April 1: John 8:21-30
Key Verse: John 8:21
Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”
Devotion:
What is the first thing you thought about when you read this sentence from Jesus? The first thing which struck me was the words “and you will die in your sin!” And yet, the people around Him did not hear that but rather heard “Where I go, you cannot come!” I suppose we will all get slightly different things from the passages we read, but my reaction to getting this reading through our church group yesterday was “how did they miss the point!”
Jesus did re-iterate these words to them and they got upset with Him for daring to pull them up on the things they were doing. According to them, they were following the teachings of Abraham and Moses as written down thousands of years before this; but in their hearts they knew they did take short cuts and do things wrong all the time. This is why they got upset – because Christ pulled them up on the sins they were committing.
Non of us like to get pulled up on the things we are doing wrong! I was mildly amused at people complaining about how some police forces are coming down too hard on them for not staying at home. Their real problem is they are not listening to the advice from the government and even the doctors! They did not like the fact they were pulled up on things they were doing wrong. As a person who is struggling with all this and trying to keep clear of people to ensure I do not become infected as my body continues to heal, I fully support some police getting upset and pulling people up!
We really do need to listen to all the words Jesus tried to teach us whilst He was on earth in human form. Those were the times when He was most vulnerable and yet He listened to every word from God. It is God alone who know what is happening and the rest of us continue to guess our way through life. The more we listen to Him, the closer we get to the truth and the way...
Points to Ponder:
How often do you get upset with people for pointing out your mistakes?
How often do you get upset with God for pointing out your mistakes?
March 31: Daniel 7:13-14
Key Verse: Daniel 7:14
He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Devotion:
One of the things which amazes me is how some people are able to have such comprehensive and meaningful dreams; or they are able to make sense of the dreams they have! Personally, my dreams are all over the place and it is hard to make sense of some of the things which come out of my mind at night! Daniel was a man after my own heart – he always prayed and always made sure God was at the centre of his life.
When he dreamed of Jesus, it was not a pie in the sky dream or one which he had to think deep and long about to make sense of – it was matter of fact… or was it? We have the history of the life of Jesus written down for us in books and we can compare the dream with what we know has happened.. The words in the New Testament are probably taken from books like this so we can marry up the text with what happened. But what about Daniel and the others with him? What would they think of these things?
The key here is to remember that God is able and willing to do all things. No matter how difficult it is for you to believe He is going to do something, He is able to do it! Don’t limit your expectations by your mind – don’t limit things to what you think is possible or probable! God already knew what would have to be done and He knew when it had to be done. Daniel was willing to listen to Him and to tell other people about what God had told him.
I can only pray that I am willing to accept the things God shows me are possible and trust Him to bring us through this pandemic so I will be able to do the things He has shown me in dreams! God is able. I am scared, but God is able! I have limits, but God is able!
Points to Ponder:
Do you limit God to what you can do?
Will you trust Him to do so much more through you?
March 30: Acts 1:6-11
Key Verse: Acts 1:11
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Devotion:
Can you imagine what was going through the disciples minds as they spoke to Jesus just before He ascended into Heaven? Can you imagine how their minds were blown away when they did see Him ascend! But Jesus’ last words were words of encouragement and empowerment, and not words just of hope and love.
Too often people just hang on to the words of love, peace, mercy and hope, leaving behind the real message Christ gave to us all. Yes He wants us to know the love, joy, peace, mercy and all the rest; but He also wants us to get out there and put these things into practice! Jesus said to the disciples their role would change from being the students to being the teachers because the Holy Spirit would indwell them to give them the wherewithal to teach people according to God’s wishes.
We do need to remember just how much we can do with the Holy Spirit’s guidance too. This is God being in us in a form we cannot see but can understand and listen to. If, like me, you have always strived to look for eye witness accounts for everything, then saying something like this seems alien – but is not. God really does want us to go out there and tell others about Him and He is going to give you the words to do exactly that!
Taking the first step to come forward and trust God to give you the words is the hardest step to take – because you are stepping into the ‘unknown’ world where you cannot see everything in black and white! But, once you take that step and trust God will be there with you, the Holy Spirit is there giving you what you need to teach others about God. I do like reading through some of the devotions I wrote over a decade ago to see how God was leading me back then – it makes me realise just how much I rely on Him every day.
Points to Ponder:
Do you crave support?
Will you step forward and expect the Holy Spirit to be with you?
March 29: Philippians 3:17-21
Key Verse: Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ
Devotion:
As Christians we need to be leading by example – just as Paul and the other disciples did after the death and resurrection of Christ. We have these truths written down for us to read and be encouraged by, but unless we are willing to show others how we are encouraged, what use is it other than ensuring our own place in Heaven? We do have a duty to spread the gospel just as Jesus asked His disciples to do because that is the same message He gave to all who were willing to listen!
We will not be able to reach everyone, but we will be able to reach out to the people God gives us in our communities. As long as we are willing to continue listening to God, we will be placed in the right place at the right time to reach the right person who is going to make a difference! Just as this virus spreads through interaction, our task is to spread the gospel through interaction – not physical at this time, but spiritual and by example.
Paul told the people to keep an eye on others – how apt for these times! We really do need to be the example by reaching out to others where we can and showing them there is always someone who cares. They may not know Christ as their Saviour, but by being an example and showing them His ways, we can encourage them to start a journey where they seek out what we know as the truth and know in our hearts.
This does put a burden on us during these tough times, but we have God who is willing to take care of our burdens so long as we trust Him to do so. We have the comfort which goes beyond the fears of this world and we have strength given to us in abundance by Him which we can always call on. We do this through our faith. If we can give this example of faith to others, they too will be helped and strengthened just as we are!
Points to Ponder:
Do you enjoy the peace and strength you get from God?
Will you show someone else how to get that strength today?