By Grace

? – Psalm 5:1-3

I have realised that concentrating on God first thing in the morning when I wake up is the most important time. By waiting till further in the day my brain has become full of problems I am dealing with at work, stress of life situations, and constant interruptions from collegues or family. So getting up early again and maintaining this devotional blog will become my way of spending time with Him.

What better way to start the day, than spending time with Creator God!

I do encourage you, if you to struggle with a daily time with the Lord, or just to get time in your hectic lives to get up those 15 minutes earlier, read some scripture, make some notes if it helps (that why I do this blog to help me remember what I have learnt) and also pray. You can get so many daily devotionals to help you if you struggle to find a place to start in the Bible, and they ususally have some very good write ups explaining the passage(s) you have just read.

Our Daily Bread and Word for Today are 2 I have used regularly and learnt so much from.

Encouragement – Hebrews 10:19-25

Posted on April 13, 2008 by Lee

Today’s Our Daily Bread, reminds me not only that I am completely gutted I am not running the London Marathon this year, but also of how important encouragement has been to me throughout any of my marathons. It is strange that even when you are at that dreaded mile 20 – 22, and your legs feel like folding under you, and you have hit that proverbial wall, one shout of encouragement can really fill you with a new burst of energy and determination of which you never expected!

When I ran the Nottingham Marathon 2 years ago, I was at around mile 23, my friend Lon had been biking along side me the whole way offering encouragement and plenty of water. I was close to tears and giving in when he suddenly biked on ahead, and somehow got an entire restaurant to start shouting in unison “Go Lee”. Partly them embarrasment, but also the inspiration from all those encouraging words spurred me on to complete my first ever marathon (and at the time I thought is should probably be my last… 2 years on and I haven’t learnt that lesson!)

Verse 24 says: Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

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(NLT)

Our Christian lives are very much like a marathon. There are temptations left right and centre drawing us to them, there are many people who do not understand what we are so passionate about and they can sometimes be cruel, or inconsiderate. Busy lives with work, family and hobbies can pull us away from church and or time with the Lord. There are many times that we can hit that proverbial wall! That is why it is so important we do what we are being told here. Encourage one another.

Just as my strength was renewed on the Nottingham Marathon, our strength, our confidence, our sense of doing the right thing, our love for the Lord, our passion for Him can be renewed within a heart beat by one kind and encouraging word. We can build each other up using encouraging words, words of truth from the Bible as well as prayer. Coming together as groups of believers and sharing fellowship is so important if we are to keep running the race. Without other Christian brothers and sisters to cheer you on, there is a temptation to stop, veer off the race track, no not finish the race. Church, fellowship, Bible Study and socialising with Christians? An absolute MUST!

Wisdom – Proverbs 2:1-9

Posted on April 4, 2008 by Lee

The first thing that struck me when reading the first few verses was the importance studying the scriptures. Not to study as a hist orical document,

or just to be able to recite verses, but to feed on it, soaking in the important lessons it has to offer. Storing the knowledge in your heart and actively using it in our lives and relationship with the Lord:

4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (NIV)

Search for what the He is communicating to us, giving Him our full undivided attention. After all, we certainly wouldn’t be hunting for Gold or Silver and not pay much attention to what we are doing! Search for Gold or Silver, we would have a sense of urgency, a hunger to find what we desired.

Of course we know that material riches do not satisfy, however there is real satisfying riches in Gods Holy Word, and we can find them if we only take the time and make the effort to immerse ourselves and study.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (NIV)

Some of the books of the Bible date back thousands of years, and yet it is STILL the worlds best seller! It’s author is the best writer in the universe. In it He has imparted much of His amazing wisdom for us to feed on and apply in our own lives. What a gift. He hasn’t just said “Follow Me”, then leave us on our own to get on with it, but He has sent His Holy Spirit down to us to help and guide us, and He has given us the most amazing Book in the Universe to help, guide and give us wisdom, that we may follow him in a way that will glorify Him and advance His Kingdom!

9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. (NIV)

When we thirst to know what the Lord wants from us, by studying His word and searching for those treasures just like we would search for Silver or Gold, we will gain an understanding of what is “right, just and fair”, and the wisdom to choose the right paths.

Following His Example – Ephesians 5:1-17

Posted on March 29, 2008 by Lee

1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (NIV)

Just as we inherit characteristics in how we look (and possibly act) from our parents and family, when we become children of God, we should look to resemble Him by what we do, how we live etc. God sent His son

to die so that those who believe will not die, and so that we can become children of God. As part of the family we should look to our father for the example of how to live.

I am surprised that in nearly 3 months of regular Bible reading the word imitate has been one of the most regular subjects. I would be tempted to think I have covered this subject and can move onto something else, but I remember many mature Christians who have said to me that they continue to learn even 30 years later after reading the very same portion of scripture. The Bible really can speak something different into different situations of our lives all the time. I don’t know of any other book that can really cover all of life like the Bible does!

Moving back to imitation. I am reminded of days at school when a friend would decide to mimic ever action I made. If I scratched my head they would do so. I would get extremely annoyed by it in the end and start saying things like “I am silly” to get the person to say that! OK, perhaps a poor example, but we are called to copy Christ’s example.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV)

It’s all very well being told to imitate, however how are we to do this? Well above is one clear example; we are to forgive as Christ forgave us. Note “just as Christ”, we see this also in the first 2 verses of this reading (Ephesians :1-2).

Moving through the passage, there is advice on what to and what not to do to help us keep true to our walk with the Lord. Vers 3 talks of sexual sin. Check out yesterdays reading I did on living in Darkness (Out of Darkness), it talks about sexual sin being something we need to flee from as it is different from all other sin. It is a sin inside the body, and our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Indulging in sexual sin or any other sin for that matter keeps us hidden in the darkness, and disconnects us from the help and support our Lord wants to give us. Remember he can’t look upon sin, but as soon as you ask forgiveness he is there in a shot!

Verse 4 talks of watching what you say and talk about. Filthy language never left Jesus mouth. He only spoke truth and love. We are likewise only to speak the truth, and not to use coarse, or vile words even if they emphasise a point! Mind you, you can still talk about unsavoury things without using bad language so we should also avoid “course talking”, for example joking where the subject has sexual connotations, or an unsavoury hidden (or at times not so hidden) meaning. Foolish talk is also mentioned, and this can mean swearing again, and also talking without thinking! If we babble we can sometimes say things that perhaps we didn’t mean and cause offence to someone. (Guilty as charged!)

Verses 5 & 6 rounds up the previous statements and emphasise the fact that those indulging in this behaviour will be subject to Gods wrath. That sounds scary, and yes God does punish sin. For those who do not believe their actions will lead to death! Why are these verses worded so harshly? I think to really drive the point home that living in darkness does not glorify our Father in Heaven and does not please Him. He will deal with things justly for he is a God of Justice. We have been warned!

Looking in more detail at verse 6, we are warned about being deceived by others words. One thing I am struck by watching some ministries on TV, is how they have used God’s word and Truths out of context. Changing God’s word to suit ourselves is to lie! As Christians we are to adjust our walk to reflect the truth, not to adjust the word to suit how we walk!

Verses 8-10 are a glorious reminder that we were once lost but are now found, we were once in darkness and are now in the light.

As believers we should adjust our actions to imitate our Lord so as to remain in the light, and to glorify Him. Glorifying the Lord acts as a “thank you” for what He did for us, and also offers a living example to those around us of how His saving grace has changed our lives, and that He can do the same for them!

Verses 11 & 12 emphasise the importance of not “going along” with evil deeds. By going along with them, your silence could act as an endorsement! We should always be clear and communicate where and when appropriate the Lords view on things using the Bible as our source of truth. The Bible is Gods Word. Gods Word is Truth. Making assumptions of the Lords stance on a situation can be dangerous, we need to make sure we always have Biblical backup to anything we say!

Verses 13 & 14 is an encouragement to those caught up in darkness! When you are deadlocked in/captive to Sin, you are in darkness and there is no means of escape. Repent and the light of the Lord will shine on you. Sin exposed can no longer have a hold on your life for you can now see! Wake up O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!

Verse 15. A call to live wisely. Something we cannot do on our own. Living not as others of this world live, but by following the Lords example and by using Gods Word as our source of wisdom.

Verse 16 tells us not to waste opportunities. We only have a limited time on this earth, thus we should make sure we jump at every opportunity we have to serve the Lord. Be it sharing our faith, helping someone who is needy, contributing our skills to a ministry etc.

And finally verse 17. We have advised over the last few verses firstly of what we must do: Imitate, and then we are given examples and warnings to help us in our walk. Verse 17 offers a “nutshell conclusion” (do not be foolish), and it then tells us we must understand what the Lord’s will is. We can only do this by feasting on His word as often as we can, communicating with Him in prayer, fellowship with other Christians and regular Worship.

This passage has been an encouragement and an eye opener for me giving me more insight into how I should act, and what I can do to please and glorify the Lord. Having been captive to sin and lost in the darkness for many years, I don’t want to return to that wilderness. This passage is invaluable in offering wisdom for the walk.

Who is God? – Psalm 146

Posted on March 27, 2008 by Lee

Who is God? A question that to which you may get many different answers. A close friend of mine things God is a guy in the clouds with a white beard who throws thunderbolts down from heaven and makes rules for us all to follow. His idea of God sounds much like the god Zeus from Greek mythology, and I seem to remember featured in the film Fantasia! Unfortunately as strange as it seems, he probably isn’t the only one who has this image of God. Many people have stereotyped God in a way that makes them feel comfortable, and perhaps they can then feel justified for not wanting a relationship with Him.

Surprisingly, even Christians can be guilty of creating an image of God for themselves of which does not truly reflect Him or His nature. If we want to see who God is, we need to turn to His Word, for the Word is Truth. Looking at the scriptures and statements below, we can start to see a loving Father God:

God is Love.
1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (NIV)

He is our Father.

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Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; We are all the work of your hand. (NIV)

He is the Creator.
Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

He is Powerful
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (NIV)

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (NIV)

He Loves Us

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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(NIV)

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)

The above are just a few verses that help us to understand who God is, and the only way to know Him better to to keep studying His Word, and communicating with Him in prayer. We wouldn’t get very far in our relationships if we were not to talk to each other! That’s why its important we work on our relationship with God and continue to want to know Him more and more each day.

Staying Alert – Matthew 26:36-46

Posted on March 20, 2008 by Lee

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (NIV)

We are weak as much as we do not like to admit it. There are occasions where we have given into temptation dispite knowing we am doing wrong. Often its because we have been convinced by the lie of that temptation, that we will feel good for doing it, that we will be satisfied. As Jesus said, the body is weak. We alone lack the strength to resist temptation, to go the right course, that is why it is so important we have help. Some tempt ation c

an creep up on us and get us when we are particularly vulnerable. Other temptation can be in front of us for a long time, if we know it or not, slowly breaking us down should we become tempted by it.

The Lord in His great wisdom provided us with a helper. His Holy Spirit whom guides and strengthens us to do the right thing. We need to keep ourselves spiritually fit and active so we are not lulled into any false sense of security before sin pounces on us. How can we do that? Sounding like a broken record from many of my past posts the main ingredients are always regular Bible Study, Prayer, Worship and Fellowship. Keeping ourselves fixed on the word, and continuing to develop our relationship with our Saviour is vital if we are to be prepared for any battle.

We need to understand and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of All, it is the Lords strength that allows us to resist temptation, not our own. And any time we resist, it is for His glory and not to pat ourselves on the back saying, “didn’t I do well?”

Before I sign off on today’s reading, I am also reminded of the importance of rest (including sleep). Yes the disciples were not being alert when the time required them to be. We need to also remember however that rest and sleep are important tools in spiritual warfare. When we have had too little (and the same affect can be had from too much sleep), we are not as quick to react, we are tired, vulnerable, and that is when Satan can pounce to try and steer us from the right path. Remember satan is like a prowling tiger, waiting to pounce. We need to be well rested, alert, full of the Spirit, and have fed on the Word regularly.

Praying the Word – Jeremiah 1:12

Posted on March 17, 2008 by Lee

The reading in the Word for Today looks at Praying the Word. There are many occasions when I have absolutely no idea what to say when I pray, and I tend to ramble on, trying to cover many subjects without actually praying into the needs of them. That is not to say that that is wrong, or that God doesn’t understand! No matter what we say in prayer, Jesus intercedes for us Romans 8:34. He knows our hearts, and even when our words are not reflecting what our hearts mean, the Lord

knows our exact needs and wishes.

The Word is Gods word! When we are trying to find the words to say something, we should take a look in the Bible. Gods word is so clear, so perfect, so wonderful. Everything in it is right. The Bible is full of the Lords promises, so praying them into your issues not only clarify them to you and the Lord, but encourage you with the reminders of his promises.

It helps us focus on the Word. Whilst we are looking through scripture, for passages that have meaning to our situation and praying them to the Lord, we are also able to learn from the Word, get guidance, comfort, encouragement. As above, reading his promises help to build us up and equip us for the times ahead.

The Word for Today looks at habitual sin and the hold it has on peoples lives. Habitual sin can hold us back in our spiritual growth. It does not build up or edify. Whilst we are slave to Sin, we miss out on the blessings of a close relationship with the Lord. For those caught up in habitual Sin, pray the Lords promises into the situation. Seek freedom so that you may have a renewed relationship with the Lord, so that you may be freed from the chains, and free to follow Gods amazing plan for your life.

Here is a list of promises from todays reading to consider:

Psalm 91:15 | Romans 8:2 | James 4:7 | 2 Corinthians 10:5
2 Peter 1:4 | Ephesians 3:14-21

Get Ready – Luke 19:29-40

Posted on March 15, 2008 by Lee

31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’ (NIV)

The Lord has plans for our lives. What an exciting thought. Be it something small that will still have impact or be it something that takes up many years, there are still plans that the Lord has for you and me. Of course we don’t always know what these plans are going to be, so our responsibility is to get ready, to be prepared for whatever it is that the Lord has planned

for us next!

There are so many ways we can serve including sharing our faith with others, hospitality, discipleship, teaching, worship, the list is endless. So whatever our calling, if you are already doing it, you should continue to throw yourself into it, continuing to seek the Lords guidance through prayer, His word and fellowship with other. If on the other hand you are waiting to know what it is the Lord has planned for you, then its time to get ready!

How can we get ready, especially if we have no idea what His plan is?

It is so important to regularly spend time with the Lord. We need to read His word as often as we can, as He can and will speak to us through His word. We also need to ensure we spend regular time in prayer. I myself struggle with this often and have to remind myself that a marriage will struggle with no communication, therefore my relationship with the Lord will not always be as strong as I would like without me regularly communicating with Him! The amazing thing about prayer is, if you listen, there are times the Lord speaks back! If and when he does write it down!! I could kick myself for forgetting some things I have heard in prayer.

Being part of the Church is also important. Using whatever skills you have to benefit the church is not only wonderful service to the Lord, but you will find opportunities to grow and learn, all fantastic preparation for the things the Lord wants from us.

It is so exciting that our Lord and Saviour wants us to do things to glorify His Kingdom! It is an honour and a privilege to serve Him. I pray that the Lord will continue to use us all, and will bless everything we do for Him.

Get Ready…. Already doing it? Keep Going…!

Refuge and Strength – Psalm 71:1-16

Posted on March 14, 2008 by Lee

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

When things go wrong who do we turn to? In the past friends could have let us down, our work and colleagues could have let us down, even people at church. When people attack us, again who do we turn to? In lifes stresses and strains, who can we turn to for strength, for rest, for relaxation, for sanctuary, for protection, for comfort, for wisdom, for everything we need to move on and conquer any issue.

Our help comes from the Lord:

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

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Psalm 121: 1-2 (NIV)

God truly is our refuge and strength. With Him on our side, we can meet and exceed all the demands in life. After all he is the Creator God who made all things! In this fast paced life, we can often forget to seek the Lords help in situations, and we can complete yet another day without stopping for a moment

and asking for His help, without focusing on Him and the Word for refuge, strength, guidance and comfort.

When the going is tough, we should seek Him in his Word (the Bible), in prayer and in Fellowship.

Fragrance – 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Posted on February 23, 2008 by Lee

15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Another reminder of how important it is to be an example to others of the love and saving grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ. For some people, we may be the only Christian contact or example they have had in life, for others, we may be a reminder to them of the answer they are seeking.

If people can’t see the difference in us, then we are not going to stand out. I will try to illustrate: Imagine as a Christian you are a healthy flower, you feed regularly on the word, share fellowship etc all to help you to continue to grow and bloom. You are in a bunch of dead flowers, whose leaves and petals have dried and their head droop with sorrow to the ground.

The healthy flower stands out from the others. Its smell sweet to the scent, its glory radiates against the back drop of death. People notice that flower, there is something different about it!

Non-Christians should see us as different in a way too. If I was not to feed regularly on the word thus stunting my growth as a Christian, and if I was to join in earthly activities satisfying my own desires, then I would look very similar to the dead flowers that surround me, and people would not see the Glory of God.

Feed on the “Miracle-Grow” that is His word, blossom and bloom, and be a living example in a world of sin, of Gods Glory that other people may know him, and come to bloom.