January 2: John 9 24-34

Key Verse: John 9 33
If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.

Devotion:
So many times in our lives we close off things which we do not want to hear just because they sound a bit too different from our ideal. It's not just the miracles like this blind man being given sight again, but simple things around us we prefer not to hear or believe just because we don't like the way they are portrayed! We close off so much from our lives just because we don't want to hear things according to other people’s ways!

The Pharisees did not want to hear of anyone who would proclaim that they were the Son of God because it was too different from their pre-set life-styles. They had all the clues in the scriptures that Christ was going to come. They had the head knowledge, but they just did not want to believe that God's Son would come as someone as simple as a carpenter’s son. They did not want to believe it even when they heard about the miracles. They chose not to believe it, even though they believed in God... once again, just as it had already been foretold in the scriptures!

We choose many ways in our lives based on our feelings and on our experiences. If we had an almanac which would tell us what is right and what is wrong at the prescribed times, it would make life so much easier... but then where would our faith be? That would be based on facts and we would do what we do with facts... forget them! When we are faced with facts we accept them, but we all too often forget about those facts just because things happened as they were expected to happen and nothing stood out. It is the facts and figures which are different that make us remember things. Christ wanted everyone to remember Him, so He did extraordinary miracles whilst here on earth. He made sure all manner of things were recorded and talked about so the most possible people who were willing to listen would be given the truth in a way they would probably remember. We have to make sure that we are willing to listen to His truth, that we are willing to follow what has already been written in the scriptures. Christ is alive and He is our God! Praise Him!

Points to Ponder:
Do you believe anything you are told?

How much of God's Word can you remember?

January 1: Genesis 8 20-22

Key Verse: Genesis 8 22
“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

Devotion:
Well, have you noticed any differences yet? Has the world turned upside down? Seriously, we put such a large amount of effort into celebrating the new year because it is a big event – or at least that is how we view it. We are the ones living within time and we are the ones governed by time. Our lives revolve around time and because we have a relatively short time on earth, we try to get a lot of things done – but what are we focusing on?

Noah was asked to do something very strange by God, something which would have made him look a bit ridiculous in many people’s eyes. He did it. And after he did it, he lifted up his heart to God through a joint family sacrifice. The last family on earth; or the first family on a new earth, depends how you look at it. He could have been distraught at the fact everyone else was no more, but he focused on God and showed his thankfulness as best he could. The promise God gave in return was one we live by today – even though we probably don't think about it all the time. God's promise was that the earth would continue to be exactly the same, having all the seasons and day and night for as long as He wanted it to exist. When the time is right, He alone will have done with it what He wills.

We may destroy things around us that we touch. We may pollute and trash the earth to such an extent we have an effect on the climate, but that climate will still exist. Changing from one year to another does not have a profound effect on the world. It affects us. God's promise still stands. His promises continue to ensure we still have a world that we can call home. He is our Creator and He is our Keeper. Why not make a difference and show God just how thankful we are this year by doing what is right by Him! He continues to supply our needs and continues to hang our planet in the middle of space... just because He loves us!

Points to Ponder:
What are you doing differently this year?

A very happy New Year to everyone!

December 31: Proverbs 27 23-27

Key Verse: Proverbs 27 24
for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

Devotion:
I am sure each one of us has thought of things which we are going to do differently this coming year... but as we march out of this year into the next, how much stuff do you think you have with you? If you were a person on a long-distance march, you would take as little as possible to make the journey lighter. If you were going on holiday, you may well fill the most possible suitcases with stuff to make life as comfortable as you can. Being sensible with what you take has got to be the key... Why take stuff you will not need, or perishables which can be bought at your destination... This does all assume you have the time to think about what you take!

I do like watching documentary films about surviving on natural foods when in the wild; Bear Grylls style. I find it fascinating just how many things there are in the bush which we ignore. We tend to go with the easy food, the fast food rather than searching and finding what is best for us. We overlook stuff just because we would have to work to obtain it. God has provided for us a world which is rich in so many things. It has all that we need. Yet we ignore so much just because it looks like hard work! It is actually rewarding to do work and see the finished product knowing that you have worked for it. It gives you a tremendous sense of satisfaction when you can build something...

Yet in our spiritual lives we still refuse to go the extra mile to find that same sort of satisfaction. We refuse to get involved. We refuse to stand up and tell others about Christ. We refuse to do His Work... all because it looks like it will be hard work! There is nothing more satisfying than hearing someone tell others they heard about God from you. Knowing you have made a significant difference in their lives and that they now have the opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives. Yes, it takes time. Yes, you have to do things... But when God gets the glory it makes it so much more worth while!

Points to Ponder:
How much do you shy away from doing things?

When was the last time you went out of your way to do His Will?

December 30: John 21 15-19

Key Verse: John 21 15
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Devotion:
Doubt is something which we all live with. It is not pleasant, and we don't seem to have much control over it when push comes to shove. When we are diligent in our walk or even in our work, the doubt is minimised because we think we have the answer to each problem we come across. But there will be one time when we have to face decisions like Peter had to. We face decisions for which we can see no way out, so we take the least arduous route, the easiest to live with; not necessarily the right route...

Some say Christ addressed Peter by his original name because of him denying Christ three times previously. Whatever happened, Peter had to face up to Christ after this and He had to answer for what he had done. Christ simply asked him three times whether he loved Him. Each time Peter would have got a bit more desperate with his answer knowing that Christ knew his heart and his mind but still having to face up to the questioning. It would have seemed like his sincerity would have been called into question three times right in front of the others... because he had some doubt in his mind. He had denied Christ because he doubted whether he would come out alive. He had not left his fate in Christ's hands but had doubted and stood back. Personally, I would not like to face such a thing as Peter had to face...

These mistakes had made Peter more humble. He had learned from what he had done. If he had not learned, then he would not have been a better man. Christ was not only bringing to light what Peter had done, but was strengthening his resolve. For our love for Christ to be proved (to be made stronger) it must be tested. Resting in our love and never having it challenged would not make us ready for any temptation the evil one has to throw at us. We need to find strength in Christ through everything that we do with Him and not through everything we surround ourselves with.

Points to Ponder:
Do you like being tested?

How do you fare when Christ tests you?