May 1: John 21:15-19
Key Verse: John 21:17
The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’
Devotion:
How many times have you been frustrated with what God is asking of you? How many times have you questioned what God is asking you to do? If we are honest we are going to say we have been both frustrated and confused about what we do for God; but we have to also be honest and remind ourselves we cannot see into our futures!
I know I have had a few occasions when I have questioned what God has asked of me… especially when I was so sure He was asking me to do something else! We get these ideas in our heads about what God wants of us and we tend to stick with those instead of waiting patiently for God to speak. We all should be doing a lot more listening and and little less talking back!
Peter was in the boat when they had little luck with catching fish; once they had landed the enormous catch of fish and realised it was Jesus on the shore, Peter jumped out of the boat and swam ashore as soon as he could. But when they had finished eating, Jesus then said these words to Peter. Peter got upset because He asked him three times in a row…
Jesus did not do this to hurt Peter but rather to make him stop and think; sometimes we get too caught up in doing what we think is right rather than waiting on God to see what is actually right! Jesus wanted Peter to stop and simply follow Him. Is this what Jesus is asking of you – just stop and listen...
Points to Ponder:
Are you too caught up in trying to do things for God?
Will you stop and listen to what He wants?
April 30: Acts 6:1-4
Key Verse: Acts 6:3
Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
Devotion:
How many times have you failed at doing something because you either ran out of time or strength to accomplish the task? We are human and we have to be able to work within our physical strengths; we cannot hope to work continually without rest or to continue helping and supporting others if we do not get help and support ourselves! God stopped and made sure He had a day of rest as an example to us.
But rest is not just the physical act of stopping work and sleeping. Rest and recuperation is the act of stepping away from the work we are doing and either doing something we enjoy or physical rest. Sometimes just being able to escape away from the rigours of work will help more than we realise.
When the disciples recognised they were being over worked and some people were missing out on the due care and attention they should have been getting, they made the bold choice to take on more staff to help out with the work. A church cannot be carried by the priest in charge or any single person. A church must be people working together to further God’s work in the community.
We are the church. The people are the church. If we do not act together and help each other out, then someone doing all the work will get too tired and miss out on doing what is required. God wants us to share responsibilities when needed and when it is better for the church and community.
Points to Ponder:
What do you do in your church?
Are you willing to step forward and help?
April 29: Acts 5:34-39
Key Verse: Acts 5:38
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
Devotion:
Gamaliel was brave enough to stand up in front of the Sanhedrin and speak some wise words. I like to think these words came from God even if he did not know this! God can, and does, use people from all walks in life to do the right thing at the right time. It is not always the righteous person who stands up and does something for God… If Judas had not sold Jesus out for a bag of silver, things would not have happened the way they did.
In order for Jesus to be able to do God’s bidding, Judas had to do what he did. In this case, Gamaliel had to stand up and speak these brave words as he did to make sure the apostles continued the work which had been planned by God. This was the very early institution of the church as we know it. The apostles had to spread the word to the right people so we too would know about what Jesus did…
Too often we close door because we cannot see a way out of a situation or we pull back because we cannot see the way forward. If we had the right amount of faith and trust in God, we would be able to make a huge difference in the world around us. We are the modern day apostles who have to step forward and allow people to hear the gospel.
If we try to go ahead and do things under our own strength, things will be found out and our plans will come to nothing. We have seen this happen time and time again throughout history when people turned their backs on God. But if we stand up with God and allow Him to guide our every step, then anyone who tries to come up against us will be facing God and not just us! God will ensure things happen one way or the other!
Points to Ponder:
Do you give God the right amount of control in your life?
Will you continue to share Jesus with others just as He has asked?
April 28: John 3:31-36
Key Verse: John 3:33
Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.
Devotion:
If you want to be able to achieve something, do you aim at the lowest point to focus on doing that alone, or do you aim high and try to get as much done as possible? Sometimes we do tend to give up before we start because it seems like a much easier task than to have to fight all the way to the top!
God sent us a perfect man to teach us the truth and open our hearts and minds to what is possible with Him. If we are going to ignore that and continue focusing on what the earth has to offer – that is all we are going to see in the end because that is all we want to see!
God has given us a very high mark to aim for. One which is impossible to reach without His help. He wants us to reach out to Him and ask for that help so He can do more for us. When we have faith and trust Christ, we are saying to God that we believe in Him and we are willing to obey Him. This is the truth Jesus came to show us and to expand before us.
We don’t have to be scared we will not be able to do anything for God. We can put our faith and trust in Him and He will allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and lift us up as we do His bidding. He is not going to leave us high and dry! Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit would be here for us after He went back to heaven. We have God on our side and we have strength and guidance without limit and without end! Use it!
Points to Ponder:
Do you place your trust in God?
Will you listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide you properly?