November 4: Luke 14:7-11

Key Verse: Luke 14:11
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Devotion:
I love the way Jesus would watch people to see how they acted before He commented on things. Many times He would give them advice by telling them parables rather than calling people out directly to give them the change to change their ways or minds. This is one of those times when Jesus commented on their behaviour without naming individuals.

How often do you try to get yourself noticed when you enter a group of people? Maybe you come dressed in something outstanding so people will look up to you. Maybe you make a loud entrance so people notice when you have arrived. Maybe you go directly to the host to make yourself known in front of people…

Jesus is telling people they should act differently. When we arrive at a place we should not necessarily act like everyone else, but act more akin to you being just another person at the gathering. If we over-react we may well find we are overshadowed very quickly by the true guest of honour and that would make us feel very put out. If we humble ourselves then the host may well call us out and give us honour in front of others.

We should not be going to an event to be noticed but going there to be part of the event. We should not be going because important people are going, but going because we have been invited. God wants us to be leaders who serve, not leaders who dictate!

Points to Ponder:
Did you know Jesus wants you to be humble?

Do you know Jesus wants you to be a leader too?

November 3: Luke 14:1-6

Key Verse: Luke 14:3
Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?’

Devotion:
One of the things Jesus wanted to turn over was the unrighteous lawfulness of the Pharisees. How can it be unrighteous if it is the law? Sometimes we take things too far and we rather stick to the letter of the law rather than doing what is right in God’s eyes. Sometimes laws are made which should be righteous but can be used in an unrighteous manner if taken too literally or out of context.

This is why Jesus promoted the love of God and the love for one another above all other laws and this was a clear demonstration of this. A man was close by who had an abnormal swelling of part o his body. Jesus’ heart went out to this man and so He healed the man even though it was the Sabbath when the law stated nobody should work.

He reflected after healing the man by saying that if any of them had a child or livestock which was stuck in a well, they would go out of their way to rescue that child or animal even though it was the Sabbath. Jesus was saying His love for this man was as important as a child to Him and He wanted to rescue the man even though it was the Sabbath.

We need to reflect on things which confront us and make sure we are doing what Jesus would do rather than what the exact letter of the law says we are or are not allowed to do. Love above all!

Points to Ponder:
Have you ever helped someone out despite it meaning breaking a law?

Make sure your love is stronger than man’s laws?

November 2: Romans 8:31-39

Key Verse: Romans 8:34
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Devotion:
I love the way Paul writes about Christ being everything to and for us. He starts off by asking who can ever be against us if God is for us, continues to remind us He gave His own Son up for us. Jesus, the one given up for us, willingly stepped forward then and even now steps forward to be our witness to God so we are presented not guilty!

Who is the one to condemn us then? It certainly isn’t Christ who did all of those things so we would be blameless. It certainly isn’t God who sees us as innocent because Jesus took on the debt instead… It’s those people around us who don’t know what Christ has done for us!

So can they prevent us from accepting the love Christ has for us? Can they separate us from God? No! No person on earth can keep us from Christ because He is making sure every one of us is given the opportunity to see Christ for what He is and what He has done for us!

Each of us makes the choice as to whether we do listen to the Gospel or whether we stick our heads in the sand and pretend Jesus did not do all of that for us! The world around us does not want to hear the truth for fear of having to admit they have done something wrong – but once we admit our mistakes and ask Christ to be in our lives, nothing can ever separate us from God again!

Points to Ponder:
Do you get swayed by what people do around you?

Will you try to listen to what Christ did for you?