A Devotional Life

Judges 6:1-14. “I am doing lent from apps,” a friend said. Then, a few days later: “I’ve felt so assured of God’s love...”. Then, a few more days later: “Hey Sam, I’m getting baptised!” In today's world, there are so many voices, but it’s incredible the peace, assurances and even victories we find every time we listen to One Voice - God’s voice of truth. The passage begins with a pattern seen throughout the book, that of Israel’s struggle with sin (4:1, 6:1, 10:6). This time, as a consequence, God allows the Midianites to attack Israel. But the Midianites were as cruel as a plague; they would invade the land, ruin the crops, steal all the livestock and leave nothing. So the Israelites cried out to God for help (6:6), and He sent Gideon, a very inadequate man who struggled to see God's faithfulness. God sends that Gideon, but God first speaks truth into Gideon’s identity and reality before Gideon takes the fight f...

1 Timothy 6:3-8. (ESV) "We'll make Lasagna today", my flatmate said. So we got Jamie's recipe book out. There was a list of ingredients; we got that bit right. Alongside the list were measurements, when to put what, i.e. the instructions. But along the way, we began to miss and make up some steps. We finished making the Lasagna quite all right, but the taste and look of that thing. It went straight into the bin. Lesson learnt, follow the recipe! In the book of 1 Timothy, Paul begins to give Timothy some doctrines (like godly recipes) for Christian ministry and living. And in our passage (in v3), he identifies in summary what makes up a godly recipe (which is also how to tell wrong teachings): Agreement with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ Agreement with godliness (instructions from God's Word) In v2, Paul asks Timothy to teach and insist on godly doctrine. Why? This...

Mark 10:13-16. Praise God! Happy new year!!! There's a phrase every parent has said at some point, "Stop nagging me" or "Will you give it a rest". Or maybe you have a unique response to a constant "Are we there yet?", "Can I have ice cream for breakfast?"... or something else a little kid will invent just to call for your attention. The passage conveys one of Jesus' teachings on the kingdom of God. (The Kingdom of God, now referring to the lordship of the crucified and risen Christ - His reign - the life He gives) In the first century, children and women were not held in high regard publicly - a societal norm that Jesus frequently addressed. Sadly we see this reflected in the passage as the disciples rebuked people for bringing little children to Jesus (v13). In response to this, Jesus rebuked his disciples. He then invited the little children: ...

Deuteronomy 6:20-25. Growing up as a teenager, "Why do I have to do it?" would be my first response to something I didn't want to do, like, then, doing the dishes. If you can relate, we're not alone on this: In the book of Deuteronomy, after Moses had reminded Israel of God's law (ch 5) and given directions on keeping it close to heart and memory (6:6-9), he then tells them why they ought to do it (6:20-25). In the future when your child asks you "what do these commands from God mean", why do we have to do it? Tell them (v20): We were slaves in Egypt (v21). We were slaves to sin (Romans 6:17). God did all His wonders, all it takes (v22). God sent His Son to the cross (Romans 5:8). He pulled us out of there to bring us in (v23). He pulled us out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). And give us the land He promised (v23). He gave us eternal life (John 3:16). So that we would live reverently, in obed...

I probably should have called this post - reaching out or evangelism, but anyways you get the idea. Well, the story is about my 'one-time' packed lunch at college. Did you ever have a favorite packed lunch when you were at school? You can also recall that there was a range of types that students brought to school (e.g. sandwiches, noodles, macaroni, yeah stuff like that). One morning, my Mum suggested the 'non-conventional' pack lunch, for a change - sounded like a joke, but one day I took on the challenge - it was 'Garri and Soup'. You'd probably be laughing by now if you were African, there you go. Google it, just so we're on the same page. The next chapter of the story was my arrival at school with the packed lunch - more specifically the lunch break. The usual sandwiches or noodles would fit in a small portable plate, but this time I brought a food flask. WOW, good memories. When I opened the flask, at first my friends had a good laugh, but the ...

The knowledge of God's Word is very crucial to the Christian race. Proverbs 4:18; But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. You cant afford to live today with the grace of yesterday, and postpone the glory of today to the next (John 4:34; 9:4; 17:22). Not so, because the kingdom business demands urgency; Yes, urgency. Psalms 17:4. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Which means we only overcome the devil by the authority hidden in the Word of God. Why hidden? ...because it has to be searched and applied rightly (2 Timothy 2:15) In fact Jesus knew this, that was why when the devil came [a couple of days after His (Jesus') baptism and public declaration as the Son of God (by the Father)], asking; 'if thou art the Son of God...', Jesus answered the devil it is written. And not; Weren't you there yesterday when God spoke out loud, I heard...

Discover another secret in the Word of God in the book of Revelation 12:11; "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." The questions; - Overcame who? - the devil (v9 - devil, Satan, the dragon, the serpent, v10 - the accuser of brethren) - Overcame how? - *by the blood of the Lamb and *by the word of their testimony... - Why the last statement, "and they loved not their lives unto the death." - this is because, it was a war being fought. - What kind of fight? - the good fight of Faith. For it is only this kind that holds on to eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12), and fought in righteousness. Amplified Bible says in v11 "..., for they did not love {and} cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing]." - well explained. Now it is easy to think; oh the war is finished and it has all been fought. (Read thro...