History Makers: Devotions, Downloads & Dad Jokes

By Matt Prater

Devotions, Downloads & Dad Jokes is the latest book from Pastor Matt Prater. Matt is the Senior Pastor of New Hope Church Brisbane, and he is the host of Historymakers radio, a weekly syndicated interview show. This Book will take you on a devotional journey through God’s Word, it will challenge you to step out in your walk with God, and it will also give you a few laughs along the way!”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matt Prater
• Release date: Nov 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005218386

Matt Prater

Matt is married to Carol & has 3 children, Lydia, Joshua & Grace. Matt has previously served as a Youth Pastor at Coffs Baptist Church & Coffs C3 Church & has been Senior Pastor at New Hope Brisbane since 2006. Matt also hosts a weekly radio show called “Historymakers” which now plays on over 800 radio stations around Australia & has released 2 books featuring interviews from Historymakers & has also hosted 2 series of Historymakers TV, now available on DVD. He currently hosts weekends on Vision Radio across Australia. More than anything he is passionate about sharing his faith with Business people, Students, Churches, in the media, & with anyone who'll listen. Especially over a good coffee.www.historymakersradio.comwww.newhopebrisbane.orgwww.historymakersoutreach.com

Book preview

© 2022 Matt Prater

All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of study, research, criticism, or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scriptures are taken from the New International Translation (Holy Bible. Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.)

Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

Cataloguing in Publication Data:

Title: History Makers: Devotions, Downloads & Dad Jokes

ISBN: 978-0-6456366-1-1 (pbk)

Subjects: Devotional; Christian Living; Faith;

Design by initiateagency.com

Contents

Devotionals

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

Day 26

Day 27

Day 28

Day 29

Day 30

Day 31

Day 32

Day 33

Day 34

Day 35

Day 36

Day 37

Day 38

Day 39

Day 40

Day 41

Day 42

Day 43

Day 44

Day 45

Day 46

Day 47

Day 48

Day 49

Day 50

Day 51

DAY 52

Day 53

Day 54

Day 55

DAY 56

Day 57

Day 58

Day 59

Day 60

Day 61

Day 62

Day 63

Day 64

Day 65

Day 66

Day 67

Day 68

Day 69

Day 70

Day 71

Day 72

Day 73

Day 74

Day 75

Day 76

Day 77

Day 78

Day 79

Day 80

Day 81

Day 82

Chapter 2: God Spots for Radio

Chapter 3: Articles

Why you should be in ministry

In Matt Prater’s newest book, you will take a stroll with a shepherd and be treated to a glimpse of his life and musings. He is a collector of scriptural wisdom, life adages and truth. This can only come from a devotion to God and His Word. Matt exemplifies the pastor as described in Ecclesiastes 12:11 - The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.

Dr. Wayne Cordeiro

New Hope Church & College

I have never met anyone who works harder in serving the Lord than Matt Prater. Matt’s secret, I believe, is in his close walk with his Master. In his book he is sharing with us these precious devotional thoughts. I know they will be such a blessing to you. We all need to be constantly hearing the Shepherd’s voice.

Bill Newman

Evangelist

Spending time with God is essential for those who are followers of the way. Matt Prater’s devotional reading plan, along with the other chapters of his inspirational book, are written for these times. The practical, down to earth wisdom in this book is written by one of Australia’s giants of the faith.

James Condon

Commissioner Emeritus

Salvation Army Australia

I love how this book begins with some beautiful daily devotions on our duty to help the poor and oppressed. In simple and encouraging words, the reader is gently led to reflect and pray. Throughout these pages the reader will not only be drawn to God’s Word, but gain insight through Matt’s rich life experiences. Read and be blessed!

Cindy McGarvie

National Director

Youth For Christ

This is a book full of quality snacks of truth - easy to digest, sweet to taste, nourishing to the soul and spirit. I was blessed from reading it.

Martyn Iles,

Managing Director,

Australian Christian Lobby

I’m constantly inspired by Matt’s love for the Lord, and passion for people, and this oozes out in these pages. But, be warned! I wouldn’t suggest you read this devotional - unless you want your heart challenged and maybe even your trajectory changed… the next three months could be the start of something BIG!

Andrew ‘Robbo’ Robinson

Vision Christian Radio

Matt Prater has worked in Radio since the age of 15, working as an announcer, in sales, training staff and copywriting. He’s also worked as a Spruiker, a DJ, & a Children’s entertainer. Matt has previously served as a Youth Pastor at Coffs Baptist Church & Coffs C3 Church. More than anything he is passionate about sharing his faith with people on the streets, with business people, students, churches and anyone who’ll listen. Over the years he’s ministered in over 15 nations sharing the gospel.

Matt is married to Carol and has 3 children, Lydia, Josh and Grace, and they have 2 labradoodles, Tilly & Shiloh. He hosts Weekends on Vision Christian Radio, and has a weekly syndicated show called History makers which airs on over 25 Community stations. Matt is an Evangelist, cleverly disguised as the Senior Pastor of New Hope Brisbane, a great church reaching out to people all over Brisbane. New Hope has a Soup kitchen every Friday morning, and they send out teams to visit over 30 Boarding houses & homeless shelters with food & the gospel. Many have come to Christ through this mission! They are always looking for volunteers & donations! You can also find Matt on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, LinkedIn, Tik Tok, Spotify, Soundcloud, and Apple Podcasts.

www.historymakersradio.com

www.newhopebrisbane.com

www.historymakersoutreach.com

www.newhopecare.org.au

This Book is dedicated to my Beautiful wife Carol. You have been such an inspiration to me! So caring, so passionate, so strong, and so much fun! You’ve been by my side in the best of times & in the worst of times, you’ve been such a blessing to me and to so many others! You are a Proverbs 31 woman! I love you with all of my heart.

DEVOTIONALS

When I came to Christ at a youth camp at the age of 15, I remember learning to have a Quiet time with God every day. I would read different scriptures, and different devotionals, and pray as the Holy Spirit would lead me. When I became a Pastor, I started the Life Journal reading plan from Pastor Wayne Cordeiro. It changed my life! I’ve been following this reading plan for many years now. If you want to follow this devotional pattern, here’s the explanation:

As we read God’s words, we begin to see how God responds to things. Doing daily devotions re-patterns the way we think and transforms the spirit of the mind. Then when we face similar situations as Jesus did, we begin to respond in the same way.

Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to us. It’s also a useful tool to use at a later time, to reflect on and review some of the ‘gems’ that you have received. Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons! And while journaling is a very personal time with the Lord, you may want to share some of your daily journaling with your small group or mentors. Through discussion, you may be able to look deeper into what God is speaking to you, gain new insight and even encourage others.

S – for Scripture

Open your Bible to the reading found under today’s date of your Bible bookmark. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O – for Observation

What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words, in your journal.

A – for Application

Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P – for Prayer

This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

And here are some of my devotions…

Day 1

1 John 3:17-18 NIV

‘If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.’

In Australia, we are a very blessed nation! Some research shows that we are among some of the richest people on the planet. We all have things that we could donate. Whether it’s clothes, food, money, toys, etc. Our family regularly does a clean-out to charity, there’s so much extra stuff that we don’t use! We are blessed to be a blessing. To be a follower of Jesus, we need to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. This week we will see people in need. Think about how you can care for them? How can you bless them & not just give them a handout, but a hand up? What ways can you really change someone’s life?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, give me your heart for the poor. Help me always have a heart of generosity & use me to make a difference in others’ lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Write your thoughts here, what is God saying to you about this passage?

Day 2

Luke 14:13-14 NIV

‘Then Jesus said to his host . . . When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

The basic message of the Parable of the Great Banquet is that