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Daily devotional
August 7 - Beyond myself
“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake.” - 1 John 2:12 Scripture reading: Acts 2:29-41 Our meditation text describes our position as being “forgiven for His name’s sake.” This name is none other than that of Jesus. This is the name which means ‘Saviour’. As Joseph was told by the angel: “…you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). We cannot separate the Person of Christ from His Work. Therefore, forgiveness through Jesus means forgiveness on the basis of Who He is, and what He does. How much doesn’t this day – the Lord’s Day – speak to this? This is the day Christ arose victorious over sin and death and the devil. This is the day that makes the difference to every other day. But, dear friend, will you be in prayer for that? Will you seek to give this whole day over to Him, because He has completely given Himself over for you in His doing and dying and rising? Following on from seeing God’s love personified and our acknowledgement of total inadequacy, are you ready to worship and serve Him? By the Spirit’s help are you able to point this world to the Answer beyond itself? Suggestions for prayer Thank God that Jesus lived up to His Name. Pray to God for His Spirit’s help to live up to what we are now in Him. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...
Daily devotional
August 6 - An honest beginning
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” - 1 John 1:8 Scripture reading: Psalm 51:1-12 Isn’t it true that the hardest part of a task is in its beginning? To start a project requires determination, creativity and a sense of vision. We very much need to know within ourselves that what we’re doing has value. Think of children trying to build a sand castle. How many won’t give up having failed to learn about compacting sand? The foundation proves to be the most difficult part. This especially applies to our position before God. To truly grow in this most blessed of all relationships requires a constant confession of those things that disrupt this communion. Again and again, we need to deal with those obstacles. And here we need to be so prayerfully careful. Ever since the fall into sin there has been that force at work in our own nature which fights against God. Like David, we need to prostrate ourselves time and again before the all-glorious and all-holy God. We have to be taught never to take anything for granted. We must constantly examine ourselves under the light of God’s Word. And we do that looking to him in prayer, laying every day before him. That makes the difference to every day! Suggestions for prayer Plead for God’s forgiveness for not looking to him and thus giving way to our own nature. Ask him for the ability to forgive others, also. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...
Daily devotional
August 5 - A witness
“…the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us…” - 1 John 1:2 Scripture reading: John 1:19-34 Imagine this situation: You have a very valuable piece of information to give a friend. As you speak with your friend, you extol the virtues of this knowledge. Yet you feel within yourself that this positive message still lacks something. So you’re wondering what could be a really strong way of convincing your friend. Now, put yourself in your friend’s shoes. What would he need to confirm that this new information is important? He is looking very closely at you. He is seeing if it is important to you. He doesn’t want you to sell him something in which you yourself don’t believe. What better way then, of convincing your friend than if you have personally experienced this important knowledge? It is not something you have read or heard third hand, but your own eyewitness account of it. It is so important to you. The apostle John was communicating the most essential of all knowledge to the churches. This was most definitely life-changing. Therefore, what more convincing argument could he make than to say he was an eyewitness. He has seen it, he declares. And not only “he”, but “we”. There are others who witness to the same. This is absolutely real! Suggestions for prayer Pray for God’s strength and guidance to be a witness for him wherever he places you, and so prove Jesus is alive in what you do. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...
Daily devotional
August 4 - The love personified
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life…” - 1 John 1:1 Scripture reading: John 1:1-14 For God to create this immense world is a grand act. This is something we can truly wonder at as we consider His personal design all around us. And all this was planned long ago! Before Adam and Eve, before Satan and his cohorts thought to be like God, - indeed, way back in time immemorial, this fact has struck John. Yet, how could it? How was it possible for this man, of such a limited lifespan, to have experienced what the Almighty and Everlasting God had been working out over all time? Here we come to the heart of the Gospel. The fulfilment, which the Old Testament had so strongly pointed toward, had in John’s own lifetime, sprung forth within our small planet. Yes, Christ Jesus, Son of God, had joined Himself with humanity in a mystery beyond comprehension! Rather than the wise teacher wandering about Palestine two millennia ago, Jesus was and is God, and so is the Word of God. That’s why to truly know God’s Word in Scripture is to have met the Living Word by faith. Faith sees that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” and so we can truly declare with John, “We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Suggestions for prayer Praise God for sending His Son to be born, live, minister, suffer, die and rise again. Thank Him that we like John witness to this. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...
Daily devotional
August 3 - How great is the love!
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” - 1 John 3:1 Scripture reading: 1 John 1:1-4 I’m guessing you have experienced a scenic area of tremendous grandeur. It might have been the Grand Canyon, Milford Sound in New Zealand’s south-west, the Twelve Apostles on Australia’s Victorian coast, or the Niagara Falls. Yes, we had our idea of how awe-inspiring it would be before we got there. But to be actually there - to see it in person! Then our senses become flooded by the enormity of it all. A whole range of individual reactions take place – some feel fear of heights, others their own insignificance and still others the inspiration of nature. This realization strikes John spiritually. In the midst of a deeply pastoral letter there springs from his heart this doxology of praise. Indeed, he shows where he stands with God. In amongst the normality, there lies the enormity! Like John, have you had that happen to you? And also like Paul, who exclaims after being convicted by God’s teaching through him: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his ways! … For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Romans 11:33, 36). Dear believer, surely you too must sing out your “Amen” with the apostles! Yes, how great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the greatness and graciousness of Who He is and the gratefulness that it brings out in you. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...
Daily devotional
August 2 - My little children
"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." - 1 John 4:4 Scripture reading: 1 John 4:1-6 John wrote to address a special concern within the churches. As we study this letter, this underlying issue will stand out. It was a very dangerous heresy. It challenged the very heart of the gospel as it actively promoted the view that Christ hadn’t really become a man. So Jesus hadn’t physically ministered and suffered and died – a belief later known as Docetism. Naturally the whole faith belief of Christ’s atoning death – our being made right with God – is denied. So then, where would we go for our salvation? Why, if God hasn’t done it, we must do it! Can you see what’s happening? Yes, another religion of salvation by works – a belief far from the gospel. This is certainly a difficult pastoral situation to address. You see, a belief like this hasn’t just crept in overnight. For a while already it’s been subtly spreading its tentacles into Christ’s Body. Knowing this, John has to be careful how he writes. A short-fused reaction would attack the target, but likely not succeed. Instead, it would be better to start from what they shared together. Rejoice in the faith there is in God. Bring out its multi-faceted beauties. And from that point of union, tackle the difficulty as an interruption to their combined celebration of love. Now that’s an approach we can learn from too! Suggestions for prayer Pray for unity in your local congregation and denomination, especially that it will be a unity in truth. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...
Daily devotional
August 1 - Introduction to John
John the Apostle was reputedly the only disciple not to be martyred for the faith, aside, naturally, from Judas Iscariot. However, while he did not pass from this life by being killed for the faith, he certainly suffered extensively for the faith while alive. Many of us will be familiar with his exile on the Isle of Patmos, but there were other times also when he was publicly reviled for the faith. There is a legend associated with John towards the end of his earthly life, probably when he was in Ephesus. Jerome, in his commentary, says: His disciples could barely carry him to church and he could not muster the voice to speak many words. During individual gatherings, he usually said nothing but, "Little children, love one another." The disciples and brothers in attendance, annoyed because they always heard the same words, finally said, "Teacher, why do you always say this?" He replied: "Because it is the Lord's commandment and if it alone is kept, it is sufficient." As we go through John’s first letter, we will see how much the Lord’s beloved disciple sees those in the family of faith as also the Lord’s beloved. How many times does he address us tenderly? He is truly a father in the faith intimately involved in guiding, encouraging and gently rebuking in the faith. What a wonderful testimony to his faith this letter is. Let’s see this month how much those words quoted from him by Jerome flow through in his first letter. A letter to you “My little children, I am writing these to you so that you may not sin.” - 1 John 2:1a Scripture reading: Philippians 1:3-11 Letter writing isn’t one of my great strengths. It’s a real struggle to prepare myself and try to start. There I am, the blank screen or paper before me, trying to think of something to write. And then, when I have a subject to write about, I spend so much time trying to express myself correctly. The apostle John certainly had a subject to write about to the churches - a subject that had been causing much difficulty amongst the brethren. And doesn’t that kind of controversial subject make us even more wary of what we write? In fact, wouldn’t we then rather not write at all? That John does write, shows us the extent of his concern. He put the pen to paper. And he does so in a way which becomes a positive testimony to the faith we have. He doesn’t skip the problem either. His letter is a wonderfully Spirit-inspired balance. That’s what’s so special about Scripture. Another apostle, Paul, in 1st Corinthians 2:3-5, speaks of this as a demonstration of the Spirit and of power so that we don’t rest on the wisdom of men, but in God’s power. Hearing this, wasn’t it a real blessing that the churches were being written to by John? Even today, and in this month ahead, we too are having it personally posted to us. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for His Spirit bringing His Word to us and pray it will truly expose and convict us. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 31 - Time and purpose
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the heaven.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1 Scripture reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 We live in a world of constant motion. We are surrounded by perpetual change. We can’t begin to keep up with it all. It is beyond our comprehension. Against this background, our verse for today declares that there is a time and purpose for everything. Everything happens on time according to a predetermined plan. God is working “all things according to the counsel of His will.” God is going to accomplish all His gracious purposes. The details of God’s plan are totally hidden from us. We cannot begin to understand it all. To us it is unknown. So hidden is God’s plan that the natural man and not a few professing Christians refuse to believe that it exists. But what is hidden from us is known to God. Acts 15:18 affirms, “Known to God from eternity are all His works.” God knows what He is doing and His word declares that it is all good for His people. Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” No matter what you are going through in life right now, it is part of God’s plan and purpose to do you good. Believe it and move forward encouraged. Our times are in His hand (Psalm 31:15). This is all being done to the praise of God’s name. Since this is the Lord’s Day, let us all be sure to join with God’s people to worship and praise Him together. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to open minds and hearts to the truth that He works all things for our good. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 30 - Food
“He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.” - Proverbs 28:19 Scripture reading: Proverbs 28:18-25 We all like to eat. We enjoy our meals and they are the source of our daily energy. Food is necessary to sustain our lives and our Proverb today shows us the way to have plenty of it. The land needs to be tilled. If the land is not tilled it produces thorns and thistles instead of food. So the farmer tills his soil in order to produce food. The principle at work here is that food requires labour. The apostle Paul put it this way in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” So if you want to eat, find yourself a job and the Proverb assures you of plenty. The alternative to work is to slack off, following the vain soul who does no work. This was the path taken by the prodigal son until he would gladly have filled his stomach with pig food and was denied even that. That was enough poverty for him. That was also when he remembered that his father’s workers had enough to eat and some to spare. He would return home and seek to become one of his father’s workers. Your father may not hire workers and you may believe that jobs are hard to find. Meanwhile, employers needing unskilled workers for low paying jobs can’t seem to find them. Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom. Prove yourself a worker and move up from there. May God bless your labours today and feed you well. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help us all to get working and see that we are well fed. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 29 - Bad influences
“Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking.” - Proverbs 24:1,2 Scripture reading: Proverbs 24:1-9 This proverb is concerned about the company we keep and makes its warning very clear. Have no desire for or delight in evil company. It is very dangerous for your faith which is why 2 Corinthians 6:14 inquires, “What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?” For one thing, the hearts of evil people are always planning to pursue some manner of iniquity. They happily turn to violence or any number of violations of God’s law. This is their way of life. In addition their lips talk about the evil that abides in their hearts. They make a habit of talking about troublemaking or the other evils they plan to carry out. They advertise their folly. All of this has a bad influence on believers. In Psalm 73 the psalmist confesses that he was envious when he considered the prosperity of the wicked. He admits he almost slipped and fell from his standing in the faith. 1 Corinthians 15:33 simply tells us, “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Don’t let it happen to you. We can learn from our psalmist friend who almost fell. At that point, he says that he went into “the sanctuary of God.” There the ways of God and His righteousness were brought back to his understanding and he realized God was all he desired. Ever keep the truths of God’s word in your mind and heart. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21). Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help us hide His word in our hearts so that we might not sin against Him. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 28 - Train up a child
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6 Scripture reading: Proverbs 22:6-12 There are only two pathways through this world, God’s way and the devil’s way, otherwise called the narrow way and the broad way. The training your child is given will greatly influence the way he or she takes. What more important task does a parent have? Complicating the task is the truth that we are all born with a sinful nature that inclines the child to take the wrong path. Disobedience will need correction early. May God grant you wisdom to do it in a firm and gentle manner. Homes having a Christian father and mother have a strong influence. How the parents live in the home will be the model conveyed to the child’s developing mind. Blessed is the child that has such parents. Daily family worship not only glorifies God, but profoundly influences the child. My father faithfully leading our family worship, is one of my earliest impressions and memories of Christian faith. No child should be deprived of that blessing. The child must learn the truths of the Christian faith. Reading Bible stories early gets Bible knowledge into the growing and developing mind. The earnest teaching of the Heidelberg Catechism is a marvellous means of training our children. Do not neglect it. And see that they get a Christian education either at home or in a Christian school. May God bless your efforts richly in this vital and important task. And be sure to claim the promise of the proverb by faith. “And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Suggestions for prayer Ask God to bless the training in our homes and root the hearts of our children deeply in Christ. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 27 - A good name
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favour rather than silver and gold.” - Proverbs 22:1, 2 Scripture reading: Proverbs 22:1-5 Our proverb today teaches that a good name is of great worth. Seeking a good name should be a top priority in all our lives. Here are some Biblical directions on how to do it. Seek a good name with God first. We read of both Samuel and Jesus that they increased in favour with God and men (Luke 2:52). The order is important. Seek favour with God before with men. Have faith in God and in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” The renewal of heart and life required comes with faith in Jesus. Keep the ten commandments as a way of giving thanks to God for renewing your heart. This is pleasing to God and works to establish your good name. Commandment breakers never deserve a good name. Last but not least, learn to serve God and others. Psalm 100:2 tells us to, “Serve the LORD with gladness.” Jesus tells us that He “did not come to be served, but to serve.” To be like Jesus we need to serve others. Serving is how Jesus received a good name. Philippians 2:7-9 tells us that Jesus, “taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men… humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death… Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.” Serving God and one another is the way to seek a good name. Suggestions for prayer Ask for humility and readiness to serve God and one another. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 26 - Wine
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” - Proverbs 20:1 Scripture reading: Proverbs 20:1-5 I am writing this devotion in the midst of wine country. There are vineyards and wineries scattered by the dozen throughout the region. It raises the question, what does the Bible say about wine? Psalm 104:14,15 informs us that God causes vegetation to grow and brings forth food and “wine that makes glad the heart of man.” Wine was a significant part of life, honoured by our Lord Jesus when He provided the wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It brings joy to the heart. Wine is a gift of God. At the same time, we must recognize that it is given along with the warning that we find in our proverb. It can easily lead one astray. God has given us minds to control our behaviour and wine can disrupt our thinking so that appetite, lust and passion take over that control. This leads to the bites and stings reported in Proverbs 23:32 as well as the sorrows, contentions, complaints and wounds reported in the same passage. This is why the Scriptures command us not to get drunk. The Bible’s ultimate counsel to us for this problem is found in Ephesians 5:18, “Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” This gives us both God’s prohibition and requirement. Don’t get drunk. Rather be filled with the Spirit who enlightens our minds to control our behaviour according to the Spirit-inspired Scriptures. Thus we avoid the dangers and enjoy God’s blessings. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to fill you with His Spirit so that you can control your life according to His word. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 25 - Friendship
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” - Proverbs 18:24 Scripture reading: Proverbs 18:20-24 Good friends are much desired and greatly appreciated. Our proverb today wisely points out that to have friends we must be friendly. A friendly person is a loving person. Proverbs 17:17 tells us clearly, “A friend loves at all times.” Paul refers to his friends as the “beloved” (Philemon 1). Love leads to many actions and high on the list is giving. “God so loved… that He gave” (John 3:16). Friends give thought, time, encouragement, assistance and service to the beloved. Job tells us, “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend” (Job 6:14). Friends care for one another and will give freely to meet needs in any way they can. Love in action creates the bond of friendship. The surest bond of friendship is the one that unites the family of God. The best friends are one in faith toward Jesus Christ. No one sticks closer as a friend than Jesus Christ Himself. All the time He was with us, He showed Himself friendly by ministering to human needs. Again and again He fed the hungry, healed the sick and brokenhearted, gave sight to the blind, rescued the fearful, pardoned sins, and gave life to the dead. He continues serving us today by sending us His Spirit and pleading our petitions before the face of God. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” At the cross He gave His life for our sins. I recommend Jesus as a friend to you all. Suggestions for prayer Learn to take “everything to God in prayer.” Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 24 - Faithfulness
“Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?” - Proverbs 20:6 Scripture reading: Proverbs 20:6-12 Most of us are inclined to think we are sufficiently good in and of ourselves. We readily proclaim what little goodness we can find in ourselves. It is easy to find people of this persuasion. Finding a faithful person is an entirely different matter. They are scarce among us. Psalm 12:1 declares, “The faithful disappear from among the sons of men.” We find the names of very few identified as faithful in the Bible. Moses and Daniel are two that come to mind. In Daniel 6:4 it is said of him, “They could find no charge or fault because he wasfaithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.” Psalm 101:6 describes the faithful as, “He who walks in a perfect way.” It is true. Really kind, generous and faithful people are hard to find. Gospel grace is required to be faithful. Only hearts renewed by the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus will be inclined to pursue faithfulness. These are the hearts that seek to be faithful to God, faithful in keeping the Sabbath Day, faithful to the truth, faithful to their marriage vows; indeed faithful to all the commandments of God’s word. This is Sunday, the Lord’s Day, and you will find the faithful worshipping God today, as His people assemble in His church for public worship. May God bless today’s worship and worshippers. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God will renew hearts today and be pleased with the worship of His faithful people. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 23 - A brother offended
“A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.” - Proverbs 18:19 Scripture reading: Proverbs 18:14-19 Brothers can be and are too often offended. Scripture records a number of such offences. Think of Cain and Abel, the first brothers born. Think of Joseph and his brothers or the sons of David, Absalom and Amnon. Such family breakdown should not happen and displease God. Of even greater concern is when an offence occurs between brothers in the church where we are called to endeavour “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Such offences easily occur and, as the proverb points out, are hard to fix. What can be done about them? The easiest thing to do is not to let them happen. Be careful to think before you speak or act. Ask, how will what I say or do impact the person to whom I speak or with whom I act. If it could cause offence, don’t say it or do it. Don’t be the cause of offence. Offences do happen and fixing them is not easy, but the effort should be made. Jesus counsels both the offender and the offended to seek the other out to make reconciliation. See Matthew 5:24 and 18:15. Carefully follow the directions given in these verses. Ideally, the sides should meet as they seek one another out. Do it lovingly (John 13:35). Do it gently (Ephesians 4:2). Do it promptly (Ephesians 4:26). May God bless you in all your relationships. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to keep you from causing offence and may He be pleased to bless any efforts made to reach out to offended brothers. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 22 - A merry heart
“A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” - Proverbs 17:22 Scripture reading: Proverbs 17:22-28 The broken spirit of this proverb is a downcast brooding spirit that always looks on the dark side of things, always finds fault, and never finding anything right. Such a mindset is bad for both soul and body and when prolonged “dries the bones.” No Christian should exercise such a mindset. It is far better to exercise a merry heart which can act as a medicine for both the soul and body. Indeed who has better reason to exercise a merry or cheerful heart than the Christian? When we come in repentance and faith to Jesus, He says to us, “Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you” (Matthew 9:2). It is a command of our Lord we need to give more attention. Other scriptures give us even more reason for merriment and cheerfulness. We don’t have a worry in the world because we cast all our cares upon God Who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Beyond that, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). And “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). The Bible gives us good reason to, “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). This proverb reminds me of my rancher friend in Manitoba. He always had a smile on his face, attended every church activity, and when our youth arranged a camping weekend, he would load his trailer with horses and go along so they could go horseback riding. The world needs more Christians like him. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to fill more hearts with joy that will act as a medicine for all. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 21 - Lots and lotteries
“The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.” - Proverbs 16:33 Scripture reading: Proverbs 16:27-33 Lots in the Bible are a means of making decisions and the Proverb tells us the decision of the lot was determined by the Lord. The land of Israel was divided among the people by lot. It was a lot that exposed Jonah as a fugitive from God. The last lot mentioned in the Bible concerned the choice of Matthias as the replacement for Judas. After the Spirit was poured out, the church used the enlightenment of the Spirit in making decisions. We might use a lot today to determine who gets the last cookie in the jar, but the lot has been set aside for serious direction. What is common today is the use of lotteries. In my youth lotteries were illegal in this country and while the Bible makes no mention of them, there is good reason for avoiding them. Advertising and promoting them is very misleading. They are poor stewardship and the idea of my riches at your expense is definitely not Biblical. God wants you to earn your way through life. There is one other lot in the Bible that I would mention. Deuteronomy 32:9 appears in the KJV as, “For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.” In other words, God chooses His people by His own determined lot. The same can be said of the church. Has He chosen you? The only way to find out is by you casting your lot for Him. Give Him your heart and prove you belong to Him. Suggestions for prayer Ask that God by His word and Spirit direct your faith to Christ, confirming that you belong to Him. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 20 - Pride
“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” - Proverbs 16:18 Scripture reading: Proverbs 16:18-24 Pride has brought trouble our way since the dawn of creation. It was the serpent’s suggestion that we would be like God, that puffed us up and led to our fall into sin. There are multitudes that have since followed the way of pride. One of the more noted examples in Scripture is Nebuchadnezzar, who prided himself as the world leader of his time, only to fall and be reduced to eating grass like the oxen, until he acknowledged God as sovereign. Scripture warns us repeatedly concerning the sin of pride. Don’t follow the way of destruction. We are told in our reading for today, “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly.” Follow after humility rather than pride. There is no better example given than Jesus, “Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation… coming in the likeness of men… He humbled Himself” (Philippians 2:6,7,8). Our challenge is to be more like Jesus. Paul gives us good counsel in Romans 12:3, “I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” We are all God’s lowly creatures and we should never forget it. Jesus encourages us in the right direction in Matthew 23:12. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted,” Suggestions for prayer Pray that God will humble us all so that we might be better witnesses of Jesus. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 19 - Many counsellors
“Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” - Proverbs 15:22 Scripture reading: Proverbs 15:20-26 So you don’t think you need anybody’s advice. You can work things out all by yourself. Don’t be so sure. You may be young and confident you can do it, or you may be older and of the same opinion; but our proverb warns you, “Without counsel, plans go awry.” They fail. We are all sinners and this clouds our thinking. Our minds are not as sharp as they should be. It is better to get all the advice you can. The first place to get advice is from the Lord Himself. He is the Wonderful Counsellor (Isaiah 9:6). He has also given us another Counsellor in the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). Their counsel is preserved for us in the Bible (Psalm 119:24). Always follow the counsel of the Bible as closely as you can. But the proverb speaks of a multitude of counsellors and we do well to consider others. Proverbs recommends listening to your parents (Proverbs 23:22). That is always wise. Job tells us, “Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding.” You can turn in that direction for advice. The pastor and elders of your church should always be ready to give the help you need. Good friends who have proved themselves can be another source. Multiple counsellors should not be hard to find. Follow good counsel and your plans too can be established. The Psalmist followed good counsel and wrote, “You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24). Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord for the counsel you need and trust Him to receive you to glory. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
Daily devotional
July 18 - A backslider and a good man
“The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.” - Proverbs 14:14 Scripture reading: Proverbs 14:14-21 A backslider turns back from following Christ. He does not guard his heart. He yields to a single temptation, but that step fails to satisfy. He then yields to another, then another until his heart grows cold towards the Lord and he loses the ability to resist what is wrong (Matthew 24:12). He ends up, as our Proverb points out, “full of his own ways.” His conscience is guilty and takes away his peace. His heart is dissatisfied. and never has enough. He is left to his own misery. Paul found Demas to be a backslider and reports, “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.” By way of contrast, “a good man will be satisfied from above.” He is a believer in Jesus Christ and his heart is renewed by the Holy Spirit (John 3:8). He loves God (1 John 4:19) and serves Him by keeping His commandments (1 John 3:22). He has the joy of the Lord in his heart (John 15:11). He is satisfied. At the same time he joins Paul who said, “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13,14). He is looking forward to glory. I trust today you are trusting in Christ and pressing on. If not, the counsel of Malachi 3:7 affirms, “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the LORD of hosts. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to restore backsliders and keep His people moving forward. Rev. James Reaves served his last congregation, Grace Reformed Church (URCNA), in Kelowna, BC. He retired in 2014 after fifty years of ordained ministry. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
