March 11: Ezekiel 18:21-28
Key Verse: Ezekiel 18:21
But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.
Devotion:
I know I have talked about how God is willing to forgive anything we bring to Him, but these verses remind us God has always been this way – He does not change, we just think differently! Ezekiel tell us the words given to him by God: He is willing and able to forgive any sin which is brought to Him if the person willingly turns away from those sins. Why do we have to turn away from them? Because it shows God we have changed in the way we think and are willing to adjust our ways to be His ways instead.
The next few verses tell us He will totally forget our sins when we do turn away from them. This is not something new which would only come into effect after Jesus came, but something which has always been here. God does not change!
The same can be said for a righteous person who turns away from there righteousness and does wicked things – they will get picked out and they will have to face up to what they have done. When they continue to live that wicked lifestyle, they are in the same boat as someone who has always lived the wicked lifestyle. What God is looking for is people who want to change their ways and live a righteous life with Him.
When we say God is just, we often forget what justness is! If we live the wicked life, we will not be accepted by God until we turn away from that life and repent. If we live a righteous life and turn toward wickedness, we risk being called out by God for what we are doing. If we do not repent and turn away from that wickedness, we will not be accepted by God when the times comes. But, we can turn back to Him and turn away from the wicked things to be part of His flock again.
Jesus cemented this by saying He would be our advocate when the time comes!
Points to Ponder:
Will you ask God to forgive the things you have done wrong?
Will you turn away from those things?
March 10: Matthew 7:7-12
Key Verse: Matthew 7:7
‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Devotion:
Have there been times in your life when you have dared not ask for something in your prayers just because you think it is not possible, or not probable and you didn’t want to be disappointed? That is not the way God works – He is the God of the impossible and will answer prayers according to His perfect way. If we do not ask, then how will He answer your prayers?
We cannot really imagine just how awesome God is and how much he wants to do for us – but when we start asking for the things which seem impossible and He answers, then we begin to see a new side of God answering the impossible! Don’t hold back on your prayers because you think you don’t deserve it. Don’t hold back because you have done things wrong in the past. Open up your heart and humbly ask God to answer your prayers.
When someone asks us to do something and we do it, it is either because we want to do it or because we can do it. If someone asks us to do something impossible, we generally would tell them it is not possible, but help them out in ways we can. When we bring our prayers to God, we cannot imagine anything which is impossible for Him to answer. Ask!
I love to do things for others, I like helping out where I can and if someone asks I would rather say yes than no. But if someone does not ask, I get a bit lost because I am not very good at telling people’s needs without talking to them and them opening up to me. Now, whilst God does know everything, He would rather you open up to Him and tell Him about everything before you ask.
Points to Ponder:
How many people do things for you without asking?
How many people do things for you because you asked?
March 9: Psalm 51:16-17
Key Verse: Psalm 51:17
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Devotion:
Even during the time of great sacrifices, people of God were realising it was not the animal sacrifices which were important, but the heart of the person offering the sacrifice. What good is a named sacrifice if the person offering it has said sacrifice in abundance and would not miss out by sacrificing it?
God wants us to show Him we are willing to offer what we have, what we treasure, so we can know who our real treasure is – not the things of this world, but God. If we are willing to put aside the things of this world and embrace God with everything, we are on the right track to have Him as number one in our lives.
God wants to be able to look after us, to guide and protect us; if we are far too concerned with the things of this world then we are not likely to listen to Him with the right attitude in our hearts and minds. If we are willing to put aside the desires we have from or of this world, then our desire will line up with God’s desire for us to have a better life with Him.
If we are willing to offer wholly from what little we have, God is going to be more pleased with us than if we offer the biggest and best because we can afford it! When we offer wholly from our hearts, we are giving our all and not withholding what we have or can do from God. Do not be afraid to give it all because He is willing to support us through everything!
Points to Ponder:
What do you think God deserves?
Will you try to give Him everything?
March 8: Isaiah 55:10-11
Key Verse: Isaiah 55:11
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Devotion:
I can remember as a youngster looking at the over simplistic pictures which depicted the water cycle: the rain clouds, the rain falling, turning into streams then rivers then the ocean. The sun warming the ocean and water evaporating eventually being made back into the clouds… What they didn’t tell you about was the water would carry all manner of nutrients and allow so much more to happen. They didn’t tell you about the sun being required for the photosynthesis which allowed the plants to grow and soak up those nutrients – that was another lesson!
When we hear about bibles being given to others we don’t think of all the little things which will come out of those simple acts. We don’t think about the person who will have their eyes and heart opened just by reading the words. We don’t think about the kindness which will grow in the person who hears the words. We don’t hear about the people who will take those words and give them to others. We don’t always get to hear about our God who has planned this!
When I read the bible nowadays, it is mostly in electronic form and the words are not words written by a skilled hand on a sheet of paper, but formed by electrons and shining lights. But those words still take my heart and allow it to grow and spread joy where I can. It is the Author and the words which mean things and not just the ancient manuscripts which were faithfully copied generation after generation.
God has made sure we get to remember enough of His words so we can get to know Him and the love Him. We get to hear the affects of those words on many people over many years. We get to hear how people have submitted to God and been transformed by knowing those words. Long may it continue!
Points to Ponder:
How much of your bible have you read?
Will you think about those words and try to remember them?