November 29: John 12 34-36
Key Verse: John 12 36
“Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Devotion:
Just because you heard someone talking about a subject which was new to you, does that make you an expert in said subject? We may think that about some people who rabbit on about things which they know very little of, but we can see they do not know the whole truth. As Christians we have already got to the point where we believe Christ is real, that He has died and risen again and He did so for our sins. We have realised His sacrifice and have asked for His forgiveness... but that does not make us an expert on the scriptures!
God wants us to be able to stand up for His Word, knowing what to be able to say when we are challenged so others will not think we are the great pretenders and how we don't know what we are on about. Imagine people turning away from the gospel message just because we don't know the truth held within it! He wants us to be ready to sit down and learn from the scriptures so we will know why we became Christians and why we need to give others the truth. We may not have needed much convincing, but others around may well have to – who better than us to learn and pass on the required knowledge?
Here we see how Christ was trying to let the people know how the scriptures held the truth of what was going to happen. About how He would have to face amazing suffering and death... just for them... just for us... He did not want to shout in their faces about how He was going to pay an awful price, but He wanted them to be prepared for what was to happen. He wanted them to know they can depend on the scriptures and how they need to study them to become knowledgeable and to be prepared for what lies ahead. We are still waiting for His second coming. We still need to be prepared!
Points to Ponder:
How much time do you spend learning about life?
How much time do you spend learning about God?
November 28: 3 John 1 2-7
Key Verse: 3 John 1 4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Devotion:
One of the biggest things in our lives is knowing we have made a difference! We like to think the world is a better place because of us and that we have changed at least something for the better. In reality, we may never know just how much we have influenced others until someone actually tells us. In John's letter here, we are shown the difference people can make in other's lives. He himself says he has no greater joy than to know that the people he has taught are actually doing what he taught them and have continued in faith to follow Christ's teachings.
We may make some difference to people’s lives by introducing them to God and even teaching them more about God, but they are the ones who have to make the decision to follow Him. They are the ones who have to make the effort to do God's will and to learn God's Word. When they do that, we will be able to rejoice... not because we taught them, but because God Himself is being glorified through what they are now doing. What better praise could we ever get than to know we have glorified God through what other people are now doing!
When I hear of the work people do for God after I have lost contact with them for many years, my heart sings because I know I am not alone in praising Him. I know that the people who introduced me to Him will be happy when they get to hear I am praising God every day and I know that I am happy when I get to hear of people that I have taught in the past have come to know God (even after they left my teaching!)
What a joy it would be to know that my whole family would be worshipping God in truth and faith. What a joy it would be to know all my friends were doing the same. All I can do is continue faithfully in God's will so others will see how wonderful my life is in God. Let God's light shine through you!
Points to Ponder:
Do you live a happy life?
What things do you count towards happiness?
November 27: Philemon 1 4-7
Key Verse: Philemon 1 7
Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Devotion:
When we do live our lives for Christ we make differences in many people lives. It is not only our life which is changed but those around as well. It's not just a physical thing... We can be friends and influence people just by being friendly to them. We can change things by being kind to people. We can look after others through love and kindness. But to make that real difference God needs to be in the relationship as well. The love of Christ unites us in ways we can only imagine. The love of Christ is going to help us remember people and to pray for them always. The love of Christ is going to help us to be there for people when they need it and to support them through His Word.
Supporting someone through physical means is always required. But when they is backed by Christian love, or better still, based on Christian love, then we know whatever happens will give God the glory rather than ourselves. When Christ is in it we will see others love for Christ refreshed when we share our love. When Christ is not, we just see our love in action. The difference between physical and Christian love runs much deeper than we realise.
We may step in and help out our friends when times get difficult, but what about when times are good. People need love and support always, not just when they get down. Why should we wait until something goes wrong before we step in and help out? Christ wants us to be united together always in His love and not just when others need it. He wants us to remember each other day in day out and not have to only pray for each other in troubled times. Real love is Christian love and it is in action 24/7. It knows no bounds and knows no rest. Christ has proven what Christian love means, we just need to follow on.
Points to Ponder:
How do you show people you love them?
Do you share Christ's love with them?
November 26: Proverbs 27 11
Key Verse: Proverbs 27 11
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.
Devotion:
We all like to think we are in control of things and that we can predict what will happen in most circumstances. We like to think we do control things in our lives to the extent whereby we can act like Christians and show a good example to all those around us. What we don't like to think about is when we lose control of things and act in ways that are not really becoming of a Christian. When we lose control and shout at someone, tell people off for doing what we do or plain lie to get ourselves out of a spot of trouble... those are the times when people are going to notice us most!
What we really need is not the sharp reactions and sharp tongue, but a wise mind and loving heart. Christ has given us the ability to show our wisdom and He is there to guide us and encourage us when we feel like we have lost our wisdom. But in order to get that help and assistance, we have to be quiet and listen to Him. It's not all about being totally submissive and doing what Christ wants just because He says so – it's about doing it with a willing heart. You can normally tell when someone is doing something just because they have to instead of doing something because they want to. Don't be fooled into believing that acting like a Christian is any different. Acting like one is not going to pull any punches – we have to be willing to be one!
God can use anyone, but to make sure He gets the greatest glory out of our lives, we should be willing to be used in any way He would want to use us. We should be willing to listen to Him and to act accordingly with a loving heart and willing spirit. He is the one who is supplying our needs and wants to make us happy. He is the one who is giving us the opportunity to live a better life for Him. He is the one who has made it all possible in the first place. What we need to do is to show Him that we are willing to answer Him. Only then will He be able to use us as the best examples for others to be convinced He is real and that He is God.
Points to Ponder:
Can you tell when people do things begrudgingly?
Make God proud and be glad to worship Him in all circumstances!
November 25: Psalms 107 17-22
Key Verse: Psalms 107 19
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
Devotion:
One thing we are very sure of is God's promise He will always be here for us. He has always said He will never leave us nor forsake us and that promise remains unbroken. You may want to turn around and say, well what about the time when I... Think about what was going on in your life at that time. Were you truly walking with God, or had you started to do the things which the people around you were doing? Had you focused on God, or the world?
Too many times we lose focus on God and then wonder why He has forsaken us. In reality we are the ones who have forsaken Him! We have lost focus on Him and wandered off into the wilderness. Only after we have tripped up a few times and rotten things happened to us do we start to realise we need help. But if we are not going to confess what we have done, should we really be calling out for His help? If someone was persistently doing something wrong against you and called out for help, would you really feel like helping them? Don't forget that God cannot abide sin. If we are living in sin and calling out to Him without saying sorry for those sins, then we are not focused on God, we are simple thinking of our own plight!
When we focus on ourselves, we become the fools talked about in the bible. We know the truth but we ignore it – how stupid is that – and yet we don't see it as being stupid... We need to realise our stupidity and call out for help because we know what we are doing wrong. When He knows we are repenting, then He is going to be just and save us from our troubles. We need to make sure we do focus on God to give Him the glory for all He continues to do in our lives. We need to glorify Him in everything to remind ourselves who He actually is. Once we live our life towards Him, for Him, we will know that He will be delivering us from troubles and strife. What a wonderful God we have!
Points to Ponder:
Do you like helping people that are constantly cruel and unkind to you?
Would you expect God to help you if you constantly rebel against Him?
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