February 28: Romans 4:13-15
Key Verse: Romans 4:13
It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
Devotion:
You may look back on many of the Old Testament stories and think it was all about what the people did which allowed them to get closer to God and you will probably find many people who would encourage you to believe that side of the stories; but when you get to read the stories properly and in context, you find out people all had a choice as to what they would do.
God still gives us the choice and what we end up doing is really a display of our belief and our faith. We could try to be as righteous as possible and expect to get to heaven because we are good – but that is not going to fly with God. He looks inside your heart and Christ will judge you according to your faith. If you have faith Jesus is willing to save you from your sins, then He will do so because that is His promise to you.
But if you think you can work your way into heaven by doing all the right stuff, wearing the right clothes and saying the right words, then you are sadly mistaken! It is and always has been about our faith and our beliefs. Is this when you start getting scared and wonder if your faith is strong enough to get you into heaven? Don’t be! Jesus has explained how the smallest of amounts of faith can do so much and that is what He is looking at!
We don’t have to be spiritual giants in order to get to heaven. Just a small amount of faith in the right direction can get us directly there. Jesus came to die for all who are willing to ask Him into their lives. We may not have the faith some of the people from our bibles have shown, but we do have a firm promise from Christ He is willing to save us if we believe. Nice and simple!
Points to Ponder:
How much faith do you think you need?
Do you know Christ has already done enough for your faith?
February 27: Matthew 5:38-42
Key Verse: Matthew 5:41
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
Devotion:
How do you react when someone does something you don’t like? Do you jump up and swat them because they dared to do something you disliked? Do you just ignore them and continue doing what you’re doing? Or is something in between?
We all react differently to circumstances in which we find ourselves and there is no clear-cut answer as to how we should behave – at least that is what we like to believe because it makes our life easier if we can react differently according to who is doing things against us! God has different ideas to how we should react and encourages us to be the same with everyone we encounter!
We should be trying to show people we depend on a God who does not change and one way to do that is to be more like Him and not change our ways according to who we are mixing with. God wants us to show a Christian face to everyone we encounter in our lives, not because we must be different but rather so we can reflect a bit more of God in our lives.
When we are described as being lights, it is not our light which is shining out for people to notice but the reflection of Christ which people should notice. When we look up at the sky we see a sun which is shining bright because it is a great burning star. But we also see the moon which is nothing like that, but still shines – not by itself but because it is reflecting the sun. As disciples following Christ we need to be more like the moon and reflect the shining light of God in our lives, for everyone and unchanging with everyone!
Points to Ponder:
How do you react to wrong doings?
Will you try to allow others to see a reflection of Christ instead of a ‘self-reaction’?
February 26: Jeremiah 18:18
Key Verse: Jeremiah 18:18
They said, “Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest will not cease, nor will counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets. So come, let’s attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says.”
Devotion:
When we dare to bring God’s Word into a place where it is in short supply, we are going to have to face opposition from the people who like to think they are in charge. It may be they have seized power in some way, gain strength through fear or take command because nobody else wants to – but that is all they have, the illusion of themselves being in charge.
God has ultimate authority over everything in our lives and He could do whatever He wanted to do despite our wishes. But He chooses to give us the choice as to how we live and what we listen to. When people lose sight of God in their communities, they start to focus on the people who seem to have some element of strength and they may even follow them even if that means going against what they know is right.
God will always uphold righteousness and will always keep to His word no matter what we do, face up to or say. God wants us to be able to trust Him because He does not change. He wants us to know we can depend on His truth always. If we are willing to live up to that truth and promote it, we will be able to show people they too have a choice.
They may not choose God’s way when we introduce it to them because it may conflict with what they desire. People do not often make the right decisions when they are faced with free choice! I know I chose the wrong path when I had free choice – but I’m glad I came back to the right path eventually when it was shown to me once again. Maybe we are the next generation to show people what they know already but have chosen to ignore for now!
Points to Ponder:
What sort of person do people think you are?
Do you think God would agree?
February 25: Esther 5:1-3
Key Verse: Esther 5:1
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.
Devotion:
I have never met a King or Queen in person, but I have shaken hands with a person from the Royal family; only because they were chancellor or dean of the department at the time! But when we meet people who are important in society, we are required to act in a particular manner in front of them.
Even though Esther was Queen at the time, she still could not walk in on the King and talk with any authority – that authority had to be handed to her or given to her. When she wanted to meet with the king she had to get dressed accordingly and wait in the outer chamber to be called just as any other person would. Her patience paid off and she was granted access to make a request of the king. Not only that, but because she acted rightfully and dressed accordingly, the king granted her any request she wanted (within reason!)
Her request was not to demand anything great but to request putting on a banquet for the king and Haman. Yes, she had ulterior motives because she wanted to show the king the corruption which was happening right before him; but she did it with the uttermost respect and humility.
When we come before God, we should be willing to come before Him with respect and humility, not demanding, but ready to ask. God wants us to be able to come to Him with our requests and to show Him the respect He deserves. For that, He, like the king here, is willing and able to grant us far more than we can imagine!
Points to Ponder:
How do you approach God?
Will you humble yourself before your God to ask Him for help?