Jun 26: Matthew 7:15-20

Key Verse: Matthew 7:17
Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Devotion:
How many times have you been told to not judge a book by its cover? Is this telling us otherwise? No, this is telling us a different story, one where we should judge the book by what it produces, not by what is on the cover. If you can imagine a cookery book which has flashy pictures on the cover showing you wonderful looking food; but when you open it up and read and follow the recipes, they do not produce anything like what is on the cover!

This is the false prophet which is being talked about here – not the pictures on the outside, but the difference between the pictures it says will be the product of the recipes, and the actual recipes!

Jesus wants us to be honest about who we are and what we can do. There is nothing good about telling people you can do all manner of good things if you are not going to actually do them! Jesus wants disciples who will be willing to do what they say they can!

Jesus always told the truth and made sure people could depend on what He said. This is the action we should be aiming for – to be able to tell people what we can do for them and to carry out those tasks so they know they can trust you!

Points to Ponder:
Do you talk the talk?

Do you walk the walk?

Jun 25: Matthew 7:9-12

Key Verse: Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Devotion:
Can you ever remember a time when you have asked for food or water and being given something totally inappropriate instead? At boarding school our friends would often play pranks on each other by giving them inappropriate things, but I’m talking about the times when we actually needed help. Unless you are facing a person who has no empathy, we would get something in return for asking.

When we ask our guardians for something, they may often give us more than what we ask for because of their love for us. God wants us to know He is more than a guardian and will supply to us more than we expect; simply because of His great love for us!

What God also wants us to note is that we do need to ask because He is always listening and always there for us. If we do not ask then we may well take Him for granted and forget He is always there, but by asking and being given we are constantly reminded of the great love our Father in Heaven has for us!

Don’t hold back because you think you do not deserve things. God knows we do not deserve anything because of our sinful natures and sinful ways. But He allowed Jesus to cover all of those sins with His righteousness and be presented as sinless and worthy before Him – so we should ask!

Points to Ponder:
Do you hold back because you think you have done something wrong?

Has Christ’s sacrifice not been enough to cover your errors?

Jun 24: Luke 1:57-66

Key Verse: Luke 1:64
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.

Devotion:
When we do things God’s way, other things fall into place. When we go against God’s ways, the only things which will go the way we want are those of which we have control. Not everything in life is within our control and certainly nobody else is under our control! We live in a world where we each may want to do things different ways and this brings up conflict right from the start.

If we are all willing to listen to God’s ways, then surely we will all be working toward the same goal and should get there a lot quicker. So what if we listen to some other leader? Will we not reach the goal quickly as well? There in lies a problem because once we listen to someone else we may be loosing sight of God in our lives. Too many people have greed and pride in their way to be able to allow God’s ways to be followed.

We can see this throughout history as leaders have done things their own way and come up against other or their pride and greed has led to their downfall before too long.

God is not driven by the earthly wants and desires we have; instead He is trying to do what is best for everyone because He actually knows what we do need. When God’s plan to have John and Jesus born into this world a few months apart, it was the plan mankind needed to ensure we have a way forward. Fortunately for us, some people did listen and we have the truth to guide us now!

Points to Ponder:
Do you strive to do your best?

Would you try to do what is best for God instead?