November 10: Luke 22:35-38
 
Key Verse: Luke 22:36
He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
 
Devotion:
How many times have you stopped what you were doing because you saw someone else doing what you were trying to achieve? How many times have you stopped just because the going got a bit tough for you? If we are brutally honest, we have all thrown in the towel at some stage in our lives just because it got a bit difficult or it looked like someone else was doing it better!
 
Jesus knew what lay ahead for the next few hours and days, yet He continued to press forward doing everything which was required so we could enjoy the gift He was giving us! Jesus knew a sword would be needed to complete His work and He wanted to make sure they had a sword at hand. He did not promise a smooth ride all the way. He did not promise an easy life for the disciples. But He gave them hope to look forward to!
 
I am writing this just as the news is breaking about a viable vaccine being available to help against Coronavirus! We are being given hope, but even with that hope we are still a long way off being ‘safe’ because we are facing terrible times ahead until such time as the vaccine is made available to everyone. There will still be heartbreak and sorry as people continue to die and be adversely affected by the virus – but we have hope!
 
Jesus had to be counted as a rebel, as a villain, as someone who was working against the country in order for Him to be hung on the cross for our cause. He knew what lay ahead, but knew He had to endure so we could have hope. Just as we were talking about people in the wars and conflicts before us laying down their lives for our sake, so too are we called to lay down our pride and desires to give others hope in Christ!
 
Points to Ponder:
How often do you focus on other's needs?
 
Will you set aside your desires for someone else's needs today?

November 9: 2 Timothy 2:1-7
 
Key Verse: 2 Timothy 2:6
The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
 
Devotion:
How good is your country at serving justice? Unlike tyranny, justice works for the good of the country and its people, not for the good of a single leader! The people who do the work should be the people who are rewarded for what they contribute toward the good of others. Individual reward should be given when it is due, not because the few have the positions which have titles to them...
 
Jesus did not come down as a God who did everything His own way, or as an all-powerful God who wanted complete control over everything. Instead, He humbled Himself before mankind to show His utter love for us. He gave His life for us so that we could be free. The United Kingdom has just celebrated a Remembrance Day with a big difference because the crowds were not there due to the Covid pandemic. We remembered all those who humbled themselves before their country and gave their lives so we could live.
 
We should never forget what they have done, just as we never forget what Christ has done for us. These are the people who deserve the reward, not the people who govern with iron fists or guns...
 
I used to live on the edge of a farmer's field where I would see farmers working long and hard hours, even into the small hours of the morning if that was what was needed. They did this because they wanted to, and they knew what was best to deliver the best crops every year.
 
Everyone can reach out to others in a humble and loving way; if we try!
 
Points to Ponder:
Are you reaching out to people?
 
Will you step forward and offer help to someone today?

November 8: 1 Peter 5:5-7
 
Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
 
Devotion:
For all of us who still view ourselves as Children of the church and not elders (despite us being “really old” in our grandchildren’s eyes) we do have our parts to play in the church just as much as the elders who should be living as examples. We need to show we are willing to listen and learn from people in the church who have been learning God’s Word a tad longer than we have!
 
I must admit to finding it difficult to follow some church leaders who display a rambunctious attitude toward their positions within God’s church. We need to set aside our pride for self-worth and humble ourselves to the people around us. God does not want a bunch of self-righteous people leading a church in a deprived area! God wants people who are willing to set things aside to live with the people and help from the inside.
 
We are God’s chosen elect – we are people who have been selected by God to make a difference in our areas, in our communities and with our neighbours. To do this we need to put aside our ways and look for the need in our communities. We cannot drive our communities to live as we do. We must live according to God’s will in our lives and be examples for and with the people around us even if we don’t agree with them. We are not called to judge others. We are called to love one another!
 
Does this get you worried you will not be able to live up to the example or accept other people as being different? Well, step back and give your worries to God. He is able to work things out with you in ways you don’t know or think about – because He is God and knows the needs of others. If we stop and listen to Him instead of racing ahead of ourselves, we will be able to be the example He wants us to be!
 
Points to Ponder:
Do you dismiss some people's lives because they are different?
 
Will you stop and think what Jesus did whilst in human form?