister of the gospel, this is particularly cause for great rejoicing. How very traumatic if, having preached to so many others and seeing them continue in the faith, the preacher’s own children, should turn from the teaching of Christ and be lost in the ways of the world! A similar expression of the great joy, as that experienced by parents whose children are loyal to the faith, is found in our text. John rejoices over the faithfulness of those who were converted under his ministry and in a spiritual sense are his children in the faith! When a pastor has devotedly preached and taught those who are sitting under his ministry, the greatest reward and consolation he can find on earth, is their enduring faith in Christ, their example to others and their ministering to the needs of others. Ultimately the reason for any minister’s service is the Lord, and in Him alone is found eternal reward and consolation. Godly ministers have also the assurance given in God’s word that their labours are not in vain. Somehow steadfastness in serving God, is a reward in itself, and is not really dependant on the performance of others, their choices or the direction they may take. Nevertheless from a human standpoint, the knowledge that those we have taught love God fervently, obey His word tenaciously and continue to endure in the truth they have learned under our ministry, seems to place the ‘icing on the cake’! If by personal experience, relationship with Christ and faithfulness, there is in a man’s heart a firm assurance of eternal life in heaven with Jesus, then the only sweeter victory is to know that others, who have been affected by that man’s ministry, have also chosen to stand firmly in Christ and have inherited eternal life too! We must always pray for those in ministry, who preach and teach the word of God, influencing by His Spirit the lives of their hearers. Uphold them before the Lord, call for God's anointing upon their utterances and beseech the Lord for increase from their watering!

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

June 30

“Sorrow is better than laughter…” Ecclesiastes 7:3

Here is presented a concept which at face value may appear counterintuitive to our minds. In a world where the social norm and the contemporary wisdom is all geared to finding and promoting ‘happiness’, how can sorrow ever be ‘better’ than laughter? The bible states that the ‘joy of the Lord’ is our strength. There is however a vast difference between the satisfying joy that comes from God, and the elusive happiness which fallen man seeks, often in vain and in constantly changing circumstances. A step further back than that again, is the common place notion that if one can ‘laugh’ enough, then happiness will come. Again this seems another futile man-made attempt, at circumventing the true source of joy and contentment which is Jesus. While it may be true that laughter has some benefits and value for mental and emotional health, it should be the result of a content, settled and happy soul, not seen as a means to obtaining those conditions. In line with this erroneous thinking, the world has assembled a host of so called comedians who find it necessary to pollute and profane in their language and subject matter, every area of life, by serving up a mess of lewd, smutty, negative, vulgar and offensive performances, in an attempt to bring questionable laughter, to those who feel they need cheering up! It doesn’t even begin to make sense! Even so how can sorrow, be better than laughter? From a spiritual standpoint, this concept is very clear. Laughter is for a moment, and passes with very little permanent effect and no benefit to the spiritual man.  The sorrow spoken of in scripture, is not mere sadness or depression, it is a sense of personal regret for offenses committed against God, the distress of realising one’s own wrongs.   When a person can be truly sorrowful therefore, the effects reach the inner, spiritual man and can make a more permanent imprint on his being. Thus sorrow is better, when it is sorrow for sin! Instead of laughing at sinful jokes, a man who realises the guilt and awfulness of sin and becomes troubled over his own iniquities, can by repentance find forgiveness from God and new spiritual life! Such godly sorrow then is better, more useful, commendable, and more profitable than foolish laughter, because it recognises the mistakes which have been made. Instead of foolishly laughing them away, attempting to cover them or trivialising them, it causes the person to face them, repent and make changes to their way of life. Sorrow is a necessary part of the process of humbling oneself in the eyes of God, obtaining forgiveness from the Lord and turning back from a life of sin and degradation. It is the starting point of a person’s self-realization before God, and the pavement of the entry hall which leads to eternal life - a life of unending joy, glory and blissful contentment! That considered, it is not so hard to see why sorrow is better than laughter! 

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

June 5

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded…” Philippians 2:2

Paul had seen a great deal of personal trial, difficulty and affliction in serving the Lord. He bore many burdens and suffered many persecutions, tortures and loss. He had to deal with the many dissentions, arguments and false doctrines arising among some of the churches. All this added pain and sorrow to an already difficult ministry unto God. Here however was a great opportunity for joy! The apostle’s joy was structured and fulfilled by the Christlike manner, godly conduct and scriptural faith of those who had grown in his care and as a result of his ministry. His joy was to see brethren working together in unison, harmony and love. Those having the same mind of godliness and making efforts to maintain unity and love in the church, were a cause of joy to this great man of God. This is true of any minister who has a true pastor’s heart. He rejoices in God, when God’s people function without schism and discord, are free from contentions and strife, and in true humility of heart, love and serve God and uphold one another! This is cause for great joy! It surpasses all thrills that a servant of God may experience in any other aspect of life! It is God’s will that His church be one-minded in faith, purpose and practice. When a minister can verify that this is taking place in the body of believers, he can rejoice because God’s will is being fulfilled, and no greater joy exists for the servant of God! It is the task of the true believer to find his place in God and fill it to the best of his ability. Along with the specific call or ministry to which we may be directed, there are the common goals in the church, to which we are all called as the Lord’s disciples. These include the necessity to love one another, to serve God from a pure heart, to maintain a bond of peace and unity of spirit, to bear one another’s burdens and to pray without ceasing. There is plenty of room in the family of God, plenty to do and be involved in, and much purpose to fulfil. Let us determine by our actions and conduct, to make our leaders truly joyful in their service to God, and most of all let us remember that our lives are open before Him, who knows and sees all things, and rewards accordingly!

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