Haderekh Messianic Devotional

‘…imitate their faith…’ Hebrews 13:7 NIV Someone once said that “people tend to put on the image of the person or ‘being’ they behold and worship.” Generally, people tend to pick up the traits of those who have a strong influence on them, regardless of whether it is in a positive or negative way. If someone you admire happens to have many positive and admirable attributes there is a tendency for you to emulate them in those areas. Equally, you need to recognise that they are not perfect, and must make a conscious effort not to pick up their negative areas. The same thing happens with body...

“…multitudes in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14 In the classic novel, Catcher in the Rye, by J.D.Salinger, Wilhelm Stekel is quoted as saying, "The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one" Salinger goes on to say later in the book, “I keep picturing all these kids playing some game in this big field of rye…Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around…except me…I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff…I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff…I'd just be the catcher...

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over." Psalm 23:6 Here we have an amazing example of the mercy and grace of Yehovah. Yehovah knew David’s faults and failings, and yet this scripture says He prepared a feast in honour of David, setting him at the head of the table, poured him a glass of wine so full it overflowed. What an amazing picture of Yehovah's mercy and grace towards him. Mercy means that Yehovah does not give us the punishment we deserve for our sins. Grace means He give us all the goodness, blessing and...

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 The term "NOW faith" indicates a present tense believing that what Yehovah has promised is going to happen. It is not a passive kind of faith. It takes hold of the promises of Yehovah and begins to see, to envisage, to "envision" (see ahead of the promised thing coming into physical manifestation), and to call and talk about those things that are not yet physically seen as though they were seen - simply because if Yehovah said it, we choose to believe it - and that settles it. Because we accept...

‘For Yehovah so loved the world…’ John 3:16 As Billy Kennedy, Leader of the Pioneer Network in the UK once said, ‘Our goal, as Yehovah’s people, is not to fill our buildings, but to transform our towns and cities.’ That is a great challenge, not only for leaders but to each individual follower of Yeshua. What is the true motivation of your heart as you talk to others about your faith? Is the intent to recruit people to your cause; to invite or entice people to join His church, like you would a social club or sports team? Or are you so thrilled with the close and intimate relationship that...

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” John 14:16 Hans Christian Andersen tells the story of a prince who wanted to marry a princess but had difficulty finding a suitable wife. Something is always wrong with those he meets and, for various reasons, he cannot be sure they are actual princesses. One rainy night a young woman seeks shelter in the prince's castle. As she claims she is a princess, the prince's mother decides to test her by placing a pea, covered by a thick mattress and blankets, in the bed she is given for...