Food for the Journey Keswick Devotionals – serie

Join Michael Baughen in this undated 30-day devotional on 2 Timothy as he focuses on Paul's final words.Paul is in prison, near to death, dictating this letter to Luke for his young friend Timothy. As he sits chained to a Roman soldier, Paul's passion for the gospel shines out. He uses his farewell message to urge Timothy to maintain his focus on the basics of the faith.This intensely personal letter allows us to hear Paul's last words and ask ourselves about the legacy that we will one day leave to others. We learn day by day how we can benefit from the lessons to Timothy.

A 30-day devotional based on 1 Thessalonians by Alec Motyer and from Keswick Ministries.'Keep on keeping on' is surely a message that's as relevant today as when it was first written. Paul visited Thessalonica on his second mission trip, along with companions Silas and Timothy. Unfortunately, his time was cut short after only four or five weeks. He was hounded out of the city. But amazingly, even by this time a fledgling church had formed!Paul writes to the new believers in order to fill in details and explain misunderstandings about the second coming. He urges them to live well in community and gives further instructions about godly living.He's encouraging them to press on in holiness in spite of opposition: 'Keep on keeping on.'

Troubled. Confused. Uncertain. After 3 years with Jesus there was so much the disciples didn't understand.They were still reeling from the news that someone in their inner circle would betray the Lord. Worse still, Jesus predicted that their fiery and courageous friend Peter would deny him, and that his death was imminent. It seemed unthinkable.What would Jesus say to them? What comfort could he possibly offer?Reclining around the meal table, Jesus answered questions, taught and prayed for his disciples. In this final tutorial, he wanted to remind them of his love and faithfulness. Regardless of what was to come and how things looked, he was in complete control, and events would indeed unfold according to his sovereign plan.

As leader of the Jerusalem church, what words of encouragement would James write to these persecuted Christians?Perhaps a little surprisingly, his key message was: faith works. Genuine belief inevitably transforms our speech, suffering, compassion for the poor, humility, prayers, priorities, and, frankly, every other aspect of life. In 5 chapters James introduces and briefly touches upon a whole variety of issues that concern the new believers. In a simple, forthright style he urges them to live out their faith, knowing that God's grace is sufficient for every trial and that there is a value and purpose to their suffering.James' own life illustrated this message. He had grown up with Jesus and was naturally sceptical about his brother's Messianic claims. But a post-resurrection encounter with Jesus revolutionised his life. He was transformed from a vocal critic into a key leader of the early church and prime mover in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).

In the midst of bad news, can there be any hope?The story of Ruth takes place when the Israelites are living in the Promised Land. But instead of obeying God, they are rebelling against his rule. When they cry for deliverance, God sends them a judge. The judge dies, and the people become even more corrupt than their ancestors. Brutality and immorality abound.We focus on an ordinary woman called Naomi and her family. We witness her joys and sorrows, but more importantly, God's amazing providence in her situation.The book of Ruth is written into a whirl of social, religious and moral chaos. It is a reminder that there is hope, that a remnant of true faith remains and that God continues to work in the lives of ordinary people.The book points forward to King David who would lead the people wisely. But ultimately it points to Jesus, the great Son of David - the hope of nations, the light of the world and the prince of peace.Part of the Food for the Journey series offering daily devotionals from well-loved Bible teachers at the Keswick Convention in an ideal pocket-sized format – to accompany you wherever you go.

Ezekiel ben Buzi would never forget his 30th birthday.He had been trained as a priest and brought up to believe that at 30 his life's work would begin. For years he had anticipated this moment when he would be ordained and eligible to serve in the temple.But instead of being in Jerusalem, he was a captive in Babylon. Instead of being a priest, he was called by God to be a prophet. Instead of serving in the temple, he was surrounded by a plethora of pagan gods.But on his 30th birthday, he received a vision from God... This timely vision confronted the Jews with their sinfulness and the need for divine judgement. It reminded them of God's sovereignty and the promise of future restoration.In this 30-day undated devotional Liam Goligher shows us that our lives, like Ezekiel's, may have turned out differently from how we expected. Can we keep on serving God in turbulent times, trusting his sovereignty and striving for holiness with the Holy Spirit's help and power?

'Insightful, pastoral, warm and encouraging. Charles has a gift for mining the gold and making it glitter.'Martin Salter, Associate Pastor, Grace Community Church, BedfordHebrews was written to address some of the fundamental misunderstandings that the Jewish people had about Jesus.This (unknown) author is correcting their ignorance of who Jesus was, and explaining how he completes and fulfils Israel's history, law, ceremonial rituals and priesthood.And this is highly relevant today. We too can have a wrong understanding of Jesus and his work. We may do things in his name but have become detached from him. We are invited to 'fix our eyes on Jesus'. He is the ultimate and final expression of truth. He is absolutely central in our Christian lives.

Who is in control?The sustained threat from rogue states, international terrorism, religious extremists, and moral confusion arising from liberal views of all kinds begs the question: what is happening to our world?Is no-one in control? This is a deep vulnerability that many people express. And not simply in global events. Our own personal world often seems out of control as we reel from suffering, family tragedies and unanswered prayers.The prophet Habakkuk knew that God was in control but, like us, his personal experience seemed to contradict this and he wrestled with the tension.This book is a dialogue between the prophet and God. Habakkuk confronts God with his confusion and, in doing so, he expresses the voice of the godly in Judah and he speaks for us. We join in the journey from 'why?' to worship.

Does the church have a future?Across the generations troubled Christians have often asked this question.Even as early as the end of the first century the future of the church hung in the balance. False teaching, internal division and persecution were rife. Emperor Domitian had exiled the apostle John, probably in his 90s, on the island of Patmos. You can imagine John, pacing up and down the island at night, looking across the sea to the cities on the shore, wondering, `Does the church have a future?'Into this situation the Lord comes and makes these glorious revelations. He gives John this vision and tells him to write to the seven churches of Asia Minor, in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, in what is now called Turkey.To each of these churches Jesus says, `I know... I know your hopes and dreams, your faults and failings, your joys and sorrows, your temptations and frustrations.' Jesus knew each church, and so he could speak wisely and truthfully into each circumstance. He said some hard things to shake the believers out of their apathy. He also spoke words of comfort. The letter ends by pointing the believers to heaven, a reminder that despite their present struggles, ultimately they are on the victory side.Today the church still faces internal division, opposition and persecution. It is understandable that some believers ask, `Does the church have a future?'The answer is the same as it always has been.Absolutely.

Putting Jesus in his place. This was the issue with which the church at Colossae wrestled.There was a plethora of other gods and spiritual beings to worship. The city was rife with syncretism, the belief that you can worship Jesus but need too supplement your faith by turning to other powers and authorities. If you got sick or wanted your business to flourish, surely it was expedient to pay allegiance to these other powers and not just Jesus?In Colossae Jesus was eminent. He had status. The fundamental question was: Is he pre-eminent? Jesus was important, just not all-important; adequate but not totally sufficient for every need.Writing from a prison cell in Rome, Paul warns these new believers of the danger of turning to another Jesus. If they failed to heed his warning, their faith would unravel.This letter has much to say to Christians today. It will provide challenge, inspiration and a renewed focus to keep on living for Christ in our generation.