March 29: Matthew 7 7-12
Key Verse: Matthew 7 11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Devotion:
As we recover from the things we have been up to over the Easter break, we can all think back on one thing – the fact Jesus gave it all, willingly, because of His love for us. As we do think back, we begin to get a feel of just how much He did actually love us. We will never be able to fully comprehend His true love for us, but we start to get the picture. Then we find that in His early years of preaching, He told us of His love for us at a time when we would not understand just how much it meant.
He tries to give us the picture by showing us an example. If our children (think of your best friend or even parents if you don't have children) were to ask us for a slice of bread, or sandwich, would we give them a stone instead? Not likely! We would give them something nice to eat. If we had the where-with-all, we would probably give them something more special that a simple piece of bread – because we love them. We want to be able to give what we can to the people we love. Not to do anything else other than to show them we do care.
That is exactly what Jesus did for us on that day at Calvary! He gave us something so special, because of His amazing love for us. But, even before that, He told us all we have to do is to ask. We don't have to beg, we don't have to justify any choice, we just have to ask... If we are able to provide something special for the people we love, then imagine what else the Lord can supply for us! He has the power to do anything, at any time... all we need do is to ask...
Why do we have to ask? If we are going to sit back and expect everything to come to us, then we are taking His love for granted. But if we are going to ask for things, then we are going to be thinking about what we are asking for, thinking about His love for us, and, hopefully, repenting of our sins at the same time!
Points to Ponder:
How many impossible things did you ask for as Christmas presents?
If you parents/friend/children can give you that, how much more can God give you?
March 28: 1 Corinthians 10 23-33
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 10 31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Devotion:
There are some real stupid laws in various parts of the world. Some are plain ridiculous, but others seem to allow people to get away with murder – both figuratively and physically. Our first verse reminds us of those facts (1 Corinthians 10 23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.). Or, to put it more simply, stay within the law and don't be stupid!
We are living on this earth because God created us. He created the world we live in and He created the bodies that we live within. Each of us has been blessed with the gifts we have and the life we are able to live. Imagine being given a brand new car by someone. Would you take it to a race track and find out how fast you could drive it, maybe crashing it into a wall just because you pushed it too hard... or would you take good care of it and treat it with the respect a new car deserves?
We are far more willing to take care of physical possessions than we seem to be when it comes down to our physical or spiritual bodies! We let ourselves in for so many things which are not good for us. We allow friends to smoke and drink in excess around us, knowing what they are doing is actually endangering our lives too!
Seems a bit stupid when we look back on events in our past when explained in simple terms... But when we are there at the time, our outlook on life seems to be very different... What is or was the difference? The difference has got to be that we left God out of those moments in our lives, allowing Satan to have his will!
Points to Ponder:
Would you allow a child to play with sharp knives?
Would you allow your friends to break the 10 commandments?
March 27: Luke 24 1-11
Key Verse: Luke 24 7
saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’
Devotion:
How many huge surprises have you had in your life? I'm not talking about finding a cheque in the post, or something you lost a few weeks back, but something that changes your life.
The disciples were in a state of shock from the physical death of Jesus; now they are even more shocked by the disappearance of Jesus' body from the tomb. When you see someone die, you certainly don't expect to see them a few days later. But that is exactly what happened for the disciples. They simply would not believe Jesus had come back to life. They had never seen anything like this before. They had seen Him bring others back to life, but they had never seen anyone bring themselves back to life!
That is the one thing which will forever make Jesus stand out as the one true God. The fact that He died, was buried, and arose (himself) on the third day. Exactly as He had promised! I, for one, cannot think why anyone could love me that much. A sinful person such as myself, having someone give their life for me, and then to raise Himself so they can fulfil the promises they had given to me. This is exactly what Christ has done for us.
Each one of us has something very special, something we have in common, but something private. A separate, special link with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our intercessor. He is our protector. He is our Lord. To be there, to be able to witness the event, to be amongst the Apostles when Jesus was in their midst, must have been something very special; and maybe a bit frightening. But, one thing we all have to look forward to is the day when we can all be together in heaven. A day that has been made possible by one single man giving His life for each one of us. Just like the people who saw Jesus before and after His resurrection, we can all look forward to the day! We do serve a risen, living, loving Saviour!
Points to Ponder:
How much does Jesus love you?
There is no space for doubt in our faith. We do serve a risen Saviour!
March 26: Luke 23 50-56
Key Verse: Luke 23 56
Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
Devotion:
Have you ever been in a “state of limbo”, waiting for something to happen after a life changing event? The disciples were in a bit of a state after Jesus died on the cross. I am sure that they wondered what was going to happen to themselves after their Master had died. I'm not too sure whether they actually expected Him to die! By their actions, I would say they had expected something to happen immediately and it wasn’t.
When Jesus said to the disciples it was necessary for His temple to fall and to be raised up three days later, He was talking about the temple of His body. In order to fully defeat Satan, once and for all, Jesus had to make sure His perfect, sinless, blameless, human body was a perfect sacrifice for us all. He had to make sure He was killed, so He could raise Himself three days later after which there could be no arguments. Joseph, a counsellor, had not agreed with what had happened to Jesus and stepped forward to give Jesus a proper burial. He was given charge of Jesus body which he took and buried in his own tomb. He was a Jew, so knew that Jesus body must be buried before the Sabbath to keep within the Jewish laws. He was still waiting for the Kingdom of God.
After Joseph and the ladies had made sure Jesus’ body was secure, they went back home to quickly prepare spices and ointments before the Sabbath. Meanwhile, the disciples went into their state of not knowing what to do. I'm pretty sure doubt set in and they would have thought maybe they had got it wrong, maybe Jesus was not who they were lead to believe. Satan has the ability to cast doubt in amongst the most favourable circumstances!
There is nothing more dangerous than a day of rest if you have any doubt about a situation. The disciples still wanted to believe they had got it right, but doubt started to set in because their beloved Master had actually died. Their faith was being put to one more test. They had been told that everything would be revealed, but they had allowed a little doubt to start to settle in.
Points to Ponder:
How often do you find yourself doubting your actions?
There is no space for doubt in our faith. We do serve a real Saviour?
March 25: Luke 23 32-38
Key Verse: Luke 23 34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Devotion:
Love is something that can conquer many evils. But Jesus showed just how much He loved us by giving His life on the cross for us. And it did not stop there... He prayed to God whilst on the cross saying something like “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Not only was He giving His life, but He was pleading for ours, pleading for all those who were sinning, and for all those of us who were to follow as sinners (everyone).
I must admit when I am physically hurt, I do find it difficult to forgive immediately. The first reaction we often have is to retaliate before grabbing the part of our body which hurts, then, maybe sometime later, we find it in our hearts to forgive them. Jesus, on the other hand, asked for forgiveness on our behalf immediately.
Turning the other cheek is something that of us will find very difficult. But to Jesus, it was the natural thing to do. Yes, as God, He could have retaliated as the leaders derided Him, or as they cast lots to divide His clothes, or as the soldiers mocked Him. But instead, He showed all of us, and them, His love by staying on the cross and letting His life blood flow for each and every one of us.
As the thieves were hanging next to Him, one of them recognised the situation they were in, realised his life meant nothing, and that Jesus was giving His life for them. Jesus heard Him and told him he too would be in heaven shortly, simply for believing in Jesus and asking for that forgiveness, maybe not out loud but certainly in his heart. As they hung there on their crosses, they knew the end was coming within the next few hours. They knew how much time they had before it would be too late to ask for forgiveness. We don't know when Jesus is going to come back for us. The only thing we can do is to be ready Now!
Points to Ponder:
Who was the last person who hurt you; have you forgiven them yet?
When was the last time you hurt Jesus? He has forgiven you!