October 27: Deuteronomy 32:1-4
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 32:2
Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.
Devotion:
I love the words used here ; to me it describes a very natural thing which should not be extraordinary but rather ordinary! No, I am not calling the Word of God ordinary because it is not, but why should we look at it as being something unheard of instead of commonplace?
God wants us to be Christians, not to stand out from the crowd and be noticed as someone doing something which is unheard of, but to be seen as someone doing what they should always do. So how do we get to the point where God’s Word is normal in our lives? By making sure we include it in everything we do and all the time. This way we will be able to see it as normal and share it as if it is normal too!
The rain falls from the sky – we see it as perfectly natural. But to someone who has not heard of it or see it, it would be very strange... seeing this water falling from the sky! No matter where in the world we are, we probably see the morning dew at some stage in our lives and we get to learn it appears at dawn. It becomes natural.
We should be sharing the Word of God as if it was totally natural in our lives. We should praise God as if it is the right things to do – always! He has been here for us from the beginning and continues to be here for us no matter what happens in life. He is as firm as the rocks which make up a mountain. His word continues to be true no matter what we go through in our lives. God continues to do what is right and we should expect Him to always do what is right!
Points to Ponder:
Do you treat God’s Word as something special?
Shouldn’t you be treating it as purely natural instead?
October 26: Hebrews 7:23-28
Key Verse: Hebrews 7:27
Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
Devotion:
What is the longest you have stayed at a particular church? There are many things which necessitate us moving between churches, not just moving home to a different area, but deaths within the church sometimes mean they close down. We don’t live forever and nor do building stand forever for that matter!
When we imagine being called by God to do something, we like to think God is going to keep us doing that job for as long as we live; in reality it can be quite different. We may be called to start the ball rolling and train others to take over the day to day running... Paul was called to go out and spread the word, teaching people and opening churches along the way. He was not called to stay in one place and grow a huge church...
God calls us to reach out to others with His word, sharing Christ’s love and giving people hope for what we know lies ahead. We may not get to see the culmination of what we are initially called to do. We probably will not be around when Christ comes again – I know the world is getting close to when Christ will return, but there is still so much sharing of the Word to do before then.
Teaching others to share God’s Word is paramount in what we do. It is no good teaching the people we see and leaving out the rest because we are going to die one day. But if we can teach people to share God’s Word like we should be doing, then we build a legacy which will continue even after we have gone. God allowed Jesus to pay the ultimate price to nullify the sin debt we owe. We need to tell others of this wonderful news!
Points to Ponder:
How long do you think you can talk about Jesus for?
Will you try to show someone how to share Jesus’ good news?
October 25: Jeremiah 31:7-9
Key Verse: Jeremiah 31:8
See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labour; a great throng will return.
Devotion:
How often do you cry out to God for help in your circumstances? I want you to stop and think today. Not all of us are blessed with a home, health, wealth or whatever else; many people do struggle with life and it is not their fault. Yes there are people who squander everything they have and end up with nothing, but there are also those who have been struggling just to make a living for a long time.
As the state of many countries gets worse with the continued struggle of coronavirus, there are going to be people who are figuratively pushed over the edge and they finally reach the point where they can no longer continue. There are going to be people who have given everything and now have nothing more to give. There are going to be people who have faced all manner of issues and now they cannot cope mentally with the pressure... Think of these people.
As the wealth of some countries continues to grow, the depravation of other countries will continue to tumble. As the rich get more money, the poor become the victims because they can no longer pay their taxes or even for their food. The rich may find ways of getting more money, but it does come at the expense of many who continue to lose... Think of these people.
God made a promise to be here for us all and He will continue to uphold that promise. It is not a promise to level the playing field so everyone gets to eat superb meals. It is not a promise to give wealth to all so we can all buy electric cars. It is a promise to be there for us in ways which we cannot understand until we are in times of dire need. Trust in God when the going gets tough!
Points to Ponder:
Do you find the going getting tougher?
Will you try to place a lot more trust in Christ?
October 24: Mark 10:46-52
Key Verse: Mark 10:48
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’
Devotion:
What does it take before you listen? Do you have to get into trouble? Do you have to get to the end of your tether? Do you have to hit rock bottom? Sometimes we get so tangled up in the world we lose sight of what God is asking us to do and the only way to get back on track is to lose our way...
Bartimaeus was a blind man who was sitting by the roadside. He had probably been there a while and when he heard it was Jesus coming by, he shouted out for help. His help was not like the other people who may have been in crowds, but rather it had a desperation which went beyond that. He was being open and honest with Christ!
We need it stop with being caught up in ourselves and in the world. We need to open up our lives to Christ, not just by asking Him into our lives, but by giving Him control. Bartimaeus had nothing to lose so gave what little he had left to Christ. He humbled himself before Jesus.
God does not want a bunch of charismatic people who can turn the world upside down with their chatting, singing, performing or even money; God wants people who are willing to give whatever they have to Him and be willing to obey Him. When Jesus saw this in the blind man, He changed his life by giving him his sight back – the only condition being he should continue to give everything to Christ by following Him!
Points to Ponder:
Do you work hard to be a good missionary?
Will you give up what you have to obey God?