Category Archives: Devotion

PSALM 19

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The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19

Psalm 19

Look up!  The skies above you tell a story!

The craftsmanship and skill of God declare;

Without a word, they spread abroad His glory,

His majesty and power laying bare.

The sun moves through the heavens, like a bridegroom

Hurrying to his wedding in the skies;

From east to west in radiant splendour shining,

Then hides himself from sunset to sunrise.

God’s laws are perfect, daily they protect us,

Make wise and give us joy and peace and light:

They never change, their goal is to perfect us,

To make us pure and holy in His sight.

Like gold, we treasure them, for they are sweeter

Than honey dripping from the honey comb:

They warn us, giving wisdom to the eater,

Success to all who listen well to them.

How can I know what hidden sins are lurking,

What secret faults are hidden in my heart?

O let your Holy Spirit keep on working;

From stubborn sins and wrongs keep me apart.

For only then can I be clean and guiltless

Of visible and outward crime and wrong:

O Lord, please let me think and speak of kindness

To give you joy and pleasure all day long.

MATTHEW 5:3-12

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As we, who have embraced Him as Lord and who seek to walk in this world as He did, put ourselves under the authority of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Word, we will be transformed into His likeness from glory to glory.

MATTHEW 5:3-12

How happy and how blessed are those

Who know their poverty;

Who understand their desperate need,

Their spirit’s bankruptcy.

The craving of their hungry heart

God’s rule will satisfy;

They’ll gladly yield their emptiness

To draw on His supply.

How happy those whose waywardness

Their emptiness reveals,

Who feel the pain their sin has brought,

The grief the Father feels.

In mourning, they’ll be comforted,

Enveloped in God’s love;

Forgiveness bringing to their heart

Approval from above.

How blessed are those who walk with God

In deep humility;

Who daily draw their strength from Him

In His sweet company.

The earth is theirs, they’ll freely find

The land its bounty yield;

Where’er they go, God’s favour shall

Surround them like a shield.

How blessed are those whose hungry hearts

Desire to do what’s right,

To please the loving heart of God,

Find favour in His sight.

Their hunger shall be satisfied;

They’ll walk in step with God:

Their feet will find His chosen path

Directed by His Word.

What blessing comes to those who give

Forgiveness full and free,

Who hold no grudges, do not seek

Another’s judge to be.

God’s mercy shall return to them:

His way to them is clear:

To be forgiven, they must forgive

The heart of God to share.

How happy those whose hearts are pure,

With undivided love,

Who have no passion but their Lord,

Who worship God above.

His glory He will show to them,

The beauty of His face;

He’ll draw them tenderly to feel

The warmth of His embrace.

How truly blessed, the ones who pray

For others in their need,

Who make themselves an offering

As they for sinners plead.

They shall be called the sons of God

For ‘tis their one desire

That others, too, His peace would know,

Be touched with holy fire.

The greatest joy is kept for those

Whom men have come to hate:

Because their lives expose the wrong,

They’ll share the prophet’s fate.

They will receive a great reward

Reserved for them in heaven;

They’ll mirror Jesus here on earth

As grace to them is given.

This is the way to holiness,

The path that Jesus trod:

There is no other way for us

If we would be like God.

PORTRAITS OF CHRIST AND GLIMPSES OF THE KINGDOM FROM THE PROPHECIES OF ISAIAH AND OTHER SCRIPTURES

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PORTRAITS OF CHRIST AND GLIMPSES OF THE KINGDOM

IN VERSE

FROM THE PROPHECIES OF

ISAIAH AND OTHER SCRIPTURES

The first poem deals with Isaiah’s call to be the mouthpiece of God to His people.  Why does the account of his call only come in the sixth chapter of the book?  It may not have been recorded chronologically, or it may be that this came to the prophet as a confirmation of what was already in his heart. 

In the first five chapters Isaiah calls down woes on God’s wayward people, but  only when he sees the Lord in His awesome holiness does he see himself for what he is.  Then he turns the focus on himself and cries, “Woe is me!”  The power of his message moves from his head to his heart, so that he can feel the pulsating compassion in the heart of God even when he has to bring a message of condemnation and judgment.

ISAIAH 6:1-8

The year that King Uzziah died

Isaiah saw another King,

Exalted on a heavenly throne;

Around Him mighty angels sing.

The smoke-filled temple’s pillars shake

As glory fills the Holy Place:

Above, around, winged creatures fly

In solemn awe, with covered face.

In antiphonal chorus call

Till heaven swells with living sound,

“Thrice-holy is our mighty God —

His glory’s shining all around.”

“Alas!” the prophet cried, “Undone!

A foul-mouthed sinner, nothing less:

A member of a foul-mouthed race…

I’ve seen the King; I must confess.”

A mighty angel left his place

And to the glowing altar flew;

With tongs he chose a burning coal:

He touched his lips and whispered low.

“Your sin is purged, your heart is pure,

For blood was shed to make you clean.

Come closer to the holy throne;

Much closer than you’ve ever been.”

Isaiah bent to worship God  —

He heard a gentle voice speak out,

“I need a messenger to go;

My people need to know about

My judgement and the wrath to come

On those who fail to heed my voice.

O you must warn them of their fate;

Isaiah, will you make a choice?”

“O Lord, I’ll go,” Isaiah said,

“Please send me, let me speak for you.

I’ll be your mouthpiece, share your heart:

Help me be faithful, keep me true.”

A voice still calls, as we draw near,

To hearts made pure through Jesus’ blood,

“Now who will speak of saving grace?

Come, who will share the love of God?”

Submissive, willing, Lord, I bow

Before your awful, burning throne;

I’m broken hearted, listening close,

And now I make that call my own.

WORLD CUP FEVER

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WORLD CUP FEVER

World Cup fever!  What’s is all about?

Some national team, from a little country somewhere, the butt of the world’s scorn, won a rugby match. This “illustrious” event, which is supposed to unite our nation, has also plunged us into controversy with disgruntled losers over the “flawed” refereeing that got us the victory. So, this win not only unites but also divides.

After all the hoo-hah of their win and the extravagant praise given to the Springboks from the president down… they will also retire and die. This glorious celebration, which has captured the imagination of the nation, will be forgotten tomorrow… when the realities of living in South Africa hit us again. Who will benefit from their victory in the end? Will the Bok’s fourth win in the RWC event change anything for the better in South Africa?

There is one event in world history that will never be forgotten. This indescribably successful achievement was conceived in eternity and will be celebrated throughout the ages… the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Has His death made a difference? A resounding “YES!”. Will it ever be forgotten?  No!  Every person who has ever lived and believed in Jesus will be with Him and will be like Him in His eternal kingdom forever because He died and rose again.

Philippians 2:9-11 NLT
[9] “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

All in heaven will celebrate that victory, people and angels forever and forever.

Revelation 5:6-14 NLT
[6] “Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. [7] He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. [8] And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. [9] And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” [11] Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. [12] And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing.” [13] And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honour and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” [14] And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.”

Let’s get real, brothers and sisters! We congratulate the Boks on their win now. Let’s continue to celebrate the Lord Jesus for His victory, now and forever.

PRAYER
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing.”

There is no higher praise that we can give to you, Lord Jesus, than to fall down at your feet and worship you, and to love you and honour you by our faithfulness and obedience to your commands.

Thank you, once again, for your great victory over sin and death. We shall live forever because you died and rose again, taking us with you into your eternal home. We shall praise you throughout all eternity for your love.

JOYOUS PRAISE IN THE MORNING

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JOYOUS PRAISE IN THE MORNING


When I open my curtains in the early morning, I catch a glimpse of the first rays of the sun peeping through the tree at the bottom of our garden. Then my mind turns to Matt Redman’s beautiful song, “Ten thousand reasons,” and I begin to sing as I make my bed.

“The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing His song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever may befall me
Let me be singing when the evening comes.”

My heart leaps with joy as I burst into the chorus…

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul,
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul
I’ll worship your holy name.”

The first verse sets the tone for my day – a declaration of trust in the one I worship, that He is God and will order all the circumstances of my day as He pleases.

The second verse directs my thoughts to this God whom I bless and praise in my song.

“You’re rich in love and you’re slow to anger
Your name is great and your heart is kind.
For all your goodness I will keep on singing,
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.”

I have every reason to trust Him for today and tomorrow since my yesterdays are all a testimony to His goodness.

And what of my future? God has written my days in His book and He alone knows when my final day will come. However, like Matt’s song, I have confidence that the song I sang this morning will be my song in eternity…

“And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end is near and my time has come,
Still my soul will sing your praise unending.
Ten thousand years and then forevermore.”

My faith is strong; I have declared my trust in God for another day. I am equipped with a praising heart to face whatever comes with expectation that He is working for my good in all things.

Will you also sing His song in the morning and let its lyrics and melody resound in your mind throughout the day?

PRAYER
Father God, I can give you no greater honour than to sing your song, and to live today in the atmosphere of worship. As Jesus’ disciples confessed, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…” so, I, too, confess that there is no one greater than you in whom to believe.

With all my heart I thank you for your great salvation, for your love that surrounds and sustains me in every test and trial, and for your grace that helps me to endure.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and everything that is within me, bless His holy name.