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August 28: Matthew 25:1-13
Key Verse: Matthew 25:13
Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Devotion:
I have always been in two minds about this passage because of the sequence of events and how the bridesmaids reacted - never mind the fact there are multiple bridesmaids and one groom...
But the essence of this passage is to remind us we do not know the time or place Jesus is going to return for us, so we do need to be ready at all times, and as the scouts say 'be prepared!'
Those whom were really ready for the event made sure they took spare oil in case there were delays. They were prepared to wait and be there, ready, when the time came.
Maybe some of them were more worried about their appearance instead of their readiness. Maybe some of them were not so sincere. The truth comes out in the end and the groom chooses those who are ready!
Points to ponder:
How often do you get caught up in things and don't talk with God?
I know I am guilty and hence why sometimes devotions may be delayed...
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August 27: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
Devotion:
Do you know what God does in other people's lives? Do you know what God does in your life?
If we were to spend a little more time thinking about what God does for each one of us, we would spend a whole lot more time thanking him for doing all the things he does in our lives!
God does not just belong us me, or us, or just Anglicans or just Baptists. God is there for every single one of us in this world. Every person is able to call on him at whenever or for whatever; he does not limit our time or bill us by the minute.
This relationship with God is free for every person on earth (and even those off the earth in space ships) and he wants to have a closer relationship with each of us... that means talking with him!
Points to ponder:
How do you get in touch with someone to help you?
Have you tried to just talk to God lately!
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August 26: Mark 7:14-23
Key Verse: Mark 7:15
there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.’
Devotion:
If you have been following the lectionary over the last few week you may well have come across this a few times already because it has been covered in a few Gospels.
It is not what we eat or drink that is going to defile ourselves, but what comes out of our hearts and mouths! We do not have to give into the garbage which we eat, drink, watch or listen to. We do not have to copy it... but we often do.
So the sin is not the watching, eating, drinking etc but what we do with that which we consume. We can continue to do what is right and we can continue to follow God's will in our lives - even when we are consuming bad stuff.
But, when the only things we consume are bad things, we learn to do those things and way in our lives, so the more likely we are to regurgitate that stuff; that is why we warn against bad stuff in our lives
Points to ponder:
What sort of things are you learning in your life through living?
Do you have the strength to go against the flow of garbage in?
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August 25: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
Key Verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction.
Devotion:
How many times have you seen someone on a street corner holding a sign that says "The end is nigh" or "God is coming" or other words like that.
Most of the time people have banners like that up to try and spark a reaction from the passerby, not because it is true that God will come back at some stage, but because they want a reaction. Is it right?
It seems like many people back in the times of the Net Testament were doing the same thing and trying to get a reaction from the people, trying to get them to be scared and give in to what they are saying.
God does not teach us to be like that. He teaches us to be honest and open about things. To look at the words in the bible and portray the truth to others so they can make their mind up in all fairness.
Points to ponder:
Do you use scare tactics to see your wares?
God simply lays down the truth and allows you to make an informed decision - be fair!
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August 24: Isaiah 43:8-13
Key Verse: Isaiah 43:11
I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no saviour.
Devotion:
I love reading through the book of Isaiah because it has so many treasures; treasures of a prophet sent by God to remind the people about the every day things as well as the most important parts of obeying God and having faith.
In these verses we are reminded that it is not just about having ears to listen & eyes to see. It is about accepting the Word of God as the truth, having faith in this God which we are told about in the bible and believing he is ready to love us no matter where we are in our lives.
But that means accepting this into our heart and not just head knowledge. It is about listening with more than just your ears. It is about observing the world and people around us with a renewed mind.
When we start to look and listen deeper than just through worldly eyes and ears, we begin to understand a bit more about God and his will in our lives!
Points to ponder:
How often do you have a real conversation with someone - when you feel what they are talking about?
Will you try to stop and have a conversation like that with God?
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August 23: Isaiah 61:1-9
Key Verse: Isaiah 61:8
For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Devotion:
When I read verses like these it brings to mind all the things which God told the people of Israel to do as they escaped their captivity and strove to do what God wanted them to do. Some of the things may well have sounded harsh.
Indeed, the people did not follow some of the instructions and they found out the hard way that we need to obey God at all times. That is why I chose verse 8 as the key verse here.
God is the God of justice. He does not do things out of spite, greed or any other malicious thoughts or feelings! But we do. We get carried away by our feelings, desires and wants, We give in to greed and corruptions!
God wants us to step away from such things in our lives and step toward righteousness at all times. That alone will brings us a little closer to him, but it is the love and respect for him as God which will bring us closer still.
Points to ponder:
How many times have you had a thought and then felt bad afterwards?
Are you willing to give to God, through faith...
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August 22: Mark 6:30-44
Key Verse: Mark 6:31
He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Devotion:
Have you ever wondered how anyone can be a Christian in this world when we are surrounded by sin, strife, deprivation and even hatred?
The answer is: it is hard! And because it is hard, we do need to recognise we have to have some time to ourselves when we can rest and recuperate!
This does not mean we are turning away from our neighbours and not loving them, it means we acknowledge we have to have a little time alone with God to get the strength back to continue loving them more.
Jesus knew this and took time out. He warned the disciples to do the same. He did this through example and not just by telling them what to do. Being an example means more than just talk!
Points to ponder:
Do people know you as a Christian?
Or do you just talk about it!
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August 21: Matthew 22:34-40
Key Verse: Matthew 22:37
He said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
Devotion:
One of the great things about being a Christian who believes in Jesus and trust him daily is that you do not have to be constrained by the world!
Does this mean I can live outside the law? Certainly not! But sometimes the law imposes restrictions on us which are not righteous and this is because those laws have been made (or broken) by human beings!
We do get things wrong and we do go astray at times. But if we want to stay centred on God, then we have to follow the basic instructions he gives us. 1. To love the Lord God above everything. 2. To love the people around you like as you would yourself.
This means we must look to God as our everything. If you love someone special in your life, love God as much or more.
And then start treating your neighbours as you would yourself because that will spread God's love!
Points to ponder:
Do you show God you love him?
Do people around you know you for your love?
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August 20: Acts 7:44-53
Key Verse: Acts 7:51
‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do.
Devotion:
One of the hardest things to hear in life is someone telling you that you are wrong and that you do not love them as you say you do!
The more we get caught up in the things we can do and the things we have control over, the more we begin to think we are in power and maybe even invincible!
Jesus tried to teach the disciples they had to give in to what the Holy Spirit was trying to teach them and to listen and obey. He did this through example by living hsi life just as he was teaching them.
The more faith we have in the Holy Spirit and the more we stop and listen to the Holy Spirit, the more likely we will actually do what he wants from us - only then ill we get closer to living the life God wants from us!
Points to ponder:
Just how much do you do things because you can?
Have you tried to stop and listen to what the Holy Spirit may be asking?
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August 19: Psalm 23:1-6
Key Verse: Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing.
Devotion:
Sometimes it is the simple things in life which give us the most pleasure, and one of the greatest pleasures I have in my life is knowing Jesus. Yes that may sound strange but bear with me...
There have been many things in my life which have not gone according to plan, many things I did not like, many things I disagreed with, but I am still alive and I still continue to find out more about life every day even though I am of retiring age now!
God wants us to know that no matter what, we have a companion in him. He wants to love, nurture and support us in our daily lives. He wants to be there for us no matter what. And he is!
There have been times in my life when people have asked me how I can continue or what keeps me alive; my honest answer is this relationship I have with Jesus Christ.
Points to ponder:
Do you have someone who is always there for you?
Have you tried allowing Christ to have that relationship with you?