April 3: Amos 2 9-12
Key Verse: Amos 2 12
“But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, And commanded the prophets saying, ‘Do not prophesy!’
Devotion:
As I was watching one of the programs on TV this weekend, I was dismayed to see the trend in churches in this country. It was some years ago that I was saved after going to a church that showed me that we can and must have a personal relationship with God, but like so many before me (including all of Israel it seems) I wandered off from God to do my own thing. After watching the program on TV, I had the distinct impression this is exactly what many churches seem to be doing now – wandering off and doing their own thing.
When the Children of Israel were wandering through the desert, they were faced with many dangers and were taught to have faith in God by example. But, the human spirit took over and they began to try their own things because they seemed to think God needed a change! So when we look back and think we need to change things because “God needs to keep up with the times”, we are doing exactly what they did thousands of years ago! We take it upon ourselves to change the way that we worship, or change the things that we do before Him. We try to make things an exercise of enjoyment rather than a time when we can simply worship Him.
If we want to continue our relationship with God, then we have to make sure that we do what He would have us to do. We have to make sure that we listen to His will. We cannot expect that we can do what He is capable of – for that is exactly what we intimate when we change His rules. We are not capable of doing any miracle whatsoever, never mind feeding a whole country in the middle of the desert for 40 years! We are not capable of one thing unless we are allowed to by Him.
Through His grace He has given us the ability to do things. Through His grace He has allowed us to live. Through His grace He has given us free will. By example, He has shown us who He is, what He can do, how we should act, and that He is the only true living God. We need to show Him by example that we love Him, respect Him, Worship Him and adore Him for all that He is and has done for us.
Points to Ponder:
Why do you go to the church you go to?
Will you obey God’s will in your life?
April 2: Mark 4 26-29
Key Verse: Mark 4 27
and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.
Devotion:
Have you ever marvelled at how the plants are able to grow at the right times, at how they don't come out too early when there is cold and frost ahead, but bloom when the sun is out to stay! Scientists would have you believe they understand how this is so, but none would wish to predict the weather from this – because there is an unknown within their predictions. That same unknown which seems to allow animals to flee from the scene of disaster before it happens.
We may understand how the plants and animals grow. We may understand what they need to be able to grow at their best. We may even be able to control their growth to some extent. But what we don't know is what we should be marvelling at. God's work is behind so much in our lives, and yet we choose to forget Him from our lives. He controls everything in such perfect harmony, and yet we do not thank Him enough. He has promised to be faithful, and yet our faith waivers all the time.
It has been aptly put into words by Jesus when preaching to the multitude by the sea side. We cast the seed into the ground and we sit back and watch. We expect it to grow because that is what we have been told will happen. We may not understand the mechanics of the science within the cells which allows the growth and division of the cells, but we can see this happen. We plant, and they grow... because God has promised that will happen! But don't be complacent, because He has also promised there will be hard times as well!
We don't need to understand how God's Word grows inside people. We don't need to know what makes the germination of those first seeds start. We don't need to know God's Work. What we do need to know is that without the seed, nothing will happen. Without the care, that plant may yet die. Without the nurturing, that plant will never be strong. Don't stand by and wait, plant a few seeds and marvel!
Points to Ponder:
Have you ever been confused at how your friends minds work?
God knows exactly how it works, but wants your help to plant that seed!
April 1: Romans 12 17-21
Key Verse: Romans 12 21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Devotion:
It is difficult to try and find common grounds at times when people are fighting; but it is not always the common ground we should seek but rather the goodness in us all we should be seeking. What is good is good and should remain good for all people. It is by definition good!
God has tried to show us the good things in our lives by allowing Jesus to display goodness and mercy to us all. He continues to try and encourage us to seek out the good in everything and everyone. We do not always listen but He continues to show us none-the-less. It is that side of our lives that I am impressed with by what Christ has done for us already. He continued to show goodness and mercy in spite of all that was happening to Him. In spite of all the drama and evil, He continued to show us love and respect throughout everything.
I continue to try and show Christ love and respect through the way I live and the way I live amongst others. Showing people love just as Christ has asked us to do has got to build up an attitude which will encourage others to find God and His ways. By repaying people in like manner for the wrong things they do in our lives does nothing more than display the same hatred and bad things they display to us.
But displaying them love in amongst the bad things they are living through allows us to go beyond the evil and move toward showing people how we can love each other just as Christ has asked us to do. It is those first steps toward living the life He requests from us that will allow more people to get to know Christians ways and Christs love as well. Thank you Christ for stepping up to the mark and living a life which allows us to see how much we mean to Him.
Points to Ponder:
Do you react against bad things in your life?
Will you try to change things by showing people love and respect?
March 31: Matthew 22 34-40
Key Verse: Matthew 22 37
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Devotion:
Have you ever wondered what Jesus would like you to do? Have you ever wondered what you should be doing to please God? Well, the answer was succinctly given in these few words which Jesus said.
Going by the “golden rule” that we should do unto others as they would do unto us, we find what Jesus has already recommended! God has showed us how much He loves us by giving us the world and everything that goes in it. He has given us His Word. He has given us instructions. He has given us direction. He has given us His Only Son. He has given all of this out of His love for us.
Jesus has shown us His love by going to the cross willingly. By coming to give us instruction. By healing the sick, the wounded and the dead. He has shown us His extraordinary love even though He knew many people would not respond positively and many would reject Him. He knew that people were going to reject Him, yet He still gave His life willingly. What is expected in return? God has shown us what He expects, by showing us so much of His love; He wants us to love Him too.
If we are going to love Him, then we should be doing what He wants us to do. He does not just want us to be friends, but to love Him with our whole body and soul, the way He loves us! God knows that if we are wise enough to read His word, we will learn to believe. As we learn to believe, we will begin to do His commandments. We will start to act on His words. Our Lord knows that by showing us His love, He was able to encourage us to get to know Him and to believe. He knows if we are able to act on His love, others will begin to see His love. When they see His love, they will want to know more of His word. God knows that through this, “all the law and the prophets” are covered.
Points to Ponder:
What has God done for you in your life?
What have you done for God in your life?
March 30: Matthew 7 12
Key Verse: Matthew 7 12
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Devotion:
I think this has been one of my favourite topics to talk about in church; how God wants us to live? So many people try to answer the question in books and volumes, describing long scenarios about how they think that God wants us to live. The answer is staring us all in the face, and it is exactly what Jesus has told us many times! If we have a look at Matthew 22 39-40, we find very similar words: “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
The most practical statement of God's word is right in front of us. Love people the way you would like them to love you! If you are walking down the road, wouldn't it be nice to have someone greet you and be friendly? Wouldn't it be nice to have friendly faces around all the time? Wouldn't it be nice to have someone behind you when you are in need? Wouldn't it be nice to have someone to help out when you are confused? Wouldn't it be nice to have people there all the time, and not just when you are in serious trouble?
If we want others to be like that for us, then we have got to be the ones who make the first move and do those sort of things for others! If we start to show others the way we would like them to treat us, by treating them in the same way, then they are going to get the picture very quickly and will most likely start treating us in the same manner.
Imagine if we all did that! Imagine if we were all trying to do our bit for everyone else! There is no rocket science involved here – you just have to make a move by leading by example!
Points to Ponder:
Would you like to be treated like a king or queen?
How are you treating others?