Hey Dad...: Devotions from Down Under

By Gareth Seeto

Oftentimes our quiet times seem so dry and lifeless, yet this should be the last thing they should be.
After all, we're communing with a loving heavenly Father who is infinitely multi faceted, and longs to relate to us in ways that fill the very depths of our heart.
Time with him should reflect that depth of character, cover an infinite range of emotions, and fill us with unimaginable joy.
Conversations with him would be thought provoking, loving, kind, gentle, fun, humorous, challenging, inspiring, encouraging, and a myriad of other emotions that haven't yet been mentioned.
This devotional encourages you to explore your relationship with your heavenly Father in such a way, to stretch our concept of who he is, and who he wants to be beyond your usual hum drum routine.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gareth Seeto
• Release date: Apr 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310104381

Gareth Seeto

Gareth has widespread experience in IT and Software Engineering, specializing in installer and usability design across a broad range of platforms.He currently devotes most of his time as IT Director for a Church, and assisting in a Business as Ministry para-church organization.He is passionate about inspiring and enabling people to impact their community in positive and innovative ways.

Book preview

Hey Dad... - Devotions from Down Under

By Gareth Seeto

Copyright 2016 Gareth Seeto

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Devotional 1 - Discipleship

Devotional 2 - Family Matters

Devotional 3 - Prayer protects your heart

Devotional 4 - It all works out in the end

Devotional 5 - I have a plan...

Devotional 6 - Do I have what it takes to win?

Devotional 7 - Whom shall I fear?

Devotional 8 - I have the Power

Devotional 9 - Restoration

Devotional 10 - A matter of trust

Devotional 11 - Cleanliness is next to godliness

Devotional 12 - I see you

Devotional 13 - Freedom!

Devotional 14 - The Facial

Devotional 15 - Reaping a harvest

Devotional 16 - Receiving Favor From God

Devotional 17 - Where is your treasure?

Devotional 18 - Pay it Forward

Devotional 19 - When reality meets potential

Devotional 20 - That's my boy (or girl)

Devotional 1 - Discipleship

Scripture

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

John 8:31

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:35

Content

The concept of Rabbi and Talmud (disciple or follower) has been greatly diluted by time and culture.

To grasp the essence of what being a disciple entailed we have to look back to the time and culture from which the term originated. Only then will we have a better understanding of what being a fully devoted follower of Christ really means.

Interestingly, the Arabic equivalent of the word Talmud (or disciple) is Taliban. That word Taliban evokes many emotions and connotations. Passion, fanaticism, fervor, sacrifice and commitment come to mind. Whilst what the Taliban follow has a very negative effect, the words mentioned earlier emphasize an aspect of the rabbi-disciple relationship that we have lost or diluted.

Imagine what the world would be like if all followers of Christ had the same level of commitment and passion attributed to the Taliban. But while one rabbi calls their followers to die for their beliefs, the other calls his followers to live for theirs… dying to self every day.

Besides the disparity in commitment, the core difference between Taliban and Christian is what or who they follow.

To better understand the Jesus we follow, it’s interesting to see look at the different sects of Judaism (each of which had their followers) during the time of Christ and to compare them.

Firstly, to set context, there was Rome. The ruling authority of the time, a complete contrast to the jewish culture, alluring and enticing with all the benefits that the roman lifestyle provided. Not unlike what we as Christians might encounter today.

The response to Rome came in four primary ways:

The Essenes – isolated themselves from Roman influence. Lived in the desert and participated in daily ritual cleansing in an attempt to remain pure.

The zealots – Fervently adhered to the law of Moses, and committed violence against Rome and fellow jews who might not share their beliefs. The terrorists of their time.

The Pharisees – religiously obeyed the laws of Moses, but endeavored to do so in the context of the society they were living in.

The Saducees – religious jews who followed the law, but compromised with Rome in order to obtain benefit or advantage.

Jesus belonged to none of these camps, although he was most like the Pharisees in terms of approach, even though they were