Monday 29 Dec 2014

December 29: Jeremiah 9:23-26

Key Verse: Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

Devotion:
How much stuff have you got around the house at the moment? After all the celebrations and parties and things that may have gone on over the Christmas holidays, you may well have all sorts of clutter in your lives. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the feasts and festivities, I love the celebrations and the gatherings, I love the families and friends, but do we have to go so far overboard sometimes?

It is not for me to put a dampener on things, but this year I have tried to stick to the essentials and limit myself to just being there for other people. I have a feeling that I am going to get a whole lot more mileage out of the love I share than the presents some people share this year!

Enjoying yourself and having a right party is very good for you because it does lift your spirits and gets you to see how special times can be together with others. But living for those moments and making them the focus of your existence is, I’m afraid, more like treating them as your gods than anything else. It is almost a sick thought when you begin to realise it, but one that will set you free to do so much more for others and for Christ this coming year. Don’t be bogged down with the order of things, the wisdom of men, the might of countries, the riches of some and the need for more… Instead make a new focus in your life…

Look at the loving-kindness of others. Look at the well from where they get that love. Look to the source of that love. Look to God and see it is from Him this all flows and not from mankind or anything else. Allow God to open your eyes and show you how precious life can be when it is a life lived with Him instead of in spite of Him. Give the true glory to God and see how much He can do for you when you trust Him!

Points to Ponder:
What have you focused on this year?

Are you ready to focus on God?