Category: Faith & life

A trustworthy saying

September 13, 2025

1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT – This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”-and I am the worst of them all. [16] But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

In these verses Paul summarises the Good News – Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and no sinner is beyond His saving power.

Jesus didn’t come in to the world to show us how to live better lives or challenge us to be better people. He came to offer us salvation that leads to eternal life.

Jesus tells us in Luke 5:31-32, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor-sick people do. [32] I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Paul understood this and humbly admits that he too was a sinner who also needed to be saved. Paul knew who he was before he met Jesus and he did not shy away from his past. He used it to bring glory to God and people to Christ.

As Christians I think we need to be honest about our past when sharing our faith. There are times when I have shared my past life with people who did not think God would accept them.

The key for us is to realise that none of us are good enough to make it to heaven on our own. We all need Jesus and His death on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Only then are we good enough and ready for eternal life.

It is my hope and prayer that like Paul you have realised your need for Jesus and have found salvation in Him. If you have not found Jesus, I would encourage you to visit my “Find salvation” page here.

Listening to God

September 11, 2025

In my morning devotions I have four sections in my notebook – things I am thankful for, prayers for me, prayers for others, and listen to God.

I have been doing this format on and off since the year 2000. I first heard about it at a youth conference we ran at our church. I found it a simple format and something that fit well with my devotions.

The last section is listen to God. I simply say, “God is there anything You want to say to me?” And I sit quietly and wait. Usually I get an impression on my heart about something or a thought pops in to my mind.

The responses vary from a passage of Scripture, to a word of encouragement for me, or to something I need to do or someone to pray for.

God knows my heart really well and He often speaks a word of encouragement to me. Lately it has started with, “I am with you Dave,…”. This has been really comforting over the last three months.

So how do I know if it is God, or me or something else? Well I sit and wait and I test it. This morning was easy as it was a paraphrase of Psalm 23. Other times I just pray, “Is this You Lord?” And I do not write it down until I have a peace about the word.

For me it took time and practice to know if it was God. It was like tuning in to a radio station, when you tune in to the right frequency it is easy to hear.

I believe as Christians we have the Holy Spirit inside us (Romas 8:11) and Jesus’s words that His sheep know His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-28). So when I ask God to speak, I am confident He will.

If you would to read a post I did about my devotional format, you can find it here.

Curious about?

September 8, 2025

What are you curious about?

This is a good question today. What am I curious about? Lately I have been curious about ageing well in the next phase of life.

I have noticed as I get older my body and mind need more rest between bigger efforts. I have found in the gym, I need more days to recover between workouts. The same goes big efforts mentally.

I built a website for our church in the last few weeks. Years ago when I worked as a webmaster I would build huge websites and intranets and it would not take much out of me, but these days it requires more rest afterwards.

So I am curious about work, rest, recovery and ageing well and how that all works in the next phase of life.

Do not worry

September 7, 2025

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Worry is not a very productive pastime. It is like riding an exercise bike, it gives us something to do, but we don’t go anywhere. God tells us not to worry about anything at all. He asks us to bring our concerns to Him in prayer. As today’s verse says, “Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done”.

Prayer
Lord, when I am faced with issues that would cause me to worry, I pray I will look to You instead. Help me to bring all of my requests to You and trust You for the outcome. Amen

I have and I will

August 30, 2025

I was just reading Psalm 119 now and a few verses jumped out at me. Verses 12-16 says…

Psalm 119:12-16 NLT
[12] I praise you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. [13] I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. [14] I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. [15] I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. [16] I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.

As I read and reflected two things jumped out at me – a past statement and a future promise.

  1. I have is the past statement. The author prayerfully reminds God that he has recited in God’s laws and has rejoiced in them.
  2. I will is the future promise. I will study Your commandments and I will rejoice in Your decrees and not forget Your Word.

In my own life I can relate to this. I have read and studied the Bible in a formal setting of Bible college and also meditated on it in the privacy of my home.

The I will future promise inspires me to make the same commitment to God’s Word. I need to continue on in His Word. I cannot rest on old learning, but must stay fresh in His Word.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

God’s Word is alive and active. I need to be alive and active in it too. I need to remind God of my past meditations and make a promise to continue on reading and reflecting on His Word going forward.

I have and I will be in His Word.