Posted on Aug 29, 2016 in Devotions |
Focus is important! That is certainly true in sports. Many of us watched the recent Olympic Games and saw how the athletes prepared for their event. They would forget the crowds, the other competitors and focus. Why? So that nothing would distract them and they could do their best for their country, and above all, win the gold.
Jesus had a focus, and that was to do the will of his Father.
Posted on Aug 22, 2016 in Devotions |
The Olympic Games 2016 have just taken place in Brazil. Every sportsman was there to compete for his country, with the goal of winning a medal, and above all, the gold medal. No doubt the Apostle Paul was familiar with these games, as they were already taking place in Olympia in Greece at that time. He uses the imagery of the games in his letters. On one occasion he described the Christian life as a race.
Posted on Aug 15, 2016 in Devotions |
There are many stages in the preparation of a precious stone, and different instruments are used. We have looked at the hammer, the saw and the tumbler. A grinder may also be used to polish the stone, and then finally it is rubbed with a cloth until it has a mirror-like finish.
Posted on Aug 12, 2016 in Devotions |
It takes time to prepare precious stones, and many processes are used. The same is true in our Christian lives! It takes time for our lives to be changed, and God uses many different ways. One of the processes used to polish stones is the tumbler.
Posted on Aug 12, 2016 in Devotions |
Sapphires, diamonds and rubies are precious stones, but their true beauty can only be seen when they are polished. The first step in that process is to knock off pieces of debris with a hammer. Let’s look now at the second step.
Posted on Aug 12, 2016 in Devotions |
In 1 Peter we are described as ‘living stones’ who are being built into a spiritual house. What kind of stone are you? Let’s look at the process that is used to polish a stone as there are important lessons we can learn. First of all a hammer is used to knock off pieces of debris and dirt. It says in Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not my Word like a hammer – that breaks a rock into pieces?”
Posted on Aug 12, 2016 in Devotions |
One country renouned for precious stones is Myanmar. During a trip some years ago we visited a museum there and marvelled at the sapphires, rubies, pearls and jade. As beautiful as they were, it pales into insignificance compared to the glory of heaven, which is described as ‘a very precious jewel’.
Posted on Jul 27, 2016 in Devotions |
There is another interesting fact we can learn about the eagle. It has excellent eyesight, with eyesight that is four times sharper than humans. An eagle can see a rabbit in a field from up to a mile away. God wants us to see things from his perspective. He sees the big picture and has perfect understanding. In Isaiah 40:28 it says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Posted on Jul 26, 2016 in Devotions |
The eagle is capable of soaring high into the sky, not by flapping its’ wings, but by spreading them out and allowing the wind to carry him up. This is the picture we see in Isaiah 40:31, ‘They will soar on wings like eagles …’
For the eagle to make these magnificent flights it needs time to rest.
Posted on Jul 25, 2016 in Devotions |
God has made a wonderful provision for us – he offers us his strength in exchange for our weakness. How is this possible? First of all we need to believe he will do this for us. In Isaiah 40:28-29 it says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
