Nate's Daily Devotionals (old)

v2-4) Trials = tests that challenge faith Trials should be viewed of as joyful (despite any pain they might cause) This is because trials are designed to produce spiritual maturity and should therefore be counted as joy Joy is not just worldly joy, but the enduring. "complete joy" in the Lord who is sovereign These trials will produce steadfastness  --> so that we might be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing Steadfastness = faithful endurance amid troubles and afflictions v5-6) Believers are to have an undivided faith, asking for wisdom from our ever-wise all-generous God Wisdom = God-given, God-centred discernment regarding the practical issues in life Wisdom comes from prayer for God's help We are to ask in faith - which is a settled trust and confidence in God, based on his character and promises as revealed in Scripture v7-8) Doubting God's goodness is dishonouring to him A person who doubts Him, should not expect to receive anythin...

v4) Paul tells us to always be rejoicing in the Lord Do I find joy in Christ and the God I serve - or do I find following him just a chore? v6-7) In every situation, present my requests to God (through prayer) Paul tells us not to be anxious about anything Thanksgiving is an element of prayer God will not necessarily give us what we pray for exactly, but he does promise us peace A peace which transcends all understanding v8) Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable - we should keep our minds focused on these things We will only discover what fits these descriptions when we discover and delve into his Word v9) The God of peace will be with us when we put these things that we've learned or received or heard into practice It reinforces the idea that we don't need to just learn and become smarter Christians - no, but we need to actively live out what we learn and are convicted of Prayer: Through any struggle that I might come...

v12) Paul admits that he is not perfect even as he commits to a life of servitude - shows what true humility is  Paul reminds us that we are God's children and that he adopts us and therefore owns us v13-14) Paul describes his walk with Christ as him "straining forward" We are to expect this walk with Christ to be difficult However we forget what lies behind because Christ has already redeemed and saved us from it We continue to press on to the goal that is the upward call of Christ v16) We should hold true and fast to what we have attained That is, God's word and his salvation through Jesus v17-18) We should imitate Paul and his walk and faith in Christ we should also look towards those who walk faithfully (brothers and sisters) v19) For enemies of Christ, the end is destruction - no matter how much joy they have while on this earth Their god is their own fleshly desires and they set their mind on earthly things v20-21) But our citizenship is in heaven We are in this...

v2-3) Look out for the evildoers who mean us harm We worship the Spirit of God and all glory and confidence goes to him  and not to the flesh v7-8) Paul counts all gain as loss for the sake of Christ All the worldly things (fleshly things) that he has gained he counts as nothing when compared to Christ In fact, he regards knowing Christ as the most important thing in this world - more than anything this world could offer All the things that Paul endures is for Christ More importantly, all the things he has given up in this life because of Christ he counts as nothing compared to knowing and gaining salvation through Christ v9) We don't have righteousness through ourselves and through what we do in the law No, instead we have righteous that comes through faith in Christ Righteousness depends on faith not on works v10-11) Paul welcomes suffering - knowing the power that Christ holds over death through the resurrection That by any means necessary he w...

v20) Paul describes Timothy as someone who is 'genuinely concerned for your welfare' Am I concerned with the welfare of my brothers and sisters - and more importantly, is it a genuine concern or just one that is self seeking? v21) Paul shows that we will encounter people (even Christians) who are self-seeking and that their concern will not be for your soul but so that they can profit v25-26) Paul describes what a disciple might look like Specifically - a worker, soldier, messenger and minister Epaphroditus is "longing for you all" - the language is one of genuine concern, much like what was mentioned in v20 v28) God uses our brothers and sisters to allow us to rejoice in God and his power and what he is able to accomplish Indeed it even makes Paul "less anxious" v29-30) We are to receive our brothers and sisters "with joy" and to honour such faithful men For it is the work of Christ that has allowed them to be so ...

v12) Paul encourages us to continue to 'work out our own salvation' with fear and trembling This fear is more of an awe for God and his power It brings comfort that we have an all-powerful  creator who cares and loves us unconditionally This should also motivate me to trust him  v14) Paul reminds us not to grumble or dispute when we work for the Lord It is a privilege and great opportunity when we are working for God's glory and kingdom We should not spoil it with bitterness or discontentment v15) As such, we will stand out when we adopt and transform our hearts in this way We stand out and 'shine as lights in the world' because this is not what the world tells us to do v16) Paul gives us a way to deal with those times - namely, he tells us to hold fast to the Word When we do so, it means that God will comfort and be there for us when we do go through difficulties Paul is comforted knowing that all his labours will be worth it on the d...

v3) Paul commands us to do nothing from selfish ambition Selfish ambition is anything that isn't for Christ Count others more significant than ourselves However sometimes even when I do things for others, it's actually for myself cus i expect something back v4) Look at the interest of others What can I do to help others and their interests v5-6) Paul gives us a model to look to when we aren't sure what humility looks like -Jesus A man who emptied himself and became a servant despite being God himself v8) Christ humbled himself by becoming obedient  Paul is telling us what true humility is - obedience to God and his will v9) We gain great riches by obeying God It might not be riches on earth, but we will be exalted when we go to heaven and worship God v10-11) God exalted Christ so that we might bow down and praise him Everything is to the glory of God Application: True humility is obedience to God Paul tells us that the model for humility is Christ

v7)  We are all partakers of Christ with Paul We share in the same gospel as all our brothers and sisters v9-11) Our love for God and devotion to him should make us more pure and blameless This leads to being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ v18) Paul is in prison, yet he still says - "yes and I will rejoice" How can Paul still be happy even in physical discomfort like this? Am I rejoicing even at times in a worldly sense, I have no reason to be rejoicing? v19) Paul reveals why he's rejoicing Through prayers and the holy spirit, Paul trusts that God will deliver him from this pain in a way that will be best for Paul v20-21) Paul expects and hopes with full courage that in any situation, Christ be honoured through him - regardless of whether he lives or not To live is Christ and to die is gain v24) Paul would rather die because it means he would be with Christ However he knows that to remain alive is ...

v7) We have all been given a portion of grace - it is a gift Some of it may be 'common' grace - something that we're all given, namely the salvation of our souls through Christ Some grace can be seen as 'special' grace - something that is individual, it usually refers to our special callings and talents that God has blessed us with v8-9) Jesus ascended - this means that he mustve descended first God, who was so mighty and powerful, would come down to earth to live with his sinful, dirty and worthless humans such as myself God is one of love of mercy as well as humility - as shown through Jesus in the form of a man v11-13) Paul is telling us what God blesses us with and what it is for - namely, it is so that the body of Christ may be built up The end goal is: Unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God We are to strive to attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ v14-16) When we are rooted in Christ like this, we wo...

v22) We must cast our 'cares' or worries on the Lord However, the result isn't that God will take them away or take away the troubles, the word that is used is sustains This means God will provide us with the strength to handle them v23) "But as for me, I trust in you" In moments where we don't know what will happen - we need to trust in God, and not in ourselves Application: We should look to our Saviour, who suffered betrayal and rejection patiently and prayerfully  in order to save us - hence we must endure hardship patiently, trusting in him Cast my worries on Him, and let Him sustain me through it - not rely on my own strength Prayer: Lord, I worry so often because I'm too proud to admit that you know better for me than myself. Teach me to cast my burdens not on my own strength, but on you - leaving them in your all-powerful hands and wisdom. Amen

How do I react when extraordinary pain or stress comes my way? David prays (v17) In fact, he prays 3 times a day, showing his dedication and the need to pray When we call to God, he will save us (v16) God hears our prayers and is a God that will never change (v18) Applications: Stop thinking that I am the one who can get through the struggles and difficulties of life - instead pray and trust that God's strength will carry me through Trust that God will hear my prayers and answer them in a way that is most beneficial for me and his glory (not necessarily what I want) Prayer: Lord, I lean on my own strength too often. I think that I am in control and that my own will and discipline will be able to make things okay. Although it may seem like I have it under control, Lord would you change my heart to realise that it is actually you who is in control. It is you who has ultimate authority and you who has the best plan for me. Lord remind me daily that my pan is never t...

v1) David is pleading with God to hear his prayers His desperation show how much dependency he has and how hard he is struggling at this time v3-4) David shows that what is on his mind is the stresses of being a king His enemies and their anger have tempted him in many ways and have brought him great anxiety and anguish v5) David is terrified because of his enemies and of what they may do to him He is "trembling" and the incredibly fearful v6) If David had wings he would abandon this and "fly away" like a dove His impulse is to flee the trouble and pain and to go elsewhere Is this how I approach anxiety and troubles in my life? v7-8) In David's case, fleeing would look like abandoning his position as king and letting someone else assume the stress he is under However, Christ has given him his position, and so there is no shelter apart from God We must continue to trust in him In fact, anywhere that isn't with God, is a p...

v1) David's most basic prayer: Save me, O God In fact, David leaves his vindication and his salvation up to the hands of God v4) God is the one who sustains me I am not the one who sustains myself - not my works, or my efforts - It is Christ who sustains me v5) Evil actually has a self-destructive tendency In killing Christ, he has actually defeated himself As such, we can now have a free life when we let go and trust in God v6) This reassurance is repeated God has delivered me from my foes He already knows what I'm going to face and as a result, already has planned out the best possible outcome for my soul - I just need to trust it Prayer: Dear heavenly father, I know that you have defeated evil. On the cross, and at the resurrection you showed that you defeated not only evil but death also. Deep in my heart, I know I struggle to believe it, and I get so tempted to fix and do everything on my own - only to be disappointed. I praise and wors...

v1-4) There is no one who is righteous, no one who deserves to be saved - not one God looks down on the earth to see if there is anyone who seek Him and understand perfectly However, we have all turned away and become corrupt v5) As God's people, why are we still in great terror when there is nothing to be terrified of? This is an attitude that something is sure to go wrong even though we have no reason to believe it will It  reflects a lack of faith and trust that God will provide v6) God promises he will restore the fortunes for his people Why do I not trust that God will remain faithful even if things go wrong ? Prayer: Lord, I'm so often forgetful of what you've done for me on the cross. You have defeated sin and condemnation and death, so that I might be assured of my salvation through Christ. While there may be difficult and unknown times on this earth, would you remind me daily of your cross and fill my heart with faith and devotion to you....

v5) God's judgement and power is demonstrated here and it shows what he is capable of doing Do I fear God enough? v7) Those who trust in great wealth and success at the expense of others will face judgement and downfall v8-9) Success due to pride and ruthlessness never lasts However, to trust in God's steadfast, gracious love and to know him in prayer  and be rooted in a community of believers is how to last Prayer: Dear heavenly father, teach my heart that the only safety and protection is in you. As I rely on my own power and ability, humble me to know that I can do nothing without you Lord. Give me the courage and ability to warn all my brothers and sisters who are living as if they don't need you. Use me to speak your word of unfailing love. In your Sons name, Amen

v17: We are to come to Christ like children Children depend heavily on their parents in order to keep them safe - so we are also to trust that God will provide us with everything that we will need We must also believe and have faith that everything that God wills in our lives is for our benefit A parent will not make his child do something if they know it will hurt them or make them suffer - since they love them. Similarly God loves us the same way v22: There is an inherit link between worldly riches (literally) and our faith When we are selfish with our finances, we are similarly selfish in our hearts Jesus tells the rich man to give all his money away to the poor and he will have riches in heaven, but he struggles greatly with this v24: It is difficult to go to heaven being a rich man as often we believe that we already have everything and are satisfied with the things in this world Similarly, to be saved, we must first acknowledge that we are in need of a savio...

Jeremiah 2:9-13 Jeremiah record's God's response to his people's rebellion God people are condemned on 2 accounts They turned away from the "fountain of living waters" They tried to make life work on their own terms, even though their attempt was futile Why do I look for things of this earth to satisfy my soul? We were created to be dependent on God, but we want independence Being a Christian doesn't mean we've found the easy ticket to life. No, it means carrying a cross and taking the nails 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 Sexual sin is idolatry! Unrestrained sexual behaviour is what pagans do! Our involvement in sexual sin is fundamentally rebellion against him Pagans are those who rejected God and give themselves over to their sexual appetites We fail to live in the fulness of life offered to us by Jesus because we have chosen a false god to worship Application Do I solely rely on Christ to satisfy my soul? or am I looking for other thi...

v1-8: We are called to pray earnestly and consistently and to not lose heart If God has rescued us from our suffering and injustice in this world, then will he be patient as he sees his children suffer? - of course not! When Jesus returns, he will be looking for those who are persistent as well as those who are praying and watchful of Him v9-14: We shouldn't be like the Pharisees who beat their chest in their own righteousness and treated others with contempt Rather than thanking God for what God has done for him, the Pharisee arrogantly brags to God about his own moral purity - why am I so often self-righteous in my own deeds, comparing myself to others? There is great contrast between the tax collector and the Pharisee The tax collector depended on God's mercy and not his own merits and efforts (because he had failed in that regard) and as a result received God's gift of righteousness  and was pronounced justified Application: Am I praying and dependi...

v1-4: We are sure to face temptations, however this doesn't give us an excuse to cause others to sin (by tempting them) If someone sins against me, we are to rebuke them (as this is truly loving them) If they repent, then we are called to forgive them - no matter how many times they sin against us v5: Even a very small amount of faith, if it is genuine trust in God, can lead to remarkable results The issue is not the size of the faith, but the its presence v7-10: Jesus illustrates that we are actually very unfaithful servants God owes us nothing, but we owe God everything - including our lives v23-24: Jesus returning will not be something that is hidden, it will be something that is visible and noticeable by all It will be unmistakable and sudden as lightning - all will see it v33: We must be ready to die to our sins; give up our old lives completely and accept the new life that Christ offers If we cling onto our old lives, we will end up losin...

v10) "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.  It doesn't matter how much God has given us, the fact remains that it is his and not ours As a result, even the little things he's given us, we should be faithful with and use to glorify God and not ourselves   v11) If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?   If we can't even be trusted with the small riches on this Earth then what makes us believe we're ready and deserving of heavenly riches Also a reminder that wealth on this Earth is 'unrighteous' and to instead store up treasures in heaven which are the true riches v13) No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. Y ou cannot serve God and money."   How we act and what we do is a signal of where our hearts ...