Feb 14

“For thou hast maintained my right and my cause…” Psalms 9:4

We constantly hear of individuals ‘standing up for their rights’. We witness entire countries entering into conflict because they believe their cause to be right. The world propounds ways and means by which to achieve our own ends, and uphold our particular inclination. Society teems with groups filled with supporters for their peculiar viewpoint, reason or position. The ‘causes’ range from the sublime to the ridiculous, but nevertheless, some support them! It seems everywhere and in many ways, we each believe we are right and have a just cause. David took a different approach to that taken by those who, with a militant manner, just insist on their own ‘rights’. He reminds us that, when ‘fighting’ for our rights, the correct stance for those who believe, is to lean on God, and trust Him to uphold our cause. We must never forget that for the Lord to support and help our ‘cause’, it must be a ‘right’ cause. This doesn’t mean it is judged correct by our own preferences, biases or leanings. It is deemed right because it is righteous according to the righteousness of God as declared in His word, and in that sense therefore, it is His cause. We must also be sure how God wants us to ‘fight’ in upholding His cause, after all He is meant to be our General and Commander in Chief! David was a military man and clearly fought for a cause, but he made a point of making that reason, not a motive of his own choosing, but that which was right in the sight of God. He also carefully followed the instruction of the Supreme Leader in all battles, giving place to the Lord's way, in how each encounter with the enemy should be met! The Lord can support a cause which fulfils His righteousness and maintains the truth and directive of His revealed will for mankind. On a more personal basis, we do well to lean on the Lord, and have Him advocate us instead of attempting to promote ourselves. It is evident from God’s word that promotion is of the Lord, and that in His own way and time, He lifts up, blesses and upholds the individuals and groups of people, who sincerely walk in His ways and obey Him. 

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

Feb 13

“…I will prove thee with mirth…” Ecclesiates 2:1

We have not really changed a great deal as humans, when it comes to our basic functions and outlook on life. We continue to believe, in spite of the mountains of evidence which has been accumulated by the testimony of others that somehow, we have to experience all things of life, to ‘prove’ to ourselves whether there is anything worthwhile in them. Travelling this path, seeking satisfaction, most of us end up, at times battered and bruised, and almost always poorer in time and finances from the ‘proofs’ we so badly thought we needed. Somewhere along the line, we resign to the inevitable and join the crowds of others who also did similarly, and with a nod acknowledge that what we had been told about life, was actually quite correct in the first place! We might have spared ourselves the heartache, but something in our fallen human nature rebels at ‘being told’ what to do. Not until we have tried it ourselves are we contented to consider many issues settled, though they were really settled for us long ago by the Lord in His Word, and through the experiences of those who have gone before us! Solomon was no different from the rest of us in these pursuits of self-discovery and determination of the ‘facts of life’. Unlike most of us, he had at his disposal just about anything any human could ever want or choose to experience. The test highlighted in the portion of the text under scrutiny, speaks of tying to satisfy oneself, by gratification through entertainment and merriment. No doubt this man known for his wisdom and his enormous wealth, left no stone unturned to make his judgement on this matter. He would have been as thorough here as with all the other ‘tests’ of life he conducted. Neither need we think that he had to necessarily partake of evil or sinful practices to come to his conclusion. Once he had tested himself and his own heart and soul with the very things we so often ardently pursue, he determined without doubt or hesitation that no lasting joy or satisfaction can be obtained by mere entertainments and amusements, even if legitimate and rational. A man whose wisdom was ordained by God is able to share his findings with us and tell us that along with all his other experiences, this too on its own and without God, is nothing but vanity and futility, it will not fulfil and will leave us always wanting and searching for more! Clearly the essential outcome of Solomon’s research in life is that, nothing outside of God satisfies! While we readily accept we do not have to ‘re-invent the wheel’ in so many other areas of life, yet in seeking our personal fulfilment, we often insist on wasting time and life on costly and futile pursuits, instead of just accepting the established proofs supplied to us by the wisdom and love of God!

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

Feb 12

“...separated themselves…and stood and confessed their sins..” Nehemiah 9:2

God’s people are to be a holy people. In this account we see three important actions which are relevant to all who call on the name of the Lord. In an act of restoration of commitment and closeness with God, the Israelites ‘separated’ themselves, ‘stood’ and ‘confessed’ their sins. If we are to remain people consecrated to God, it is necessary that we are willing to ‘separate’ ourselves. The call of God for His people to pursue holiness and purity is a continuous theme in scripture. What differentiates believers from the unsaved should be obvious and should shout the holiness of God through their actions, thoughts and choices. It is necessary if we are to be and stay close to the Lord, that we separate ourselves from the world and its ways. These things should be foreign and distant from us. The people then ‘stood’. This is significant for it represents a position of determination for the Lord. One of the greatest problems we face as Christians today, is the lack of willingness among believers to ‘stand’ for God, His ways, His principles and His absolutes. Close relationship with Jesus can only be maintained if we are prepared to stand for Him. He taught that if we are not ashamed of Him (who He is, His doctrine and example), then He will not be ashamed of us! In an age of weakness and compromise, let God’s true people stand in love and humility. The next thing they did was to ‘confess’ their sins. When we partake of the holiness of God and stand in the strength of His power, we don’t do so to point a finger at others and find fault in others but to first and foremost make sure we stand right in God personally! This means an inward look, an inspection and examination of our own heart and soul, followed by heartfelt confession to God and repentance of our sins. Jesus made it clear we cannot spiritually help anyone in their shortcoming or sustain them in their need, if we ourselves are at fault with God and our vision impaired by carnal obstacles, and our convictions weakened by compromises. Taking an example from the Israelites in our text, let us renew our dedication to God and reconsecrate our lives and living unto Him.

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

Feb 11

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above…” Colossians 3:1

The apostle Paul raises here a powerful argument for our consideration. He establishes in previous chapters that we are buried with Jesus in baptism, and our sins removed, we rise with Him into a new life by His Spirit. This fact accepted and proclaimed, he then sets for us a ‘litmus test’ (a simple test that produces a clear, objective answer) of that which should naturally follow the resurrected life! IF we are in fact new creatures, resurrected individuals, born again believers, THEN our desire, affinity and passion should now be DIFFERENT to what it USED TO BE! Our minds and hearts cannot possibly still long for the dead things of sin and degradation we were saved from! It should be inconceivable that we should want anything to do with that which we claim to have left in the grave! IF we are resurrected with Jesus, we should make our priority and propensity the maintenance of spiritual life and sturdy spiritual health. No longer can our proclivities be of the world and the things of the world. Our appetite, inclination and taste should be for those superior things, the things ‘which are above’, the things of God! How self-defeating and injurious to the cause of Christ are those who claim to be ‘born-again’, but still live like they are dead in trespasses and sins! They have changed neither manner nor habits; neither company nor preferences; neither vision nor desire! Carnality is their banner and they know nothing of the holiness of God. They are just as empty of spiritual life as they ever were, but wear on the dead toe of their spiritual corpse, the tag of ‘born-again Christian’! They remain in the mortuary of dead religiousness and have the zeal and passion of those confined to the morgue! Where is the evidence of the resurrected life in Christ? Where is the hunger and seeking after God first and ahead of all else? How can we tell that we are genuinely new creatures? The test is simple! We should take it regularly! What do we pursue? What is our primary desire? Is it for God or for our flesh? Do we long more for the things of God or are we still totally taken and attracted by the things of the world? Let true believers stand and show the testimony of the resurrected life they have in Christ by their fear of God and hatred for sin, their love for others, the spiritual nature of their choices, the quality of their service to God, the Christ-like humility of their self-image and the intense passion  to obey God's word and to fulfil God’s will and purpose for their lives!

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

Feb 10

“…it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Galatians 3:6

Abraham walked by faith. Faith and righteousness are presented as related yet distinct in scripture. It is because we believe God that His righteousness is imputed to us. The mental assent of faith and even the action of faith, does not of itself beget righteousness, until the ‘object’ of that faith is clearly exhibited – that object is Jesus! Abraham’s action of faith was not the reason for righteousness being accounted to him, but the fact that his faith and obedience was placed in the Lord and His word. We can say then, that what authorises and validates our faith, whether it is expressed in our heart or shown by our actions and obedience, is the fact that it is located and fixed in Christ! As such it displays in us Christ’s righteousness, and we become a reflector of Him and His virtue! This is important because many have a ‘faith’ which can be considered genuine, though misplaced. Their ‘faith’ may be in human abilities such as science or technology, or in entities which they may consider ‘divine’. Never will such faith bring about righteousness with the One True God however, regardless of how well intentioned, strong or sincere it may be! Not until Jesus Christ is the sole and central object of a person’s faith, can true and godly righteousness be attributed and assigned to that individual! Even with Christians faith can often be misplaced. Some place their faith and make their belief system, their church organization, human ministry or acts of devotion. These things cannot of themselves bring about the righteousness of God! Abraham-like faith, a faith which acts and demonstrates its value through genuine obedience, is accounted for righteousness because it has as its clear object the Lord Jesus, it is firmly placed in God as the absolute authority, and is based on the validation of His Word!

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

Feb 8

“…but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” Proverbs 10:4

The first ‘hand’ referred to in this verse signifies a manner of slackness and looseness, without discipline and clearly results in poverty. The ‘hand’ referred to as being of the diligent, has the meaning of being ready and prepared for energetic effort! In this we see the different dealings the diligent takes with life. Diligence implies a prompt effort without delay or constant procrastination; a sustained effort which does not give up in difficulties or opposition; and an effort which is meaningfully applied to the task, in other words it is appropriate and relevant to the job and duty at hand! Though in the past these were the object of many maxims and stories with a moral, often in our modern world, qualities such as diligence are often scoffed at and belittled. For the believer however, there can be no other attitude and manner taken towards his work in whatever sphere it may exist. Slackness whether in physical or spiritual matters is not an apt reflection of true Christian values, or an appropriate testimony to the unsaved world around us. There was a time in western society, when Christians were sought after by prospective employers, because of their reputation for honest, diligent and dependable hard work! This verse goes on to show the reward of the ready, hard-working and energetic, diligent person – he is enriched! This does not mean only in a financial sense, but clearly in all areas of life, wherever we choose to be diligent and work as ‘unto the Lord’, we grow and become rich in knowledge, understanding, experience and ability. It is true to say that when Christians behave the way God prescribes, they are improved and blessed. In turn they influence their community to share in the blessing and richness of God’s principles and promises.

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