Van Life Devotions

This weekend is Mother's Day. Join Leisl Moyes as she shares a devotion for women from Proverbs chapter 31.

Christians make claims that God stepped down from heaven and took on a form of a human named Jesus of Nazareth. But setting aside His teachings and the supernatural events recorded about Him, was Jesus a real historical person?

Hi there and welcome to Van Life Devotions. In the last two centuries, archaeology has gained popularity as experts have uncovered ancient remains to better understand human history. Alongside this, biblical archaeology emerged as a significant field. Landmark discoveries like the Rosetta Stone and the Dead Sea Scrolls captured global attention, not only revealing ancient cultures but also shedding light on the historical context and transmission of the Bible. Archaeology is helpful in four area. First, archaeology confirms historical settings. Archaeology has repeatedly supported the general historical framework of the Bible—places, cultures, and events. Discoveries like the Tel Dan Stele provide evidence that figures like King David were known in the ancient world outside the Bible. Second, archaeology sheds light on daily life. Discoveries from places like Jericho reveal details about housing, economy, farming, religion, and occupations in Bible times. For example, evidence from Capernaum of modest homes, fishing tools, and a first-century synagogue provide context for biblical narratives, clarifying the type of people Jesus taught and called to follow Him.  Third, archaeology supports the reliability of biblical manuscripts. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls showed that Old Testament texts were preserved with remarkable accuracy over centuries. Dr Nelson Glueck has observed that “no archaeological discovery has ever refuted a biblical reference.” Fourth, archaeology clarifies difficult passages. Archaeology can shed light on obscure customs, languages, or political situations mentioned in the bible, helping interpretation. An example of this is the discovery of the Pilate Stone at Caesarea. This inscription confirms the historical existence and title of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor mentioned in the Bible. It helps clarify the political context of the trial, showing that the biblical description aligns with known Roman governance. For me, I have visited many archaeological sites in Egypt, Greece and Turkey, learning much about the culture of bible times. Biblical archaeology has had a profound influence on how people understand the Scriptures, not by replacing faith but by enriching it with historical depth and cultural clarity, inviting seekers to deeper searching. 

If the death of Jesus achieve everything needed for humanity's salvation (and nothing else can be added), what then is the purpose of Christ's resurrection?

To the disciples, between the death and resurrection of Jesus, God seemed silent. Sometimes God seems silent when we are waiting for an answer, healing or direction. But is He silent?

On Good Friday we particularly remember the sacrifice and death of Jesus Christ. Just before He dead, Jesus cried out "It is finished". What was finished?

On the Thursday night before His arrest, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray. His prayer was a real spiritual battle.

The Holy Week was tough for Jesus in many ways, including one of his friends agreeing to betray Him. But we can't just blame Judas for sending Jesus to the cross.

During the Holy Week, Jesus spent time teaching last minute teachings for His Disciples and to those who had gathered in the Temple, including the religious leaders. These leaders tried to trap Jesus by asking curly questions.

Why did Jesus clear the Temple?

Jesus was always Jesus' destination. Why?

Hi there and welcome to Van Life Devotions. Many Christians claim that the Bible contains the very words of God. The Bible says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). The phrase “God-breathed” suggests that God is the author. Even though there were human authors of the Bible, who wrote in their own style and personality, what they wrote was from God. One of the reasons why I believe that the Bible contains the very words of God is its remarkable unity. The Bible is a collection of letters and books written by 40 different authors over 1,500 years. These authors included kings, prophets, fishermen, and scholars. Despite this diversity, there is a unified message about God’s relationship with humanity and salvation through Jesus Christ. The Bible is considered God's Word because it contains many prophecies that can be verified, including predictions about nations, cities, the Messiah, and humanity. Unlike other religious texts, these prophecies are highly detailed—such as 300 specific predictions about Jesus, from his ancestry and birthplace to his death and resurrection. Some concern historical events like Babylon's fall, Jerusalem's destruction, and Israel's exile and return. There’s simply no logical way to explain the fulfilled prophecies in the Bible other than admitting divine authorship. The Bible records various historical events, individuals, and locations. Archaeological findings and writings outside of the Bible have often confirmed these accounts as accurate and reliable. If something mentioned in the Bible hasn't been discovered yet, it doesn't mean it won't be found in the future. There’s something about the Bible. There are thousands of lives totally changed simply because they’d picked up a bible and read it. I believe the bible passages they read was God speaking directly into their lives.  The Bible is God’s Word. If you have not read it recently or at all, I challenge you to read it, praying that God will speak to you what you need to hear.  David Moyes For a free Bible, go to https://www.vanlifedevotions.com/resources

Hi there and welcome to Van Life Devotions. In a world of everchanging opinions, the Bible stands as a remarkably reliable foundation. It wasn’t written by one person in one generation. It was written by over forty authors across 1,500 years—shepherds, kings, prophets, doctors, fishermen.  Since we don’t have the original letters and scrolls, can what I have in my hands, this Bible, be trusted?  Now, this is incredible. The Bible is the most well-attested ancient document in the world. We possess thousands of New Testament manuscripts, some dating within decades of the original writings. When scholars compare them, they find remarkable consistency. In fact, we have far more manuscript evidence for the Bible than for works by Plato, Tacitus, and Caesar. What about all the names, places, dates, events that are recorded in the Bible? Are any made up? Here’s another amazing fact: Archaeology has repeatedly confirmed biblical places, rulers, and customs once doubted by critics. Cities like Jericho, the Pool of Bethesda, and the existence of Pontius Pilate were all questioned—until discoveries affirmed the biblical record. Then there is prophecy. The Old Testament, written centuries before Christ, contains detailed predictions about the Messiah—His birthplace (Micah 5:2), His suffering (Isaiah 53), even the manner of His death (Psalm 22). These are not vague spiritual ideas, but specific claims written down. The Bible says that they “did not follow cleverly devised stories… but were eyewitnesses” (2 Peter 1:16 NIV). Christianity bases its spiritual claims on real events and people that have happened in history.  The Bible invites investigation. And when examined honestly, it proves to be not only spiritually compelling but intellectually credible. Check out the links in the description for further study. The greatest testimony to the Bible’s reliability is its transforming power. For generations, people have encountered its message and been changed - hearts softened, lives redirected, hope restored. The Bible says, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8 NIV).     The Bible is not just an ancient book—it is a reliable foundation of God’s Word for faith, truth, and life. You are welcome to pray with me. Our Father in heaven. Thank you for giving us Your Word, the Bible. For the searching may they find You in its pages. For the sceptical, may Your truth be revealed how inspiring the Bible is. It’s in Jesus name that we pray. Amen.   David Moyes https://www.wesleyhuff.com/can-i-trust-the-biblehttps://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/are-biblical-manuscripts-reliable/https://youtu.be/LCwrXcC52Co?si=UkfC28RlPNZbcR1jhttps://youtu.be/bs4s2i_bWEw?si=xu8NO_fITEYJJiM6

Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. In this fifth season, I’m exploring why we believe what we believe. What do you believe about God? Do you believe there is a God, or some kind of supernatural force? The Bible is all about God — who He is, what He has done, and why He does what He does. A natural question that you may have ask is does the God of the Bible exist? And if so, what’s the evidence?  There is much material supporting the existence of God. Believers use arguments such as the Moral Argument, the Kalam Cosmological Argument, or the Argument from Reason to support the case that God exists. In the description are links for further study. For now, I share why I believe the God of the Bible exist. The Bible admits that apart from Jesus, “No one has ever seen God” (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12). So how do I know He exists? This may sound simplistic, but although we cannot see the wind, we can see and feel its effects. Trees sway; flags flap, dust and clouds are pushed along. In the same way, while I cannot see God, I feel and see His presence. When I am anxious, I feel His peace.When I grieve, I feel His comfort.When I am uncertain, I feel His hope. When I was saved, I saw His grace.When prayers are answered, I see His goodnessWhen I look at creation, I see His handiwork  What I have seen and felt aligns with what God promised and fulfilled in the Bible. The God who acted then is the same God who acts today. And even when the wind is still, it hasn’t disappeared. Likewise, when God seems silent doesn’t mean He is absent. It means my trust must rest on who He is, not on what I can see or feel. The Bible invites you to, “Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!” (Psalms 66:5 NLT). What I have seen and heard, matched with the Bible, and adding some trust, reveals to me that the God of the Bible exists. As you search, I hope that you too will encounter His presence. Please pray with me: God in heaven. Even though we can’t see you, help us to feel and see Your presence in tangible ways and when we can’t help us to trust who You are as taught in the Bible. In Jesus name. Amen. https://amzn.asia/d/01LcNrQAhttps://amzn.asia/d/0c8MDXrghttps://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/what-scientific-proof-do-we-have-that-there-is-a-god/

Hello and welcome to our fifth season of Van Life Devotions. This season we are exploring Knowing  Why You Believe What You Believe.  We all have a belief system, whatever they may be. Over several episodes, I share reasons for the Christian faith that will encourage you in your spiritual search. Christianity doesn’t ask you to switch off your minds to follow Jesus. In fact, it invites you to think deeply and honestly. The Bible says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).   Many ask, “Is Christianity rational?” In one sense, it seems illogical. Miracles defy natural laws, and the idea that God would send His Son to die for sinners can seem unreasonable. Yet Christianity is deeply rooted in reason. Jesus pointed to evidence, fulfilled prophecy, and eyewitness testimony. The apostles, like Paul, reasoned with people, and Luke carefully investigated the facts before writing his Gospel.  Beyond the Bible, historical evidence supports the Christian faith which we explore in other episodes. Christianity also addresses life’s biggest questions—why we exist, why we long for love, and why suffering exists. Yet faith remains essential. Reason can take us far, but faith steps in where understanding reaches its limits. Following Jesus is not anti-intellectual; it is a faith that welcomes questions, engages the mind, and calls the heart to trust. Jesus taught to love God not only with your heart and soul—but also with your mind (Matthew 22:37). You are welcome to pray with me.  God. We ask for guidance to help the searching to find evidence supporting Christianity and understand how it offers answers about life. For any unresolved questions, help us to place trust in You. In Jesus's name. Amen. David and Leisl Moyes For more information on this topic:https://www.amazon.com.au/Know-Why-Believe-Paul-Little/dp/0830834222https://biblicalscienceinstitute.com/logic/is-christianity-irrational/https://www.youtube.com/@UCC321oNTD2yrszfYoz3-X1w

It is amazing to think that on that first Christmas, God came down to save us.

Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. Here’s an amazing Christmas fact: God chose ordinary people to play a part in His great story. When God selected a mother for His Son—the One who would become the Saviour of the world—He didn’t go to the fashion boutiques or the tanning salons. He didn’t visit the jewellery stalls displaying diamonds and gold. Instead, He went to an insignificant village called Nazareth and found a young peasant girl named Mary. She didn’t wear designer clothes or have an impressive education. But she was humble, and God chose her to be the mother of His only Son. The angel told her she had found favour with God. When Mary gave birth to the King of kings and Lord of lords in Bethlehem, one of the biggest events in human history, the governor of Judah didn’t receive the announcement. The High Priest in Jerusalem wasn’t informed. Caesar and his royal court didn’t hear the news. The palace didn’t hear. The temple didn’t hear. Jerusalem didn’t hear. Instead, God sent the birth announcement to a group of shepherds. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were terrified—not only because an angel showed up, but because the “glory of the Lord shone around them,” a brilliant light from God’s presence. Shepherds were outcasts in their society. Experiences like this didn’t happen to people like them. Yet heaven lit up for the ordinary, and the arrival of the Saviour was announced to them first.The fact that God chose the ordinary to play a part in His story shows that He doesn’t build His kingdom through the impressive but through the humble. And here’s another amazing fact: God still delights in using ordinary people who say “yes” to Him.

Here’s an amazing Christmas fact. When Jesus was born, God stepped into our world. It is an amazing truth that bears significant consequences. If you look across history, mythology, and world religions, the idea of a god assuming human form is not uncommon. In Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Norse myths, the gods sometimes disguise themselves as humans or take on a temporary form or they were part human part animal. But they do not become fully human, nor do they suffer, bleed, or die in any meaningful, historical way.  Only Christianity teaches that God literally became human. The Bible says about God the Son, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 NIV). Christianity’s claim is unique: God didn’t just appear human — He became human; He did not abandon His divinity — He added humanity; He entered history at a real place and a real time.  The incarnation is not myth, metaphor, or symbolism. It is God entering our world - fully God, fully man - in the person of Jesus Christ. The early Christians were stunned by this truth. No religion had ever claimed that God walked among us; ate with us; suffered with us; died for us; and rose again. In Jesus, God did not send a representative - He came Himself. And because God stepped into our world, He understands your struggles; He can represent you perfectly; and His sacrifice is enough to save you. In Christianity, the incarnation is not just a doctrine — it is the miracle of Christmas: God didn’t ask you to climb up to Him. He came down to you.

Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. Here’s an amazing Christmas fact. Long before Mary ever held Jesus in her arms, God spoke, promising that a Savior would come.  The very first prophecy of the coming Messiah appears in the first book of the Bible. After Adam and Eve sinned, when darkness entered the world, God spoke a promise saying that the seed of the woman would one day crush the serpent’s head. Think about that: Before judgment came, God gave hope. Before they left Eden, God gave a promise. Before the first sin was punished, the first Savior was promised. A few thousand years later, God added details to His promise. A prophet named Isaiah declared: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14 NIV). For 700 years this sounded impossible… until the angel appeared to Mary and said the Holy Spirit would overshadow her. Jesus’ birth would be unlike any other human. He came as God and man.   Around the same time as Isaiah, God spoke again saying the specific birthplace location of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), which was a small and insignificant town. And here is what’s incredible: Mary and Joseph didn’t live in Bethlehem. They lived over 4-days away by foot in Nazareth. But God orchestrated an entire Roman census to move them to the exact place the prophecy declared.  While these prophecies are about Christ’s birth, there’s even more about what He would do, who He is, and even His sacrificial death.  It is a fact that Jesus’ birth was no coincidence, nor chance, nor luck or myth. It was a long-standing prophetic tapestry woven together by the hand of God — fulfilled perfectly in Jesus Christ, God’s Son.  David Moyes

Welcome to Van Life Devotions. This weekend in the USA is Thanksgiving - a wonderful 404-year tradition. The thing about gratitude is not just a reaction to good moments. It is a posture of the heart. When we choose to be grateful, we are choosing to see God’s hand in our lives even in the ordinary and the difficult. The Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV) not because every moment is good, but because God is always good in every moment. Gratitude shifts our focus. Instead of staring at what is missing, we begin to see what God has already done. We start noticing the people who care for us, the doors God has opened, the lessons He has taught us, and the strength He has carried us with. When your mind starts to complain or compare, pause and say: “Lord, thank You.” Thank You for today. Thank You for being with me. Thank You for not giving up on me. Gratitude doesn’t just change your attitude. It changes your perspective. It reminds you that you are held by a God who is faithful, generous, and near. David Moyes

Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. We live in a world that shakes. Circumstances shift. Plans fall apart. People disappoint us. Even our own emotions change from day to day. Yet the Bible tells us “…we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28 CEV). God’s kingdom is not built on human strength, political power, or temporary success. It is built on the rule and reign of Jesus Christ, who does not change. When everything around you feels unstable, you do not stand alone. You stand on a foundation that is eternal. God’s promises do not move. His love does not weaken. His authority does not fail. No storm, no fear, no loss, and no enemy can overturn what God has established. So, look up. Even if your situation feels uncertain, your foundation is secure. You can breathe. You can rest. You can trust. Because God’s kingdom that you belong to is unshakable, and the King who holds you will not let you go.

Jesus said that even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. That is one of the smallest seeds in the world. This tells us something vital. Faith is not about how strong you feel. It is about who you are trusting. A small faith in a great God is more powerful than a large confidence in yourself.Some days your faith will feel tiny. You may only have enough to whisper a prayer, take one step, or simply choose not to give up. That still matters. God honors even the smallest reach toward Him. The mountain is not moved by your effort. The mountain moves because God is faithful, able, and present. So do not wait to feel strong before you trust God. Use the faith you have, even if it feels small. Place it in His hands. A seed may start small, yet it grows, it breaks ground, it becomes something strong. In the same way, your small faith can move big mountains when it is rooted in a big God.

Hi there and welcome to Van Life Devotions. We all mess up. We say things we shouldn’t, make choices we regret, and wish we could start over. But the good news is—God is the God of second chances. The Apostle Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus restored him and called him to lead His church. Jonah ran away, but God gave him another chance to obey. The Bible says, “His mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23 NIV). Every sunrise is proof that God hasn’t given up on you. Your past doesn’t define you - grace does. When you understand and accept this truth over the lies that your life isn’t worth changing, and cry out to God, He will start restoring you as a new person. The Bible promises, “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT). So, if you’ve fallen, get back up. God still has a plan, and He’s ready to write a new chapter in your story.David and Leisl 

Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. Sometimes we think our prayers are too small to matter—but with God, no prayer is wasted. The Bible says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16 NIV). One prayer from Hannah brought Samuel into the world. One desperate cry from Peter stopped him from drowning. Prayer isn’t about fancy words; it’s about faith. Even a whispered prayer in the dark reaches heaven. A young mother, abandoned by her parents, planned to leave her children with a Christian friend in Tasmania and end her life. On the ferry, she found a Bible and was impacted by one verse: “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in” (Psalm 27:10 ESV). She read for hours. Upon arrival in Devonport, she shared her experience with her friend and became a believer in Jesus. Today, she is a transformed person. You may not see results right away, but God always hears, always moves, and always works for your good. So don’t give up praying. A single prayer, offered in faith, can open the way for God to do what only He can do.David and Leisl Moyes.

Life has seasons—times of joy, growth, waiting, and even pain. It’s easy to love the sunny days but question the purpose of the hard ones. Yet the Bible reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV). God uses every season to shape us. The waiting teaches patience, the loss deepens compassion, and the harvest reminds us of His faithfulness. Even when you don’t understand what God is doing, He’s still at work beneath the surface, preparing something new. If you follow Jesus, each season in your life likely serves a purpose in fulfilling His plans for you. So don’t rush the season you’re in—embrace it, trust Him through it, because with God, no season is wasted. David and Leisl.

Don’t overlook the small things, thinking they don’t matter. Your profit is small, your progress is slow, your vision is accepted by a few. God often starts with the small to bring about something special.

When you see the news, it is depressing – war, tension, violence, injustice. When the world feels dark, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by fear, pain, or uncertainty. The Bible reminds us that in the darkness, there is also light.

Are you in a storm right now? I have a message for you.

Money pressures can feel overwhelming causing you to stay up through the night in worry. The Bible reminds us that God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Doubting one's abilities through to doubting God's existence hits all. Doubting isn't wrong. There is hope in the midst of doubt.

Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. The pain of loneliness is real. It can feel like an ache that never fully goes away—a quiet emptiness that follows you into every room. In the Bible, King David, cried out in loneliness. He knew what it felt like to be surrounded by people yet still feel completely alone. Loneliness hurts because we are created for connection—with God and with others. When that connection feels broken, our hearts long for something more. The enemy whispers lies in these moments, saying we’re forgotten, unlovable, or unwanted. But God speaks a different word: “I am with you. I will never leave you.” Even in the deepest pain, God’s presence is constant. Loneliness doesn’t always go away immediately, but He promises to walk with us through it, turning our pain into a place where His love meets us most deeply. Loneliness may visit, but it doesn’t get the final word - God’s presence does. David Moyes

For those waiting to become a family, it can be a tough season.

Anxiety is on the increase. Are you anxious? There is hope.

When you feel defeated by life's burdens, remember that something new and glorious can come from being flattened.

Overwhelmed? To much going on? There is hope.

Rejection stings! The Bible says that you are accepted, valued and loved by God.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming back. Are you ready?

In this devotion, David shares a reason why you need to be a follower of Jesus now.

There are many times when we are at a crossroads and struggle to know which way to go. God promises to guide followers of Jesus through life.

In this age of pluralism, Jesus made the exclusive claim that He is the only way to God the Father.

Is your past haunting you? Christ can set you free.

Not use to going to church? Perhaps it's time to find and belong to a church.

Whenever you see a lighthouse, remember: God sees you, He is guiding you, and His light is always shining - especially in the darkest moments.

Another reason to be a follower of Jesus is God gives you what you need to serve Him. You are not left to your own devices instead the Holy Spirit empowers you with what the Bible calls “Fruit of the Spirit” and “Spiritual Gifts”.

The Holy Spirit as Advocate comes alongside followers of Jesus and recalls bible teachings.

Just before Jesus was crucified, He promised His followers that they would not be left alone. God's Spirit will come and be their Advocate.

"Lest We Forget". Recorded at Gallipoli for Anzac Day.

On this Easter Sunday, the day that God raised Jesus to life, we also recall our new life when God raised us.

Why follow Jesus? To enjoy the presence of God.

Followers of Jesus can tap into the powerhouse of God.