August 14: Mark 10:13-16

Key Verse: Mark 10:14
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Devotion:
I think if I were a young parent during this time I too would be trying to bring my children to Jesus to have Him bless them in some way. It’s what we do as parents; we want the best we can give to our children and that includes being a child of God!

The disciples, on the other hand, were still caught up in the ways of society at those times with children being told to be quiet and behave. I can still remember being told by some adults children should be seen and not heard. Thankfully my parents did not hold that fast for me unless I was misbehaving! Jesus wanted every person who was willing to be able to come to Him and be blessed when they could – this included saints and sinners, adults and children, everyone!

I think these verses also ring loud and clear to me because I have spent the last two decades doing Christian children and youth work and have always been open and honest about God with those who have come into contact with me. I find it very difficult to not show people I am a Christian because this is my life and I cannot hide it in a hole or behind a bush! Children should not have to grow up thinking they need to hide their Christianity!

Yes, there are many countries around the world where Christians are not generally accepted because of other religious beliefs held by fellow countrymen, but this should not stop people from getting to know Jesus. This is what Jesus is fighting for in these verses – to do away with the worldly views of what children should be like and to allow them to grow as Christians who rely on Jesus in everyday life.

Lets stop making this a thing which only happens in youth clubs but something which is embedded in our communities!

Points to Ponder:
Do you allow children to freely worship Jesus?

Are you showing children they can be free to worship Jesus?

August 13: Matthew 14:31-33

Key Verse: Matthew 14:32
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

Devotion:
A few things had to happen before Jesus calmed the wind which was making life more difficult for the disciples. The first was they had to recognise Jesus for who He is, not as some sort of ghost or unknown entity, but as Jesus Christ the Son of God, friend of sinners and friend of ours!

Then Jesus had to ask Peter to do something, not just anything but something special which would take courage. Peter had never walked on water, but because He saw Jesus doing it, He wanted to do the same and wanted God to allow Him to do that! But Peter had to want it more than the fear he had inside him… He had to take that first step out of the boat!

Then Peter had to rely on God to continue allowing Him to walk on the water. As soon as we see the impossible or see something we think is too hard to bear or do, we give in and we fall just as Peter did. It is going to be hard and we may well be asked to do something which you think is not natural – but as long as you are listening to God, it is possible!

Then Peter, after He doubted, had to reassert his faith by calling out to Christ and allowing Him to save him once again. The call was real and it came from the heart. Jesus answer was real and it too came from the heart as He put out His hand to grab hold of Peter and bring Him up out of the impossible once again.

Only then did Jesus calm the wind. Not when they were scared the first time, or the elation which followed. Not when they were scared the second time or the elation which followed again. But when they finally rested in God’s power through Christ, He was able to calm the storm for them...

Points to Ponder:
Has God asked you to do something difficult?

Are you ready to finally put your entire faith and trust in Him?

August 12: Matthew 14:25-31

Key Verse: Matthew 14:30
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’

Devotion:
How many times in your life have you found yourself in a very tight spot and not known any way out of it? I would not wish this on anyone because you feel like your whole world has just collapsed upon you and there is literally no way to go… At least no way on earth to go!

God has made sure we get to know this story about Peter walking on the water and remember it too. It is a story which none of us can normally relate to, but all of us want to happen to! I mean, who doesn’t want to be able to walk on water! But it is a story which has some very meaningful sides and one we ought not to put aside easily.

Jesus walked out to the disciples because he knew they were becoming worried about the growing storm. Some were fishermen and knew all about storms, but that does not mean they were not concerned. But what concerned them more was seeing someone or something walking on the water toward them! Their first reaction was probably what would cross most of our minds, but when Jesus called out to them they knew it was Him. Peter took the step of getting Jesus to prove it was Him and had to live with the consequences!

When Jesus calls out to us, we call back and ask for help and comfort and strength and all manner of things. But we should be careful what we ask for, because Jesus will answer us and grant our prayers. For Peter this meant stepping out of the boat and walking on the water. As soon as he realised what he was doing, he took his eyes off of the Lord and looked at the worlds ways again. That was his downfall.

When we ask help of Jesus, we should expect Him to answer our prayers and then we need to keep our eyes on Him whilst He answers. That is the place we will get our strength and courage from. That is where Jesus is...

Points to Ponder:
How often do you call out to Jesus?

How often do you turn away when He first answers?