A Devotional Life

Ruth 2:1-23 NIV. In Chapter 1, Ruth shows kindness to Naomi, demonstrating God’s love for her in her time of suffering. Chapter 2 shows how God used the kindness of a close relative, Boaz (v20), to reward and favour Ruth for her faith—“taking refuge in God.” Ruth took refuge in God… Earlier in Chapter 1, we saw that Ruth, a Moabite widow, insisted on returning to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law (1:4-5, 1:16-18, 1:22), although Moabites were enemies of Israel (Judges 3:12). So why this decision? Aside from her love for her mother-in-law, Chapter 2 shows that Ruth had “come to take refuge” in God (v12). She found faith in God and declared to Naomi, “…your God my God” (1:16). This declaration meant a different way of living, so rather than stay in Moab—where God is rejected, she returned with Naomi to live in Bethlehem—the house of...

Revelation 5:13, 22:1-5. [Series on: The Blessed] Scriptures associate "blessed" with disciples, creation, the church, and God. But often, when associated with God, we see the phrase "blessed forever". The passage in Revelation uses eternal worship and reward to show us God's eternal blessedness. Eternal worship The passage (in Rev 5:13) records the very words of every creature in heaven and on earth at the sight of God—at the throne of the Father and the Lamb (Jesus); "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!" This truth about God being blessed forever is echoed throughout Scripture (Psalms 89:52, 113:2, Romans 9:5, 2 Corinthians 11:31). This conveys the eternal worship due to God. It also speaks of God as the source of eternal reward/blessings. Eternal reward ...

Psalm 133:1-3. [Series on: The Blessed] Have you ever gone to a place before and thought, gush, that place or people is so full of life–in a good way? That’s how David, the writer of the passage, describes God’s people living in unity—the Church. Verse 1 says it is good and pleasant, and verse 3b says God blesses it. We see this pattern in the first creation story, where God says that creation is good and then blesses it (Genesis 1:21–22). So, God’s people living in unity here is a creation story—a new creation. Verses 2–3a show that this new creation is good because of a relationship involving one head—symbolised by Aaron’s head (v2) and a high mountain, Mount Hermon (v3b). This new creation is blessed because of the head above it. The New Testament tells us that this new creation of God’s people with one head is called the Church (1 Peter 2:10, Ephesians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 12:27). The head is Christ, fr...

Genesis 1:20-28. [Series on: The Blessed] Usually, when you go to the zoo, there are sections of the zoo that people don’t stand too long to watch as they give an icky feeling. But then there is the section that everyone likes, like the penguin section. I like the penguin section, too! Scriptures refer to God’s creation as blessed. The passage tells the creation story. We see God’s goodness in creation, even with its variety and contrasting elements. All God made was good, yes, the icky ones, too (v24). And He blessed His creation (v22, 28). Although we live in a fallen world due to sin, we also live in a blessed world—blessed from the very beginning and sustained by the God of covenant and faithfulness (Genesis 1:22,28; Genesis 8:21-9:1). In the Psalms, David repeatedly refers to God’s blessed creation in wonder. He expresses that we are so blessed and… Undeserving of it. “What is man that yo...

Matthew 5:1-12 NIV. [Series on: The Blessed] How would you describe a blessed and happy life? One of my friends believes there’s only one happy person each week, the lottery winner, and the rest of us just have make-believe happiness. Maybe you share my friend's view or have your own picture of happiness. The Bible also has its own picture, and in this short series on the Blessed we'll see who are the blessed of Scripture. In today's passage, Jesus gathers His disciples to the mountainside, away from the crowd and teaches them what a truly blessed and happy life—beatitude—looks like. Jesus shows that a blessed life is the life of a disciple, those who are: Poor in spirit (v3, Psalm 42:1; 63:1): who depend on God in everything. Mourning (v4, Isaiah 61:2-3): who seek God’s rescue/forgiveness by repentance. Meek (v5, Psalm 37:9-11): who humbly wait for the Lord amidst life’s ...

Matthew 10. This is the day that the Lord has made we shall rejoice and be glad in it. Indeed, we are currently living in a very challenging season, but it is also true that God is aware of that, and He cares. Matthew 10 gives in great detail how Jesus commissioned His disciples - how he sent them into the world (a pattern which is repeated in the gospels Mt 28; Lk 9, 10; Jn 16). Amid His commissioning messages, he keeps reassuring us of His care, His peace and His Presence: So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:28-31) ..in me you have peace... Take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:16-20) God cares for us, God loves us and God is with us... even here, even now, even in this season. Reflect & Pray How does knowing that in Chr...

2 Kings 8:16-19 NIV. Written in the time of exile, the book of Kings is probably one of the most pitiful records of the Old Testament. As it conveyed the unfortunate story of the decline and fall of God's chosen people. First division of the nation, then idolatry, then exile and captivity into Babylon. Yet, between the pages and paragraphs of a very painful story, we see God's promises spring forth hope like a seed. Despite the sin of the kings and the nation as a whole, verse 19 says "Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah". God had promised to David an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:11), and many years later we see God's faithfulness to His promise (1 Kings 11:13, 15:4; 2 Kings 19:34, 20:6). And when Israel as a nation in exile had no king to look to, they held on to God's promise to establish David's kingdom and send a king who would rule justly. Ultimately, God fulfilled that promi...

Matthew 14:25-32 25-27 And in the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) Jesus came to them, walking on the sea...He spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I! Do not be afraid!” 28 Peter replied to Him, “Lord, if it is [really] You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 He said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” The Lord who calls you will walk with you and can (and will) save you in time of trouble. Without dismissing Peter's later doubt in verse 31, a more profound insight is his willingness to do like Jesus, his Yes active response to God's call. The lessons followed consequently. After verses 30 and 31 - he had learnt the secret was faith in God by fixing his eyes ...

We praise God for His faithfulness through the past years, and for the new gift; the year 2017. 2017 is the year of harvest for the church (the body of Christ). This year God’s blessings on every venture for soul winning is going to be like never before. The gospel of Jesus must be preached. As the end continually draws near, there is an increasing sense of urgency in the Father’s heart that the world comes to the knowledge of Him. The scriptures laid in my heart: The harvest is ripe (Acts 2:47, Matthew 9:37-38), the responsibility is ours (Ezekiel 3:17-19. Romans 10:14. 2 Cor 5:20), and this is a serious business (Revelation 20:10-15. 2 Peter 3:9). We all need to pick up the mantle this year. The bible says we are not ignorant of the devices of the enemy. One of his common deceits is to quench the prompting of the Spirit with lies such as; the person you want to preach to must have heard the Word several times before now. We can overcome the lies by asking ourselves: ‘have the...

2 Kings 6 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. FAITH is a VISION, not just a belief system. How does it happen? The word is the key (The word of faith. Rm 10:8, KJV). Faith comes by hearing...the word. I love Ps 119:18, it says: Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Wow, that sounds like Elisha's prayer. Faith is important, without faith (without a vision of God) it is impossible to please God. The word is l...

We praise God for His faithfulness through the past years, and for the new gift; year 2016. 1 Samuel 17 A bit about the story: Verse 2 speaks of an army (God's people) ready for battle, probably with an expectation of victory. Verse 4 flips the expectation of God's people, from that of probable-victory to definite-defeat , as they could not produce a match for Goliath, well, not until David showed up in verse 40 to change the course. Here's something: When God wants to accomplish a task, He creates His will (as a desire or revelation) in a vessel [Psalm 37:4], 1 Sam.17:32,36. Most of the times God will not push. When He fills us, He then waits on us to act, and once we act, He creates (or begins) the testimony. And that is Him using us. [Deut.2:24, Mt.10:19-20] Once God creates His will in us, if we trust him, he'll use what we have, just as we are; could be a boy with a stone and a sling, or a boy with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, or a man with an ox goad, or a p...

The message for 2015: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25. Keeping in step involves a daily lifted hands (fellowship with God), a daily unclenched fist (receiving his blessing), a daily lent hand (being a blessing - God’s vessel). In 2015, we will keep in step with a listening, obedient and trusting heart. Listen and keep listening A true knowledge of God is based on an intimate relationship - not just on knowing the dos and don’ts, but on understanding the heart of the Father. We will obey joyfully, not when the task is easy, but when we understand His heart. Listening to God and keeping a listening heart (discerning Presence) is the key to understanding God’s heart - and true worship. How do we listen to God? By keeping our hearts, our desires focused or tuned on what he delights in, while we ask, seek or knock - wait on him. Make understanding His heart a priority in your fellowship. Strength rises from waiting; wait...

Just want to say huge thanks to the guys here for letting me share in their life groups. Studying 2 Timothy 3 with y’all was good fun, and great privilege as well. As for the session on The Revelation of the Cross, we’ll be spreading the blog version across the months – for a bit of mix, this will also allow enough time for study groups to ponder on it, or to do what they do :) OK, praise God for a new month. It’s almost a week into September, and it’s back to business as usual as our most cherished summer breaks are over. Well, hope you enjoyed yours? Most of us “speaking for myself :)”, are still trying to cope with the sudden change in weather or even, anticipating the coping process, hahaha. If it is a comfort; there are so many coping anticipations in scriptures, though not much to do with weather, but relevant enough to learn from. Isaiah 56 is one of those scriptures. Isaiah 56:1-8 [NIV] 1 This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvati...

This is not the new year’s message – click here for that . Happy New Year and good morning. I’d love to quickly pray God’s word into your new year. Heavenly Father we bless you for your graciousness and your love towards us. It’s a privilege to see another year. The Word of God says in Psalm 30:5; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Your morning has just begun - I pray today that any pain that occurred in 2013 shall not repeat itself this year. God shall cause your joy to be full in 2014, in Jesus name. May God’s perfect peace and presence be continually revealed to you, for he has promised never to forsake you. The Sun shall not smite you by day nor the moon by night. God bless your going out and your coming in. God bless the works of your hands and make you fruitful. May his goodness and mercies be with you continually – may his divine provision be your daily testimony. In this year 2014, may God guide you to greater intimacy with the Holy Spiri...

Helping or giving to the poor is not just being nice, it's beyond that. As blessings/a promise follows every biblical command so it is with giving to the poor. Jesus makes it clear in Luke 14:12-14 that there is a blessing specifically for helping the needy...and Jesus also makes it clear that we will always have the poor with us (Matthew 26:11). Other helpful references on giving: Matthew 5:42, Acts 20:35, Luke 6:38, Matthew 25:35-40 ... Psalm 41:1-3 explicitly states the earthly reward of giving to the poor (in addition to the eternal reward of Luke 14:12-14). Psalm 41: verse 1: Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. Deliverance. ...the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. verse 2: The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. Preservation. The LORD will preserve him... Long Life. ...and keep him alive;... Pr...

I have always thought that the scripture in 2 Corinthians 13:14 was a conclusive part of a prayer (or a fellowship),  partly because of how and when it is used in a gathering (which is at the end of meetings). So the idea is; when the scripture is quoted, then the meeting is come to an end (y'all can now open your eyes; prayer-time is over :). A probably tolerable reason to think this, is where the scripture is located; at the end of Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Actually, 2 Corinthians 13:14 is the only single verse (I observed) in the bible that references the unique blessing and benefits of the Blessed Trinity (One God in three divine persons) to a Christian. That makes me think; Paul was prophetically praying deep revelation into the lives of the Christians at Corinth. 2 Corinthians 13:14; "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." Wow this is mind blowing. This reminds me of D...

Genesis 12:2-3 reveals the seven-fold blessings of God, which I love to call the seven fold "AND" blessings: ~ And I will make of thee a great nation, ~ and I will bless thee, ~ and make thy name great; ~ and thou shalt be a blessing: ~ And I will bless them that bless thee, ~ and curse him that curseth thee: ~ and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. This 'Perfection Promise' is only made real on the basis of obedience to a command (Genesis 12:1), and it is only when obedience is complete through faith (James 2:23, John 8:31) that there is a proof of readiness for His 'Perfection Promise. Remain forever blessed.