Thursday Reading: Ecclesiastes 12 8-14
 
Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 12 14
14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether evil.

Devotion:
It is always nice to be involved in the glamorous side of work, being up there in front when things are going well and being recognised as one of the people doing all that glamorous stuff, but there is always a lot of background work being done that we must not forget. The more we strive to get involved with the glamorous side of life the less we will be able to focus on the things that actually make a difference and the more we will be side-tracked by that glamour instead of the work we should be doing.

The more that Solomon delved into life the more he found out that there is too much vanity and not enough focus on reality. That is our problem today as well, we want to be counted in the group that is seen and heard rather than doing the real work. If we know there is work to be done we should go ahead and do it rather than waiting for someone to see us before we start. If we are involved in something glamorous and we see there is work to be done that will take us out of the glamour then we should not think twice about that work – we should do it!

God’s work is not going to be glamorous; we have Jesus’ life to testify for that! God will reward us for what we do and He will not hold back what is due to us. Why then should we be holding back what is due to Him just because we are not being seen to be doing His work? Maybe we are the ones that should be repairing, maintaining and supplying the bikes to make it easier for others to get up the hills. Maybe we are the ones that need to work behind the scenes so that others can get the recognition. We do not know God’s plan for us, but He knows His plan and He wants us to get down and do things, real things.

Points to Ponder:
Do you like being in the spot-light?

Are you doing what counts for God?

Wednesday Reading: Genesis 50 15-21
 
Key Verse: Genesis 50 20
20  But as for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save a great many people alive.

Devotion:
How many times have you looked back on things that have happened and seen that they actually did happen for a reason; but during those times we could not see why they were happening? We cannot understand all of God’s ways because we never see the whole picture but we can understand what He has done for us after we see that it was actually His will in our lives. When Joseph was sold as a slave and traded away, he must have though all manner of things after being raised as his father’s favourite sons. But when he was faced with the final closure when his brothers finally came to bow before him, that may well have been the defining moment when he finally saw God’s big picture!

We may not like it when God gives us extra burdens to carry but He does that because He knows we can bear them. He would not give them to us if He knew we would buckle and fail; yes we may buckle a few times as we get to know how to handle those burdens but we have been given them to strengthen our position. God has the big picture and He is preparing us for what will come ahead. If we do not do the exercise then we may not be able to go through that which is coming round the corner. That sounds harsh and even discouraging, but as with Joseph God has planned things for His glory and for our good. When we are finding things heavy to bear then maybe He is planning a triumphant result that we could never imagine.

If three people were trying to ascend a hill, one may be given a bike because they cannot manage. One may be left alone because they can manage. Whilst one may be given a weight to carry because they were very fit. The one with the bike may reach the top first but that will encourage them to find out more. The less fit person will be encouraged because they reached the top before the fittest person. Finally the fit person will be looking to train harder so they can finish in a better time next time. Which person would you be?

Points to Ponder:
Do you think life is good?
 
Are you seeing that God is allowing you to work?

Tuesday Reading: Ephesians 6 19-20
 
Key Verse: Ephesians 6 19
19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Devotion:
Once we know that we are safe in the hands of God, protected, upheld and encouraged, we then should be looking at how we are encouraged and how we can then use that encouragement. The apostle counts himself in that number that needs to take note – no matter how much we do know God’s Word, there is always more to learn and there is always more that we can do as well. He knows that God continues to encourage him to show others the gospel so that they can get to learn the truth as well. He knows that nobody aside from God is perfect, least of all him, and that means he needs the encouragement to go out and tell others of God’s Word.

The more we are able to know that our faith counts, the more that we are then able to show others our faith. That showing may just be in the way that we act or it may be physically sitting down with someone one on one; it all counts. The more we come to know God’s Word, the more we are then able to pass on that knowledge to others. The more we do that, the more others will begin to know. How else is everyone going to be told about God’s Word unless we stand up and be bold? Sometimes we need an explanation for what we read and being able to count on someone else to help with that explanation is a must. Once we have that understanding we can then be the one that can pass on that understanding when others seek answers too.

When we get labelled as one stuck in God’s Word, a bible basher or a Jesus freak or whatever, we need to be proud that others will separate us to the extent that they label us. We may then be counted as one of Christ’s children. We need to be proud of that fact and allow others to see that we are certainly not ashamed of our heritage to be counted as one of His children.

Points to Ponder:
How well do you know God’s Word?

Are you helping others with His Word?

Monday Reading: Ephesians 6 13-18
 
Key Verse: Ephesians 6 16
16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
 
Devotion:
Looking at the same verses today but focusing on verse 16 where we must take up the shield of faith. If we look back in history we find so many different kinds of shields that have been used over the years and just about all of them have a dual purpose; first to shield the bearer from whatever the enemy is launching at them and second as a weapon. Some shields may just be for show but their roots are in protection. As long as the bearer continues to hold up that shield they are protected; if they give up relying on that shield then they open themselves up to all manner of things.

Why is it called a shield of faith; not only because we have to yield it to gain from it but because we do not know what protection it offers until we can use it. When the children of Israel carried the Ark of the Covenant with them they were doing so out of faith because they believed that God would protect them – and God did exactly that. They did not know the power of God in war until they took it with them. That shield not only protected the carriers but all who were willing to believe.

Our shield of faith is a shield against all that Satan can throw at us, and believe me he is going to throw all manner of things our way! The fiery darts were darts or arrows that had some wadding wrapped around their shafts probably soaked in tar or oil and which was set alight to burn whatever it came in contact with. The purpose was not so much to aim at a person but rather to aim at houses and other things that would burn, destroying the people from the inside. Satan is going to drop all manner of temptations in our path that will tempt us away from God’s will and His way. Satan wants to destroy us from the inside because he knows that is where our weakness lies. Our protection may seem flimsy when viewed in light of what Satan is throwing, but it is a sure protection that will withstand everything – so long as we have faith to yield it. If we allow those darts to get to us then we will have a hard time trying to put them out; upholding your shield will make sure they cannot take root to start with.

Points to Ponder:
What kind of protection would you seek in battle?

Do you know how great God’s protection is?