Aug 4

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,…” Philemon 1:4

Paul used similar terminology when addressing the church at Ephesus, at Rome and when writing to Timothy. It would seem that the Apostle was in the habit of including specific prayers for individuals and congregations, and then doing so consistently. Here we learn a simple yet deep truth about the necessity of upholding one another before the Lord in prayer. Prayer is not some mere liturgical form or empty repetition of words. It is the communication of the heart to God, and the listening to the voice and direction of God. It carries to heaven’s door the needs and requests, not only of the person praying, but of others who may be mentioned in the prayer. Whilst repetition of form and words without heart is not what prayer is all about, the fact that Paul mentioned the saints ‘always’, shows that regular and continuous requests for known or ongoing needs, are acceptable in prayer. They do not reflect a lack of faith, because they are regularly raised with God! The perseverance of the believer in daily prayer to God, is a vibrant and essential part of the Christian walk. It has been correctly noted that like all necessary daily physical activities of eating, sleeping, working and bathing, keep us healthy physically, in the same manner the spiritual activities of prayer, meditation of God’s Word, worship and witnessing, keep us healthy spiritually. Some sharp mind has stated that seven days without prayer makes one weak! Surely any day which passes without our lifting prayers to the Almighty, is a day of potentially lost opportunities and blessings! The ministry of intercessory prayer that is, praying for and petitioning God on behalf of others is an essential structure and requirement in the church. The love we are commanded to have one for another, must by necessity include prayer for each other. Ministers need the prayers of the saints to uphold them in the work they are to do. Upholding one another in our daily walk with God by prayer for strength, protection and enduring faithfulness forms a vital framework of mutual support, much like the bracing which fortifies bridges, walls or other load-bearing structures. Let us never tire of petitioning heaven with requests and supplications for the needs of our brethren and for the salvation of those yet unreached.

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

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

Jan 18

“Who will render to every man according to his deeds:” Romans 2:6

God is a loving Saviour and a just Judge. In the same way that His love reaches out and touches every human being with the offer and gift of salvation to be accepted by faith, so also no-one can escape the hand of God in judgment. The Lord justifies the sinner on the grounds of faith in Him, a faith shown by obedience to His Word and not by the works of the law. In this is our salvation, through His work at Calvary, we can add nothing by our own doing, but only identify with the death, burial and resurrection by which He purchased our salvation. When it comes to justification of our character as believers however, each man will find God also ready to render or return to him, according to the ‘deeds’ done in his body! To ignore this aspect of God’s requirement, or rebel against the righteousness He desires of us, is to merit God’s indignation and wrath, according to our text. In fact, this is the basis of God’s judgment, not His work of salvation in us, which is perfect, but the manner of our walking with Him. When we will stand at judgment, we will be aligned with the requirements of God’s Law - His Word, and measured by His holy standard! This will not be a comparison between men to find a ‘better-than-another’, or a measurement based on our own understanding and preference. It will not be a competition as to who has been superior in doing or serving. It will be a personal and individual alignment with the revealed will of God for each of us, to see just how faithful we have been in our obedience of it, and how steadfast we have remained in our quest to become more like Jesus. God has already given us in His Word, all the directions and instruction we need to bring forth the kind of fruit which pleases Him and will mark us as the Children of the Light, the Overcomers who enter in. All that remains is to carry out our devoted, committed obedience and diligence to the Lord. In this pursuit we must remain faithfully till the end, that we may show ourselves worthy of the calling we have received, and demonstrate beyond mere words, genuine thankfulness for the salvation He has provided!  

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