November 12: Philippians 4:8-9

Key Verse: Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Devotion:
This letter to the churches in Philippi brings to mind the new life Jesus talked about. One where we dare to leave the sinful lives we have led behind and follow Him, not just in name but in spirit and ways too. The apostle talks about a different way a life, one where we do not focus on the lies, the social stigmas, the injustice and horrors of this world; one where we focus on the truth, upright, admirable, praiseworthy and beautiful things.

The world is full of such things but mankind continue to focus on the opposite things, all the ways which bring sorrow, hatred, wars and ill feelings. God wants us to set war behind us and to love our neighbours as our selves. That means turning our backs on the sinful ways which cause disruption and bring together all things which will allow us to share the truth and love one another.

Many churches around the country will celebrate Remembrance day in their congregations just as the world tried to celebrate it yesterday. Many people objected because of the wars which are continuing. Many people no longer want the wars and strife but don’t know how to open their hearts to Christ and to others.

Step outside your comfort zones today and show people we can make a difference when we come together in love instead of in wars. This is what Jesus is trying to teach us...

Points to Ponder:
How often do you hear about wars in the news?

How often do you spread good news and love?

November 11: Romans 16:3-9

Key Verse: Romans 16:7
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

Devotion:
These are a few of the personal greetings Paul sends out to the church people, each one of which he attaches a brief description of how he knows them. I chose the highlight to be this verse because he lists two people who were also Jews and who also were in prison with him at some stage. He describes them as being in Christ before he was.

To write out a list of people like this takes a personal touch and gives deeper meaning to the people who he came to know through the church and all because of Christ. How many of your friends can you name and describe how you met them? What sort of impact have they made on your life?

Now we turn the tables and try to think what sort of picture our friends will paint for us in a letter like this? How do they see us and can they remember we are Christians and what we have done in the church? When I first got to know Christ I also started to get to know people in the churches I went to and I remember what sort of impression they made on me. Not all of them good!

As we grow in Christ we get to meet more and more people. We get to see the people for who they really are if we spend time with them. If we make time to greet them and to listen to their stories in their lives we get to know what sort of lives they have lived and can gain a lot by just listening to them!

Points to Ponder:
Do you try to tell people how they should be as Christians?

Or do you try to show people what sort of a Christian you are?

November 10: Luke 16:1-8

Key Verse: Luke 16:8
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.

Devotion:
This parable may sound a bit strange when you first read it because the rich man was scolding the manager for doing a bad job, but then the manager went round all the debtors and halved their debt and the rich man then commended the manager!

But they key is in this last verse where Jesus separated the master from the dishonest people which now included the manager. The rich man knew he had people who owed him money and he was using his staff to go out and try and get the money back, maybe even raising the interest on the loans or debts. When the manager did dishonest things by halving the debts he probably inadvertently allowed many of the people to be able to pay back the debts!

The rich man had probably not thought of things like that because he was honest and kept the debts up to date and had them chased as well. But the manager showed his true colours by being dishonest about all the debts because he was acting like the people who still had outstanding debts. Dishonest people attract dishonest people…

Jesus wants us to see how different people of the world are and to try and make ways in which they can be invited in to see how different Christian life is. If we stand up as staunch Christians many people will stay away from us because they don’t want to be shown up. But if we allow them some room to change, they may just do that and surprise us all!

Points to Ponder:
Do you always make sure the law is upheld?

Would you be willing to allow others to show you why they are different?