September 16: Luke 6:46-49

Key Verse: Luke 6:46
Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?

Devotion:
How many people do you know of who go to church at the weekend and then behave like anybody else during the week, or even as soon as they step out the doors of the church? Unfortunately there will always be people who say they are Christians and even behave like Christians in front of others but who do not really believe in what Jesus has done for them; we have known this throughout history.

As Christians we should be listening to Christ and obeying what He asks of us. Whilst it is not always easy to hear what Christ wants from us because of the noise of the world around us, we should still try to do what the Bible teaches us. People all throughout the world are taught to do things for work purposes and are expected to continue doing those things in the right manner for work.

Why do we expect anything different from God. He has given us so much and continues to show us the many ways through which we can get to know Him, but unless we do those things we are nothing different from the rest of the world. Belief has to be shown in order for it to be believed itself.

When Jesus came to live amongst mankind He showed us through example how we should live and how we should always lift up the name of God. He depended on God and He listened to Him obeying whatever God asked of Him. This is how we should try to live because through a life led like that we can show others the true hope and strength we have in Christ!

Points to Ponder:
How often do you act like a Christians?

How often are you living as a true Christian?

September 15: Luke 6:39-42

Key Verse: Luke 6:40
The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

Devotion:
One of the things I don’t like about our society is the way young people seem to have been brought up to expect certain things in life as if they are rights rather than things earned or learned. I’m not quite sure how this came about since my parents brought me up to learn and earn rewards in life. This also meant sharing the knowledge we have with others so they are not left behind or left alone.

On my YouTube channel there is a video I put together for the children's song “Is There a Plank in Your Eye” which regularly gets viewers from all over the world. A simple song about these verses which I put together for use during the children’s clubs I helped to run a while ago. An effective method of getting the idea across, but it does not do justice to these verses.

We need to remember we all depend on each others and we have a task to teach the next generation, not just about life, but about God and the way he wants us to live by. Making sure we always try to do righteous acts and not blame others for things we also do wrong.

The blame culture in the world is not helping Christians or any other people. If we, as Christians, continue to join in with the blame culture of this world we are not going to further God’s Word like He wants us to because others will not look to us for help because they feel injustice instead of mercy and justice like God wants us to teach.

Points to Ponder:
Are you quick to blame others?

Will you try helping someone instead of blaming them?

September 14: Philippians 2:5-11

Key Verse: Philippians 2:9
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

Devotion:
One of the things which impressed the disciples as they grew to know Jesus more was how He seemed to be one of them even though they knew Him as the Son of God! This is one trait which encourages me when mixing with other people; if they elevate themselves above me and try to put on airs and graces, then I am not interested in what they have to say; but when they reach out to me as a fellow person I will listen and learn.

Jesus wanted us all to see this is the way through which we can love one another; but when we start lifting ourselves in position of authority because we think we deserve it, then community breaks down. Jesus wanted to build the church on people who loved one another and did not form a society where there are rulers and slaves!

God showed us all His great support for this by making sure people knew He exalted Jesus above everyone even though Jesus was walking as a person just like everyone around Him. Jesus did not separate people because of their backgrounds or because of their stature in society but treated everyone the same.

God wants us to know if we want to be more like Jesus then we have to start acting the same toward everyone and not picking sides, stature, class, race or any other societal division people come up with. Love starts with us taking the first step and continuing to walk as equals.

Points to Ponder:
Who would you like to invite into your circle?

How about opening up your circle to everyone first?