Feb 29

“…the secret…cannot... the soothsayers, shew unto the king;” Daniel 2:27

This was a tough call by any measure. The king was demanding, on threat of death, that he be told by his ‘seers’, his own dream, which he claimed to have forgotten, along with its interpretation! Mere mortals, in spite of training, skills and experience would find this a hard task to comply with. Such was the position of the ‘tellers of truth’ in the king’s employ, and all of them having failed to meet the challenge, were soon to be put to death! There are situations where we all feel totally inadequate and out of our depth. The ‘odds’ are stacked against us, we sense the reality of the ‘impossible’ task before us and feel like we might as well be required to fly to the moon by flapping our arms! We might not be in danger of our lives, but then again there may be a lot at stake and dependent on our ability to meet the test facing us. The equation is impossibility, but that is without factoring in the power and wisdom of God - for what things are impossible with men are possible with God! Daniel knew and believed this truth, having experienced and carrying a personal relationship with Yahwah, the Almighty, Omniscient, Eternal God! His confidence as he approaches the challenge is nothing short of amazing, because it rests not on himself and his own ability, but in the Lord. Daniel admits openly that he has no more capacity than any other man, but that he believes the God of Heaven Who knows and can reveal all things! In God’s anointed wisdom, he then proceeds to fulfil the demands of the king. He tells the king the dream he had ‘forgotten’ and its interpretation. Astounding and unlikely things are possible, when a man believes and relies on the power of the Lord! Human boundaries and limits are removed, and temporarily, he is given ability and wisdom beyond his natural resources. God is glorified by the humble servant who gives the Lord the opportunity to work through him, and show Himself strong and mighty. May we like Daniel, not wilt at the difficulties and ‘impossibilities’ which may test us in life, but use them as a platform from which the power and glory of God may be proclaimed!

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

Feb 28

“And let us bring again the ark of our God to us…” 1 Chronicles 13:3

No sooner was David made king over Israel, that he renewed the nation’s consciousness for the presence of God. Revival comes to God’s people, when we determine to return to a close relationship with God, and enquire from Him how to direct our lives! Israel had not sought God’s directives during the reign of Saul. They had contented themselves to worship elsewhere, or not to worship at all. They had all but forgotten the importance and place of the ark of God. This remarkable piece of furniture, which had travelled with Israel through the wilderness journey to the Promised Land, had been the earthly ‘seat’ of the presence and glory of God and the centre of worship for the Israelites. Without a temple for it to be housed in, it had become neglected and with that neglect, had come also the negligence and failure of enquiring at the face of the Lord. David fully intended to change all of that! His zeal and enthusiasm to restore the ark to its rightful place, as the soul and centre of Israelite worship, was contagious, appreciated and agreed to by the people over whom he now reigned. The whole instance speaks to us of the importance of keeping God in the centre of our lives and focus. How easy it is to get so busy with life, work, family and a host of other mind occupying things, and pay little attention, or forget altogether, the One to whom we owe all else we have! How typically human is the trait of feeling capable to captain our own lives, and fail to ask God and enquire from Him what He wants us to do and how He wants us to do it. This shifting of the patterns established by God, from spirituality to carnality, sets us back in our relationship with the Lord, and costs us and our families very dearly! Like David, we must be champions for the consciousness and worship of Yahwah. Like him, we must always work to restore and maintain Jesus as the centre and focus of our lives; as the priority and prime purpose of our existence.

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

Feb 27

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves…” 2 Corinthians 3:5

The principles and teaching of God’s word often stand in stark contrast to those of the world. In the natural we are taught to be ‘self-sufficient’. We treasure the ability to need no-one else, and be as much as possible ‘independent’ and self-reliant. While there may be some benefit in these views and to some degree they are necessary in our personal survival, often the concept of self-sufficiency, is taken too far, and once mingled with the pride and arrogance of our human nature, it is applied in the wrong ways. What was intended as a demonstration of personal ability, then becomes a weapon for self-destruction and the cause of antipathy of others. As Christians we do treasure the ability to grow personally and be strong as individuals, recognising the necessity to carry our personal load and not to become too burdensome to others. Along with that conviction however, is another dimension in understanding sufficiency. Biblical sufficiency, clearly is well beyond ourselves and while it involves us, it is not from or by us! Paul expresses this wisdom in his writings. It all starts by recognising that in reality we can do nothing of ourselves; in other words that the actual ‘power’ to think, speak and act, comes from God. Once we have settled the question of power, ability or capacity and its Divine source, it becomes easier to see that what we do, or how we function is not really ‘our own’, but ultimately the result of His creation, His opus in us! Now let’s be clear that God doesn’t do the thinking and acting FOR us, which is why we can so easily abuse the power and ability He has granted, and use it for the wrong reasons. Most in fact, use their God-given capacities against the very God that empowered them, by sinning and defying His commandments and directives! So while we are clearly responsible for our own thoughts and actions, and will be judged for them, yet as believers we find no trouble or disparity, in acknowledging that the ‘sufficiency’ (power, ability, skill) of anything we think, say and do comes from the Lord. To Him therefore we give glory and honour for these divine endowments. When applied from natural, every-day existence, to the spiritual element of life, this truth becomes even more relevant and tangible. Without a special ability given by God to His ministers and workers, nothing of any spiritual value or consequence could ever be accomplished. This power and special capacity is the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit! Without God’s anointing a sermon is merely a collection of human thoughts, with no power to reach the soul; a minister is just doing a job; a church is just a club; and worship is just singing! Without the anointing we could never hope to reach a soul for Christ, understand or teach a single spiritual truth or remain faithful in our walk with God. Truly with the apostle we can say that we are not sufficient of ourselves, and cannot look to our own ability for any of these things, but that our sufficiency is of God!

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

Feb 26

“The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble…” Psalms 20:1

It is reassuring to know we have audience with the Almighty God. He is interested in our troubles and does not avert His attention from us when we suffer. He is compassionate and capable. The reality and sense of this ever-ready Ear we can speak to, and the blessing and comfort of knowing He not only listens intently, but also responds and directs, is a great joy and strength to the believer, whose relationship is intimate with the Lord. Our fellow humans are not always present, interested or concerned about our troubles, but Jesus always cares, is present and nothing is too difficult or burdensome for Him to hear and bear with us. In fact we are taught by the scriptures that He is fully qualified to understand every difficulty and trauma we may experience, and much more than we will ever have personal knowledge of! He, in His humanity was tempted, tested and tried in every point and through Calvary experienced every possible human condition and detriment! Jesus has the heart to listen to our distresses and calls of help, can be touched by the feeling of our afflictions and infirmities. He understands our cares, and is willing to help us lift our load, and carry our burden. The line to heaven is never engaged, does not require appointment, is never broken or under repairs. No money is required to call, and there are no automated messages on the other end! Each of us have all the equipment we need to call on the LORD! Let us faithfully call on Yahwah, every day and more so in the day of trouble, for He will faithfully hear us!

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

Feb 25

“Who gave himself a ransom for all…” 1 Timothy 2:6

In order to free a slave from his captivity, a redemption price or ransom had to be paid. Clearly from his enslaved position, the slave himself would never be able to pay such a price. To free such a man then, someone else would have to pay the price of his freedom, on his behalf. Such is the picture painted in our text. Like poor and hopeless captives, we too were all slaves to sin, under the hand of the tyrannical and wicked master, the devil, who cared nothing if we died. Our situation was so beyond repair because the price for our liberty could not be paid by any other human being. Everyone else was in the same condition as us, for all have sinned and as such, were in the same chains and bondage that defined and restrained us. How could such a situation be remedied? What price could possibly be paid, as a ransom for all of humanity? Jesus is the answer! This is the motto some have puzzled over. They wonder if Jesus is the answer then what was the question! The question was they, me, us, all of humanity, our sin and lost condition and the how we could ever be delivered from our slavery and the captivity of Satan – that is the question to which only Jesus is the answer! He is the True Redeemer, who didn’t just give in order to ransom, but gave Himself, His precious sinless blood, as the price and full payment for our freedom from slavery! To further expound the dimension of Christ’s redemption, consider this: He became the ransom price for ALL! Yes - all of humanity; all who have been enslaved by sin and iniquity; all who are in captivity and spiritual chains! This is a remarkable thought! The price of delivering on slave from his slavery was considerable but the price of delivering humanity from its slavery is incalculable! The praises and hymns of thanks should continually flow from the mouths and hearts of every human being on earth! Yet what is obvious is that so many remain in the bondage of their sin and enslaved by satan - why is this the case? The single and simple requirement for receiving this freedom is accepting the salvation Jesus has provided! So many remain in spiritual slavery, for several reasons. Firstly because they do not know about the Saviour and the price He paid on their behalf, and therefore cannot in faith act and partake of His salvation. This is why the task of those who are saved, is to share the ‘good news’ of the gospel of salvation and help others receive their freedom! Let’s remember that every effort is made by the powers of darkness which enslave the souls of men, to stop this process of evangelism, quench the passion and vision of Christians to share the gospel, and to adulterate the message of salvation, minimise it, compromise it or alter it, in any way possible to lessen the chances of a slave becoming free from sin. The second reason why so many are yet in chains of spiritual slavery, is that the salvation and ransom given freely on their behalf, astonishingly is rejected by them! Although it may seem unthinkable, illogical and unlikely, that a slave would reject the only means of his liberty, yet this is exactly what is happening on the spiritual plane! Either deceived in believing that is not really their spiritual condition, or that there is some other way to freedom, or worse unwilling to make Jesus their new Master and Lord and serve Him for the love He has shown to them, they reject ‘The Ransom’, and choose rather to remain in spiritual bondage and slavery, where they will die eternally for their sin! Through all this, the grand plan and message of God continues to sound out for all who will hear it, and His salvation is still available to all who will receive it – Jesus – The Ransom for all! Jesus is still the Answer!

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

Feb 24

“…yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” James 4:2

The two children seated in the back seat of the car fought and tugged at each other over a sweet which one of them had, and the other wanted. Their cries and fuss attracted their mother’s attention who listened to their stories amidst sobs and accusations. After a brief and stern caution, she produced a second sweet and settled their matter in an instant. James addresses the human trait we are all so familiar with. We quarrel and fight, envy and want but fail to get, because instead of coming to the Source of all things, we attempt to get what we want by our own means. Never satisfied, we no sooner manage to snatch some advantage or prize, that we turn our attention and craving to something else, for which we will again struggle and fuss. Just like those children, but in a much more severe way, and for all sorts of reasons, we litigate, afflict, battle and attack others, for the things we think we want, when our Heavenly Father has all we need and want at heart right there at our disposal. All we need do is ask in faith, without pride, and empty of envy towards others. Ask for the correct and righteous reason of receiving from God, so that we may bring glory to Him, by that which He gives us. Many times we remain ‘empty handed’ only because we fail to ask God, or because we do ask, but with the wrong motives in heart and mind. God is a fair and just Father, He will give to us what He knows is best for us to serve Him and to do His will. Should something be withheld, it is probably because in His wisdom God knows it is better that it is not given to us – either at this time, or ever. In all things He has our best interests at heart. Accepting this relationship, in true ‘child-like’ faith, will probably spare us a great deal of heartache and strife. Ultimately we need to remember that all we have or are likely to receive, will come from the Lord through sincere asking in prayer. To that we may only add the willingness to work hard, labour honestly and willingly, while giving due consideration to the needs of others.

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

Feb 23

“…that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me…” Philemon 1:13

As he sends him back to Philemon, Paul gives reference of the servant Onesimus, in such a positive light, that he compares the services he is rendering to Paul while in prison, equal to and as valuable as those that Philemon himself would have offered, had he been with Paul. There is an affinity which grows among fellow ministers. This is the result of the calling that is placed on their lives by the Lord. It is a precious fellowship, one that goes beyond mere organizational ties, or academic connections. It is borne of the like precious faith which joins and makes a common bond and purpose, for those who are part of it. It is a spiritual fellowship; a companionship and friendship ordained by God’s Spirit and supported by His Word. The called ones, who are privileged to experience such excellence of ministry, benefit not only from the gift of God to minister to others, but the blessing of receiving the ministry of others. In difficult times, times of trials and afflictions, when few understand the heart and burden of the minister, God sends one who is called, to help carry the load, encourage the heart and remind the wearied servant to remain yet faithful. Paul was in bonds not for some misconduct or crime, but for being a preacher of the gospel of Christ. He might have been limited in his space and movements, but was not impoverished in the faith and in his zeal for the Lord. Onesimus proved profitable, as he willingly helped to support the weight of Paul’s cross! Helping him to carry the burden of his prison bonds and ministering to his needs, as Paul in turn, concentrated all he had left to minister the word of God to others! Might we pray that God may supply us with more ‘Pauls’ to see the gospel go forth and God’s kingdom spread, but that he may also provide more precious workers, like useful Onesimus, to minister to the needs of the ministers, faithfully and without complaint. This is what true service and ministry to God, is really all about, each doing what God has called us to do, lovingly, humbly, patiently and joyfully, as unto the Lord!

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