Rev. Luke Powell Daily Devotions

One birthmark that new Christians get is faith. But it's more than just a belief in truth... it goes much deeper!

John Wesley famously preached "The Marks of The New Birth" in 1748. When we are born again as Christians, we get some 'birthmarks' - faith, hope and love. Is your life in Christ marked by these things?

We can be as fierce as can be, but without love it is pointless! Let's love fiercely today and every day, always striving to love God and others.

Paul tells us to be strong - but we all have our weak days. The good news is that even when we are physically or emotionally weak, God's Spirit is available, and he never gets weak! Be strong be relying on Him today.

Deep in each human spirit is a longing to live a courageous, fear-free life. Not a thoughtless life, but fearless in the face of persecution, and fearless in the sharing of our faith. Will you be courageous today?

Paul, and Moses, and Jesus tell their people to stand firm in the face of persecution and trouble. In other words, be fierce in your faith!

Paul encourages the Corinthians to a fierce faith - being on their guard against the wrong teachings and the wrong behaviours. Here Paul echoes Jesus' own warnings. Are you ready for whatever life throws at you?! Remember to be fierce and committed today.

Jesus closes this great prayer asking God for protection. When you pray "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil", remember to wear your armour of God and walk in His strength. With Him at your side, the devil's arrows will bounce off you.

Every day we should confess our sins and ask for mercy... and bring our own resentments and broken relationships to God too, to find the strength to offer them the same forgiveness God offers us.

If you find you don't need to pray "give us this day our daily bread" for God to provide your next meal, then use this line in the Lord's prayer to thank Him for the blessings you have.

Jesus teaches us to pray for God's purposes - for His kingdom to come (and for us to be agents in bringing it), and for His will to be done (putting our trust in Him). Don't just recite this line... pray through it!

The Lord's prayer opens with praise. Do your prayers ring out with God's praise and worship?

While it's important to confront God in prayer, let us not forget to seek a way forwards. Wallowing in our anger only gives the devil a foothold... but coming to God for a way out of our anger leads to healing.

Sometimes it's ok to yell at God. When you need to confront Him, don't try be polite and use churchy language, just speak from the heart.

Pent-up anger has all sorts of bad consequences. But letting your anger out - even if it's anger with God - is cathartic and helpful. Don't withdraw.. confront in faith! And find healing.

Confronting God is better than ignoring God. Don't give Him the silent treatment... come to Him in faith, even in your anger.

If Abraham, Moses, Job, David and even Jesus could confront God in prayer... so can you.

Dan Schutte wrote this classic song for a friend who was about to be ordained a deacon. Listen to his own words about this song here:

God is calling each one of us to something for him - and whether it's to go to the ends of the earth to preach the Word, or to simply witness to the people around you today, that call is real. Will you go where he sends? Will you hold his people in your heart? Don't just sing it... do it.

Verse 3 of Dan Schutte's song reminds us that the God of wind and flame cares enough to provide a feast for his children - a feast to satisfy each heart. Jesus is the Bread of life - all we have to do is come to him and let him fill our hearts, and satisfaction awaits!

Dan Schutte's song tells us that there is a God who not only sends snow and rain on the earth, but who bears our pain and weeps for love of his children. Is your heart set like stone against Him? Come to Him today and let Him break the walls down and fill your heart with love alone.

Dan Schutte wrote a classic worship song in 1981 which we still love singing! Today, take heart that the God of sea and sky still hears his people cry and gives us light in our darkness.

Wilberforce spent his whole life fighting for the abolition of the slave trade, persevering through much abuse and taunts with great patience. He didn't let anything get in the way, and right near the end of his life, victory came. What do you need to persevere through today? Take courage and hold on, and God will see that your efforts won't be wasted!

Wilberforce's great passion in life was to end the slave trade - to relieve the distresses of those treated as less than human, and give them the respect and dignity they deserved. And yet 200 years later, we still have our divisions. Let's remember today that each human being is a precious child of God - and abolish any divisive notions in our own hearts.

The defining characteristic of Wilberforce - as it should be for any Christian - was his love. His life was "given up to the service of people". Let's not just have a cold, abstract belief in God, but give our lives up to serve others.