October 25: 2 John 1 7-9
Key Verse: 2 John 1 8
Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
Devotion:
You'd think it would be easy... that we would be able to live for Christ and people would respect it and do the same. Yet we have many people who would twist the truth so it suits them, and then try to force whatever so called truth upon us. They do it, not for Christ, but for themselves through vanity, pride and greed. If they would admit to the truth, then their world would break apart and they would be no better than any other sinner – but to them, they hold a position and they will do anything to keep that position.
We have to be aware how there are people like that and they are out to win a following. We need to know how they are twisting the truth so we can keep to the real truth and not be persuaded by them. The only way of knowing a true Christian is one who believes Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He did come to us in flesh and bones and He died and rose again. If anyone is teaching anything other than this, then they have been deceived and are trying to deceive others.
We need to show them we are firm believers in the whole truth as taught to us through God's Word (the Bible) and we will not part from it. We need to think about what others are trying to teach us so we do not simply take in what others say, but make sure what they are teaching is from God's Word and not their own. We need to know they believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
What good is all the work we have done, all the learning and studying, if we are just going to sit and allow someone else to twist that truth away from us? If we do that, we allow them to take away from us what God has promised. We will not lose our eternal life, but we may well loose a few rewards we would have otherwise received in heaven... John 14 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Points to Ponder:
How easily do you give in to friends?
How much does the truth mean to you?
October 24: Proverbs 15 24-29
Key Verse: Proverbs 15 24
The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
Devotion:
For us to look back on all the work that Christ has already done for us, the love He has shown us and the grace He has given us is a pleasure. We look back and around and we marvel at His work. Yet there are those around us that still do not see the light and still do not realise their final destination is bleak. We have been shown the truth because we were bold enough to seek it...
No matter what sort of life we have had to lead, we will be assured of a wonderful place in heaven – so long as we put our faith and trust in Christ. Whilst we may see that as such a simple step, there are too many around who cannot see the wood from the trees. They are probably too proud to admit they do have a problem and how they require Christ in their lives. Such proud feelings will lead to nothing but sorrow and destruction.
We may still find hardships ahead; we may still have to face up to unpleasant things – but we are assured of our position in heaven. We know for a certainty we are saved. We may find ourselves loosing dear friends or family, but we know our place. If they have seen the light, then we will be seeing them again in heaven in a more glorious state.
The Lord is ever present and continues to know what is in our thoughts and what is on our hearts. He rejoices when we do things His way, but I'm sure He is not pleased when we do things our own way through pride or arrogance. The way of the sinner is to trouble, not just for themselves, but those around them too; Greed being the 'chiefest' of sins that takes us far from Christ. We need to continue seeking the truth, even after we have found it, to make sure that we do walk with Christ and not against Him. We need to continue in learning and prayers – knowing that He is listening and answering our prayers justly.
Points to Ponder:
Do you get upset when people disobey God?
Imagine how He feels when we disobey Him!
October 23: Psalms 16 8-11
Key Verse: Psalms 16 11
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Devotion:
Over 1000 years before Jesus was born we see how God was instructing and guiding prophets and kings as to what was going to happen. He was preparing them for the age of grace which we live in today. He was preparing them to live by faith, living in hope, knowing there was going to be life eternal for all those who simply believed on His name.
But that living by faith does not mean we can believe once and then forget about it – it means once we believe we need to put our faith into practice. We need to not just say we believe, but show we continue trusting because of that faith. Saying you believe someone and showing them you believe are normally quite different steps. Showing you believe once and continuing in that belief again are two different steps. Telling a friend you will keep by them and turning away from them when the going gets tough will not exactly show them you meant what you said. But sticking with them, even when things are tough, shows them you meant what you said and that you are willing to stick with it.
God does not want us to simply believe in Him and then go about our everyday lives knowing we are saved. He would rather we show Him every day that we do continue to trust in Him and obey Him. That is then showing everyone we do have faith in what God is promising for us. We have faith that He will continue to keep us, protect us and guide us through our lives – even when things look like they are getting out of hand!
He wants us to know that every time we need Him, He is going to be close at hand. He wants to try and show us just how much He does care and just how much we can hope for in heaven. He wants us to be sure we know we are saved. He wants us to be sure we know it is forever. He wants us to be sure we can trust Him whatever comes our way!
Points to Ponder:
Could you say that you have never turned you back on friends?
Do you exercise your faith in Christ by trusting Him always?
October 22: Psalms 15 1-5
Key Verse: Psalms 15 4
In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honours those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
Devotion:
Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to walk uprightly, work righteously and speak the truth, not just with our mouths but with our hearts. We need to be able to set ourselves apart from everyday society where dishonesty, deceit and pretence is expected from everyone. We need to be able to know what we are doing is trying our best for God so others will see just how precious He is to us. We need to focus on our lives to make them an example that will encourage others to seek the truth and not discard it.
How many politicians nowadays actually encourage you to do something they suggest through showing you how good it is? Most would rather point out all the worse things others are doing to try persuade you that their way is not as bad. They try to convince you through back biting rather than through honour! I am also saddened by how many people jump on the band wagon and join in the mudslinging.
Throughout history God has taught people to tell the truth, support and love our neighbours, and to continue to show there is “light at the end of the tunnel”. He does not expect us to have to pay dearly for showing others the truth – but because of our ways, we often do. We are so caught up in our societies of dishonesty that we tell others we will do something just to try and show them the truth – and then have to keep to that oath even when it can lead to our own hurt. If we simply follow God's commandments, we will find they are not conflicting in any way and they themselves do not lead us to hurt. It is the way we change things to suit ourselves that lead us to our problems we face.
It does not take a rocket scientist to get to heaven. It takes someone who is willing and able to believe in the truth within their hearts. Not just to say they believe, but to truly believe. When we do believe, it will show through our lives without us having to try hard to make others believe...
Points to Ponder:
Do you encourage others towards the truth or discourage them from lies?
God has shown you the truth. What are you going to do with it?
October 21: Matthew 26 41
Key Verse: Matthew 26 41
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Devotion:
The best part about having a God who has actually experienced living amongst us is that He knows what we face every day. He knows the type of temptations we will face and He knows what our bodies are capable (or not capable) of. He may know what we face, but He was strong enough to be able to turn away from every temptation that faced Him.
He knows we may well mean to do the right thing, but we give in to doing the wrong things much of the time. He knows what we think about and every time we praise Him through our thoughts He is happy – but every time we turn our backs on Him through what we say, do, or think He is sad. He asks little things of us which we are capable of doing, and yet we give in to things around us far too easily without standing up for what is right.
Christ was facing an amazingly cruel day ahead, and yet He tried to show His disciples exactly how God can strengthen each one of us. He knew what it was like to face those temptations and He knew how God would continue to give Him the strength to face them and beat them. He did not put off praying. He did not put off praising His Father. He did not put off teaching His disciples. He did not put off any of God's Work. When we have the time, we should be using it to fulfil His will in our lives, not to try and find something else in our lives that we can do!
There may not be too many times where God does call upon us to do things for Him, but each time He calls, we need to be ready and willing to carry out His Work without question. We need to show Christ He can depend on us as well. He may not call you to go out and be a missionary, but just to tell someone that God does care. He may not want you to go and save a nation, but just give someone a hug to show they are appreciated by Him. All we need to do is to listen to what He asks and be willing to carry it out, however small...
Points to Ponder:
Do you try to please your friends by doing things for them?
How often do you try to please God by doing things for Him?