Devotionals

Genesis 18: 1-2, NIV
“The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.”

John, in the introduction to his gospel, tells us that Jesus – ‘the Word’ – was involved in creating everything that exists. John also informs us that no one has ever seen God (John 1:18; 5:37; 1 John 4:12; 4:20). Yet on the other hand, Scripture states that Abraham saw God (Genesis 12:7; 15:1; 17:1; 18:1). Is Scripture contradictory, even confused? Is Scripture unreliable? No, I believe not. There is always a necessary explanation.

For a very long time I pondered on the fact that Jesus created everything that is, but that we do not see or hear of Him after the act of creation until He appears as a new born baby in Bethlehem. Where was He in this gap period of time? And what was He doing?

Examining our text above, we are told ‘three men’ appeared to Abraham. We are also told that Abraham ‘hurried…to meet them’, there was an urgency. Then ‘he bowed low to the ground.’ The Hebrew word translated ‘bowed’ is also translated elsewhere as ‘worshipped.’ One of those men is described as ‘the Lord.’ Abraham’s response indicates he recognized the Lord. In the next chapter, 19:1, the two men are named ‘angels.’ So now we can identify the ‘three men’ as ‘the Lord’ and ‘two angels.’

As we continue reading chapter 18 we see that ‘the Lord’ drops a bombshell by informing Abraham that his wife will next year give birth to a son – she’s barren, he thinks. And so did Sarah – she laughed, although she denies doing so.

We then have the dialogue between Abraham and ‘the Lord’ as Abraham intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah, which concludes, ‘When the Lord had finished speaking to Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.’

Abraham visibly recognized ‘the Lord.’ He recognized Him as ‘Jesus’ although Jesus wasn’t named until his circumcision eight days after his birth. My mind boggles at the richness, and accuracy to detail of God’s Word. Jesus spoke about His relationship with Abraham. John records the occasion when Pharisaic leaders are proudly and arrogantly proclaiming Abraham as their father. Jesus responds ‘”Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “Before Abraham was born, I am!”’ (John 8:56-58) Clearly, Abraham knew Jesus, that is why he recognised Him, worshipped Him and served Him lunch.

This has deeper implications. It was ‘the Lord,’ pre-existent Jesus, who called Abraham to leave his country and on arrival in Canaan made covenant with him. It was Jesus who revealed to Abraham His purpose for the unique nation that would be born of his descendants and it was Jesus who revealed world revival would come through his descendants. And it was Jesus who called Abraham to sacrifice his son of promise on Mt Moriah, and it was Jesus who prevented Isaac’s sacrifice. This was the very place where in a future time Jesus Himself would be sacrificed as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

The Word of God is accurate and true in every detail. Jesus said to Philip, ‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father’ (John 14:9). What a comfort and strength is the Word of God. We can depend upon Him in every situation of our lives, even when we feel at our lowest. He is our Rock, He is our anchor, He is our Redeemer and He is the coming King! He is the One we can depend upon. And we are assured of spending eternity with Him!

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your Word which tells us that ‘in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form’ and that we have been given fullness of faith in Christ Jesus, the only enduring faith man has known. Thank You for the relief, the motivation, the inspiration, the compassion and the hope that we find daily in Your eternal and all embracing love. Amen.

Hebrews 13:15, NIV
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

The words ‘sacrifice’ and ‘praise’ do not seem to fit together. They appear to be opposites of one another. Praise brings feelings of joy and is a positive expression of emotion. Sacrifice, on the other hand, may bring a sense of having to deny yourself. Sacrifice is defined as ‘the act of giving up something highly valued for the sake of something else considered having a greater value or claim’.

And yet our scripture encourages us to bring a sacrifice of praise! There may be times that praising the Lord does not come easy. Things in your life may be challenging or relationships painful. But a sacrifice is something you choose to do in order to gain something of greater worth. ‘He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honours and glorifies Me’ (Psalm 50:23). When our praise is offered as a sacrifice or offering, it brings glory to the Lord.

Sacrificial praise usually costs you something. A sacrifice isn’t supposed to be free of any kind of cost. In 1 Chronicles 21 we read the account where David sinned against the Lord by doing a census of Israel. When David realised his sin, he was greatly distressed, and after asking God to let him and his family, rather than the nation of Israel, suffer the consequences of his sin, we read, ‘Then the angel of the Lord ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite. So David went up in obedience to the word that Gad had spoken in the name of the Lord’ (1 Chronicles 21:18-19).

Araunah was overwhelmed by the angel with David and with the king’s presence, and offered the threshing floor, as well as oxen and wood, to David free of cost. However, David said to him, ‘No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing’ (1 Chronicles 21:24). David understood the importance of sacrifice and the cost it carries. We read that God had mercy on David and accepted his sacrifice.

Praise causes burdens to lift, and silences the enemy. In fact, according to Psalm 8:2, even the praise of infants has the authority to muzzle the enemy! ‘Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger’.

Isaiah 61:3 encourages us to put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Choosing to praise the Lord when you’re feeling downhearted is a sacrifice, but it has huge rewards, as this breaks the stronghold of heaviness over your life. It takes your eyes off your own state of despair and lifts it to a God, for whom nothing is impossible, and who’s a God who cares deeply about the details of your life. It brings a change within your spirit!

Choose to praise the Lord this week, no matter what you’re facing. Bring that sweet smelling sacrifice of worship and praise to the Lord. God is glorified when you do this!

Prayer: Lord, today I choose to bring my sacrifice of praise and of worship to You. You’re so worthy, and always deserving of my very best. I choose to lift my eyes off my difficulties and fix them on You, the One who cares deeply for me. Thank You for Your steadfast love and mercy towards me. Amen.

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Luke 1:80, NASB
“And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.”

This is such a brief description of the early years of John the Baptist, but how significant! He had been nurtured by godly parents from conception, and clearly walked in close fellowship with God. The result was strength of spirit.

It seems that there’s a battle within the heart of every believer between strength of spirit and strength of soul. Of course God does not desire that any part of our being should be left damaged and weak, but when the strength of my soul overrides the strength of my spirit there is the opportunity for disorder and deception within. I can see this in my own life through years of trying to compensate for the insecurity within my spirit, by applying my natural inner strength. The Bible tells us that this is not at all helpful.

‘The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one’ (1 Corinthians 2:14-15).

The word natural (psuchikos in the Greek) in this verse could be better translated soulish. Each moment of our lives, even as believers, we have the option of walking as a soulish or a spiritual person. This is not about how pious we are, but about that part of our inner being which is allowed the stronger role, the human spirit or the human soul. Am I truly willing to be led by the Spirit of God directing my life through my spirit, or am I allowing the spirit of this world to direct my life through my soul? The difference in my life could be revolutionary!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, for so many years I elevated the strength of my soul in order to deal with the sense of vulnerability inside. Today, and in the days ahead, I ask that You strengthen my spirit as you did with John the Baptist, so that there is right order and true confidence within me to face all the challenges of life. Amen.

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Galatians 6:10, NLT
“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone— especially to those in the family of faith.”

How often do we hear people commenting on how little time they have for all

the things they need to be doing?  Time has become synonymous with rushing

in so many people`s lives. It has, sadly, become a way of life.

This morning I came upon these words written by Ann Voskamp: `When we see calendars not so much as rows of boxes to fill up with things to do — but as boxes that we get to unwrap — the present moment always becomes a gift`.

Jesus called us to be a blessing to others; to build one another up in faith and to be a support during difficult times. But how do we bless others? It`s by really loving them unconditionally, spending time with them, listening to their hearts, building them up and helping where we can. It’s not by not judging and criticising one another. There’s no justification for us to set ourselves above another person.

There`s so much brokenness all around us, and sometimes we become immune to the real emotions people are battling with. It`s almost as if we feel we can`t handle another tragedy, sickness or trauma. We just hope someone else will support the person going through the trial. We speak a quick word of comfort, send an SMS message, and then get back into our own schedules and lives. We’re busy, busy, busy …

People need our time. They need someone willing to really listen to what they have to share. Sometimes they don’t even need our advice. They just need to put into words their feelings, experiences and struggles. God wants us to be people who really love others, not people who love others only when it suits them, or when others can notice them doing so. People need to experience unconditional love. They need to see God’s love expressed in everyday actions. Unconditional love is loving without expecting anything in return. When we really grasp the Lord’s perfect love for us, we don’t look for anything in people’s reactions and what we receive from them.

We should be sensitive to the times when the Holy Spirit prompts us to reach out to that one friend, colleague or neighbour, but also accept it when we’re not the one called to walk the road with someone in their hurting times. God knows exactly who needs who in their road towards healing.

‘From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another’ (John 1:16). If this verse rings true in our lives, how can we not share it with our fellow man?  When someone has visited us, do they feel like a better person than before? I believe that’s how Jesus wants us to feel every time we spend time with Him.

The other side of this is that we also need time for ourselves. We need to stop for a while, take a look at our own hurts and take the time to work through them. So many people are aware of something they’re battling with and that they need to spend time with the Lord about it. The intention may be there to do so, but it just doesn’t fit into their schedule. There’s time for a quick prayer and a devotional, but not extra time to sit at the Lord’s feet and pour out their emotions and hurts, or go for help and ministry. Their reaction is often “I’ll do it sometime in the future”.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for loving me unconditionally. Help me to grasp Your amazing love every day. Without You, I’m nothing. You’re my reason for being alive, my purpose here on earth. Please help me to love as You love; without judgement and without taking offence, when people hurt or reject me. Help me to be a blessing to others in the same way that You shower me with blessings that I don’t deserve.  I honour You as my Father and my Friend. Amen.

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Jeremiah 30: 23-24, NIV
“Behold the storm of the Lord, wrath has gone forth a whirling tempest it will burst upon the head of the wicked the fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intentions of his mind in the later days you will understand this.”

On a recent walk I noticed a huge tree. This tree had a large trunk that went into several other big branches. Around these branches were hundreds of smaller branches, all coming from the main trunk. It looked really impressive.

On the ground around this tree were hundreds, if not thousands, of small branches that had broken off from the tree. Due to the wind and the elements, these branches, which were once growing out of the trunk, were now sticks, and were slowly decaying into the earth.

I was reminded of how the word `alone` or `forsaken` is sometimes translated by a Hebrew phrase meaning `to his stick`, and what is meant by ‘stick’ here is a piece of a tree which is separated from the tree itself.

When Jesus was crucified, the earth shook, and Jesus was forsaken, left `alone` by His heavenly Father. He died and went to a place of decay. Thankfully, after three days, He rose again to bring life into the world.

In Romans 11 Paul talks about the people of God as an olive tree, and how the Gentiles are like wild olive shoots that have been grafted into the tree and Jewish people are like branches that have been broken off. This has happened partly because of the unbelief of the Jewish people and partly because of God`s grace in bringing salvation for all people in the world. He then goes on to talk about how Gentiles shouldn’t be arrogant in their faith, or boast that they’ve been grafted in.

I believe we’re in a time when God is shaking the nations, but, compared to what it will be like, this is only a small tremor. In the day of Christ`s return all nations, churches, ministries and people will be shaken. And at that time all branches in the tree will break off, if they’re not standing firm in Christ Jesus.

God’s asking us to keep our eyes on Him, seek Him, and not to be afraid. He will then lead us home. In this time and the time to come we’re also told to reach out to the nation of Israel, to offer the hand of Christ to them, so they too may be grafted back into the tree.

Prayer: Father, we thank You that, as believers in Jesus Christ, we’ve been grafted into Your family. We pray that we may stand firm in You at this time, and grow deeper in Your love. May we be able to stand firm during this time of shaking. Help us to reach out to all those who don’t know You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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John 1:18, ESV
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father`s side, he has made him known.”

I laugh when I remember my nine year old nephew Tommy`s first time at Sunday School. He was a little reluctant to go, and I had a difficult time trying to convince him that it would be a fun experience. It’s quite normal for both children and adults to feel a little anxious when trying new experiences, but I was intrigued by his reluctance.

With a little further questioning I discovered the problem. He exclaimed, “ Aunty Susie, what if they ask me to draw God. I don`t know what He looks like!` His concern was now out in the open and we could discuss it. I must admit that I did laugh out loud at his heartfelt concern, and had to `pull myself together` before I could relieve his fears. “Tommy, you don`t have to worry about that, because no one knows what God looks like, so your Sunday School teacher is not going to ask you to draw Him”.

Content with my answer, Tommy went to Sunday School and loved it. He is still working out what he believes about God but I’m encouraged that he’s started the journey. I suspect you are much further along on the journey of discovering who God is than my nephew, and may even have smiled at his childish understanding.

Tommy is still a child, and thus thinks and acts like a child. I found him amusing, while at the same time understood that it was an important step in his spiritual journey. None of us understand everything about God or His character overnight. It is a process and the more we seek after Him, the more we come to know Him. God is a person, and not an entity or power, so like all relationships, it takes time to get to know Him. None of us can physically `see` God on this side of eternity, but we can come to know His character in ever increasing degrees as we study the Scriptures and look at the life of Jesus. Remember that Jesus was the exact representation of God.

Over the years my perception of God has changed significantly. For a season I defined Him through my experiences, and got a very warped image of who He was and what He could do. It was a difficult time in my life, with much sadness, and I began to `see` God as someone who `held me at arms length` and was totally uninterested in my pain. I did not `see` Him as forgiving or compassionate or merciful or long suffering or `ever present` or as a loving, heavenly Father, who longed to draw me close. I repainted God according to my perceptions and He looked nothing like the true God revealed in the bible.

If your Sunday School Teacher asked you to `draw` God, in terms of His character, as you see it, how would He look? Have your perceptions warped His image and misrepresented Him, even to yourself?

God is all the things I mentioned previously, and even more than that, so why don`t you spend an extended time this week getting to know Him better. He delights revealing Himself to us as He really is, and not as we suppose He is.

Prayer: Father God, I want to know You and `see` You as You really are. Where my understanding of You is warped or misshaped, bring Your truth. I want to worship You for who You really are, and to see You clearly. In Jesus` name. Amen.

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Ephesians 4:3, NIV
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

I went to a practice of a church music group the other day. Most of the participants were of a senior age group, but all were willing to use their musical gi…

Matthew 21:28, NIV
“He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.”

Today’s Scripture verse comes from a story Jesus told to illustrate a point about the Kingdom of God. Imagine a man with two sons. As the Dad gives them work to do one says he’ll comply (good boy!), the other says he won’t (how dare he?). Yet, as it turns out, the first one fails to follow through, whereas the second child ends up conforming.

As a father, I can really relate to this. How frustrating it is when your children tell you they’ll do something, but you know they’re still resisting you in their hearts. Children who say “yes” but do “no” have driven many parents to distraction, I’m sure.

One lesson I take from Jesus’ teaching is that the Lord would much rather have us be honest with Him than pretending. If we don’t feel like being good, we might as well tell Him. We find that it’s in the place of true honesty and integrity the Holy Spirit can meet us. In the place of reality He can start changing us.

It may be ingrained in us to think that all that God really wants is for us to give the ‘right answers’, the Sunday school answers. But that’s not really what the Bible teaches us. The Bible advocates absolute honesty and total transparency with God. Doesn’t He fathom the depths of our hearts anyway?

The truth is, most of the time we don’t really want to obey God. His will is contrary to the will of our rebellious nature. Obeying God doesn’t suit us. It’s very inconvenient. But I think we can tell God how we truly feel. I think He loves it when we’re open and honest. Brutal honesty shows a deep level of trust in relationship.

So next time we find ourselves challenged by something God asks us to do, and we don’t really feel like doing it, why not tell Him? Why not say something like: “Lord, I know You want me to do this, but I don’t want to! However You’re My Lord, so please forgive me and help me.” I think when you do this, you’ll encounter the living God, who can do what we can’t do ourselves, that is changing our stubborn rebellious hearts and helping us to yield to Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord God, I’m sorry for those times I haven’t been really honest with You, but I’ve just given you the ‘right’ answer. Please forgive me and help me be honest with You, so that You may change my heart, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

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Romans 5:3-4, RSV
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

A preacher recently said, “Our character is formed through lots of little moments and then revealed in a big moment.” I had to stop and think about this. What is it that forms our character? It is all the various life experiences we have. When a big trial comes into our lives and we are under pressure, we see what character we really have.

One quote I`ve seen making the rounds online says, “The same boiling water that softens the potato, hardens the egg. It`s about what you`re made of, not the circumstances.” Are we allowing God to make us who he wants us to be so that when the trials come, which they always do, we will be soft and pliable to what God wants for our lives? Or will we allow ourselves to become hard and bitter? Many situations occur in our lives that are not always the best. When they happen, are we constantly trying to get out from under them or are we making the choice to walk through them? Are we willing to embrace them, enduring through the discomfort, to allow God to work His character in us?

Suffering comes in all different forms and each of us goes through times of suffering, even if it is something that another person may think would not be considered suffering. Our attitudes as we go through the suffering determine whether the trial will produce endurance and character. If we allow God to develop endurance and character, then we will have hope in the plans that God has for us. Hope in its fullest form produces faith-filled people, able to do whatever the Lord asks.

Prayer: Lord, please help me to surrender to Your moulding in my life. Give me endurance and shape my character so that I can become the person You want me to be. Amen.

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Ephesians 1:4-6, MSG
“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.’”

Ephesians chapter 1 is such a rich passage of Scripture exuding the completely undeserved, incredible blessings that, by God’s amazing love and grace, are ours in Christ Jesus. To list just a few: we’re chosen, adopted as sons and daughters, forgiven, ‘completely free of penalties and punishments chalked up by our misdeeds (v7) … we’re made whole and holy by his love’(v4) … and we have a God-given purpose and destiny in life: ‘it’s in Christ we find out who we are and what we’re living for’ (v11).

If you’re ever feeling down and need reminding – and we all do sometimes – it’s a wonderful place to find the reassurance of all that Christ won for you and for me when ‘His blood was poured out for us on the altar of the cross’ (v7). It was all accomplished for us. That’s why at the end of it all, Jesus cried out those victorious words, ‘It is finished!’ Amazing love and grace!

But the verse in Ephesians 1 that really struck me this morning is verse 6: ‘He wanted us to enter into the lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son’. Although God ‘thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need’ (v8), we have a part to play … a personal responsibility. We have to enter in. And I guess that’s where the challenge is for each of us today. God has done everything for us in sending Jesus, but are we willing to play our part, to take up our personal responsibility and enter in?

I used to struggle terribly with negativity. I remember someone once saying to me, lovingly but firmly, ‘Julie, negativity is your friend and has been for a very long time, but it needs to go!’ It was really hard to be confronted like that, even if it was in love! But I am so grateful, because with those words of confrontation came Holy Spirit conviction. I knew it was true. God had provided everything for me, but I still chose to focus on the bad things in my life, and not lift my head to welcome all the good that God had provided for me, and wanted to bring into my life, make a living reality – His redemptive plans and purposes.

Since then, little by little, I have begun to learn to count my blessings. I now love that old song, ‘Count your blessings, name them one by one! Count your blessings, look what God has done! And it will surprise you what the Lord has done!’ It’s true, as we count our blessings, the wonderful spiritual ones and the everyday ones too – a new day, the sunshine, the rain, a beautiful sunset, health, friends, family – we find ourselves beginning to ‘enter into our heavenly Father’s lavish gift-giving’. And my experience is that it’s like taking off an old pair of glasses that give a frustrating, black, distorted view of life, and putting on a new pair that give a clear and bright and exciting view of the abundant life Jesus won for us!

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for all the incredible blessings You won for me on the cross at such a high price. Thank You for the breath in my lungs today, thank You that I’m alive and I belong to You, and You have good things for me. I want to truly enter into all that You’ve won for me. Help me to count my blessings and truly enter into Your lavish gift giving, Amen.

Click here to read Peter Horrobin`s blog