December 7: Matthew 7:24-27

Key Verse: Matthew 7:26
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

Devotion:
Whenever I read these verses I remember the song we used to sing as small children for Sunday school. I wish I could also say I knew what the words meant back then but all I can remember is those words being used for telling children to be good instead. Jesus not only did miracles and cured people of their ailments but He taught a lot as well.

Some people could listen to Him in the temples and understand what He was telling them. Others in the market places would have to have the words explained in more simple terms because they had not had the luxury of being able to learn the scriptures in the same manner as those who were always in the temples or being taught by the teachers of the law.

This story puts things in a very simple way and it is not to do with being good. It has everything to do with listening to God, the scriptures and doing what it says. In other words it is not good enough to just be good; Jesus wants us to live out the scriptures in our lives.

He also laid it down plainly how we should behave so nobody would get confused about how to act as Christians. The root of it all is to love God and to love everyone just as much as we love God. If we love God and others, then doing good things for those who need it is second nature to us. We should not have to go out of our way to be good!

Points to Ponder:
How many of God’s lessons do you apply to your own life?

Will you try to love others as much as you can?

December 6: Isaiah 9:2-7

Key Verse: Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Devotion:
How many times a day do we hear news about another official somewhere making false promises or going back on what they said beforehand? How many times do we attribute that to power hungry lust, greed and lies? It is unfortunate we live in a world where we see a lot of this happening and we accept it as if it is normal.

The governments around the world make all manner of promises and get caught up in scandals from which they have no escape but to lie, beg, borrow or steal from others so they can get their own way. We see corruption on a scale we have not seen in the past. We see presidents and prime ministers doing things they ought not to… the list goes on.

We can be assured Jesus will not be like that when He returns; instead He will bring truth and justice like we have not seen before. All those who have taken their own way instead of the truth God has shown us will have nothing other than the earthly riches they have gained – even them some of them will lose more than they bargained for.

What we will see is a Lord who comes to set things right and to allow us to joyfully rejoice before God. Nations, kingdoms and alternative powers will all crumble as Jesus takes control. This is that same baby who was born a couple of thousand years ago who the powers crucified because they wanted their own ways instead. I can’t wait!

Points to Ponder:
Do you want to see peace in all the world?

How many people have you shared Christ with?

December 5: Isaiah 11:1-5

Key Verse: Isaiah 11:1
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

Devotion:
Do you have a hard time trying to convince people God exists or how they should believe and trust in Jesus? Well, maybe you are going about things the wrong way round… Jesus did not come and start shouting out the gospel trying to get people to listen to Him. He came to first belong with the people as a human Himself. Then He did righteous acts to persuade the people there was a different way of existing.

Then, and only then, did He perform miracles and tell people about God. He came to be amongst us and to live with us so we would not feel threatened or disbelieve incredulous stories. He came and showed people a different way of living and showed them they too can choose to live differently; a way which encompassed having God at the very core of life!

When Jesus showed compassion, it was for the people who needed it in their lives. He did not ignore people because they had not dressed up or gave enough money, He chose people because He knew they needed God in their lives, people who would be willing to listen in the end.

He did not judge people by the way they looked or talked. He judged people with absolute righteousness given to Him by The Father. When we listen to God we will be surprised at the people we get to sit at the table with and we will be further surprised at how He can change their hearts… not us...

Points to Ponder:
Have you tried to tell people about God?

Did you start by simply belonging with them?