June 17: Matthew 5:33-37
Key Verse: Matthew 5:37
All you need to say is simply “Yes,” or “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Devotion:
How many times have you been let down by someone who has sworn an oath to you only to break that oath under pressure or over time? Our society seems to be rife with people who are quite content with promising to do something and never getting round to doing it, often simply promising so they can gain some reward before breaking the promise. So, by reading this here we can see this is not something new – it may be there are more people willing to break promises, but it has been going on since time began!
God has seen this trait in humans forever because we are easily led away by evil thoughts planted by the original evil one and harvested just when we don’t want them to be! The devil continues to try and take us away from God by making us do things which we ought not to and then casting the seed of doubt in our minds so we turn away from God before we ask for His forgiveness.
The advice here is to not go there and make promises which you know there is a chance you will break in the future. Simply say you will try to do such and such or find another way of supporting the person you are going to make the promise to. Most of our promises are to support another person in one way or another, something which is righteous – unless it is taken away later!
We do like to attach our promises to either loved ones past or present or to God. But are we really thinking about the consequences when we do go back on our word; are we thinking about what that open up to our loved one or to the people we are promising. God shows us how important promises are and has always delivered on His promises; but He also knows our weaknesses and does not want us to be burdened by the consequences of broken promises...
Points to Ponder:
How often do you swear by an oath?
How often do you think of the consequences of said oaths?
June 16: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:10
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
Devotion:
One of the things I like to say when asked if I am religious is to say “no, but I have a relationship with God!” This is one of the greatest things we have in our lives, this relationship with God! Paul was very religious until he got to know God through the Holy Spirit; he would do everything that religion had taught him to do, upholding the religious laws and working toward some reward he believed he would get. But once he found a true link to God, everything else was put aside and his real life with Christ began.
As I was reading through these verses today I began to think about my relationship with Christ and realised just how important it is, but also how hidden it can be to others! When I was in hospital a few years back I always felt safe and secure in God’s hands. It is a feeling I cannot forget and one which gives me great strength today. Unfortunately I was not telling the people around me what I was experiencing and they saw it as a nonchalant approach to my illness!
We must allow people to see the relationship we have with Christ out in the open and not hidden under our beds or away in cupboards. The more we get to know Christ the more we get to see how much He looks out for us in our daily lives. The writer laments about being pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted and struck down, but never crushed, in despair, abandoned or destroyed. These are the feeling I had in hospital – I knew I was in a very bad state because of the way the doctors were treating me, but I also knew Christ had me firmly in His grip!
No matter what happens to us in this world, we can know we have a Saviour who has gone above and beyond to make sure we have access to eternal life through Him. Jesus showed us this by going through unimaginable events before being hung on a cross to die; then He rose triumphantly from the grave to show us what we can expect in our futures!
Points to Ponder:
Do you get upset with things in your life?
Will you try to trust Christ during those times?
June 15: Psalm 78:36-40
Key Verse: Psalm 78:38
Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.
Devotion:
How many times do you forgive someone before you have had enough? How many times do you show mercy when others are already withdrawing from the situation? When we look back on God’s chosen people we find a long string of events which work against the law given to Moses and hence against God; yet He continued to show them mercy time and time again.
We need to take note of how far God was willing to go in showing love and mercy and try to replicate that in our lives toward the people around us. Yes, that does mean we need to show mercy to those who work against us and ignore the law and rules everyone else follows… but it does not mean we need to follow them in what they do or to support them in breaking the rules.
God showed righteousness throughout history and continues to uphold righteousness. He cannot accept the sins we do or the evil ways of mankind; but He shows us mercy and gives us the chance to say we are sorry and ask for His forgiveness. If we do that He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and start again – what we do next is what will define our relationship with Him!
God wants to love and support us all the time, but when we walk away from Him and embrace the ways of the world instead of His ways, there is not always room for the love and support He reaches out with. We need to actively seek Him out and invite Him to be a part of our lives. We need to be willing to listen to His instructions and follow His guidance so we can get the help He is constantly offering us all!
Points to Ponder:
How many thing did you do wrong this last week?
How far did you wander away from God?
June 14: Psalm 78:1-4
Key Verse: Psalm 78:2
I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old
Devotion:
Have you ever wondered how you could convince someone God is real? When I started out in ministry I think that was my biggest fear – how do I convince these young people God is real when they are so materialistic and cannot seem to separate themselves from the world and all its scientific wonders! I think the best way I can answer this question is by asking another question of you: what made you change your mind about God?
Sometimes we look in all the wrong places when we want to get something done, none more so that when we want to be able to tell people about God, you know, that unseen being who made everything and is made up of three parts which are the same, but different…
Jesus spent much of His ministry telling parables. He did not stand there and try to justify God or convince people unless called upon to do so – most of the time He was telling stories so the people could relate to the idea God is real. Those parables allowed people to see the difference between the world and God and allowed people to want to find out more. You see, our task is not to convince people God is real but to open their hearts to the idea He is real.
Once people start asking within themselves, God through the Holy Spirit will be able to convince them of the truth. Just like in a court of law, the attorney tries to open the jurors minds that there are possibilities they have not heard of yet. They then expand on those ideas and give witness accounts to allow the jurors to make up their own minds about the innocence of the accused.
Points to Ponder:
What allowed you to see God is real?
What parable do you think you could tell people to open their minds to God being real?