Feb 14: Matthew 6:16-18

Key Verse: Matthew 6:17
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

Devotion:
How many times have you competed against someone in an argument and got carried away with the truth, or lack of truth? How many times have you bragged about something and got caught up in describing things as being a bit bigger, better or worse than they really were? We all get carried away some time or another and say things which are not exactly true, where the truth has been stretched a bit…

Jesus was very different in that He always told the truth and said things as they really were without embellishing on any truths – He certainly did not lie! During this section of scripture He is reminding others of their duty to uphold the truth and not get carried away with things just to make yourself look better. This is especially true when conversing wit God because He already knows the truth!

God does not want us to compete against each other for His attention or for His love. He wants us to work together in spreading the truth and love He first showed us. He does not want us to brad to others about how much God means to us or how much we think we mean to God. He loves us all like His children.

When we come to Him in repentance, we should be telling the truth as it is and not trying to hide things in stories or behind the sins of others. God wants us to be honest to Him and to others! His loves for us goes beyond our understanding and He has already allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for our sin debt already!

Points to Ponder:
How often do you brag about your own things?

How often do you admit the truth?

Feb 13: Mark 8:14-21

Key Verse: Mark 8:21
He said to them, ‘Do you still not understand?’

Devotion:
There are times when I just don’t get what God is trying to tell me – more times than I care to admit to! What I have come to understand, though, is this is OK! We don’t have to understand everything all at the same time because we are just humans trying to do what we can and God knows that!

But He would like us to try and listen to Him a bit more in our lives so we can get closer to the truth and to His will in our lives. Jesus had to tell the disciples things over and over before they got to understand things. Don’t forget the gospels were written after everything had happened – they were not written as things unfolded.
We are still in the process of growing in Christ and learning from Him every day. We do not hold all the answers yet and we will probably not understand until we get to be with

God in heaven. When Jesus was talking to the disciples here He reminded them of the two occasions where God provided more than enough food for the thousands of people who had gathered. There was seven baskets of food left over on each occasion!

God wants us to remember nothing is impossible with Him. The more we hold on to the earthly ways and definitions, the more we will not be able to grasp just how much He can do in our lives; and that is OK. But He still wants us to take time and try and learn – which means looking back over the things we learn from Him and putting things together so we do gain an understanding – this is how we can help to spread the good news!

Points to Ponder:
How often do you doubt what God can do?

How often do you look back and see how much He has done?

Feb 12: James 1:9-11

Key Verse: James 1:9
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.

Devotion:
This letter was written by James as a letter of encouragement to all of us who are or have gone through tough times as a Christian; but I have selected a few verses which give a little insight into the way we approach our lives with Christ. James fully understood what it was like to have to face trial and tribulations whilst trying to encourage others to follow Christ.

As Christians many people think we should always be happy, encouraging and smiling all year round. This is often far from the truth because we do face opposition for the positions we hold and we face people who simply don’t like the fact we should have anything to smile about when they don’t!

James levels the playing field by reminding us we are all equal in Christ’s eyes and should not elevate ourselves when Christ does not! If we come from the most humble positions or lifestyles we should be proud to be able to be called a Christian since it makes us equal with some great names in our history! Equally, if we come from the highest social or political standings, we should take pride in the humility we bring by living as Christians!

Being a Christian is one of the great levellers on this earth! We are equal in Christ’s eyes and we are all treated as children of God. No matter what happens in the world and no matter what happens because of the social positions we hold, we are and will always be important to God as His children!

Points to Ponder:
How do you see yourself as a person?

How do you think Christ sees you as a person?