November 8: Titus 2:1-10

Key Verse: Titus 2:1
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

Devotion:
We have looked at how we should learn from our mistakes, how we should learn from the scriptures and various other ways of learning, but what good is this learning if we are not going to pass it on to anyone? The apostle is reminding Titus here to pass of this knowledge and righteousness to the people in the community and in the church.

It goes for all people in the community, not just the ones you meet in church or are friends with or are teaching in classes; our wisdom we learn from God and the scriptures needs to be spread and shared amongst all people. It is the people who are sick in spirit who need sound guidance most of all. It is the people who have fallen who need a hand in getting up and walking the right path again. It is the people we may look down on who need a hand most of all!

Each of us are probably of different ages but the wisdom we learn can be shared with others of all ages. The elderly should be encouraged to continue walking with Christ and doing what is righteous – both women and men. These are the people who are looked at as being the elders of our society and many look up to them as examples.

Those who have learned to be teachers need to continue teaching but also need to set the examples as well. It is no good saying one thing and doing another because people will stop trusting us if we stray from our own words.

And those who are still learning the basics are the ones who are put most at risk by idle chatter or words said out of turn because they are learning quicker from everything and everything they hear and see...

Points to Ponder:
Are you passing on your wisdom gained from God?

Do you encourage all people?

November 7: Luke 17:1-4

Key Verse: Luke 17:1
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.

Devotion:
How many times have you given in to a temptation because a friend has given in already – thinking it can’t be that bad if they have done it… This is the type of trap Jesus was warning the disciples about here. We are more likely to do something if someone else has already done it & Jesus does not want us to be the ones who start the ball rolling!

It is so easy to give into temptation when you think nobody is looking, even when we know in the back of our minds God is watching every move we make… The more we think nobody is watching the more likely we are to sin; but what if you do and someone else sees you? You are now responsible for them thinking it is OK to sin because they have seen you do it!

Jesus also warned them to remind people when you do see them sin rather than cover it up and make as if nothing has happened. Rather point it out to them in a nice way so they know someone is always watching. That way they are less likely to give into it again. Better to stop it before they get used to it and continue as if it is a habit!

But then if we are going to do anything like this, we have to be willing to forgive others when they do something against us. Christ is always willing to forgive us, but He may just point it out again and again if we don’t do something about it in our lives! Just like the friends we should be toward others, Christ wants to be that friend who points out your sin so you have a better chance at not falling into the same pit again.

This all sounds terrible when we talk about it like this – and it is when you think what Christ did to make sure we are forgiven!

Points to Ponder:
Do you make light of some sins in your life?

Are you willing to face Jesus and admit your sin?

November 6: Job 19:23-27

Key Verse: Job 19:24
that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock for ever!

Devotion:
How do you think people are going to remember you? Have you written a book about what you have done? Have you recorded a daily vlog saying what you have been up to? Have you recorded what you have done so people will remember you? All these things will only get you remembered here on earth for the things you have done here… How do you think God is going to recall your works?

Job had more than any of us would normally be able to handle, and yet He continued to praise God and to glorify Him one way or another. Would we be able to do that if we were persecuted day in and day out?

Job realised his earthly life was going to be but a moment when compared to what lay ahead of Him in Heaven. He continued to believe and trust in God and knew in his heart he was destined to live out his immortal life in Heaven with God! He also knew Christ would come and be amongst us on earth… He knew this from his communion with God – not by reading the scriptures, because they had not been written down yet after all this book of the life of Job is believed to be the oldest out of ever account in our bibles!

Instead, Job knew this because God had impressed this upon him. This is the truth we have now got written down for us and what we can all get to believe in if we choose! But so many people still choose the earthly life instead of the spiritual life. They choose what they can see and physically feel because that makes more sense to them. If we spent the time meditating upon the words God gives us, we too would reach the same conclusion as Job, that our Saviour lives and we will get to spend eternity with Him!

Points to Ponder:
Who knows you like a book?

Will you try to live a life people will notice giving glory to God?