February 18: 1 Peter 1 13-16
Key Verse: 1 Peter 1 14
as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
Devotion:
Being obedient is just one of the things we learn about in our lives. When we are young, our parents try to teach us through love, example, and when all else fails, through “parental authority”. I will leave each of you to fill in your own conception about the parental authority because we all have very different views.
When we are young, our eyes are easily distracted by the shiny things which surround us. Maybe we are distracted by something which looks a whole lot better than what it is, or a whole lot easier than what we are doing. Often, the only way we get to learn what is the right way, is by doing something wrong – whereupon we are then informed of our mistakes, told or shown the truth and we then begin to learn. Sometimes we ignore that good advice and we start to act against it – only to be brought down further a bit later on.
Sometimes we think we are getting away with things and we ignore the fact we are going to get found out. Sometimes we just don't want to believe we can get found out. But when push comes to shove, and we get to the end of the line, we find out someone was watching us all the way!
Sometimes we ignore the truth, even when it would be good for us; just because it is easier to ignore it at the time. Why do we do that? Because we believe we know what is best for us at that time. But, then we find out the truth, just maybe we do not know what is best for us! There is only One who does know what is best for us in every moment of our lives. There is only One who knows about every moment in our lives. There is only One God!
Points to Ponder:
How often do you do your own thing without asking?
How often do you involve God in everything?
February 17: Leviticus 19 35-37
Key Verse: Leviticus 19 37
‘Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the Lord.’
Devotion:
Following the rules can be hard, especially when we have lived a life where we have not had to follow those rules. Before we were Christians, it was easy to fit in with others; you just bent the rules a bit so you could make yourself more like others. It did not matter if you broke the rules a little bit, after all, all your new friends were already breaking the rules.
But once you have accepted Christ into your life, that should all change. You should be thinking about those rules; you should be thinking about all the things God wants you to do in your new life with Him. You should be putting Him before your old rules, upholding that which is right, upholding laws. Not just because they are laws, but because it is what God wants us to do and not just that but because you want to change.
The Lord wants each one of us to be an example for Him. And what example are we going to be for Him if we are not following the local rules? What example are we going to be if we are found to be cheating or telling lies. What example are we going to be if we are not upholding all that is righteous.
How would people think we meant it if we were going behind their backs and doing the opposite of what we were telling them to do? How would we be able to tell them about the truth if we were hiding behind lies? How could we do anything for Christ if we are not going to follow His rules? God wants us to be honest, fair, just, law abiding and not just to those laws that we want to follow, but to all of them.
Points to Ponder:
Which rules do you regularly bend?
How pleased is God with your attitude?
February 16: Matthew 5 43-48
Key Verse: Matthew 5 48
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Devotion:
It's not such a tall order – just be perfect! Boy, if only we could! In reality we all very far off the mark. In reality we tend towards the first verse in this passage: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.” We only have to look at the news to see just how much we are at war with ourselves. Whilst many of us do hope and pray for peace, there are those who are hell bent at making war. Whilst we may try to calm things down, others incite violence wherever possible. Whilst we try to show compassion for all, we cannot hide our feelings for those rising up against us. We are human and we do have hateful responses for many things in our lives.
Whilst we still harbour those feeling of hatred and violence, we are no better than those we aim those feeling at. As long as we continue to show disrespect or feeling of dislike towards others, we continue to walk as other men do. We have become so used to following other people’s examples because it is easier to do that. We have followed the politicians and movie stars in the things they do. We have followed famous people in the things they have said and believed.
But what have we done with the example and Word of our Lord. Too many times in our lives we continue to ignore what is written in favour of what we think is right. Too many times we turn down the righteous in favour of what we think and desire.
Think about the relationship we have or had with our parents. We listened to them because we found out that what they were trying to teach us was right and helpful. We have a wonderful God who wants us to follow Him and to act like we are His children. He is an awesome God who has created a wonderful place for us to live. He is trying to teach us how we should be living, but we continue to turn our backs just when it counts...
Points to Ponder:
What is (or was) your relationship like with your parents?
What is your relationship like with God?
February 15: Titus 2 1-10
Key Verse: Titus 2 10
not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Devotion:
If you have ever wondered at what we should be doing as Christians, then Paul's letter to Titus should serve as a reminder. Whilst Titus himself was a man who was teaching and ordaining others, he still had to bear in mind that he was, above all, a Christian who should be acting like one. As Christians we are sometimes looked at as desert islands, surrounded by seas of despair and discouragement. Others may see us as a place never to be stuck or they may see us as a place of safety in a tempestuous sea. What we do to those immediately around us is how others will see us!
If we are going to be brash and show others we live in the same world as them and follow their 'rules of life', then we are showing them we are only as good as them. If we want to be counted as Christians, then we must make sure they know we have standards which we live up to, standards set by God and not by man. I am not saying we should all rebel against the law, far from it! What we should be doing is showing others around us the same love that God shows us.
We know God's love, yet we may find it hard to explain. I have learned the best way of explaining things to others that we find hard to put into words is to show them by example. If we are to do things instead of talking about them, then the words within this passage today should be read and meditated upon. Think about what Paul is trying to say to Titus. Think about the effect each of these actions can have on the people we know.
The one thing which stands out above all of these words is Love. Yes I know it was valentine’s day yesterday and no, I did not forget; but what I do not like is the fact that this 'love' is being shown on a single day out of a full year. As Christians we know God has loved us from the beginning of time and continues to do so. Our love to those around us should be equally as long. But above all, that love must be based on doctrine. Which means we should follow Christ's example and make sure our love is honest and pure, not demeaning nor vile, and showing others God's love is above even ours!
Points to Ponder:
Did you remember Valentines Day?
Does your love go beyond a simple day?
February 14: Jude 1 20-23
Key Verse: Jude 1 21
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Devotion:
Yes I know Jude has only one chapter – but computers are a bit particular about numbers so you get the chapter number as well. That aside, we should be very particular about the things we do and the things we believe in. The Lord has directed us to know there is only One God, and that is Him. The Lord, furthermore, does not want us to sit around and do nothing about it, but to take that knowledge and to share it around!
If we are to show others the way of Salvation, then we have to show them some sort of knowledge that will convince them about the truth. Sometimes you can just tell someone about something and they will believe you – other times you have to beat it into their heads, and yet other times you have to give them such a fright about the consequences they are forced to open their eyes to the truth.
These verses in Jude remind us about reminding others about God’s Word in whatever way it takes to reach them. If they do not believe what we tell them, then it is time to try a different tactic. Maybe we have to give them a physical example before they will believe. Or maybe we have to give them a fright before they believe. Rest assured, whatever is required, the Lord will be able to guide you in the exact method that is required – if you ask Him and listen to Him!
It may be easy to try and tell people about what you believe but without The Lord's backing, you are going to be telling them things that they will simply want to brush off. If you want someone to believe, then you have to approach them with the wisdom that can only come from God and to take that wisdom and use it in the manner that He wants you to use it. We do not know enough about other people, about the way they think, about what is going on in their heads, to be able to know what is best for them at that very moment. But The Lord does know that and with His backing, we can do things the right way!
Points to Ponder:
How many people do you tell about Jesus?
How many times do you ask Him for help first?