Dec 31

“Buried with him in baptism…” Colossians 2:12

The scriptures make the burial of Jesus a necessary part of the gospel of salvation which was delivered to us. Jesus died, was buried and rose again – this constitutes the gospel message. When we come to accept and participate in the gospel of salvation, we must identify with what Jesus did. We align and identify with the burial part of this powerful message, when we are baptised in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins. That which is ‘dead’ must be buried, and we too, when we ‘die’ to our old self - the flesh, and repent of our sins, must be ‘buried’ with Him in baptism. In this momentary watery grave, as we are totally submerged, ‘buried’ in the name of Jesus, the bible promises our sins are remitted, forgiven, washed away! Of course there is no such power in water or any other earthly substance to wash away our sins, only the sinless blood of Jesus can do that for us. As we identify with the burial of our Lord, through His name, which is the name of salvation, His blood, which purchased our salvation, is applied to our souls, and we are cleansed, washed of our iniquities and sins. This is one burial over which we are neither sad nor glum! It is a joyous event, a time of great blessing and renewal. Further and unspeakable joy awaits us, as we identify with the resurrection of Jesus, and begin a new life in Him, through the glorious infilling of the Holy Spirit! What a wonderful and blessed salvation God has wrought for all who will believe, and what glorious privilege to know Him as our personal Saviour!


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Dec 30

“….A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country…kin…house.” Mark 6:4

It seems a factor of our human makeup, that when we are regularly exposed to something or someone, we can take that person or situation for granted. In this sense then, familiarity breeds contempt! Being close and well acquainted, should naturally amount to a better quality relationship, and it usually does, provided we maintain an appropriate respect and appreciation for those to whom we are close. Jesus found there was less faith, trust and belief in Him, among those who ‘knew Him’, that is - had grown with and around Him, prior to the commencement of His earthly ministry. It has been observed, that often it is most difficult to reach with the gospel, those who knew us as we grew up. Unsaved family members or relations, old friends or business associates, can, at times, be the most difficult people for us to convince of the truth we have found in Jesus. While it is true that intimacy can help develop trust and therefore strengthen our opportunities to reach the hearts of those we know, it is also a fact that those closest to us, will in some cases, feel justified in rebutting or casually brushing us off. Closeness can thus become a resistance and an obstacle to the message of salvation we may be presenting, especially in situations where due to familiarity, regard and politeness are lost. Perhaps it is in the frame of mind of the individuals concerned, who instead of reasoning that a person they ‘know’ should be trusted more in what they say, they choose rather to mock, belittle and resist. They fail to see or maybe insist on ignoring, the reality of the work God has conducted in the lives of the people they are familiar with. Familiarity abused, can therefore play a part in robbing some, of their opportunities to receive the gospel and be saved. There is another aspect of familiarity which is also very damaging and can get by us un-noticed. We should be very careful to never take for granted the blessing and privilege of the anointed ministry of the Word of God, which we receive faithfully every week. Although we believe and attend church, because we ‘know’, are close to or familiar with the minister and their work for God, it can become easy to shrug off and not take notice of what we hear. A thankful heart and respectful appreciation for what God brings to us through the ministry in our church pulpit, and for the privilege of belonging to God’s family, will go a long way to help maintain a close, family-like, yet healthy relationship with the Lord, and our brethren.  

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Dec 29

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand…” Romans 5:2

Entrance into the grace of God and availability of all it brings, can only be found through Christ Jesus! Our salvation from sin, reconciliation to the Father and sanctification which separates us unto His work and use, is all in and through our Lord. It is His gift, to all who in faith will believe, obey and follow Him. Without Jesus we are as lost waifs, locked outside the door of the family domicile. We are left in the cold and loneliness of sin, without hope and without anyone to care. Life outside of Christ is an unfulfilled existence at best, and a living death at worst. The knowledge and consciousness inside each of us, tells us that we are locked out, separated and distanced from the God Who made us and loves us, and at heart we know it is our doing, it is our sin that divides us. The well-known old song reminds us:

Had it not been for a place called Mt. Calvary,

Had it not been for the old rugged cross
Had it not been for a man called Jesus
Then forever my soul would be lost

Oh the grace of God, that bridges that chasm! Amazing, the heart and love of the One who makes it so accessible to us! Glorious, the fact and privilege of being able to continue, stand and live in such grace! Could the Lord be more generous? Could His care and thoughtfulness extend any further, to reach down to the lowest of sinners and grant him access? Could He be more faithful, that He continues still, to deal with yet another, not willing that any should be lost? Our praise of Him and His works towards us, lost and undone, sinners-saved-by-His-grace, should flow without ceasing, and our service to Him should continue lifelong, faithful and consecrated! We are allowed in! Allowed access to the best of heaven’s blessings, and provided by heaven’s Best! 

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Dec 28

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:” Colossians 2:6

The beginning of a journey is usually the easy part by comparison to remaining on track, continuing and completing it to the purposed destination. It is so with our spiritual journey. Often the manner, spirit and desire with which the things of God are received at conversion - the beginning of our new life and walk in God - are not the evidences we find in the life of believers who have continued on for a while. The early fire and effect of Jesus and His doctrine seems somewhat spent; the joy and desire of prayer, learning and fellowship, appears much diminished; the love for brethren and lost souls, becomes colder with indifference; and the vision of heaven, eternity and life’s purpose, grows dim and obstructed. This ought not to be the ‘normal’ state of true Christians! We received Christ, His salvation and teaching in humility of heart, power, thankfulness and simplicity. With love we embraced, bathed and rejoiced in all the new found truth and life. The thrill of the Saviour in our souls, peace in our hearts and joy of salvation, radiated to all around us, clearly transmitting the message that we were new and Christ now reigned in us! No effort was too much, sacrifice too great or instruction too rigorous, for us to follow and obey, for when we received the Lord Jesus Christ, we received His ability to love His Word and in genuine heartfelt gratitude, we did all without gripe or complaint. Can we truly say that is still the condition of our heart and the desire of our soul today? Have we continued to walk in that same simplicity, joy and love that we first found in God? The same markers of love - for Jesus, truth, spiritual things, conviction and others, set in our souls at our conversion, should be evident signs in our lives today, as we continue to walk in the Lord. They should remain present and strong till the end. Isn’t this the kind of faithfulness Jesus is expecting to find in His church at His return?


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

Dec 27

 “……hath begotten us again unto a lively hope…” 1 Peter 1:3

We were by His amazing grace regenerated, brought to life again, reborn of God and this time, unto a lasting and eternal life. This is the living hope that the believer has been endowed with. The dead, inoperative and purposeless existence of the past is gone. It is replaced with the life that is in Christ, and is underpinned by an eternal hope, a hope of life without end in heaven with Him. The hope of our salvation - the eternal life to come - is the vision, focus and final outcome, of our faith in Christ. It is communicated to us via His mercy and grace, and established upon the resurrection of Christ Jesus, Who through His death, burial and resurrection, conquered death and the grave! The thought is breathtakingly grand and inspiring! We who were lost in hopelessness and despair, bound by sin to die and without hope of escaping eternal death, were begotten a second time - born again through the Spirit of God, and given new hope, living hope, eternal hope! This is the most amazing ‘second chance’ at life. It is a renewed opportunity to ‘get it right’ and this time not in our own strength or ability, but with and through the power of the Spirit of Resurrection and life! Having the infilling of His Holy Spirit and holding this new life in God, is a promise, a deposit, a down-payment on the eternal and everlasting life to come. The praises for Him who orchestrated this great plan and salvation for us, will flow freely from the hearts of the blood-washed redeemed, and will ring and reverberate through heaven and for eternity!


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

Dec 26

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory…” Philippians 2:3

All of life is touched by this concept. The ways of natural man are fraught with pride, trouble, divisions and a party spirit. For believers, all relationships and activities of life should be regularly and promptly emptied, of these lower and fleshly motivations. Harmony, oneness of mind and communion of heart and purpose, are the qualities which accompany the kind of love, for which as Christians, we are to be known. When those who claim to be disciples of Jesus, are governed by a contentious spirit and spurred by arrogance or a desire to ‘outdo’ others in any way, the entire thrust of ‘Christ-likeness’ is lost, and damage is done to the witness for Jesus. When we spot a divisive attitude or motivation, we ought to remove ourselves and our participation immediately. The personal analysis of our own motives for the things we initiate, say and do, is also a regular necessity which should keep us on our knees, and cause us to ‘check-in’, and leave at the door of prayer, all strife, arrogance and pride. Selfism, however well concealed, will be a destructive weapon, causing havoc in the life of the selfist, and mutilating any opportunity of healthy relationships and good outcomes in life. The divisive spirit highlights self, and is a tool of pride used by the enemy of our souls, to dislodge and break Christ’s law of love. If we are honest with ourselves, we will discover that not a single day passes in our lives, where selfishness does not attempt to rule us. Yet it must never become our motive, nor be the basis of anything we set our hand to in life. This is the benchmark and standard to which God calls His people, and the only way we will find true satisfaction in our service to the Lord!


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

Dec 25

“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works…” Titus 2:7

A pattern, in our text, is an example, a model, a reproducible form, style and behaviour which is noticeable and accessible. We are encouraged here not merely to teach, preach or talk about good things and righteous actions, but to be an example of them through living them. The personal ‘doing’, speaks louder than just the ‘saying’ in every case. It is the goal of all who believe and especially those who lead, to do so from the ‘front’, in other words, to do so in a manner that can be seen and imitated. It is clear that it should become our personal desire and objective, to do the righteousness of God so wholeheartedly and to such a degree and quality, that as individuals we can stand out as exemplary. Naturally, this leaves the person who attempts to live up to this calling, in a vulnerable position. Not everyone appreciates and automatically chooses to follow good example. For all sorts of reasons, those who show a good pattern in their lives are often the butt of scorn and criticism. Even the best among God’s servants have been attacked by critics and those who, wanting to advance their personal agenda, or overtaken with envy, make it their business to pull down, find fault or attach blame. It is nevertheless the duty of every believer to establish and demonstrate in every aspect of life, a pattern of behaviour which aligns with God and His Word. Through this obedience and the privilege of living a life of godly values, we desire to bring glory to the Lord and to shine His light of good works, in a dark world of iniquity.


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