Saturday 12 May 2012

Saturday Reading: 1 John 4:1-6

Key Verse: 1 John 4:2
2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

Devotion:
One of the hardest things I was asked as a young Christian was “how do you know that is what God wants”. The answer is and was remarkably simple but hidden from me at the time though entirely logical! If it does not agree with God’s Word then it is obviously not from God. If more people would focus on that rather than focusing on what they can get out of working for God then I believe we would have a church that is stronger and displays a whole lot more faith than nowadays.

I certainly do not pick holes in any person because I know that I have had more than my fair share of moments when I denied Christ or lacked faith – so I am in no position to judge anyone. I rather pick holes in my own past and in what I did or did not do because I can see the lack of focus on God’s Word. I had never been a good reader and many of my devotions could be picked apart by any English teacher as being incorrect English – but I try hard to make sure that what I bring forward agrees with God’s Word. That is, after all, why we are here – to learn more about God through His Word.

Reading your bible may well be one of the hardest habits to start, but it is going to be the only one that lifts you up continually and strengthens your spiritual walk with God. I am not talking about being brain-washed or being brought up by a bible basher. I am talking about using the common sense that God has given each one of us to be able to discern that truth when we hear it.

The more I am able to compare the bible with things in life the more I am able to see how man has lost focus on so many things. The more I do read the more I want to read because it brings forward truths that I have been seeking for much of my life. Being able to come to the conclusion that what I have read is God’s truth is an amazing feeling and one that brings far for peace to my life than anything else. I am not a ‘Solomon’ who has gone out and tried everything in life, but I am now able to spot a lemon when I see one. Without the knowledge that God’s Word has given me, I would be continually lost and in a hopeless situation. With God’s Word I have more than hope, I have the truth!

Points to Ponder:
Where do you learn your common sense from?

Do you know God’s Word as the truth?