Devotions

One Thing (Psalm 27)

One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.

The “one thing” in David’s life was clear.

It was all about the Lord.

The “one thing” he set His heart on…
The “one thing” he was consumed by…
The “one thing” he longed for…
The “one thing” he desired was to dwell (live) where God lives.

David knew that in God alone He could be truly satisfied. He knew, either through revelation or experience, that in God alone is where He could find all that he needed in life. And that is where he resolved to live.

This is a remarkable statement. Especially when I consider my own light-weight existence.

How often am I consumed by the trivial instead of the eternal?
How often is getting home to watch the show I recorded the “one thing” I desire?
How often is getting my food brought to my table by the waitress the “one thing” I long for?

I’m pathetic. But thankfully God is not finished with me yet. There is still breath in my lungs and so there is opportunity to pray as David prayed, “Lord I want you to be the ‘One thing’ in my life!”

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for settling for such small things when you offer me the opportunity to sit before you! Lord I want you to be the one thing I desire in this life. Change my heart. I choose you Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Supernatural Generosity (2 Corinthians 8)

Cash

2 Corinthians 8:3 says:

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

How generous are you?

I imagine by the fact you are reading this (and so have online access) you are pretty wealthy by any current day or historical economic measure. I don’t want to discount the fact that you may be facing financial struggles right now. But what I do want to ask you, is how are you stewarding that which you have?

Paul writes of the Macedonian churches that they gave beyond their ability.

“Beyond their ability”. Ponder on that for a moment.

What would it look like for you to give “beyond your ability”.

In this case, to give beyond your ability points to going beyond what is naturally possible and into what can only be done with supernatural enabling.

These churches written about by the Apostle Paul went to end of their natural ability. And because they went to the end of their ability they were able, somehow, to go beyond it.

How is that possible? It’s not. Except with God all things are possible!

What I see hear is the work of God. By God stretching these generous people beyond their natural limits, it no longer becomes about us and our generosity. It becomes about God and HIS generosity.

In fact, such supernatural generosity can only be put down as a demonstration of the grace of God upon the lives of these people in ancient Macedonia. That is why Paul, using them as an example, implores others to “also excel in this grace of giving” (verse 7).

PRAYER: Father I thank you for your generous heart towards me. I ask for and receive your Grace upon my life to be able to give firstly faithfully what I am able, and then beyond that that others may be blessed and your name lifted up! Thank you for allowing me to partner with you! In Jesus name, Amen

Perfecting Holiness (2 Corinthians 7)

Perfecting Holiness

2 Corinthians 7:1 says:

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Here is a clear commission from God. We have a responsibility to “perfect” holiness in our lives. This is not something we get when prayed for. This is not something imparted, this is not given.

It is something we must do and because we must do it we can be confident we are equipped to do it.

1. “Cleanse ourselves from all defilement”
Perfecting holiness begins with removing sin and its effects from our lives. Make the call. Don’t any longer be dragged down, Be aware of where you stand lest you fall.

Choose to “clean” up your act. Sin is a defilement to your life. It is an abuse of the temple that Jesus bought with His life. And because of that sacrifice you are empowered to cleanse yourself from sin.

2. “Perfecting Holiness in the fear of the Lord”
Holiness does not stem from legalism. Rather holiness is perfected in the fear of the Lord.

To fear the Lord is to hate what is evil (Prov 8:13). A heart for God longs after what pleases God and hates what He hates. When we fear God and His ways, the process of sanctification and holiness takes greater and greater effect in our lives. It is holiness being perfected.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for enabling me to purify my life and perfect holiness according to your promise. This is only because of you and your grace which I freely receive, in Jesus name, Amen.

What We Can Do to Bring God Pleasure (Psalm 19)

Pleasure

Psalm 19:14 says:

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

There are certain words and certain meditations within us that are considered pleasing to our Father in Heaven. There are words spoken, and thoughts meditated upon which bring Him joy. WOW!

All too often we are aware of the “other stuff”. Words and phrases, thoughts that bring Him displeasure.

You know the stuff.

But the great promise here is that we can know a way of living that God finds pleasing. It is not found by doing mighty exploits. It does not consist of becoming a success in the eyes of the world. It does not require fame and renown amongst men.

Rather it is found in the inner-life. It is words and meditations – simple things that any of us can choose – that has the potential to bring Him pleasure and joy. That is an amazing thought. Your thought life and your lips created by God Himself can move His heart.

It is often said that nothing we can do can make God love us more. Whilst that is true, it is also evident that we do have the ability – in our thoughts and words – to bring pleasure to God.

PRAYER: Father, I want this to be true of me. That I could be one who through my small mind and fallen mouth can be pleasing to you. Grace me Lord, In Jesus name, Amen.

The Importance of Foundations

Concrete Pour

Psalm 11:3 says:

If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”

Foundations are the most important part of any building. Everything else that is built is then built upon the foundations. If the foundations are firm, then the building will stand. But if the foundations are faulty, then there is a strong chance the building will need to be destroyed and rebuilt.

This is also true of Christ and our walk with Him. If the foundation upon which we build our lives is faulty, then our very lives are in jeopardy. If the foundation of our life is not Christ, then all that we have built and slaved over in our lives in susceptible to cracking, splitting, slipping and causing irreparable damage to what we’ve built.

The issue with a foundation is that it is the lowest part of the building. It is not readily fixed from above. There is few if any quick fixes or patches that will protect what has been built.

So too with our lives, apart from the foundation of Christ. When the day comes and that foundation cracks, slips or splits, the “righteous” are unable to help. “What can the righteous do?”

If the foundation of your life is not secure in Christ, go back, re-dig it, pull it apart. Make Jesus the foundation – firm and secure – and rebuilt your life upon Him. He will never let you down.

PRAYER: Father, I ask you to reveal any area of my life not firmly established upon the foundation of Jesus Christ your son. I submit all of my life to you Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Prayer and Expectancy (Psalm 5)

expect

Psalm 5 verse 3 says:

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.

Here we see a connection between praying and expecting.

As David declares he waits on the Lord and makes the desires of his heart known to the Lord, he then does something important. He waits expectantly.

When we pray and we begin to expect we are on the look out for God moving in answer to our prayer. It is a good way to live. In expectancy, we begin to see and notice the Holy Spirit at work where previously we had been oblivious.

The power of expectancy is we wait in hope of the answer. Expectancy is actually an evidence of faith. Faith in a God who hears and answers prayer. And Faith that in praying it, I will receive and not miss it.

PRAYER: Father, like David I want to pray and expect to receive. I ask you to build my faith to receive from you that which I pray. Lead me Lord, In Jesus name, Amen.