March 9: 2 Corinthians 4 8-10
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 4 10
always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
Devotion:
The history books tell of some great suffering by many people in this world. The books about Hitler will tell you of the millions of Jews that were persecuted, but many leave out the millions of Christians that were persecuted too. The books on ancient Egypt tell of the millions of slaves that were used and abused during the reign of the Pharaohs, but they leave out the fact that millions were Christians. No matter how far you go, telling the world about Christian suffering just does not seem to be the done thing!
Maybe people are too scared to tell of the truth because they fear that uncovering the truth will lead them into a dead-end alley where they will then be forced to accept the truth. Living a life of “innocent ignorance” seems to be acceptable. The disciples were men who were willing to go that extra inch for Christ. They made sure they lived up to the Christian banner in their lives. We do not hear too much about the suffering they endured because none of them would want to boast of their suffering. They simply tell the facts about being imprisoned for many years and some of the abuse.
Maybe they knew exactly how little they were actually going through in comparison to what had been or what was to come. We get a hint from verses like this. Troubled, distressed, perplexed, despairing, persecuted, forsaken and cast down; but never destroyed – for they knew that God was on their side. But they also knew how much Jesus went through to die on their behalf. They were the ones who were there and able to see and hear first-hand just what Christ went through. We can watch films showing what our interpretation of the suffering was, but even those directors say they have “calmed things down”.
If we have to go through a little hardship, so what! Christ has been there, done that and more than deserves everything (never mind the T-shirt) that we can have to offer Him in return. He has paid it all!
Points to Ponder:
What is the worst thing you have had to endure for a friend?
How does that compare to giving your life?
March 8: Matthew 7 1-6
Key Verse: Matthew 7 5
Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Devotion:
So many times we jump in and offer advice to everyone. We are very quick to pick up on what other people do wrong. We are equally quick to try to sweep things under the carpet which we know are wrong!
Yes, it is hard not to judge people, and there is a fine line between judging someone and telling someone they are doing it all wrong to try and change their attitude or ways. So, if you do see someone doing something wrong, the right thing to do is to allow them to see what they have done wrong, but not to shove it in their face telling them they are doing it all wrong. The worst thing you can do is to pull someone up in front of everyone to tell them they are wrong. Has that ever happened to you? How did you feel?
Jesus is watching us carefully all the time. He is minding our steps in life and thought and spirit. If you try to fool someone into believing you are doing it all right when you are not, then the only one you are fooling is yourself! Jesus is the rightful judge, the righteous judge, the faithful judge. Another thing we are good at doing is to pick up on anything small which our friends are doing wrong, even if we are doing it even worse! It is an age old habit we all do at one time or another. And that is what this verse is reminding us not to do. How can we rightfully pick up on what others do wrong when we do that wrong as well? Is not Jesus the only one that has committed no sin?
And then we get to the people who just don't seem to care about what they do wrong, don't care about doing things against the law, even try to make sure they do not do things within the law! What are we to do with them? Well, there are places where the battle has been lost, and to try and confront someone like that would harm you and maybe even your family. Pray for them, that they may see the light, and when they do see a glimmer, then we can go in and support that light.
Points to Ponder:
How many times a day do you put someone else down for doing something wrong?
How many times a day does Jesus complain about how you do things wrong?
March 7: Proverbs 13 2-3
Key Verse: Proverbs 13 2
A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
Devotion:
One of the biggest problems that we have in our lives is our mouths! No matter how small a mouth we may have, they are just too big! It does not take much for our mouths to open up and say things that we ought not to. All manner of emotions brings forth all sorts of strange things from our mouths. Being cross brings violent thoughts which brings out violent words. Being jealous brings out covetous thoughts which brings out inappropriate words which often lead to violence in one way or another.
But have you ever noticed how being happy can also bring out some strange things from our mouths? When we get happy, we let our guard down and it is often then when we let our God down too. Our mouths are but a release valve for the thoughts that are building up in our minds. If we don't let God help us control them, then what we end up with is a whole lot of words that are “manmade”.
Have you ever noticed that some people in your life need only say one word for you to get angry with them? It is little wonder then we lose control of our thoughts and then our mouths. If we want to be able to control that sort of behaviour, then we need to make sure God has control in our lives. We have also got to remember just how much damage one word can do in others’ lives. It may take just one word for us to get angry and we know where that can lead. How about giving a thought to the other person when you say that one word in their lives? Think about what will happen in their lives before you let loose!
James 3 5 “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things, Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” If only we were able to see just how much of a wrecking ball our mouths can be before we open them and let loose on the rest of the world – but far too often we let loose and judge how bad it was by the damage that we did!
Points to Ponder:
How often do you let your guard down and let loose with your mouth?
How many times do you let your God down with that mouth?
March 6: Psalms 77 1-3
Key Verse: Psalms 77 14
You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
Devotion:
I wonder, have you ever got to the point where you have thought God has been ignoring you? Have you ever felt like God has given you a bit more than you can cope with? Whilst we do sometimes think we are at the end of our tether, God has promised us we shall never be given more than we can cope with. He will continue to forever keep that promise with us. It does not mean we are never going to have things happen to us which we do not like – far from it. But what it does mean is we do not ever have to feel like that.
God wants us to give our worries back to Him so we can rest in His peace. He wants us to understand that we have Him by our sides all the time. He wants us to understand there is nothing He cannot do. If we are going to have to go through a bit of hardship to realise that, then so be it.
Most of the time we tend to think of “me, myself, I” and not of those around us. We tend to live in a world where we focus on ourselves and ignore those around. We may tell others it is “nothing personal”, but that is exactly what it is. We are focused on what God is doing in our lives and not what He is trying to do for all around us!
If we were to be honest with ourselves and with God, then we would be able to see just how much He does do for all of us. He may not be doing something personal for you – or at least that is what you think... But if we were to take note of what He is doing for those around us, we begin to realise He is answering our prayers too – being very personal with us. God is a personal God. But He is also a very public God. He takes care of all of His children, not just me!
Points to Ponder:
How many arguments are because others do not do what you want them to?
Is there anything God cannot answer in a perfect way?
March 5: Isaiah 52 7-12
Key Verse: Isaiah 52 12
For you shall not go out with haste, Nor go by flight; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Devotion:
Every time I think of the things which get me down in this life, I look at what I have in store when this life ends. I look up to the wonders in heaven, the amazing life I will be able to live with Christ in heaven. We have people around us telling us that we should be looking forward in our lives, and not worrying about what has gone on in the past. These same people want us to put Christianity behind us and to go along with their “new age” beliefs where they care more for themselves than anything or anyone around.
The one thing which worries me when I start to try and figure out where they are headed is the fact they are not looking forward to any life after death! They have nothing to look forward to. They have no God to care for them. They are headed for a dead end.
When I look back in the Bible and see just how much God has done for His people, look forward to the wonders that await me in heaven! I just cannot see how anyone cannot believe in the Bible after they have read it, or how they cannot believe God exists and is our protector and our guide.
This promise, written in Isaiah, tells us how much God cares for us. He encourages us to go forward in our lives, but not in haste. When we blunder on forward in haste, we do not give time to God to listen to His will in our lives. When we go forward carefully, reading our Bibles and listening to what He wants us to do in our lives, we will find He is going out in front of us to straighten our paths for us. Not only that, but He is going to be our rear guard as well. He is going to protect us from all sides, leading us to a wonderful place by His side.
Points to Ponder:
Do your friend always stick by your side?
Do you ask God for all round protection?