Feb 13: Mark 8:14-21

Key Verse: Mark 8:21
He said to them, ‘Do you still not understand?’

Devotion:
There are times when I just don’t get what God is trying to tell me – more times than I care to admit to! What I have come to understand, though, is this is OK! We don’t have to understand everything all at the same time because we are just humans trying to do what we can and God knows that!

But He would like us to try and listen to Him a bit more in our lives so we can get closer to the truth and to His will in our lives. Jesus had to tell the disciples things over and over before they got to understand things. Don’t forget the gospels were written after everything had happened – they were not written as things unfolded.
We are still in the process of growing in Christ and learning from Him every day. We do not hold all the answers yet and we will probably not understand until we get to be with

God in heaven. When Jesus was talking to the disciples here He reminded them of the two occasions where God provided more than enough food for the thousands of people who had gathered. There was seven baskets of food left over on each occasion!

God wants us to remember nothing is impossible with Him. The more we hold on to the earthly ways and definitions, the more we will not be able to grasp just how much He can do in our lives; and that is OK. But He still wants us to take time and try and learn – which means looking back over the things we learn from Him and putting things together so we do gain an understanding – this is how we can help to spread the good news!

Points to Ponder:
How often do you doubt what God can do?

How often do you look back and see how much He has done?

Feb 12: James 1:9-11

Key Verse: James 1:9
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.

Devotion:
This letter was written by James as a letter of encouragement to all of us who are or have gone through tough times as a Christian; but I have selected a few verses which give a little insight into the way we approach our lives with Christ. James fully understood what it was like to have to face trial and tribulations whilst trying to encourage others to follow Christ.

As Christians many people think we should always be happy, encouraging and smiling all year round. This is often far from the truth because we do face opposition for the positions we hold and we face people who simply don’t like the fact we should have anything to smile about when they don’t!

James levels the playing field by reminding us we are all equal in Christ’s eyes and should not elevate ourselves when Christ does not! If we come from the most humble positions or lifestyles we should be proud to be able to be called a Christian since it makes us equal with some great names in our history! Equally, if we come from the highest social or political standings, we should take pride in the humility we bring by living as Christians!

Being a Christian is one of the great levellers on this earth! We are equal in Christ’s eyes and we are all treated as children of God. No matter what happens in the world and no matter what happens because of the social positions we hold, we are and will always be important to God as His children!

Points to Ponder:
How do you see yourself as a person?

How do you think Christ sees you as a person?

Feb 11: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:5
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Devotion:
When you read somewhere how you should be preaching the gospel or at least telling people about Christ, what do you think? Do you get worried about how you should go about it, or do you think that it should be left up to those who have studied the scriptures? I’m not here to tell you how you go against God’s wishes if you don’t spread the gospel. I’m not here to say you are doing anything wrong by not preaching on street corners…

Being an outgoing person who stands up in crowds and shouts about Christ is not something we can all do. I do like telling people about Jesus, but not shouting about it on street corners. Instead I look at it from a slightly different light than the evangelical people who can do those things.

Here we have a very good clue about how God would have us tell others about Jesus and the scriptures. We should try to be examples because being a good example is going to make a big impact on someone’s life who is too timid to stop and listen to another shouting out the gospel.

We should be trying to make sure people see Jesus through what we say and do. Jesus did preach to many, but it was normally when they wanted to hear something. Jesus did act differently from others – all the time. Jesus did talk differently to others – all the time! So if we want to be more like Jesus we should do what He did – always...

Points to Ponder:
Do you get scared about preaching?

Will you simply try to act more like Jesus did?