July 26: Matthew 13:36-43
Key Verse: Matthew 13:41
The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
Devotion:
When the disciples eventually asked Jesus what the parable of the sower actually meant, the answer is different from what I talked about a few days earlier when I was reminded of how we do need to rely on God more in our lives so we don’t get the wrong ideas and go off doing things He does not want us to do.
What Jesus was talking about through the parable was the end times when He was going to return once again to the world. Jesus was talking of how He was trying to tell people the gospel and remind them of all the things God wanted them to remember – this was the sower sowing the seeds.
The field or parts there of was the world which we know is made up of all manner of people, communities and ways of living, each being very different in the ways they would accept or reject the word of God. But the devil comes along and sows weeds in amongst the people who are listening to God’s Word. Because the devil is given space to do things, some people are persuaded to follow his ways instead of God’s ways! God does not wipe out the devils work because we all have free choice as to what we want to do with our lives…
When the time comes for Jesus to return (this is the harvest time in the parable) the angels will be the ones sorting out who has followed Jesus and who has rejected Him. All those who followed the evil one will be like the weeds being pulled out and sent for burning – not a nice thought! Those who chose to listen to the gospel and obey Christ will be harvested and taken to be with Christ in Heaven.
Points to Ponder:
Have you listened to the gospel Christ has being trying to teach you?
Which harvest would you rather be, weeds or Christians?
July 25: Acts 11:27-30
Key Verse: Acts 11:29
The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.
Devotion:
These were unsettling times for much of the world where empires had grown but were not sustainable, droughts would come and cause turmoil in much of the world. Today we see severe weather patterns, wars and general uncertainty leading us directly to times of hardship and famine too. Famine through mismanagement of funds, lack of infrastructure, floods, droughts and other causes. What was the church doing?
It is written the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, and this is the label we continue to carry today: Christians, servants of God. Let us step forward and be like those first Christians many years ago; let us be the ones to give hope, love, support and respite to the people who are experiencing the hardships. Let us be the lights shining in the darkness which shows God’s light to the rest of the world.
We cannot hope to change the hearts of all the people in trouble, but we can shine a light on God’s light so He can change the hearts of all the people in trouble! We can do this in our own communities as well as abroad. We can do this with simple gestures of support and aid going into the places where people think there is no hope.
When I was in London serving the local communities, we always did what we could to give people hope where they could see none. That hope would blossom as they found God and started to share that hope with the people around them. Giving people hope so they can see how much hope there is in Christ is a very special gift which keeps on giving.
Points to Ponder:
Are you trying too hard to help people?
Will you give them hope to start with?
July 24: Luke 11:9-13
Key Verse: Luke 11:11
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
Devotion:
One of the big doubts to get over is asking things of God in your prayers! Too many of us think we are either not worthy enough for God to answer our prayers, or doubt God will answer them because… well, why should he!
This is NOT the right attitude! Jesus reminded the disciples and others how we need to ask God for support all the time; Jesus was always calling us children of God and always spoke to God the Father. We should be taking a leaf from His book and reminding ourselves daily we are children of God and He is our Father in Heaven!
This section of text reminds us God looks at us as His children and wants us to ask things of Him all the time. My Dad would always remind me to ask him anything even though he spent many a time coming to me and asking me computer related questions! Your get to know how much your family loves you when you ask things of them; they tend to answer because they are family and it reminds us all how we should love each other!
The things which is highlighted here is Jesus is reminding people they can ask anything from Him but also how He will be willing to give us the Holy Spirit! Jesus promised us this before He left to go back to Heaven and be with God the Father. The Holy Spirit is available, willing and faithful to come to us and help us in whatever issues we find ourselves in. Stop what you are doing and ask the Holy Spirit to be closer to you today and see the difference He makes!
Points to Ponder:
What do you ask of God?
Will you ask Him to be an active part of your life?
July 23: Matthew 13:24-30
Key Verse: Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: first collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.
Devotion:
When things go wrong in our lives we often jump in “with all guns blazing” and do something rash and probably foolish just because we are upset with what has happened. We don’t like to admit we have allowed anything to go wrong especially if we happen to be in charge at the time; but we do have to recognise when things have gone wrong and step back to make changes when the time is right. Making those changes when we find out what has gone wrong may well be too early and may well end up harming things more than if we wait.
Conversely, if we leave things too long, we will end up in a bigger mess and have a harder time sorting out the issues! What we need is a mentor who is willing to offer us the right advice at the right time – when we recognise there is a problem. God is always there for us and will always offer the best advice we can hope for – but we do have to listen to Him!
Jesus told this parable to show the disciples what God is going to do when Christ is going to return; we know this now because we have seen and heard about enough of what Jesus did and will do to recognise what it means. To the people at the time it must have seemed a bit odd talking about leaving weeds in the crops until the end! Those whom were farmers may have had different opinions, but Jesus was telling them there is a right time to do everything.
When you think you have gone too far and cannot find a way out, this is the last moment you should choose to ask God for help! You should have asked for that help way before this, but God is never going to turn you away when you turn to Him to ask for help! Ask and listen, wait for the answer and continue listening. Make sure you are hearing from God and not just your over-reacting mind or heart...
Points to Ponder:
Who do you turn to when you need advice?
Will you include God in that advice tree?