Thursday 2 Dec 2021

December 2: Matthew 7:21-27

Key Verse: Matthew 7:21
‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Devotion:
How many times do you get carried away with doing one thing and totally forget about what you had planned to do instead? I know this happened to me yesterday as I sat down to update some software on my PC before writing the daily devotions… and got so engrossed in doing things on my PC I forgot to bring you the devotions on time! So I’m sitting here reflecting on things and getting onto the task I should have done yesterday!

How appropriate the verses I was directed to today! Here Jesus was talking to people and encouraging them to do things for God and not just talk about doing them… We need to keep our focus on God – not by talking about things but by doing things for God too. Yesterday, when in a group of people meeting during an Alpha session, I was reminded about this as well…

Our world is full of temptations which will take us away from being disciples and keep us firmly planted in the worldly ways instead. Jesus wants us to be better disciples for Him, but not just disciples who talk about things but disciples who step forward and do things. How many things have you put off during the last year because of circumstances which worry you or frighten you? I’m not talking about doing things which are foolish like ignoring Covid guidelines, but little things like helping behind the scenes or talking to someone who needs encouragement.

I know I say this a lot, but we don’t all have to stand up in front of congregations and shout out about God – otherwise who will be in the pews? God wants each of us to do what we can do, and to do it willingly for God. If we live our lives in such a way as to show people we are different from the world, we then get the opportunity to show them why we are different: because we have Christ in us!

Points to Ponder:
Do you sometimes procrastinate?

Will you step forward today and say yes to something you keep putting off?