Tuesday 15 January 2008

Tuesday Reading: Acts 19 8-12
 
Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 5 9
9  But when some were hardened and did not believe, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
 
Devotion:
How many times have you been faced with someone who refuses to believe what you tell them about Christ. I'm not talking about the ones that will give you some time to explain and and then move on to something else, I'm talking about the few that will continue to argue that there is no God. I'm talking about the ones that will go out of their way to spread gossip about you just because you dared to tell them about God. Or maybe they would tell others how stupid you are for believing in God. I am sure that we will all face a few of those people in our lives, but it should not stop us from spreading the gospel.
 
There is no reason why a single person or small portion of people doing these sort of things should stop you from continuing to help others to see the light. There is no reason why they should spoil it for the rest of us. The only way to tackle those sorts of people are to continue doing what you do best – encourage other people. If you are faced with people like that who are totally obstinate, move on to new people. They shuold not be the ones that should discourage you. They have chosen not to believe and they have proven their choice by doing what they do.
 
What we need to do is to continue showing others that we care for them. We need to continue trusting in God to supply for our needs so that we can continue to spread His gospel. By doing that we become a living example of His love and truth. By becoming that example, others will see His light and truth. Paul was given great responsibility and powers of healing so that He could show others some of God's power – he did it all through faith and continued no matter how many people turned their backs on God!
 
Points to Ponder:
Do people get you down when they put down God?
 
How often do you show that you live your life for God?

Monday 14 January 2008

Monday Reading: Proverbs 28 4
 
Key Verse: Proverbs 28 4
4  Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law plead against them.
 
Devotion:
How many times have you asked yourself why the wicked get away with so much? How many times have you asked why the wicked are so happy? Well, have you ever asked yourself who supports those wicked, and who says they are happy? What you will find is that they are supported by others who are wicked and most often described as successful or happy by others who are just as wicked as them. Those that sin will get caught up with others that sin so that they can share in their sin together thinking that they have found comfort or companionship. But when push comes to shove, each will go their own way so that they will not get caught up in the others misfortunes. Those without a true discernment for the Law will support those that break the law calling them bold. Every wicked man praises those that forsake the law. (Psalm 10:3)

But those that keep the law or stand up for the law will find themselves fighting an ever increasing number of people that are willing to break it. Laws are being slackened so that the wicked can get away with their lot. Laws are being ignored so that the wicked can support the wicked. Those who are standing up for the law are fighting more and more who are willing to break it. Why can they not see the folly of their wickedness? Because others are telling them that they are doing bold things, making difficult decisions and aiming for better things. People are so covered with their lies that they no longer see the true law – the law that is still there!

We are certainly fighting an uphill battle trying to convince people of the things that they are doing wrong. Unfortunately, by pointing out what they do wrong, we make enemies of them because they are put out by the truth. They have too many around supporting them in their wicked ways so that they no longer see the truth. The only way they will be convinced is by seeing the truth in action. By seeing the true happiness of others upholding God's law, they will in themselves be convinced by the Holy Spirit who is able to break down their wickedly supported ways...

Points to Ponder:
How often do you see people getting away with wrong doings?

Do you really thing God will cover up the sins of the unbelievers?

Sunday 13 January 2008

Sunday Reading: Genesis 15 1
 
Key Verse: Genesis 151
1  After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
 
Devotion:
Abraham had been through quite a bit before this... The battle of the kings, the captivity of Lot, the rescue of him and his goods, Sodom and Gomorrah and conversations between him and the kings of Sodom and Salem. I think if I had faced just a few of those things, I would be fearing for my life, finding it hard to sleep at night without waiting for someone to break down the door and do me harm! It is not nice to be in that sort of position; waiting for someone to come knocking at the door to take you away or to take away your possessions. At this time of year there are going to be quite a few people in distress, worrying about who is knocking at the door and asking for some of that money back that has been spent!
 
But Christ (The Word of the Lord: John 1 1) came to Abraham in a vision and spoke to him using his name. When someone friendly you do not know comes and speaks to you by name you are a bit more relaxed because they seem to know you. Christ encourages him by telling him not to give in to the fears that could quite easily overtake him based on all the enemies he now has... He further adds that He is Abraham's shield! God is all powerful. Having Him as a shield means nothing, but nothing, can get through! Now, Abraham had refused rewards for doing his work, so Christ added that He is his reward...
 
If we are willing to hold up God in faith as our shield, then we will be sure that nothing can harm us. It does not mean that we will not still face everything that we are facing, but that we will be able to face it together! When we face things together, they are made easier. When we hold Christ up in faith, we know He will be giving us our reward – eternal life. Having Christ in front of us, we can know that we have peace of mind and that He will do what is righteous. I know I have Christ walking as my shield, do you?
 
Points to Ponder:
Do you get scared by others who say they will be horrible to you?
 
Do you hold up Christ as your shield?

Saturday 12 January 2008

Saturday Reading: Psalm 84:8-12
 
Key Verse: Psalms 84 11
11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
 
Devotion:
Do you like working for some people, or doing things for some people... but hate working or doing things for others? We are all like that – we like to think that we will be ok working for almost anyone, but when we get down to doing the work, we find that some people are not nice to work or do things with. We then strive to find something to do with someone that is good to be around. We give up on the bad things and continue looking for our ideal position. Some of us are lucky enough to find work that we enjoy and people that we can work with and be happy with.
 
But it's not just about our work lives that we have to care – it's about our spiritual lives where we find the biggest difference. If we are with people that continue to rub us up the wrong way, then we are going to become spiritually and emotionally drained. That will then in turn affect everything we do. Whereas, if we are with people that support us spiritually and emotionally, we find that we can cope with all manner of things in our lives. That is why we should seek out the best possible people to be around.
 
In our ideal world, we need to be with someone who can support us, guide us, encourage us, teach us, listen to us and make us feel good... There is only one such... God. When we centre our lives around God, we suddenly become aware of all the things that He does for us in our lives. We become aware of the support that He gives us, the guidance, encouragement and spiritual well-being that we get from being with Him. When we are living with Him in our lives, we can put up with a whole lot more garbage that the earth can throw at us because of the loving and caring support we get through Him. There is nothing that our God cannot do. He is able to do anything. With Him by our side we will find all things become manageable!
 
Points to Ponder:
Do you find some people hard to get on with?
 
Do you have God in your life 24/7?

Friday 11 January 2008

Friday Reading: 2 Corinthians 9 6-8
 
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 9 8
8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work;
 
Devotion:
Giving is not all about giving money to the charities so that they can do their work to support the people that need it. Anyone can give money away to help do things or maintain things or support others – we do it every day and we don't like it... Taxes are taken from us all the time. No, giving is about wanting to make sure that someone else will have a better life because of what you can do. That means giving must not be limited to money...
 
Giving to charities so that those who are less fortunate than us can have a better life will always help. Some charities will make sure that as much of that money actually reaches the people in need. If you want to give to a charity, make sure you know how they work and know that your money will go to a good cause – don't just do it because you see horrible pictures sent through the post to make you feel guilty! Giving must be done because you want it, not because you have to, nor because you feel guilty.
 
Giving your time instead of money will help to show others that you do care. Whilst we all do need money to survive, money is not always what is required. When someone is feeling down, they need spiritual support from others – just being there with someone will allow them to see that all humans do have a strong connection that allows us to love one another. God put that in us because He made us like Him – loving and caring. It is only because of feelings of lust, greed and others placed in front of us by Satan that we will do otherwise.
 
But the most important giving should be that of giving God's Word to others. With our “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth” (BIBLEs) we are able to show others just how much God has already given to us and share it openly. That way we will all be encouraged by His perfect Word.
 
Points to Ponder:
Do you like helping others?
 
How often do you show others God cares?