Saturday Reading: Romans 6 21-23
 
Key Verse: Romans 6 23
23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Devotion:
Have you noticed that when you look back on old photographs or pictures of when you were younger that you cringe at the thought of some of the things you got up to? Yes we can put it aside and say that we knew no better because we were so young but keep that feeling in your mind. Now start to think of some of the things that you have done only to find out that they are or were wrong. Again how would you feel if you did that now? The more we learn about life the more we can identify what is right and wrong and the more we can avoid the things that would make us feel ashamed for doing.

The very same needs to be said about our spiritual life with God; the more that we learn from God about what is right and wrong in His eyes the more we are able to try to avoid those wrong things. It’s not a case of saying “He’s not watching so I’ll just do this quickly!” God is always present and always watching over us; getting away with embarrassing things just does not happen! Though those things may seem pleasant and inviting at the time, looking back and thinking that God was watching does not seem that good!

We can be set free from our sin by believing and trusting in Christ and all that He has done for us. It does not mean that we will avoid sin forever whilst here on earth because we will continue to make mistakes; but we can rest assured that we do have Him to help us at all times. We no longer need to be afraid of sin because we have God on our side, Christ by our side and the Holy Spirit with us. With those sort of odds we can have the strength to resist sin if we are willing to trust in God when we see sin approaching. He does not want us to be ashamed. He wants to help us around sin and not through it.

Points to Ponder:
Are you embarrassed yet?
 
Do you keep God in your thoughts?

Friday Reading: Proverbs 14 12

Key Verse: Proverbs 14 12
12  There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.

Devotion:
There is always going to be a time when you think that you are right and that everyone else is wrong; whether it be your friends, enemies or even governments, we all have our differences and like to stick with our own thoughts. Just because we then think that we are right, it does not automatically lead on that we are right. We may make our own laws which we stick to and hence ‘prove’ that we are right within our laws; but that does not make us right. There is only one law which is right and that is the truth – God’s law.

When we start to compare ourselves against God’s law we very quickly work out that we are in the wrong; why do you think that so many people turn away from God’s law. We don’t like to be proved wrong and we don’t like anything that will prove us to be wrong. Ignoring the truth and hiding it from our lives does not make us right or not guilty either. Just because you don’t see a road sign saying that the speed limit is 30mph does not make you right to drive at 40mph; the law is still there and we are still guilty.

We like to chase after carnal things rather than focusing on spiritual things because they are more amenable to our way of life. Can it be so wrong with so many people chasing after that carnal way of life? Yes it can be. Just because there is a crowd chasing after it, it does not prove it right!

Christ came to earth to live a sinless life so that He could lay His life down for us and pay for something that He had not done; that is the truth and there is no hiding from it. We continue to do things our own ways because we like it or we think of it as less harmful than the things others are doing. There is no way we can live a sinless life like Christ did so we need to stop fooling ourselves and accept the truth; believe on what Christ has done for us and ask Him to forgive us for the things that we do wrong. That is all He wants us to do so that He can save us from the penalty that awaits us if we do not...

Points to Ponder:
What rules do you have for yourself?
 
Do you listen to God’s rules?

Thursday Reading: Proverbs 11 16-20
 
Key Verse: Proverbs 11 20
20  They who are of a perverse heart are hateful to The LORD, but the upright in the way are His delight.

Devotion:
No matter which way you look at it we all have a right to be treated with respect. If we want to be treated with respect then we have to respect others first; it’s no good looking for respect until someone first starts showing respect! There are many ways in which we can do so and God’s Word will give you all of them. Being gracious to start with will draw glory to the target of our affection; so long as that target is God then we draw glory to Him quite easily. Being merciful will make you feel good inside whereas being cruel will eat away at your heart. Our bodies are God’s temples so being merciful will make it a better place, bringing glory to Him.

Just being respectful about simple things like this in life will allow others to see that we respect God and His ways; it shows others that God is our God and they need Him too. Being honest and upright will allow others to see that we uphold God’s ways which are good; not only that but they are profitable for us and for our souls too. We cannot hope to be able to draw closer to God if we are lugging round a whole lot of bad baggage with us. Until we let go of the bad stuff in our lives and allow God to guide us in the right ways we will continue to sink under that load of bad baggage.

There is nothing God hates more than sin and the centre of that sin in a deceitful or perverse heart. You may find it very difficult to let go of some things in your life so asking God to help you to cast them aside will show that you are willing to trust in Him to help you out of your sin. He can lift you up out of any hole that you have dug – so long as you trust Him to help you. That is why He is waiting at the mouth of the hole, not to judge you for digging the hole, but to save you from that hole that you insist on digging!

Points to Ponder:
What things do you do for yourself?

What things do you do for God?

Wednesday Reading: Philemon 1 4-7
 
Key Verse: Philemon 1 7
7  For we have great joy and consolation over your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

Devotion:
What can lift you up more than knowing that someone really does care for you? What sort of feelings do you have caring about others? It is difficult to describe those sorts of feelings because they cannot be seen but the affects can be seen. We know when someone cares for us and we can pick up how much they care by what they are willing to do for us. It is not a case of judging what they have done but rather what they are willing to do. Sometimes circumstances make it impossible for us to do things for others; it is the willingness that counts. That being said it does make it harder to put over that willingness without actually doing things so just letting people know that you care is what is required.

Our faith in Christ should unite all Christians together under His love. We should be able to lift up the truth and know that we can continue to love and care for each other no matter what worldly things will get in our way. Just knowing that other Christians genuinely care for us encourages us so that we can encourage others. As long as we are all working together for the furtherance of God’s Word then we can do so much more than trying to work alone. Never be shy about accepting help from other Christians who care for you!

Paul was getting old and he was in prison; but that did not stop him from writing letters to other Christians or even seeing other Christians. He did not let earthly things get in the way of heavenly and spiritual things. We need to take a leaf from his book and be encouraged by everything that God allows us to do because we know we can go forward safe in the knowledge that we are never alone; that there is always someone thinking of us too.

Points to Ponder:
What would you like to do for others?
 
Do you know what God wants to do for you?