March 27: Luke 7:11-17

Key Verse: Luke 7:13
When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

Devotion:
When we lose someone we love, our hearts break and we cry. People around us see the heartache we are going through and feel sorry for us, often-times trying to comfort us in our time of need; because we do need comfort in sad times. As we are spread far and wide in our various homes and places of work, we are not always close to friends and people we love. This probably makes us more aware of our need for love and support from others.

I know some of you will face losing someone over this pandemic and maybe it is going to be the one we love more than anything. I am very anxious I will lose the people I love but I also know there is very little I can do to prevent this apart from staying away from them; and I know there are many of you out there who are even more anxious than me. My prayers and love go out to you all.

So how do I cope? I cope through my faith in Christ. I cope because I know God has me firmly in His grip. Does this mean I am not going to get the virus – probably not. Does this mean I will survive – probably. So what’s the difference? Why do I have so much faith and hope in comparison to many out there?

I have faith and hope that God has all of this in control. Yes, many are going to die simply because many people have not listened to the advice from the doctors and scientists. My dad was a pharmacist and always drilled home how important it was to wash our hands – I am really thankful at this time that I do remember this and know how important it is!

We are in a global crisis where many people are going to die – but many more are going to survive and live to tell the tales. How many of us are going to lift God up high and praise Him for remaining faithful even though we may have wondered off? How many are going to see prayers answered because they have trusted God to answer them? Lift up your prayers to God this evening and thank Him for looking after you!

Points to Ponder:
Do you cry out to God all the time?

Or are you waiting to have Him walk past you before you cry out?

March 26: John 5:19-23

Key Verse: John 5:21
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

Devotion:
Jesus made sure people were told how He would not do anything God, His Father, would not sanction. Jesus made sure people understood how He worked directly with God in everything He did. He made sure He listened to everything God told Him and obeyed God’s commands. Something which struck me was how Jesus was listening to what God was saying then and there, not going by what Moses had said so many years before or by the habit people had got used to doing...

We need to be doing the same by making sure we are actively listening to the latest advice from God – by praying to Him and listening for the answers! Just as people around the world need to be listening to the latest advice from their governments about the state of their countries and the safest way to make sure they are kept safe from this pandemic. Listening to the latest advice has always got to be the right thing to do!

As a modern society we have grown callous in our ways with God because we have continued to do things the way of the world instead of doing things God’s way. The more we get involved with the ways of the world, the more we tend to ignore God because of the peer pressure we have continuously around us. You can think of it as you trying to have a conversation with a friend in the middle of a dance floor where the music is drowning out your every word – eventually you give in and just enjoy the dance… Now imagine 3 of you on that dance floor; the one in the middle is the messenger for talk going both ways and becomes the integral part of every conversation.

We do need to stop and focus on what God is trying to tell us. We will not always hear it because of the ‘volume’ of the world around us, but the more we do listen the more we will be in tune with what God says and the easier it will be to hear Him in the din of the world. Jesus was totally in tune with God the Father and had no problems hearing what He wanted Jesus to do.

Points to Ponder:
How much do you listen to the news and gossip around you?

How much do you separate yourself so you can hear God?

March 25: John 5:1-8

Key Verse: John 5:7
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Devotion:
How many of you read these verses and thought about the mad scrambles in supermarkets all around the world where people don’t seem to care for those around themselves but do all they can to get what they want! It does seem very alien when I see scenes like this on the television, bringing to mind such things like Shaun of the dead! Please take a few seconds to think about your neighbour...

This particular man had been an invalid for thirty eight years and was, no doubt, used to people treating him badly. My heart goes out to the people who are in real need in our society who do not have the physical capacity to fight for what they want; but, honestly, my heart goes out more to the people who have changed their heart and now fight for things they do not need, but simply want!

So many people have bought more than they need from the shops, leaving little or nothing for those who actually need it most. People used to be able to go into the supermarkets and look around for the savings shelves where they could purchase something which was almost out of date at a price they could afford – but now they only see empty shelves!

God is the one who is watching over everything and He is the one who will come to you in your hour of need. All we have to do is ask Him for the help we need and He will answer in ways you did not think possible or likely. I love the way so many people are doing things for others in their communities now as they are all stuck indoors. I love the way people are beginning to think more of their neighbours. I love the way people are polluting less and God’s creation begins to shine once again.

Let us take this time to not just think about our neighbours, but to pray with and for them. Let us take this time to show God’s love to those around us. Let us take this time to allow people to meet with God in ways they did not previously see.

Points to Ponder:
Are you helping people in need?

Are you willing to put down your wants and lift up someone else's needs?