April 21: Colossians 1:1-2
Key Verse: Colossians 1:2
To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Devotion:
When writing this letter to the people in Colosse, Paul includes one Timothy by name but also all the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. I used to think this brothers and sisters term was purely from American churches but it is so much more than that and, as we see here, comes from the early church which was planted by Christ and grew from the apostles taking the gospel truth out to the people where they could.
In this modern age of the internet we are not too pleased if our emails get delayed by a few minutes, never mind days or months; but during this time of the early church, they would have to depend on word being taken by sailing ships or runners from one place to another – typically this would be at least days if not months delay to get across Europe! But, even though they has this amazing delay between communications, they still remained faithful to Christ and His teachings.
If we look at the church today, we see even the smallest of churches streaming services via videos to all their people. I am blessed to be in a church who do send out videos each Sunday to bring the church together, and we are talking about minutes or even seconds delay to bring us all together as brothers and sisters in Christ. We may not be able to be in the same house, but the church can get into every home on this estate because we open the doors via the internet to invite people in.
Last week, to start our service off I went out onto the green in the middle of our estate and blasted out ‘O Happy Day’ on a portable speaker so people could join in and sing along. We want to be one big family and we are called to be such by Christ who instituted this church in person almost 2000 years ago. The Apostles (those who saw Jesus in person) took what they had learned and taught others and they in turn taught more people about the truth of Christ.
Points to Ponder:
Do you miss being able to hug your brothers and sisters in Christ – I do?
What will you do to open the virtual doors of your church this week?
April 20: Philippians 1:1-2
Key Verse: Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
Devotion:
When was the last time you were able to walk into your place of worship / church building / gathering place? Are you involved in some way with the running of your church? To me it seems like it has been months since I have been able to go up to our community centre and set up the sound system. Just as I am getting better and able to do such things without having to worry about whether my heart can take it or whether my body can take it, along comes the pandemic which puts a stop to it all again…
Paul always seemed to reach out to the people who were in need at the time of writing, something which is missed out of lessons when we have them at church. Today, I would like to reach out to all those people who were used to giving up their weekends to make sure church gatherings went ahead and we were all able to worship God as a community, as a church gathering!
I’m sure all those overseers and deacons and the like are finding new ways of doing things and getting on with doing them rather than just shutting off because the church building has been closed down. But give a thought to just how much goes into a church service, how many people have to come together in order for things to ‘just happen...’ Today I salute you for all your hard work you have been doing over the years behind the scenes and are, I’m sure, continuing to do so church can be envisioned in new ways.
Paul wanted to reach out to those people behind the scenes because they continue to work so we can all worship together. I love the way we are all getting out there on Thursday nights to ring out our appreciation for all the people in the NHS here in the UK who continue to get things done despite the lock-down. Today I would like you to spend some time praying for people you know who have continued to work behind the scenes, both in church and out of church.
Points to Ponder:
How many people do you know who have continue to work because we need them?
Will you spend some time praying for them today, please?
April 19: Ephesians 1:1-2
Key Verse: Ephesians 1:2
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Devotion:
Sometimes all we need in life is a simple word from someone to say they are thinking of us to make things better. In this time of global self-isolation as we try to stop the spread of this virus around the world, we do need to hear good news and we do need to be encouraged by others. You may be coping in your own mind, but what is your partner going through? What are the things facing us all which we fear the most?
This introduction to the church at Ephesus is quite short and succinct, a simple word to say who he is, who the letter is meant for and the ever inclusive message of grace and peace he invariably included. The letter immediately jumps into more praise and worship for Christ, reminding us all this should be one of the first things we think of and do in our lives as well. Be the example, don’t just say it!
Paul was not just saying these things, because as we dig deeper into the letters we find out how many people he had influenced by trying to not just spread the Gospel but also to spread encouragement and hope to so many people. Paul taught people who were willing to listen and sent them out to other places just as he was willing and able to go out to other places too. He was under no illusion his life was safe because he knew there were so many forces against him; not just the evil one but also religious institutions and even governments.
The more power or popularity people display, the more the people who think they should be in power rebel and do stupid things to try and get the attention back on themselves rather than the new-found popular people! This is just part of human pride and greed – something Paul did not rise to and something he wanted to stamp out of society. Why not make a difference today by being humble and just getting on and doing things!
Points to Ponder:
How do you greet people?
Will you put a bit of hope and encouragement in your own greetings today?
April 18: Galatians 1:1-5
Key Verse: Galatians 1:1
Paul, an apostle - sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead -
Devotion:
I love the introduction to the letter to the church at Galatia. When we think of how missionaries are sent out, typically we think of it in terms of a sending church where they have a responsibility to report back to and a collection of supporting people and churches from which they get their funds. But this is not what Paul wanted the church to dwell on. He wanted them to remember just who was doing the sending – God!
Jesus was the one who persuaded Paul he had a task to do which would involve getting to reach out to all the churches around the Mediterranean Sea. It was Jesus who prompted him to reach out to the gentiles rather than to the Israelites or God’s chosen people. God was now reminding us all He includes every one of us in the call to become one church under Jesus Christ. God had chosen Paul to be the apostle who would make the difference all around!
God had put everything in place for Jesus to accomplish all which was previously written down by the prophets. God made sure the church was going to survive and that we would have no more reason to have to try and make atonements for the sin which we have done, do and will continue to do! Jesus gave Himself up for our sins even though He had not done anything wrong. He was wrongfully taken, wrongfully hung but died willingly just so God’s Word would be accomplished and we would be given a permanent and absolute saviour!
How many of us can turn round and say we are following a path which God has chosen for us? How many of us can say we are willing to give up everything in our lives just so God will get the glory and the gospel will get to more people? How many of us put our lives on hold so Jesus can get the rightful glory and uphold the position He fought as a human to be in just for our sakes. Look around you and see how you can help people immediately around you!
Points to Ponder:
Who really chose the life you lead?
Are you willing to give full control to Christ?