Devotional 25 June 2017

Devotional 25 June 2017

Welcome to Pastor Ross and Karyn!

 

A huge welcome to Pastor Ross & Karyn Woodhouse, and all others who have joined us today from The Vine, or elsewhere!
We have been looking forward to your arrival with great anticipation, believing your coming to us has been ordained by God!

 

It has been said that pastoral ministry is a business unlike any other. It is a dangerous business. A sacred business. A business
where the souls of people are at stake.  So let us commit to regularly praying for our pastor and his family.

 

Here are some key areas –

1 – For Protection
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter
5:8).
2 – For Encouragement
“…that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:11-12)
3 – For Wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)
4 – For Doctrinal Faithfulness
“Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” (2 Timothy 1:14)
5 – For Health
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” (3
John 1:2)
6 – For A Strong Marriage and Family
“And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” (Deut. 30:6)
7 – For Meaningful Friendships
“…a true friend sticks closer than a brother” and “iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens a friend’s character.” (Proverbs 18:24,
27:17)

 

Charles Spurgeon said, “No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me.”

 

Contributed by David McMillan

Devotional 25 June 2017

Devotional 14th August

JUST THREE TEMPTATIONS TO OVERCOME!
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world

the desires of the flesh,
the desires of the eyes,
and the pride of life

is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever” (1 John 2:15-17)

Jesus was tempted in these same three areas (Luke 4:1-13), and we are too –

desires to Indulge,
desires to Possess,
and desires to Impress.

Or, as someone has said, the 3Gs –

the Girls (or Guys)
the Gold
and the Glory.

Thankfully, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15,16)
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
And when we fail, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Contributed by David McMillan

Devotional 25 June 2017

Devotional 10th July

FACING THE FUTURE

Recently our son told me how conscious he is of the accelerating and worsening changes occurring on many fronts in our world, and how this mirrors what Scriptures says of end times. He wonders what we as his parents may yet have to face in our lifetimes, and what his own generation may face (he is in his 40s), and even more significantly what his children may face.

How can we, and they, prepare for what lies ahead? Note what Jesus says in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. Many people will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth (Luke 21:26).

God, however, does not want us to be afraid, or put our heads in the sand hoping the gathering storm will disappear. He wants us to be alert (Luke 21:36-38), understanding our times (1 Chronicles 12:32), growing ever stronger in our knowledge of and trust in God (Colossians 1:10), and eagerly looking forward to the return of Jesus (Hebrews 11:10). 

“When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28). “Fear not, for I am with you…” (Isaiah 41:10).  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…” (Proverbs 3:5,6).
“The people who know their God shall be strong and prevail.” (Daniel 11:32).
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith! (Hebrews 12:2).   Hallelujah!

NOTE: Our Classic Services at 5pm on the 3rd Sunday of each month are especially geared to encourage us and help us be prepared for the coming days. Do come along!

Contributed by David McMillan

Devotional 25 June 2017

Devotional 23rd August

THE IMPERATIVE OF DISCERNMENT IN THE AGE OF DECEPTION!
In Matthew 24:3 the disciples asked Jesus, “What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”  He said the time would be especially marked by the following:
Deception (v.4)
Deception (v.5)
Wars, threats of wars (v.6, 7)
Famines, earthquakes (v.7)
Christians arrested, persecuted, killed and hated all over the world for following Jesus (v.9)
Many falling away from faith, betrayals, hatred (v.10)
Many false prophets appearing (v.11)
Deception of many (v.11.)
Increasing wickedness and love growing cold (v.12)
The Gospel preached throughout the whole world (v.14)
Abomination standing in the Holy Place, spoken of by Daniel (v. 15)
Great tribulation (v.22)
Deception – false christs and false prophets performing great signs and wonders (v.24)
Sun and moon darkened, stars falling from the sky, heavenly bodies shaken (v. 29)
Jesus coming back on the clouds with power and great glory! (v.30)
Loud trumpet call and angels gathering the elect (v.31)
Jesus mentioned most signs once in this passage, but look at the ones He repeated: Deception (4x) and false prophets or false christs (3x). Many falling away from faith!
Deception always seems genuine, but is not 100% the truth. Without testing teachings, and our own beliefs against Scripture, asking for the Holy Spirit’s discernment, we are easy prey for deception and veering into error. God has given us His Word as absolute truth and the Holy Spirit always agrees with it!
Acts 17:11 – “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true”.
Let’s be like the Bereans!                                

Contributed by David McMillan