#17 2016 Devotional Prov.16:3. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Proverbs 16:9

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16 is part of a large section of individual two line proverbs not always connected one to the other, often the thoughts expressed are antithetical. It is a large section starting at Ch. 10 through Chapter 22.  Chapter 16 is about the inability of man to control his destiny and the control of God in the affairs of men. The chapter is framed in two verses v.1 and v. 33, God gives the answer to man’s inner thoughts and He directs the visible attempts to find one’s way.

 The first 9 verses are about the Lord working out the courses of our lives. For those who follow Jesus we trust the leading of the Holy Spirit, we make decisions informed by our faith.

 Verses 10-15 form a unit, the King here seems to be in the place of the Lord. The proverbs are connected and are about the acceptable actions of men; practice justice, honesty and righteousness. The King speaks words to the wise.

 Verses 16-32 continue with the values the King commands: wisdom, guard your way, be humble, trust in God, and speak gracious words of healing.

At verse 27-30 there is antitheses: plotting evil, causing conflict, promoting violence and perversity. Verse 31-32 brings us back to the values of the King: righteousness and patience.

 We turn to the verse for the week, verse 9. People have dreams and desires, we plan, we work hard towards goals and benchmarks. We all want to be successful but often our success is measured by, or at the very least influenced by the values of the world. As followers of Jesus what should be our course in this life? How should we measure success? Scripture teaches that all meaningful and honest work done in the name of Jesus is acceptable to God. It becomes successful when done in the Spirit intentionally and obviously not financially successful, not quantitative but measured spiritually.

 The second part of the verse is about God’s guidance, His will is done in our lives. There is is a delicate balance in our lives where God’s will and our dreams and desirers informed by our faith coalesce. What a blessing when we are in God’s will, it is as verse 20 teaches: “Whoever gives heed to instruction, prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” Praise be to God!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

#16 2016 Devotional Hebrews11:1. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

In the first ten chapters the author of Hebrews glorifies Christ and explains why He is the Saviour of God’s people foreshadowed in the Old Testament beginning in Gen. 3:15. Hebrews 11 is an introduction to chapters 12-13 and is a definition of the gift of faith as it is exemplified by those who the author of Hebrews calls: “a great cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12 :1-3). These are the heroes of faith in Scripture; men and women who practiced the gift of faith. They believed God and the promises of God but did not fully understand the promise until fulfilled in Christ.  They are made perfect along with us (Heb. 11:39-40) because Christ’s Salvation reaches back into eternity. Hebrews 12:1-3 hinges on chapter 11 and encourages us to practice the faith of the Old Testament church. We are encouraged to deal with sin, to persevere in the task Jesus had given us and to keep our eyes on Jesus so that we are not discouraged and not give up.   

We turn to the verse for the week. We can see two parts: first “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for…” Is faith the same as hope? Yes, and No. Hope springs up from our hearts, from our imperfect desires, yet, one cannot live without hope. We hope for something better, we hope for healing if ill, we hope for reconciliation in conflict, and as followers of Jesus we hope in Christ. On the other hand, hope is as faith does, we have confidence of the guiding of the Holy Spirit, we expect His leading and trust His leading; leading that informs our hope and builds our faith!

Second: “…and assurance about what we do not see.” Faith is about what we do not see and about what we cannot see. The author gives us an example: “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (verse 3 Ch. 11) We lack faith when we do not see what is obvious even when we can’t see it. To me it it obvious that the Holy Spirit is working at Acre Bible School. Are we afraid to see it, are we blinded by preconceptions, or blinded by an ill perceived level of difficulty of working in that part of the world? It seems to be all of the above!  It is human to question the creation of the world as God presents it to us because there is physical evidence that the world is older and has gone through major changes not mentioned in Scripture. The Bible is not a science book, but faith dictates that we believe God created it (Ex nihilo) out of nothing. Do we understand it all? No! Do we understand how the Holy Spirit works? No!

That is what this verse is all about, faith informs hope, unwavering confidence, and absolute assurance that God will accomplice His purposes and that by His Grace He equips and empowers us as is exemplified by God’s people in Hebrews chapter 11. Love drives out fear, may God increase our faith! Amen and Amen.

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

 

#15 2016 Devotional Psalm 42:8. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ps. 42:8

By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 42 is the first of Book II of the Psalms. Psalm 42and 43 go together and is found that way in some translations. Ps. 42-45 form a unit and 42-43 seem to bracket Book II with Ps. 69-72. but we look only at Ps. 42 and only at verse 8. Before we do that we need to look at Ps. 42 as a whole. The Ps. is a liturgical song (see title) and a prayer for deliverance and restoration as well as praise, it is in the first person. It appears to be a leader, the King perhaps, pleading for the community that feels abandoned physically and spiritually. The Psalm divides at verses 6 and 7. Verses 1-6 the Psalmist feels abandonment and longs for God’s presence.

Verses 7- 11 the Psalmist expresses his complete helplessness and is overwhelmed, verse 7, but verse 8 expresses his faith in God. The rest of the Psalm is an argument with himself and he comes down on the side of faith he has already expressed:” Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God”.

Following verse 7 verse 8 is a wonderful confession of faith. The psalmist acknowledges God’s love for him. We all must practice faith in what every situation we find ourselves whether in want, danger, or overwhelmed with the task. Faith develops around God’s love for us his followers. His love dictates His care and His pouring out of the Holy Spirit in obvious ways when we need it while serving him. “at night his song is with me” we fall asleep pondering God’s love for His people and awake with His love song on our lips         (Jn. 3:16-18). Our Nigerian Christian friends start every day thanking God for waking up in this life. We all need to again and again express our hope in Jesus in this life. Verse 8 is not only a call to develop our faith and to hold onto our hope we have now but it is “a prayer to the God of my life”. As followers of Jesus our lives are completely wrapped up in God who sustains us, forgives us, saves us and gives us life forever with Him. Is Jesus the God of your life? Praise be to Him!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

#14 2016 Devotional Mt. 5: 14-15. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Matthew 5:14-15

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. “

Matthew 5 is the first chapter of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount Ch. 5-7. This sermon is revolutionary and turned the perception of people in His day upside down. The sermon still does that today. These three chapters tell us what Jesus wants us to do if we follow Him. Further, Jesus tells us what not to do. The introduction to the sermon are the eight beatitudes. They set the stage for Jesus ministry. Jesus is humble, He put others first, He is compassionate, He loves the poor and the disenfranchised, He practices righteousness, He is merciful, His love is from the heart, He is forgiving, Jesus is a peace maker reconciling us to the Father. Jesus ends His sermon with the parable of the wise and foolish builders. It is about listening to the words of Jesus. Those who hear but do not practice what Jesus is telling us is like the foolish builder in the parable, he/she is building on the sand. Those who practice what Jesus tells us build on the rock which is Jesus Christ.

The verse we are looking at is what the sermon is all about. When you do the things Jesus asks us to do you are a light that lights up this dark world.  Jesus came to light up all the dark places. Now that Jesus left us to be His body in this world we are to be that light on a hill for everyone to see. Jesus is the light of life and if we follow Jesus then you, and me are the light that guide people on the path of life and the path to life. There is no other way, people try every other thing to find peace and fill that empty place we all have in our hearts. People seek power, money, sex, drink and food but nothings fills our need, only serving Jesus fills that empty place and gives us meaning in this life and the assurance of eternal life. We are concerned about this life, but it is only temporary, short and preparation for our eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. However, while we are in this life we are to help others find the way back to Jesus. That is why Jesus calls us and equips us and promises to be with us. What we often don’t think about are the blessings that come along with serving Jesus. It is not easily explained but it is easily experienced. Praise Him!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

#13 2016 Devotional Psalm 90:17. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 90:17

May the favor^[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

The Psalm 90 begins book 4 and is part of a section of 11 Psalms that begin with a prayer that end with the praise of Psalm 100. Psalm 90 is a prayer of praise and intercessory prayer, the prayer begins praising God for His everlasting faithfulness; He is our refuge, our hiding place, the only place we run to for protection. God is also a just God holding his people to account. Moses, the author, experienced that many times during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. You, O Lord “have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence”. Moses interceded for the people on numerous occasions and he does so in this Psalm asking for compassion and mercy. Moses here is a type of Christ “relent, O Lord how long will it be?” reminding God of His splendor and unfailing love.  At one-point in Moses’ time God repented of choosing the Israelites and had decided to destroy them but Moses offered himself instead. (Ex.32:7-14) (see v. 31)

We face God’s wrath as well, our iniquities and secret sins are before the Lord day and night. Praise be to God, Jesus intercedes for us and died in our place so that we may be forgiven when we “call on the name of the Lord” and live!

We turn to the verse we are looking at; it is obviously a benediction (Num.6: 24-26).  Moses asks for God’s favor to be upon them, or to go with them and to “establish the work of our hands for us”. Moses makes this personal and also practical. The work of his hands came close to being completely destroyed several times, only God establishes what man kind does. For us today this is a meaningful and important prayer. God establishes our work when done in the name of Jesus. Not many followers of Jesus are missionaries, pastors or evangelists. Therefore, I do mean all work that we do and that is done in Jesus name is work that will last for ever, follow us to heaven and become the building blocks for the New Heaven and the Earth. May God establish the work of our hands!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

 

# 12 2016 Devotional Gal. 6:9. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

 Gal. 6:9

⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The purpose of the letter to the Galatian Church was to expose legalistic and Old Testament ceremonial practices being taught by Judaizers as necessary for salvation. Chapter 6 is the end of Paul’s arguments for salvation by faith and by God’s grace alone. He encourages the Galatians and us to do good to all, restore those gone astray gently, do not think more of yourself than you should, and help each other especially fellow followers of Jesus.  Secondly, he puts to rest the fallacy of salvation by works by appealing to the new covenant recreating us in Jesus Christ. The old is become new!   

The verse we are looking at is part of Paul’s encouragement to the Galatians and to us to become new in Christ Jesus. To be new in Jesus means that we not only change from what we are and how we live but that we live in opposition to the way the world lives. “Let us not become weary”, Paul tells us. Helping others, walking along side someone to work through sin in order bring healing, and carrying each others burdens is hard work.From my experience as a church planter, the power of the Spirit cultivated in prayer keeps one from burn out.  

Don’t tire of “doing good”, Paul adds. As followers of Jesus what is “doing good”? Paul makes it very clear it means building up the Kingdom of God. He starts with the brokenness of this world. “Restore sinners gently” not condemnation, not a better than thou attitude so many project, not isolation but love. The love of Jesus!  We must begin with ourselves, our own attitudes, failures and short comings before we attempt to help others. It has been my experience that as we walk along side people with God’s Word He builds both persons spiritually and we are drawn closer to each other and Jesus. That is one example of doing good but it translates to all situations in our lives. In Christ all of life becomes worship pleasing to God.

Paul continues with: “for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. Church planters plant churches but mostly we plant seeds. Sometimes there is a harvest but only after a lot of watering and cultivating and time. Sometimes the seeds lay dormant until such time as the Holy Spirit moves that person or persons to seek Jesus’ love and forgiveness. Let us who follow Jesus not give up planting the seed of life in people God places on our path, by our actions, our words and our love for them. There will be a great harvest indeed but only if we keep on planting!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

# 11 2016 Devotional Pr. 16:9. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Pr. 16:9

“In his heart a man plans his course,                                                                                                          but the Lord determines his steps”

Proverbs are a series of short concise statements about God’s will for man kind and the results of human behavior both good and bad. The English word, proverbs, does not convey the meaning of the Hebrew word which includes: byword, discourse, parable, parables, proverb, proverbs, taunt, taunt-song (Strong’s Concordance 4912). The bottom line according to the purpose and theme of the book, Pr.1:7 is: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline”.

The verse we are looking at is part of a lager section that revolves around the plans, the motivations and actions of men but God is in control. Is that what this proverb is about, God’s sovereignty? Yes, I believe this to be a problem with many contemporary interpretations of God’s Word. God is understood as reactive to man’s actions and to the events in today’s world. That is a popular and comfortable position as opposed to God having complete sovereignty in the universe. It is further complicated with man’s free will.

 How do we come to grips with the horrendous events we see in the world today? Do we blame God, His sovereignty? Or do we blame man, free will? Neither, Satan is responsible for all the misery in this world, all wars and diseases. However, our choices have ramifications and we are held responsible for the choices we make. Our choices are made in the context of God’s allowable will, God does not exercise his complete sovereignty in every situation in our lives or in this world. How God’s will and our free will work together is more of a mystery than it is understood by us His creatures. See Ro. 9:14, Paul asks if God is unjust? God’s answer: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion”. (See also, Questions)

 How then shall we understand Pr. 16: 9? (1) Our plans must be made in the context of God’s will. (2) God’s Word must direct our plans. (3) God allows all things and events according to His eternal will, for His glory and for the advance of His Kingdom including the church. Praise be to God!

       © cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

 

 

# 10 2016 Devotional I Co. 16:13-14 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

I Cor. 16:13 -14

³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

¹⁴ Do everything in love.

The first section of Chapter 16 is about the collection taken up for the Jerusalem believers. They may have become poor due to a famine or perhaps due to the persecution they were under. Be that as it may, this collection seems to be the beginning of regular collections on Sunday for the work of the Lord and is the basis for our collections today.

The chapter also is preparation for Paul’s upcoming visit to Corinth. He wants to spend time with them and Paul recommends Timothy and Apollos to them. Paul writes I Cor. to address several areas of difficulty in this church particularly moral laxness and it appears that Paul had written them about it previously. Many commentators have suggested that Paul wrote the Corinthians three, if not four times and that I and II Cor. is a combination of those letters.

 That may be why the verses we are looking at today seems to be out of place and seems to be inserted into a section concerning Stephanas’ household and their dedication. But that does not take away from the importance of these two verses.

Paul tells us to have five spiritual characteristics: (1) “be on your guard”. He is referring to the moral laxness of this city. As we see today how easy it is for the followers of Jesus to be influenced by the culture around them. (2) “Stand firm in the faith” appears to be a command. Stand on the Word of God as the unchanging standard for your life and faith. (3) “Be courageous” be unafraid, valiant, be convinced of your stand for Jesus. (4) “Be strong” not afraid of ridicule or persecution, unwavering. (5) “Do everything in love”. Love is the bottom line, love those who think differently than you, proclaim your faith in love, love your enemy and love yourself. Love is the most difficult of the five characteristics the Spirit wants us to display: it means practicing patience, kindness, forgiveness, humility, joy, gentleness, self control and living in peace “Love wins”. Jesus teach us your love!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

 

 

# 09 2016 Devotional Ps. 46:10 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 46:10

“Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth”.

Psalm 46 is a song celebrating the security of Jerusalem and the reign of the “Great King” over all the earth. The song could be liturgical but was sung with the participation of the people, probably accompanied by maidens with tambourines (according to alamoth). This Psalm was the inspiration to Martin Luther’s: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

The song has three stanzas of 3 verses each. The first stanza is about absolute trust in God. The disruption of the natural order of things will not affect our trust because “God is our refuge and ever present help”.

The second stanza taps into creation, “there is a river whose stream makes glad the city of God” It is an apocalyptic vision connecting this song to Rev. 22 ‘The river of Life”,ending with the refrain; “The Lord almighty is with us” This comforts us as well.

The third stanza draws us to God’s mighty acts to end war and bring peace but ends with God speaking in verse 10.

“Be still”, God says or it is enough! Be still O man, enough already, don’t you know that I am God? “I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.” We are pointed to Philippians 2:9-11, every person, “every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father”.

We live in a noisy culture where everyone is clamoring for attention, the right to life, women’s rights, sexual orientation rights, victim rights, and the rights of law breakers, there is no end to it. God says it is enough, be still! I am the ruler of the earth and my will is done, even if we do not understand at this point. The Psalm points us to faith, to trust, and moves us to meditate on what faith and trust mean for us who follow Jesus.

The Psalm ends with the refrain and gives us an answer:”The Lord Almighty is with us;The God of Jacob is our fortress. God with us means what it meant for the Patriarchs of old, those who curse us are cursed and those who bless us are blessed. If God is with us who can be against us? Praise be to God!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved