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April 16: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - their Lord and ours:
Devotion:
In this, the first letter recorded to the church at Corinth, Paul is writing via the leader of the synagogue who had accepted the truth Jesus was the Messiah and our Saviour; presumably he lost his position as the chief ruler of the synagogue after being converted. Now, Sosthenes if heading up the Christian church in Corinth and addresses this letter to all people who believe in the Lord and those who pray to Christ. Does this mean there were still people who did not want to admit they were Christians just yet?
When I first accepted Christ into my life, I was willing to allow everyone to know I was a Christian, even to the extent of meeting for prayers together during our morning break period in school. There were some people who would ridicule us, but on the whole we were respected for what we were doing. What do you think people think of you and your position in the church today? Do people know you as a Christian? Do people know your life was changed by this Jesus character?
Paul knew the Christians would have a hard time – they were the ones who said they believed in a single God whereas the Greeks as a whole had many gods and prayed to a god who fitted into what they wanted. This is probably why he opens in extending prayer for grace and peace to all the people whom God had chosen to stand up for what they believed.
As Christians we need to stand up and allow people to be encouraged to stand up for themselves too. God has chosen us to be the bringers of the message to others. God has chosen us because He knows we are able to stand up and be counted – we may doubt that at times and we may doubt ourselves too, but God knows what we are made of and knows we are the ones to make a difference. Believe in Him and know He has made the right choice in choosing us!
Points to Ponder:
Do you have doubts you can do things for God?
Have you tried stepping forward and asking God for the strength?
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April 15: Romans 1:1-6
Key Verse: Romans 1:2
the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures
Devotion:
So I decided it would be a good time to go through the beginnings of some of the letters to see what introductions we can gain from them. I say, gain from them, because we often think of spreading the gospel as going to each and every person or gathering and teaching others about what God has to say for and to us and what He has already done and said for us in the past. But this was not possible back then for Paul to do at the drop of a hat – just like it is not possible for us to do things at the drop of a hat any more!
They did not have a pandemic preventing them from leaving their homes, but the threat was almost as real. Many people were banned from teaching about Christ because the governors thought it would undermine society – not real society as we know it in the free world, but an oppressive society. It really does feel like that at times now, but we still have so much freedom in reality. The Internet has become our outsource and our library and our way of communicating!
Paul could not be all over the Mediterranean as he would have liked to have been – can you imagine the storm he would have made if he was given the freedom of flights all around the world and not just boat trips here and there! Paul was ready to go anywhere but was limited by what was available at the time. So he took to writing letters to the various churches. I’m pretty sure he would have written far more than the few letters we have left with us now, but none as significant as those which God made sure were kept safe for future generations.
This has all been promised to us through what the prophets had been telling us for so long before Christ came to visit us in person. This was already written down and shared amongst the people as significant truths they need to hear and know. That is why these letters by the apostles are so important to us as well – they tell us of the outcome of many of the saying of the prophets, outcomes which prove to us how God keeps His promises throughout time and the world!
Points to Ponder:
How do you keep in touch in isolation?
Are you keeping the gospel message going out?
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April 14: Acts 1:1-5
Key Verse: Acts 1:3
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Devotion:
These first verses are quite important but are often overlooked as in many of the letters written by the Apostles. Why are they important? Because they give a consistent link between different letters written and gives us more of a chance at getting the timeline recognised and understood. The languages used have changed so much over the ages the original scripts have to be read by scholars who do understand the ancient ways of talking. Much like this generation looking at Shakespeare's writings – the words may be beautiful and full of meaning, but it takes study to get to the true meanings behind the words.
Luke was very well educated and I find his writings fascinating to read because they are so factual and matter of fact at times, unlike John’s writings which are so full of love, compassion and feelings. For Luke to write saying Jesus had given them many convincing proofs must mean they were very convincing even though we do not hear about all of them in our bibles. Sometimes we just have to take someone else’s words and believe them for what they are!
So many people try to argue about how Jesus was simply a prophet or a priest and yet the words written by the Apostles and corroborated by others prove otherwise; we have a Saviour in Jesus Christ who came down to earth to live amongst us as a human being so He could take on the punishment for the sins of the world once and for all – a fact which was not fully understood until after it had happened and after it was explained once again to the disciples.
God then sent the Holy Spirit to be amongst us and in us so we could further understand what He wants in our lives. The only thing is we have to listen! Something which does has proved to be a ‘difficult’ thing for humans to do – the past few weeks has shown us how many people think they know better and want to do things their own way instead of following what is right!
Points to Ponder:
Are you a good listener?
Do you obey what you hear?
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April 13: Matthew 28:11-15
Key Verse: Matthew 28:12
When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money
Devotion:
As we rest up after all the rush of the Easter celebrations, with a big difference this year with us all being isolated, we can begin to reflect on what was happening behind the scenes. But we have to be very aware there are going to be people who are not telling us the truth and it is our own task to find out what is the truth and what is not.
Was the death, burial and resurrection of Christ really true? Well, if we take a look at our legal system and how we do manage to get to the truth after a while, we can take great comfort in knowing society is doing its best to make sure the truth is what comes out in the end. There have been enough scandals around the world where governments and powerful people have tried to cover up a lie – only to be found out and the truth exposed; all because mankind is quite tenacious in our endeavour to find the truth!
The story of Jesus death is recorded in history, both Christian history and Non-Christian history. So it happened! What about the resurrection? All the disciples and followers of Christ gave an account of what happened and they all were in agreement (within normal human differences.) These people could have all got together secretly and agreed to tell the same story – this is something which happens all the time in society. But they were faced with ridicule, punishment, imprisonment and even death; throughout this all, their story did not waver or change – a very different picture to what happens when people try to cover up the truth!
So I am persuaded this is all true and has been recorded in manuscripts all over the place for us to remember what actually happened. I’m sure we are going to hear all sorts of stories about what caused this virus – we have had a lot of strange stories already – but we will have to sift through all the stories to find the truth in the longer term. Right now, believe what you know is true and keep on going!
Points to Ponder:
What is the most ridiculous story you have heard about the virus?
Will you read over the Easter story again in your bible and find the truth?
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April 12: Matthew 28:1-10
Key Verse: Matthew 28:6
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Devotion:
Have you ever wanted to take the punishment for someone else’s misgivings? Have you ever wanted to take on their sickness so they can live? These are feelings we have for people we love, or at least they are the feelings I have for people I love! But let us remember something – these are the type of feelings Jesus had for you and me, just because He loves us so much!
When I was pondering on what verses to use for this devotion, I came across a scribble in my old bible (now over 20 years old) and it struck me; I don’t have to choose anything other than the obvious, but the words I put together around these verses are what can make a difference to you! I can imagine the joy Jesus had when He was able to break free from the tomb and rise up in His new glorious form to accomplish what we thought was not possible – just because He loves us.
Can you imagine the joy the two Mary’s had when they saw Jesus was alive! How much more joy did Jesus have to be able to make this happen? How much more joy we get from something we are able to do which brings joy to someone else! No, it’s not selfish when you focus on the joy you are given them and the joy it spreads to all around you; it’s only selfish if you are doing something just so you can get a kick out of it and not for the joy of the other people involved – it’s hard for me to imagine people can be like that, but they are…
Jesus wanted to spread the joy to all the disciples! I’m sure He could feel how sad they had become because they thought it had all come to an end – but it was only the beginning! This was what God had been waiting for so people would not have to feel like they had to do things just to be safe. I really want others to realise just how important this love is…
So what were the scribbles in my bible!?!?!
Lord, it should be me…
“No it can’t be… I love you...”
Points to Ponder:
What have you done for love?
Are you willing to spread the Good News today?
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April 11: Matthew 27:45-46
Key Verse: Matthew 27:45
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.
Devotion:
I hear many people asking the questions: “where is God?”, “why is He doing nothing?”, “how can He just sit and watch?”… I do struggle to find the right answers to tell people because each of us think of things in different ways – but the question needs to be answered, not by us but by God through the Holy Spirit. Don’t try to figure things out in your own mind because we cannot! Our minds are not strong enough to figure out things like this and certainly not strong enough to carry the burden which come along with this all!
When Jesus was on the cross and was about to die, a darkness spread all over the land. This was not God closing His eyes so He would not have to watch His Son die on the cross – God the Father never left His side during all of this! I believe it was so the world would not have to watch this moment – a moment we could not comprehend or come to terms with. Jesus’ reaction was to call out and ask God why He had forsaken Him. This was the human side of Jesus calling out to God because He physically felt so left out of everything at that point.
We do feel like we are left alone to struggle by ourselves. We do feel like we are going mad indoors by ourselves. We do feel like God has forsaken us too at times! But one thing I learned when I was in hospital last year was that God never leaves your side. Even when friends and family are not there by your side, even when you do feel so very isolated, God is there with you. Maybe He does not want the world to see each other at their lowest points. Maybe He wants us to think seriously about why Jesus went to the cross!
It really is beyond our comprehension how this can all be happening – but remember this. No matter how bad things get according to you, God is always going to be with you every step of the way and in every moment of our isolation! The lights may go out, the cities may grow eerily quiet, but God is right there by your side and wrapping His arms around you – we just cannot see it because of our grief we are going through!
Points to Ponder:
How are you doing. No, really, how are you doing?
Please remember God is with you every moment of every day!
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April 10: Romans 12:9-13
Key Verse: Romans 12:13
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Devotion:
When someone lays down a list of thing you should be doing, we find it hard to agree to them without question… just because it is a list in writing! At least that is how I run! But I’m sure I’m not alone in my weird thinking like this – we just have to look deeper into what is right, righteous and proper to do. We can go overboard and uphold everything righteous and say we should never mix with others because they are not righteous etc., but that is totally wrong! We do not have the right to judge anyone and hence should only look into what we are doing wrong when compared to Christ’s will in our lives.
I say Christ’s will and not His law because each of us has a different path to follow – God has designed us different from our neighbours and different from our family members. Each of us is unique in the way we are and so we need different ways to follow to get the best out of us. But these are the common goals we should all be looking forward to doing in our lives.
If we start to think about others more than ourselves, we will soon lose site of the failing we think we have and try to uphold and build up those around us; we lose focus on our shortcomings and focus on the light Christ is bringing into the world around us. In times of lock-down and physical restrictions we need to think of new ways in which we can accomplish these goals. Somehow they seemed a whole lot easier when we were able to move around!
The last verse in our passage ends in “Practice hospitality.” Well, we can do this in new ways, we can reach out to others and we can invite them in – it does not have to be physical locations! Think about the disciple Paul. He went out all over the place to reach out to people – but he could not be in different places at the same time. So he wrote letters to people and to churches so they could feel more involved with what he was doing. We now have the Internet (with all its failings) which can be used for good and can be used to reach out to people. I have been writing these devotions for about 15 years and using the Internet to share them. Spread the love!
Points to Ponder:
How do you use the Internet?
Will you reach out to someone in a different way today?
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April 9: 1 John 3:17-18
Key Verse: 1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Devotion:
I know I have used these verses in a devotional recently – but how much more they mean in this time of lock-down in our communities; not just here in the UK, but all over the world where we are being faced by an enemy which is unseen, a virus. The more we can learn about this virus, the more we can protect ourselves from it, but also the more we feel confident enough to help other people.
I have tried not to shy away from helping others, but I know I have done so over the past few weeks – it is human nature and probably common sense too in my mind. But God tells us to look out for the people who are in need and to reach out and help them in ways we can. This does not mean we have to go round and visit people because we may well be taking the virus into their homes for all we know – but it does mean reaching out to them with words, prayers and any other ways we can help them!
God has taught us enough times how we need to love Him with all our hearts and minds – He has also taught us this love extends to all His creation, which means loving the people around you with all your heart and mind too! How does that look in real life nowadays. If you are still in work and have a bit of money to spare, how about buying something for someone online and getting it delivered directly to them. How about helping to pay a bill for someone who is in need.
It may surprise you to know that many of the people who do run places like foodbanks and food-halls are people who are in need themselves, people who have had it rough and now are giving to others who still have it rough. Don’t wait until you experience everything falling down around you before you realise you can step forward and help someone in need. Love them with your heart and mind and share your possessions with them!
Points to Ponder:
Who do you call out to when you need something?
Are you willing to answer someone else’s call for help?
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April 8: John 19:25-27
Key Verse: John 19:27
and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Devotion:
Have you ever thought about what you would like to say to people as a parting word before you or they die? Jesus’ compassion for others is shown here in a very special way when He steps in to fill the hole which is about to be left in these people’s lives! Christ knew what was going to happen and He knew the best and safest place for the people He loved to be in; they just had to listen.
It is not often God commands us to do things because He wants us to enjoy our lives as free people and not as slaves. He is not an overlord who is bashing His minions into submission, but a loving, but Holy, God who is encouraging us to do the right thing. There is no better time to listen to God than when we find ourselves in a pickle! We have probably got ourselves there because we have not been listening and we have gone against His wishes – not because He is punishing us for not listening, but because we have wandered off into a big hole all by ourselves!
Jesus wanted the people He loved to be together where they would be able to encourage each other and support each other – how can we do that if we are not together? We are finding new ways in which we can reach out to people in this global lock-down time. We are finding new expressions of church and new ways of showing our love to others. Let’s not pretend, it is hard work and I am finding it very difficult at times; but I know God is with me and I know He has something in store for me to do – why else would he have kept me alive last year?
As we go forward, try to keep pace with Jesus. Try to listen to His instructions because He is trying to lead us into a place of peace, comfort and love. Along the way we are going to have to face up to some pretty extreme times when we are going to question why we have to do this, why should we have to suffer, why, why… But know this. God is with you and walking with you every step of your life. When He says something, try to listen because it is for your benefit and for His glory.
Points to Ponder:
Do you like listening to others?
Will you stop and listen to God today?
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April 7: Luke 23:32-34
Key Verse: Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Devotion:
We often do not think of the two other people who were crucified with Jesus on that day in history – but they are very important to Christ, especially on that day! This was the last day they all were going to spend on earth; this was the very last time Jesus was able to offer forgiveness to these people and one of them took Him up on that offer on that day, his last day on earth!
It was not a particular sect or religion which crucified Jesus on that cross – it was mankind, us! We are the ones who sent Jesus to His terrible death. Yes, there were those who did not want it to happen, those who wanted Jesus to live, but it is us, mankind, who is guilty! Those two people who were being crucified with Jesus were criminals, some say they deserved it, people even came out to watch them being hung because that is what people did during that time.
How many people are we condemning by going with the flow and doing what we want to instead of listening to the rules? How many people may we sentence to death just because we wanted to go outside and have a party? It’s not something we will all think about because we are all wired differently – but the more people we see die of this virus, the more I think about making sure I am not condemning anyone!
But even when the one criminal hurled insults at Jesus, Christ was still willing to offer His total forgiveness. What an awesome Saviour we have – no matter what we have done, what we are doing or what we will do, Christ is always offering forgiveness to us and will always say yes if we ask for that forgiveness! The people who tied and nailed Jesus to the cross had no regard for His position or for who He is – but he still offered forgiveness to them as well. Will you think about someone else – no matter what they are doing?
Points to Ponder:
Do you think you are too bad for forgiveness?
Don’t you realise Jesus already offered you forgiveness?