May 19: Acts 2 1-13
Key Verse: Acts 2 13
Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
Devotion:
Do you ever like being put down by anyone with a few words? How much worse is it when they seem so sure of themselves and it breaks down the hope you were clinging to? One thing we must not do is to allow the world to get us down when we are looking to God for things. Yes the world is going to get us down at times, such as when there are atrocities, disasters and other horrible things going on be it natural or man-made; but when they are spiritual things, God is the one who we need to trust and not the world!
Jesus had given instruction to the disciples they would have a great comforter and guide to lead them forward because He would not be with them when He returned to Heaven. This was the time when that comforter arrived and showed them just how much they could do when they trusted God! When we turn to God instead of this world we will see just how much He can do for us as well. It may not start with fire landing on our heads or being able to speak in different languages or tongues, but it will surprise you just how much God can do for you!
When we are relying on God there may well be someone there to try and destroy our confidence, someone who seems to have earthly answers, but someone who has a chink in their armour! Don’t be discouraged that they have a small word that seems to bring you down to earth but be encouraged it is only a small word because God’s Word is so much greater!
God wants us to be the disciples who take His Word out to others. Just like the disciples and even Jesus Himself, we are going to face people who say all manner of things about us and against us. We may see people who say they are from the church come up against us. We may see people who say they have authority come up against us. What we must do is to continue trusting in Christ to guide and keep us; we may not see the results when we want them, we may have to wait until His time is right, but God will be there for us just as He promised.
Points to Ponder:
Do you sometime have sharp words for others?
Will you trust God with others as well?
May 18: Psalms 1 1-6
Key Verse: Psalms 1 3
He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Devotion:
Trying to live a life for God can be difficult, but it can be very rewarding too. When we try to do what is right in God’s eyes much of the world around us will seem to be against us and we may even feel persecuted beyond what we can bear, but God will be the one supporting us as we move forward with Him. That support may not seem much when we think the whole world is against us, but it is more sure than anything this world has to offer!
The ungodly people who may be against us have not got this sure footing we have in Christ. Whatever they do will not last but will be taken away by whatever there is around us. The heartache we bear because of those brief excursions from love and charity will seem like nothing when they have gone, but we may well remember them for the pain we suffered at the time. Don’t let these things bring you down because, as the psalmist says, they are like chaff in the wind. They may be filling our lives at the moment, but when that wind comes along they will slowly be sifted out of our lives.
Walking with God can be difficult when our world is filled with chaff. We may think it is like wading through mud or trying to pull ourselves out of the water just by using the water itself; seemingly impossible until someone stretches out a hand to you. Always look for God’s hand as He stretches forward to bring us stability, even in the wildest storms in our lives.
We need to spend time with God and in His word so we can recognise when He does offer the help we need. If all we see around us is the chaff we may not recognise the wind when it comes. If we don’t keep our hearts and minds open to God’s teaching then we may not hear Him when He calls out our names. Even being a tree means being open to the nutrients that come from the ground. Be open and ready.
Points to Ponder:
Do you feel trapped?
Have you closed your doors?
May 17: John 14 15-18
Key Verse: John 14 16
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever
Devotion:
Is there anyone in your life you wish you could spend every moment with just to make sure they are OK all the time? Is there someone you want to be able to look after because you know they are struggling or lonely? Is there someone you know who could do with a bit of company just to get them through today? No matter how small or short a calling, I am sure we could all think of someone who could do with a bit of love today – even if that someone is you.
The problem is we cannot be with them all of the time no matter how hard we try. We can go round as often as possible, we can love them fully, we can share what we have with them and we can do all manner of physical things… sometimes it is just the love we give them that will count most of all. God saw this in the beginning with mankind. Jesus saw this when He walked with us; this is why He promised to never leave us alone any more.
If we are willing to trust and obey God we will be able to see just how much He is with us and how much He cares for us. If we run off in our own direction we lose sight of the work God does in our lives because we are too focused on getting the best we can out of the trouble we have. But when we rest in His arms we begin to see how much He loves us. Now we could tell someone we love them as much as we liked, but until we show them the love is real, what do they have to go on?
Christ told us how much He loves us and He showed us how much He loves us by giving His life for us. Let us not get upset because we cannot see Him. Let us not be afraid because we cannot feel His hand holding ours. Let us fully trust in our unseen God who has promised us to never leave us alone when we first come to Him. That is just so awesome!
Points to Ponder:
Do you like hugs?
Have you had your hug from Jesus today?
May 16: John 14 1-6
Key Verse: John 14 3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Devotion:
What is the difference between churches? What is the difference between denominations? Emotive questions and not ones I have asked to start an argument but rather to try and lay things to bed. Each of us are very difference because God has created us different and unique – each of us scientifically have different DNA, different finger prints and very different minds. The people that I love and care for do not necessarily love and care for me. Get over it and deal with it!
We are placed here to live the lives God has given us and not to try and be the best duplicate of someone else. If we want to be like anyone then we should aim to be more like Christ than any human being. He went out of His way to show He was different and yet cared for so many people who did not yet know Him. Christ’s plan was to share the gospel with many people so they may have a chance at getting to be with Him in Heaven.
Christ has gone to prepare us a place in Heaven and He will return to come and get us. Whether we die first or get taken up is not something we need to be that concerned with; what we need to be sure of is our belief in Christ. He is the way and the truth and the life and He is the only way we will get to Heaven. There is no piece of modern technology which will get us there, no other person or god who can lift us up. God alone, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will show us the way to Heaven; where He is waiting patiently for us.
In a devotional like this I want to be able to write volumes about how awesome God is and how much He loves us but what good would that be if you did not get to know Him first? He loves us so much He is opening the door for us to come in. He wants us to be with Him and a part of Him. He wants us to be His offspring, His children, His dependants. He wants us so much He gave His life for us! Thank about it…
Points to Ponder:
How much do you love others?
Do you give them your everything?
May 15: Deuteronomy 32 7-9
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 32 7
Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you:
Devotion:
After the flood, God divided up the land to the sons of Adam and sent them each on their own way. This was not done as punishment but rather to set the process going for the furtherance of His will in the future. If none of this had happened according to God’s wishes then Israel would not have been able to come into the place they would call home and we would not have the nation of Israel to look back on ourselves.
Instead, God set in motion the events which would lead to Jesus being able to return and give His life on the cross for our sakes. It is hard for us to comprehend the enormity of this task in hand where God would know the future and plan ahead for it way back then. But even in this time God was telling the people to look back in their own history to see how much God was already doing and how they could depend on Christ.
God would know how many people would be coming out of Egypt. He would know how many people would have to resettle after returning from Babylon. God would know how many people needed to have Christ die on the cross, how many would reject Him and how many would need proof before they would believe. All of these tasks were set in motion well before they were written down and prophesied by the prophets.
All of this throughout history required people to have faith and to trust Christ all the way. We are the weak ones who would give in and make our own excuses instead of following Christ without question. God knew the plans and He knew the failures of mankind; and yet He still came forward and left His Son to die on the cross for our own sakes. All because of His great love for each of us. What and awesome and loving God we serve… but never forget He is a mighty and just God who will not break the rumours!
Points to Ponder:
Do you trust God’s prophets?
Do you trust God’s Word?