April 26: 1 John 3:11-18
Key Verse: 1 John 3:17
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
Devotion:
How well do you know the stories from the bible? I know my parents and grandmother used to tell me the stories when I was very young and because of that, I knew some of the stories from an early age. I used to love hearing the stories but did not always understand what they really meant...
When we are young, be it in physical age or in spiritual age, we enjoy hearing stories but don’t always understand the depth of meaning in those stories. I definitely did not understand the depth of the bible stories, but as I grew in age, both physically and spiritually, I began to understand more of what God wanted me to know.
Have you ever stopped to think about the true meaning of the bible stories you do know? Each time I go through my bible, I understand a bit more and get to learn more of the depth of God’s love for us. Each time I am reminded of what Jesus did for us, I learn a bit more about what love really is. Even at my age I still have a lot to learn and get things wrong still – but God is patiently teaching me one step at a time!
Today I hope you can focus on this one special verse which reminds us we have a duty to our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we know there is a brother or sister who is in need of something we have, then we should share what we have and allow them to be fulfilled. God wants us to be able to depend on each other without having to ask all the time, just as we can depend on God without having to ask all the time. His love makes that possible and our love should make it possible for others to go without need...
Points to Ponder:
Do you know someone in need?
What will you do about it today?
April 25: Acts 4:5-12
Key Verse: Acts 4:10
then know this, you and all the people of Israel: it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
Devotion:
The apostles made sure people knew exactly why they went around spreading the gospel and healing people. They wanted everyone to know it was because of Jesus Christ and nothing they could do on their own. They had faith in telling people about Jesus would help them and others...
If we try to be more like the Apostles and have faith in the power of the name of Jesus, we will get a whole lot more done than just working at it alone. We could act like evangelists and shout all about Jesus and hope people listened to us because of our charismatic ways – but a better solution is to show them the power of Jesus name!
To show people the power of Jesus name means we have to have faith things will happen when we ask for them in Jesus' name. They went forward and took Jesus’ name before them wherever they went. They knew Jesus would answer their prayers because Jesus had promised to do so. He also promises the same to us, that is we go forward and ask for things in His name, God will listen and answer our prayers.
It is not about shouting the right words, chanting the right prayers or singing the right songs... it is about lifting up our prayers and asking Jesus to make sure they are answered. We have to petition God in the name of Jesus – that is why Jesus gave His life on the cross, so we would have the chance to ask things in His name afterward.
Points to Ponder:
How often do you ask for things in Jesus’ name?
Will you faithfully ask your next prayers in Jesus’ name?
April 24: Philippians 4:4-7
Key Verse: Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Devotion:
One of the most important things as a Christian is to allow other people to see how happy you are to be a Christian. There is no greater witness than a person who is happy with what they have and how they are – so accepting the way you are, what God has given you and being content with everything God has given you is the first step forward!
God wants us to be able to love Him and to love others too – but in order to do that we have to be able to love; the first step being loving yourself or accepting yourself and being content. When we are able to do that, we then can expand that toward God and toward others. The more other people see we are happy with things, the more they will want to hear about what makes you happy and content!
God wants us to be happy and so will give us things when we ask through prayers and worship. When we begin to see how God listens to us and answers our prayers, we begin to shine in a new way where others will want to know why we are happy all the time. What better witness than being happy all the time with everything God gives you!
No, it does not come naturally to most people – we have to work at being content with things because we are surrounded by a greedy world which wants more things all the time. But when we are able to separate ourselves from the greed of the world and those around us, we begin to see how much God does give us through Christ and we begin to shine as a happy people!
Points to Ponder:
Are you happy with yourself?
Have you thanked God for you happiness lately?
April 23: 1 Peter 2:13-17
Key Verse: 1 Peter 2:13
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
Devotion:
Yes we do live in a world which seems to be based on corruption, pride and greed in so many ways and at so many levels throughout society. This does not mean we should ignore governmental authority! God wants us to follow the law of the land. If we go about breaking laws all the time, people will not be likely to listen to us when we tell them about Christ – they will assume we are going to break the rules or lie like any other person...
God wants us to be different so people take notice of us. He wants us to live lives others will strive to copy, with the ultimate task being to give glory to God like we strive to do. We should not assume we are not going to get punished if we break the law – whether that is God’s laws or man’s laws. We should all be treated the same and should all expect to receive the same treatment.
We are seeing many different things happening in the Western world where people are becoming more aware of the racism in society and are trying to change to make sure people all get treated the same no matter what race or standing they have in society. We should not expect to have preferential treatment just because we are Christians – that may not be seen as being fair!
Each of us are free because Christ has paid for our sin debt – we should live as if we know that and want to show it to others. Why should we hide our freedom? Instead, we should live according to God’s will in our lives and show all people the same dues respect as we are all God’s children!
Points to Ponder:
Do you treat everyone the same or do you have favourites?
Will you try to give everyone the same chance in your life?