Nate's Daily Devotionals (old)

Acts 21:1-26 Context + background because of chapter 21, our current church system means that anyone can be a member as long as you believe in Christ this could have been very different if chapter 21 didn't exist for a gentile to be a member, they needed to be become a Jew (circumsized) v1--3) they warn Paul that if he goes to Jerusalem he will die v4-6) but Paul says he's going anyway v7-14) Paul is warned that if he goes, he will die in Jerusalem Eventually they bless Paul and send him off v19-20) Paul meets up with others and discuss things Paul shares what God had done among gentiles and they praised God Paul is telling Jews not to be Jewish anymore, and instead to have their identity in Christ and not their pride in being Jews  He is telling them to stop living according the customs and traditions v20-24) Paul is told to show he is still a Jew by performing the traditions once again v26)  the church will accept anyone even gentiles - Paul has finished his mission He has t...

v24)  “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. The way that leads to heaven is narrow - the door we must enter is hard to find In fact, Jesus tells us that many will seek to enter it (seek for happiness/eternal joy)  However, many will not be able enter v27)  But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ Many of us may claim to be Christians yet live our lives serving ourselves We may come to Christ on judgement day trying to account for our lives with the works and accolades we've achieved but God only looks at the heart v28)  In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth A vivid image of what hell would be like - the eternal suffering and pain of an existence without God It brings shock and horror that those who do not truly believe and ...

v10-12) No one is righteous, not even one and none of us do any good Paul is telling the Romans that both Jews and Gentiles are equally sinners Similarly, just because Christ has revealed himself to me, doesn't make me any better than any non-Christians Also - I am not better of a 'Christian' just because my devotional life, or passion for Christ might be higher than a brother or sister v20) Through works of the law, none of us will be justified because through the law comes knowledge of sin Salvation through works alone will never save us We cannot hope to 'rescue' or 'gain' our salvation through works v21) However the righteousness of Christ has been manifest apart from the law God's righteousness is no longer solely tied with obeying the law Instead it is through something else v23-24) All have fallen short of God's standard and are only justified by his grace as a gift through  the redemption that is in Christ God's r...

Attitudes: Luke 16:13 1 Timothy 6:6-10 James 3:13-16 It all starts with attitude. The bible describes that it is our flesh that 'wants' to get rich (1 Timothy) and that we need to realise that the money on this earth is just that - of this earth. We came into this world with nothing and we will depart from it with nothing from this world.  TEST: How much time during the day/week do you spend thinking about money? (How much or little you have, what to do with it, how to get it) Contentedness James 5:1-3 Psalm 49:16-20 Philippians 4:11-13 Philippians reminds us that we shouldn't do this battle or journey alone. In fact, we should rely on God's strength as we continuously battle with it. If we find satisfaction in our wealth on earth, then it will fail us - it will simply rot away (James 5). Stewardship Ecclesiastes 5:12-14 Psalm 24:1 1 Chronicles 29:12 Matthew 25:21 Proverbs 21:20 The key to stewardship is understanding that it isn...

Observation and Meaning: Outline: Jesus turns water into wine and to ultimately  reveal his glory On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee . Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. (v1-2) What an honour to have Christ at your wedding We must invite him by prayer and he will come  It is a reminder that we should invite Christ (through prayer) into everything we do in life, including all social gatherings and works that we do “Woman, why do you involve me?” (v4a) There is no disrespect as he used the same words when speaking to her with affection from the cross This is a testimony against idolatry of giving undue honours to his mother “ My hour has not yet come.” (v4b) His hour is come when we know not what to do Delays of mercy are not denials of prayer Those that expect Christ’s favours ...

Observation + Meaning: Outline: We witness the testimony of John the Baptist and also John hailing Jesus as “God’s lamb" “I am not the Christ” And they asked him “What then? Are you Elijah?” (v20-21) John denies being the Christ despite receiving all this attention and ‘fame' He humbles himself for the Lord even though he has still not witnessed Jesus yet He demonstrates true faith “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” (v23) John is keeping in line with the prophet Isaiah’s words By preaching a word of repentance and divine judgement, he was a messenger to prepare the way for the Lord The strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie (v27) Even someone like John, who was baptising and converting people knew that Jesus (who was to come at this point), was so far above that he was not worthy to untie his shoes "Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (v29) As soon as Jes...

Everything in this life, will not satisfy us.  The shine wears off and we end up not satisfied  Where do you find your satisfaction? Setting: They got this food for free  But this food will not satisfy  They wanted to force him to become king so that he can give them all free food to everyone Which  v25 Jesus tells us to not seek him to be filled in the gifts he gives but instead in the work that lasts forever (believing in God) These people wanted to get their feed (the bread) but it won't last forever v27 the food that the son of Man will give us which will last forever By having the food that Jesus provides we will never be hungry They ask what work do they need to do to get this food? Jesus says they just need to believe v30 They still don't understand and they ask for more signs  The same people who witness the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5000 Reference in Exodus where God provided them with food They need a sig...

v35) Be ready and watchful for Christ We are servants waiting for our master to return We need to be ready that as soon as he returns, we will open the door to Him Watchfulness for ANY time of day - stay on guard! v40) Be ready because Christ may return at any hour of the day v47) The servant who knows what the master wants, yet is lazy and does not prepare himself or do the master's will, will be punished As Christians, we have been given God's Word - entrusted with the knowledge and wisdom that we need to obey God's will As such, we are accountable and required more from - because there is no excuse for us to not have obeyed God 'simply because we didn't know' v48) From everyone whom much has been given, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much will be asked. We've been given and blessed with much, and we should utilise this for God's glory as much as possible Application: I need to ...

(v3) Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. God knows everything we do, say and think Just because others cannot see it, doesn't mean it will be forgotten As such we must love others even when they are not around and what we say to others about them should also be loving (v7) Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. God knows even the number of hairs on my head!  He created us, so he knows literally everything about us If he created us and he loves us, then why do I worry? He will provide and supply me with everything that I need to fulfill his purpose for me (v11-12) do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,  for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." not knowing what to say shouldn't hold me back from te...

Observations + Meaning: Outline: The incarnate word Jesus is the eternal and now incarnate Word and as the one-of-a-kind Son of the Father who is himself God (v18) Introduces Jesus as the life (v4), the light (v5 - 9) and the truth (v14, 16-17) Introduces believers as God’s children (v12-13) and the world’s rejection of Jesus (v10-11) (v13) He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh or man, but of God Neither physical birth or ethnicity is a limitation of God We are chosen to be his people He gives us the right to become his children THROUGH Jesus Saving faith precedes becoming members of God’s family through adoption (v14) We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth Jesus is the Son who is exactly like his Father in all aspects ‘Only’ is used here to highlight that he is one-of-a-kind (v16-17) For his fullness we have all received…grace and truth came thr...

Today I’m reminded that it is in God that I find ultimate satisfaction and refuge. When I trust in God, he will deliver me from any suffering. No matter what happens, no matter how much it hurts, if I keep my eyes fixed on God he will guide me on the path that leads to life - that leads to eternal joy. It is in God that I will find eternal satisfaction. Not in the love from Jess or relationships, but from the love and grace that I have already received from God. I pray that I would keep my eyes fixed on God alone, that he would transform my heart to constantly seek Him for His glory and not my own. I pray I would let him be the immovable rock in my heart, that will never be shaken. I rejoice in the joy that is found in the security that I have in Christ. Thank you Lord that you overcome all my weaknesses and you supply me with everything that I could possibly ever need. That Lord, in my weakness, you are made strong. Would I continue to lift every struggle and inadequacy up to you an...

(v3)  Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by[ a ] the flesh? We were saved by the Spirit and through Christ on the cross, but do I now try to do everything myself? Is sanctification 100% me and 0% God (v7-9)   Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.  And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify [ c ]  the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. When we have faith in Christ – the grace gospel itself – we are blessed with the same blessings that Abraham was blessed with (v10)   For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Those who rely on their works...