February 3: 2 Corinthians 9 6-11
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 9 7
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
Devotion:
Many people outside of church often ask where the money comes from to keep things going. I am not talking about the huge cathedrals in city centres, but rather the small churches that are out in the middle of nowhere. The English countryside is dotted with old churches all over the place. Sadly, few of them have congregations of more than a handful. Many of the buildings were built many years ago and have stood the test of time, only to be let down by dwindling congregations and hence less money coming in to maintain them.
It is not the big churches in the towns and cities that are going to support these small churches, but the people that meet there themselves. God wanted to make sure that people would feel wanted, that they would feel like they belonged at the church. Being part of a church and helping to maintain it makes you more willing to do things in the church.
Being away from church allows your mind to wander and you start to fall into the little temptations that Satan has left dotted round you. Being in a church allows you to be constantly around other Christians and constantly close to God's Word. How are we going to keep strong in God's Word if we are not going to share it with others in church?
God loves a cheerful giver, not because the church building needs renovation, but because of the attitude. If you are willing to lay down part of your livelihood to help those around you, then you would be more willing to lay down part of your time to help them out as well. God loves each one of us and He wants to reward each of us for showing our love back to Him. We can do this in many ways. One way is by giving part of your life to the church.
Points to Ponder:
Are you able to attend a local church regularly?
Are you getting fed constantly?
February 2: 2 Corinthians 11 7-12
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 11 8
I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.
Devotion:
If you get to tell other people about God full-time, who would you expect to pay your wages so you can do that work? Alternatively, do you expect to be paid for telling other people about God? These are questions that provoke different answers from people because some people expect to be paid for everything whilst others would do the work and not expect to be paid. The reality of life is that we do need money to survive in society and hence we need to have an income from somewhere in order to live.
Just who should be responsible for paying for us to tell others about God is a good question. Some would say the church, as in the organisation, should pay for people to tell others about God because they are the ones promoting God in our lives. I think many in the church would argue against that knowing that the church does not always have money enough to pay the people for the work they do. Some would argue it should be the local people who get to hear the message who should be paying for the person doing the talking whilst others still would say the organisation or ministry who sends them out should foot the bills.
I have always tried hard not to burden anyone with the expenses for the work I do because that is just the way I feel about my work. The work I do telling others about God can be anywhere between couple of hours in a week to up to 50 hours in a week; not all of it is face to face work but there is a whole lot of work which has to be done behind the scenes at times just to make sure people get to hear the right message and the truth.
Paul was writing to the church in Corinth telling them other people were supplying him with his needs even though he was spending his time ministering to the Corinthians. Sometimes people to get to a stage where they may act like they own you even though they have never given you any financial support; again that is part of life and we have to accept this. Just don’t get caught up in arguments about who should be paying because that will tend to get people down rather than build them up for Christ.
Points to Ponder:
How much time do you spend working for God?
Are you depending on Him or expecting others to supply your financial needs?
February 1: Romans 14 14-23
Key Verse: Romans 14 22
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
Devotion:
It is so easy to tell someone else where they are going wrong in their lives! Maybe you can really see something wrong and are trying to help them. Maybe you just don't like what they are doing and want to end it. Or, just maybe, you have picked up on something you are doing and are blaming someone else to hide your problem! Not enough times in our lives do we sit down and think about what we are doing to others. We get caught up in just doing stuff and we give in to our own wants and desires without thinking of those needs of others around us.
It is true we do have different perceptions of what is wrong in our lives. We have different views of what is sin and what is not. Each of us tend to live up to our own standards, those we think are right and just. But none of them will ever live up to the standards of The Lord. For when we live up to our own standards, we are not giving thought to the standards of others.
If we move into a different area, or a different school, or even a different country, we will be faced with people that are living to different standards and rules. If we refuse to live up to those standards in their lives, then we will not be viewed in the same light as someone who is. If we bring something to them that they do not agree with, but insist we are right, then we are placing a stumbling block in their path.
If, on the other hand, we are able to identify their rules and change our lives to allow their rules to be met, then we are living for peace. No matter how much we think we may be right in the things we do, we cannot impose any rules without them coming directly from God. There is no other rule that can stand up before Gods Word! Don't try to think there is!
Points to Ponder:
What unwritten rules do you follow with friends?
Have you read God’s rules He wrote down for us?
January 31: Proverbs 12 12-14
Key Verse: Proverbs 12 12
The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
Devotion:
Have you ever thought about how good it would be to be like someone else? Have you ever thought how good it would be to be able to put others down when they are annoying you? Or to be able to take revenge on someone for what they have done to you?
There may well have been times in your life when you have been pushed too far and have thought about things like this. But there are some who continually think in this manner. They continually try to think of new way of being able to bring others down in some manner. You may also notice they seem to get away with a lot because of the lies they are willing to tell. But have you noticed how much trouble they get into when they are found out!
They are typically the selfish people who are always trying for a bit more self-gain; trying to get just a little bit more out of every situation and doing that purely for themselves. When they want something more, they go out and tell a few more lies; then when someone else they know wants something, they either encourage them to join in the lies or they turn their backs on them.
On the other side of the coin you get the people who are like farmers, trying to gain so that many people can join in the harvest; trying to gain so others may also enjoy their gain. Because they are helping others, when they start to get into a spot of trouble, they don't have to lie to get out because there are others around them who are willing to help them. They are wise enough to realise that lies will only end up in them being in more trouble than they started with and are willing to ask for help. It is truly amazing just how much you can get out of a situation when you are doing the work for God's Glory rather than your own! The comfort and joy you are able to enjoy far outweighs any personal gain you may have desired in the beginning. God will render to every man according to his work (Romans 6 2)
Points to Ponder:
What things do you see in others that you want for yourself?
What things do you think God likes in you?
January 30: 1 Corinthians 16 13-14
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 16 14
Let all that you do be done with love.
Devotion:
We may often sing or hear the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” and think nothing more of it than a rousing hymn. But why are we called soldiers. We are fighting a constant war against the evil in this world. That does not mean we have to be a tyrant and go about bashing evil at any time we can, but rather defending ourselves against it at all times. We are not the ones who are strong enough to fight it, but God, through us can!
“Watch ye”: We must ensure we are always on guard. For the stronger we are as Christians, the more threat we pose against Satan and the more we are going to be targeted. The more we try to be a Christian, the more we may come up against in our lives unless we are always alert. We have to be aware of all the ways Satan will try to get at us as well, not just through temptations, but through false teachings and even through our friends if they are unaware of his control in their lives.
“Stand fast in the faith”: We may not have the wherewithal to be able to stand up to evil and temptations, but as long as we fully believe in our convictions that the Bible is God's Word, then we can use God's Word as it has been used to defeat evil. Jesus Himself used God's Word whilst being shown temptation.
“Be strong”: We do have to have courage to be able to stand up to those we know are wrong. Yes, it does take a large dose of courage to be able to stand up when everyone around you seems to be against you. No matter how many people around you take the easy road, you have to stand up and make sure you are taking the just road!
“Let all your things be done with charity”: For as long as we are tempted with so many things, we are often going to have our feelings hurt, aroused, whatever. We will be fighting, and that in itself will raise feelings. But as long as we focus of love or charity whilst we are focusing on God's Word, we shall be able to stand fast and endure.
Points to Ponder:
How cross do you get with friends?
How often does God’s Word get forgotten in that anger?