March 5: Mark 14 1-9
Key Verse: Mark 14 5
It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.
Devotion:
Can you name a big step you have made in your life for Christ? Can you pinpoint a single act which others have questioned? I can name a few cases where people around me have questioned what I am doing because they have looked at the worldly cost of my act rather than what it is doing for God – and some of those were Christians! We all look at the acts we do as very different from each other. Each year there is now a campaign run during lent called 40Acts where people are challenged to do an act of generosity each day for 40 days.
Jesus supported anyone who was willing to carry out an act of generosity in God’s name; anyone who was willing to promote God through an act which may well seem counter intuitive by the rest of the world! In this case when a woman came forward with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and committed to use the jar on Jesus despite the physical cost of the perfume. Jesus supported her and her act. He did not focus on the worldly cost of the perfume but on the heart-felt meaning of the act.
We need to follow Jesus’ example and look for the spiritual and heart-felt meanings behind what people do rather than focusing on the worldly view of said tasks. Too often we do look at the physical cost rather than what it means to God and to giving God the glory. Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him and He was willing to accept this act as a very special act toward Him.
If we are able to put aside our earthly views and focus on what things mean to God, we will not only go further with what we do but we will promoted the gospel more than we can imagine. Our selfless acts are seen by worldly people as acts which go above and beyond what is reasonable or common sense. These acts will stick in their minds and allow God to break through to their hearts when the time is right!
Points to Ponder:
Do you put a cost on everything you do?
How much are you willing to do for God?
March 4: Romans 11 7-10
Key Verse: Romans 11 8
as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”
Devotion:
No matter how hard we try to share the gospel with people, there are always going to be some who just don’t want to accept it – not because they have not been introduced to it, or understood it, but because they have fooled themselves into believing what they want rather than accepting the truth.
To be honest, we are all like this at some point in our lives when we would rather say no than accept something we don’t want to believe or something which will make us change our lives. We are all creatures of habit to a certain extent and we all like to think we know the right answer even when everyone else has changed their minds! It is something about the human psyche that overrides common sense and makes us do things which are just wrong!
I had a weird dream last night where I was trying to provide help for people who were staying over at the house, but for some reason my mind had been totally blocked as to where the kitchen door had gone! I walked up to where it should be but I could not see or feel it – yet I knew it must be there. After breaking down a bit I was able to find the door and hence help feed the people who were staying over! Sometimes we just cannot see the wood from the trees (a good English saying!)
God wants us to have an open mind and open heart at all times so we can accept the things He wants us to have and follow the ways He lays out before us. Our habits and our former lives may well work against us and even prevent us from doing the right thing – but God does not give up on us and continues to try and guide us. He knows how many of us have taken our own paths and He knows how many of us continue to trust and obey His commandments. Which side of the fence are you on?
Points to Ponder:
Are you afraid of following God’s wishes?
Or are you afraid of going against your friends and family?
March 3: 1 Thessalonians 5 4-11
Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5 7
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
Devotion:
How many people do you know who openly do things wrong in the sight of people of authority? I guess we all do know someone who has done something wrong and who has been caught and even punished, but I don’t think many of us know people who continually go out of their way to do things wrong in plain sight. I would hope we are not the one’s who do this!
If we are going to do wrong, we will probably choose a time and place where we will not be seen, heard and caught! When thieves go out to steal stuff, they normally choose a time when they will not be seen; either choosing night time or a time when people are not at home. They don’t want to be caught! We do not know when people are going to try and break into our houses or into our places of work because they do not advertise the fact they are going to break in!
We don’t have to be caught up in that sort of lifestyle. We have the choice of not joining in. We have the choice of staying in the light and being protected by that light! We choose to sleep at night because it is normally more productive to work during the day time and you are held accountable by your actions because people can see you in the light of day. Yes, people such as hospital staff do work night shifts such and I take my hat off to them for doing so and looking out for me last year too! But as a rule, we prefer to work during the day time.
God has not chosen us to be thieves in the night. He has not chosen us to be drunkards during the night hours. He has chosen us to be careful of what we do and how we live so we can be an example to others. He has chosen us to put on the protection offered to us by His light. He has chosen us to put on the armour of God in all its parts, remembering how Christ died for us to keep us safe and so we can live together in relative peace and safety. The evil one has other plans and continues to throw a spanner in the works whenever he can – but if we uphold God’s ways and His will in our lives, we should be a lot better off!
Points to Ponder:
Do you hide in the shadows?
Or do you bring forth God’s light?
March 2: Luke 12 35-40
Key Verse: Luke 12 38
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.
Devotion:
Working from home has its ups and downs… it is nice not to be disturbed by people in an office, but not so good being cut off from people every day! It is nice to have peace and quiet to work in, but not so good not being able to call on a work mate to answer questions without having to do it over the phone (I don’t like phones for some reason!) When working in an office, you are typically ready for most things work wise, but working from home you have to be disciplined to make sure you stay ahead of the game and be ready for anything!
When you are employed to do a job of some description, you should be willing and ready to perform tasks related to that job when called to do so. You should be ready to even go out of your way to try and pre-empt certain tasks. This all seems like the normal thing to do for work and to keep your job… but what about your life with God? Are you willing to step up and do things all the time? Are you ready to do things as soon as you are asked?
Jesus told many parables as a means of getting people to understand the ways of the Lord through seeing life from a slightly different perspective. The more we see how we have to do things in our ‘normal lives’ the more we should be seeing how we should be doing things in our spiritual lives and our relationship with God.
We don’t know when Christ will return – but that should not cause us concern, because if we are prepare for His return, then it will be a matter of course when He does come. It may be a surprise, but we should be able to handle it because we are ready and waiting.
But be aware the evil one is also waiting in the side lines trying to trip you up and stop you from living your life fully with God. He wants to disrupt your life so you have doubts. He wants you to stop working for and with God because that is just what he is like; and we certainly do not know when he will attack – but we have to be ready for that too!
Points to Ponder:
Do you act good just to say you are ready?
Are you really ready for good or bad to come into your life?
March 1: Psalms 90 10-12
Key Verse: Psalms 90 12
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Devotion:
Considering the age of the world and the solar system (it’s very old no matter how you look at it) we do not live for very long! Our lives depend on our health, attitude and even our wealth to a certain extent; any which of these could take years away from our lives. The uncertainty of our lives drives some people to despair and troubles many people, even Christians. God has promised us eternal life and we can look forward to an eternity with Him in Heaven, but the uncertainty of our lives on earth can wear us down!
We need to continue asking God for guidance so we can get the most out of our lives on earth – but also so we can make the most of them. The subtle difference being what we get from God and what we are willing to give back to God. I learned last year to not just trust God had my life in His control, but also that I should come back fighting so I could do more for Him after my illness. I continue to gain strength and enjoy better health than last year, but have got far to go before I can relax!
God has impressed on me I have a lot of things to offer Him through our community work and our church outreach. I love the fact I have been given a second chance and want to succeed in doing my best for Him. That does not stop at just doing work for community and church – it also extends to living life according to God’s plan and living it with my friends and family (something I have not done too well on in the past!)
God wants us to be proficient, prolific and professional. Hows that for a few P’s! But doing this all according to God’s plan takes time and courage. We are going to be asked to step out of our comfort zones at times. We are going to be asked to do more than we have done before. We are going to be asked all manner of things – how are we going to fit it all in our busy lifestyles! God has a plan for that and listening out for His plan must become central to our lives so we can get the most our of life and do the most we can too.
Points to Ponder:
Do you live for yourself or for God?
Are you willing to spend more time listening out for God?