Category: Devotions

Lent day 12: Who is Nathan?

3 v 31 “the son of Nathan”

His name means ‘gift’ and that would indicate he was special wouldn’t it?

I wonder how special Nathan felt being from such a large family?

Taking 1 Chronicles 3: 1-9 and then adding the daughter, Tamar and of course the son that died 7 days after his birth plus the children born from David’s concubines then we can definitely say Nathan is one of 20 children from David plus many others!

Let’s see what the Chronicler writes: “David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, and these were the children born to him there: Shammua,^] Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel” v 4-6.

Nathan, ‘the gift’ was born amongst many others and his parents had that horrible story which contained adultery, deception and what amounted to murder!

On top of all this, Nathan, ‘the gift’, wasn’t chosen to succeed his father David, it was another brother, Solomon, not even a step-brother, but the one younger than him who was chosen. Seemingly, Nathan wasn’t qualified, experienced or perhaps ‘gifted’ enough to build the Temple and lead the kingdom.

I wonder how special Nathan felt he was. I wonder if he believed he was indeed a gift?

There are many who have similar situations to Nathan’s in their family.

Some have similar work situations of feeling overlooked.

Or personally, their friends all seem to have what they want but not for this person, they struggle to find their place, their purpose in life. Who am I here for?

Here is our Lentern memorisation verse and I will explain why I include it:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”

When God first promised salvation there were only 2 people in the Biblical story, Adam and Eve. That could have been you. You could have been 1 of 2 people in the garden of Eden and you would have done exactly what they did and God would have said exactly the same thing: He would crush Satan’s head (speaking of Christ’s victory on the cross).

So you may belong to a crowd and feeling the least, the last and the lost and yet God favours you, sees you as the first and has found you! (That’ll preach!)

So say this over your life, “I am more than what I think, I have been bought by a price and that price was Christ alone.”

 

You are not in competition with anyone else, there is none. You are worth far more than the circumstances around you. You are indeed a gift. I wonder if Nathan knew this?

Lent day 11: Who is Mattatha?

3 v 30   “the son of Mattatha”

We have met a few variants of this name already, this is the 6^th one. The name means ‘gift of Yahweh’.

God is still giving gifts today.

1. Salvation

The greatest gift is eternal life.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. Spiritual gifts are given, (you are born with natural gifts or they are learnt).

 

1. We can be used to give gifts of God to strengthen the Church.

Romans 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong

1. God doesn’t take back the gifts He gives.

Romans 11:29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.

1. There are different gifts given by God

Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith.

1. We can be blind to what is available to us.

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.

1. We don’t all have the same gifts

1 Corinthians 12:30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

1. Gifts to be used for people are not as important as loving people

1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

1. Desiring gifts is good.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

1. We need to improve in the use of our gifts that strengthen the Church.

1 Corinthians 14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

1. We must not stop using our gifts.

1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

 

3. Silver

We need to be generous with gifts of money.

2 Corinthians 9:5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

 

Those 3 entities, Salvation, Spiritual gifts and Silver cover Mattatha. Salvation is a gift given by God and is available for everyone for their eternity. Spiritual gifts are given for the edification of the individual and mainly for the Church. Silver are gifts we give to demonstrate Mattatha.

Lent day 10

3 v 31 “the son of Menna”

His name is also spelt Menan according to the RSV and it means comforting or consoling.

We wake today to the news of ‘Deadly mass shootings in mosques of New Zealand’. Our prayers are for the families that “…the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort …” may be with them today. (2 Corinthians 1)

We know this verse I am sure: “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever” It is the Amplified version of John 14:6.

Isn’t it wonderful to see the understanding of the role of comforting the Holy Spirit plays in our lives?!

When you are at your lowest and no one is there, He is.

Some lessons about being comforted:

1. You must receive comfort into your life. Unlike Rachel who refused because of her deep loss (Matthew 2:18).
2. The kingdom, the rule and influence of God belongs to those who mourn or as the Message puts it ‘when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you’ it is then that God ‘becomes most dear to you’ (Matthew 5).
3. Be careful who you allow to comfort you because some are more strokers of dead things than raisers of hope (John 11:19).
4. Trust opens the door to comfort (John 14).
5. Comfort is a new sound that is needed through the Church to the community (1 Corinthians 14:3)
6. Turning up is sometimes enough (2 Corinthians 7:6).

When Harry Lauder, the great Scottish comedian, received word that his son had been killed in France, he said, “In a time like this, there are three courses open to man: He may give way to despair and become bitter. He may endeavour to drown his sorrow in drink or in a life of wickedness. Or he may turn to God.”

If your heart is broken today, if you are feeling overwhelmed beyond measure then here He is, Jesus, sending the comforter, the Advocate.

Menna is yours today.

 

Lent day 9 Who is Melea?

3 v 31 “the son of Melea”

It means supplying or supplied.

The Lentern memorisation verse is 2 Corinthians 9:10 “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”

Some days call for big, loud and bold statements of faith.
Melea!!
God can build me up
He can bring me back from a distant place
He can heal my broken heart
He can bind up my wounds

Melea
He can understand all my complexities
He can sustain me
He can cover me
He can supply my every need

Melea
He can make me grow
He can provide for me
He can strengthen me
He can bless me

Melea
He can give me peace
He can satisfy me
He can command me
God can do all these things for me!

Melea!

My supplier!

Lent Day 8: Who is Eliakim?

Luke 3: 30 “the son of Eliakim”

His name means ‘whom God will raise up’.

Here is a Lentern passage to memorise:

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1: 18-21

We are people who believe that ‘all things work together for good to them who love him and are called according to his purpose.’ (Rom 8:28). We are people who believe that what man ‘intended for harm, God intended for good’ (Gen 50:20)

We may journey for a period of time in joyful release or painful struggle, yet we know we always arrive on a certain day where it may start out in desperation but it will end revealing a God whose best work is reserved for the day of Satan’s worst.

The same power that God exerted towards Jesus.

The same power that raised Jesus.

The same power that seated Jesus far above all any other.

The very same power can be known by us.

Whatever around you that looks like it is over, it isn’t.

We will never be in a moment when it is over even if it looks like it is so.

Why? Because of Eliakim!

God is still at work. Behind the scenes, away from you and the situation … God! So don’t give up, hang in there, it is God who gives life and ends life. It is God who says when it is over, no one else. God never finishes He raises!

Lent Day 7: Who is Jonam?

Luke 3: 30 “the son of Jonam”

Nothing is known about Jonam except his name means gift or grace of God.

Have you noticed how angry and hateful the world is becoming?

Here is today’s Lentern verses: “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”  John 1: 16-17

Grace covers identity: Grace exposes the dark side of our lives, it is for Judas and Peter to say “yes I did that” but one of them could not accept that they had done such a thing and made things worse; the other accepted it and found their identity in grace. To live by grace means you are not denying or trying to forget the dark side of your life, but by allowing grace to expose it you find who you really are.

Grace opposes self-pity: Not that we end up depressed and whipping ourselves in a frenzy of guilt and shame over our sinful lives. Self-pity will never motivate you. Self-pity will not move you to grace any more than the victories, visions, successes and miracles will. Self-pity will keep you locked in failure, away from your home. Grace calls you to keep coming back to Jesus, let Jesus bind up the wounds, don’t let your self do it.

Grace is honesty: An honesty that says we keep breaking the rules. An honesty that says “I am cautious to say God told me … Because I could be wrong.” An honesty that displays character and silences the tongue. An honesty that says I may never be the person I want or should be but God loves me now as I am.

You can have the Law of Moses or the Grace of Jesus Christ. The measure you use will be measured to you.

Grace is for those who have offended you. Grace is to reach out to your enemy as if they were your friend. Grace offends your friends because they don’t like your enemy receiving from you what is not rightfully theirs. But grace turns the tables on all that and sees through the eyes of the mission of Jesus. Filtered through those eyes gives a whole different perspective.

The Rwandan genocide in 1994 only lasted 100 days. But during that time 800,000 citizens were brutalised and murdered by their own neighbours.  Though Hutu and Tutsi tribes are the same ethnic group, share the same language, lived and worked together, shared the same religion (mainly catholic), Tutsis and supportive Hutus were slaughtered by people they had co-existed peacefully with for generations. Even from school age Tutsis became dehumanised. They were called snakes and cockroaches. The killings were horrific and sadistic. Here is a story of a mother whose son was killed in that genocide. The woman had nursed bitterness, grievance and thoughts of vengeance; she just wanted to find her son’s killer and bring due punishment. But one night she had a dream and in the dream she was going down the street and saw a house and she knew it was a house of her enemy. And she heard God say, “Go into the house”.  She said “I don’t want to go into the house” She went into the house and God led her through many rooms and then up the stairs. And He said “I want you to go up the stairs” She said “I don’t want to go any further in this house” “I want you to go up the stairs” She went up the stairs, opened the door at the top, and found it led into heaven. And she had a revelation. That the path to heaven goes through the house of her enemy. Two days later there was a knock on her door. A young man is standing there at the door and he is shaking.

He says to her, “I am the man who killed your son. I place my life in your hands, whatever you want to do with me, I accept it. I have had no peace since I did what I did. And I will accept whatever. If you want to kill me, you can kill me. If you want to turn me in to the authorities turn me into the authorities. Whatever you want, my life is in your hands. And because she had a revelation from God, she said “I will not do any of this. But I do have one request. You must now become my son.”  She took him in and fed him at the table where she fed her son. He’s the same size so he wore his clothes. He actually moved in and became a son to her, because heaven passes through the house of her enemy.

Who is your enemy? Who is the person that hurt you? Would you believe that heaven goes through their house? The reality is that you cannot love that person unless God does something in you first. What God does is Jonam, it is grace upon grace, the gift of God.

Do you need more grace today?

Lent Day 6: Who is Joseph (again)?

Luke 3: 30 “the son of Joseph”

I recently saw a picture on social media of a church worshipping in a building in Africa. There were 15 people in the picture and the title said “We are possessing the nation”. I checked the population of that nation and it is 29 million. I marvelled at their faith and I realised that they needed God to add His presence for them to possess their hearts desire.

We already know that Joseph’s name means ‘may God add’ and we are served a reminder today that we continually need the added presence of God.

The fable of the elephant and the mouse helps. The mouse crossed the bridge over a deep ravine with an elephant. As they crossed over the bridge shook. When they reached the other side, the mouse said to the elephant, “Boy, we really shook that bridge, didn’t we?”

As followers of Jesus journeying through this Lent period let us be reminded of what He promised us:

Jesus will add rest to those who are weary from carrying burdens, Matthew 11: 28-30.

Jesus will add understanding to a time of darkness when you cannot see what to do, John 8:12.

Jesus will add resurrection to whatever appears to be dying, John 11:25.

Jesus will add provision for our needs whilst we put Him first, Matthew 6:33.

Jesus will add the ability to produce, John 15:5.

Jesus will add His presence as we go, Matthew 28:20.

Jesus will add peace, John 14: 27-28.

Let’s shout out JOSEPH today, MAY GOD ADD.

May He add rest, understanding, resurrection, provision, ability, presence and His peace to our lives!

May these be days of increase because of all God will do!

So we pray:

Add blessing so my influence is enlarged, 1 Chronicles 4:10.

Add protection so that my enemies are driven from my influence, Exodus 34:24.

Add the power of increase to the harvest, 2 Corinthians 9:10.

And as He does then maybe we will shake that bridge and possess our nation!

Lent Day 5: Who is Judah?

Luke 3: 30 “the son of Judah”

The name in Hebrew is Yadah and it means ‘God/Yahweh be praised.’

Alongside ‘to praise’ it also means ‘to revere or worship with extended hands’ or ‘to give thanks’.

Judah is the key to changing your environment.

Judah is what attracts the presence of God to us.

Judah is the pathway on which God will lead us through even immense difficulty.

No one knows who this Judah actually was, there is another one coming up later in the genealogy and that is the most popular one. But wherever this man went praise to God was sounding out in every situation. It would be very hard to be defeated, afraid, silent, grumbling or worse with a name like Judah!

In the last few days of Lent we will have thoughts about Jesus’ last meal, the Passover, with his disciples. Let us remind ourselves now that during that meal Jesus sang. He and his disciples sang a hymn (Mark 14:26). Traditionally during the Passover meal the Hallel would be sung, it was the whole of the Psalms 113-118, praise to God for his salvation from Egypt and He being the eternal Saviour.

So, hours before Jesus’ most dreadful and terrifying moment, the crucifixion and death, he sings!

Yesterday my friend in Pakistan told 150 Pastors and leaders that persecution was not an enemy but a friend because of what it produced. It was a powerful presentation. How do the saints walk through such death? It is praise. It always has been.

John Huss, 1369-1415, a Czech theologian, was burned at the stake after having the crown of his head shaven with shears because he held to the Bible as the final authority and not the Church. As the fire was burning him he sang in a loud voice, “Jesus Christ! The Son of the Living God! Have mercy upon me!” There are countless stories like this.

The blessing of praise is this:

“Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies” Genesis 49:8

“May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them— this is the glory of all his faithful people.” Psalm 149:6-8

We don’t fight flesh and blood but principalities …

Every time we praise we are declaring to the spiritual powers that our hands are on the neck of an already defeated enemy. That because of Jesus’ victory on the cross where satan was stripped of power and authority over us then I will praise my God and squeeze some more victory out of you that is rightfully mine.

If you haven’t already noticed there is a father of lies who is against you, trying to steal, kill and destroy you and JUDAH is your greatest defence.

Those who don’t understand JUDAH are in fear of what the enemy can do as a “roaring lion prowling around looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). But there is another LION, a far greater LION and people who JUDAH live in trust of the LION of the TRIBE OF JUDAH! (Revelation 5:8).

The Lion of the tribe of Praise has defeated and won every battle. We are called to press in and clear up and take back what belongs to us. JUDAH!

Lent Day 4: Who is Simeon?

Luke 3 “the son of Simeon”

His name means, ’God has heard.’

An old man goes to the doctor. He complains that his wife can’t hear.
“You need to test your wife. Stand far behind her and ask her a question. Then, start going closer to her. You will see how close you’ll get when she hears you.”
The old man is happy that he can help his wife. He runs home. He sees that his wife is making dinner.
“Honey!” the man says standing 20 feet away.
“What are we having for dinner?” he asks.
The wife doesn’t reply. The man tries again. He stands 15 feet away, but there is no answer.  He stands 10 feet away and asks again. No answer.
Finally, he is 5 feet away, “Honey, what are we having for dinner?”
“I’ve told you four times! Lasagne!”

We all want to be heard and at times we all struggle to hear. But does God hear? Does God struggle?

Today Simeon calls to us: God does hear!

With us journeying through the Lenten season, I am purposely changing the application of these names so that we focus on Jesus. Here is a great verse to memorise:

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Hebrews 5:7

Did Jesus live a life of prayer? YES.

Did Jesus struggle in the place of prayer? YES.

Did Jesus become emotional in prayer? YES.

Was Jesus asking to be saved from death? YES.

Did the Father hear Jesus? YES.

Was Jesus saved from death? NO.

So does prayer work? YES.

The answer is the gospel. Timothy Keller in his great book on Prayer says, “God will answer us when we call because one terrible day he did not answer Jesus when he called … Jesus’ prayers were given the rejection that we sinners merit so that our prayers could have the reception that he merits … Jesus got the scorpion and the snake so that we could have food at the Father’s table.” (Luke 11:11-12)

Can you see this incredible gospel?

God heard but He didn’t answer because He had a higher plan and purpose for us.

God hears you today.

Don’t stop praying.

Keep struggling in prayer.

Learn tears.

Make your petitions clear.

The answer may be YES and the answer may be NO but you will be answered.

God hears you today: Simeon.

Lent Day 3: Who is this Levi?

Luke 3: 29 “the son of Levi”

Our second Levi in this genealogy of Jesus. Each of these men had a son named Matthat.

We have already discovered that Levi means ‘to join’.

With us journeying through the Lenten season, I am purposely changing the application of these names so that we focus on Jesus. Here is a great verse to memorise:

But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17

We are joined with Jesus in His death and resurrection. His death is our death and we stand in His resurrection with the same power of the Spirit. That last sentence is worth meditating on.

The early Church understood this. It was their foundational belief that they were joined with Christ, one with Him. Look what Paul says:

We are sanctified in Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:2.

We are in Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:30.

We are called into fellowship with the Son Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:9.

We are a new creation in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

We have been made alive with Christ, Ephesians 2:5.

We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, Ephesians 2:6.

We are found in Christ with a righteousness that is not ours but from God, Philippians 3:9.

Your discipleship is not following a set of religious rules and doctrines, it is not developing knowledge and it is more than trying to be like Jesus. It is to be a Levi!

Discipleship is union with Christ Jesus where we are truly joined together to the crucified, resurrected person of Christ incarnated into the world we live in.

There isn’t anything more important than this!

Pause for a moment right now. Breathe in once again this profound truth. He is in you! You are joined with Him! And because of this joining:

1 Corinthians 1:30 “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”

The Message says, “That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.”

How good is that?!! Thank God for Levi!