October 26: Hebrews 7:23-28
Key Verse: Hebrews 7:27
Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
Devotion:
What is the longest you have stayed at a particular church? There are many things which necessitate us moving between churches, not just moving home to a different area, but deaths within the church sometimes mean they close down. We don’t live forever and nor do building stand forever for that matter!
When we imagine being called by God to do something, we like to think God is going to keep us doing that job for as long as we live; in reality it can be quite different. We may be called to start the ball rolling and train others to take over the day to day running... Paul was called to go out and spread the word, teaching people and opening churches along the way. He was not called to stay in one place and grow a huge church...
God calls us to reach out to others with His word, sharing Christ’s love and giving people hope for what we know lies ahead. We may not get to see the culmination of what we are initially called to do. We probably will not be around when Christ comes again – I know the world is getting close to when Christ will return, but there is still so much sharing of the Word to do before then.
Teaching others to share God’s Word is paramount in what we do. It is no good teaching the people we see and leaving out the rest because we are going to die one day. But if we can teach people to share God’s Word like we should be doing, then we build a legacy which will continue even after we have gone. God allowed Jesus to pay the ultimate price to nullify the sin debt we owe. We need to tell others of this wonderful news!
Points to Ponder:
How long do you think you can talk about Jesus for?
Will you try to show someone how to share Jesus’ good news?
October 25: Jeremiah 31:7-9
Key Verse: Jeremiah 31:8
See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labour; a great throng will return.
Devotion:
How often do you cry out to God for help in your circumstances? I want you to stop and think today. Not all of us are blessed with a home, health, wealth or whatever else; many people do struggle with life and it is not their fault. Yes there are people who squander everything they have and end up with nothing, but there are also those who have been struggling just to make a living for a long time.
As the state of many countries gets worse with the continued struggle of coronavirus, there are going to be people who are figuratively pushed over the edge and they finally reach the point where they can no longer continue. There are going to be people who have given everything and now have nothing more to give. There are going to be people who have faced all manner of issues and now they cannot cope mentally with the pressure... Think of these people.
As the wealth of some countries continues to grow, the depravation of other countries will continue to tumble. As the rich get more money, the poor become the victims because they can no longer pay their taxes or even for their food. The rich may find ways of getting more money, but it does come at the expense of many who continue to lose... Think of these people.
God made a promise to be here for us all and He will continue to uphold that promise. It is not a promise to level the playing field so everyone gets to eat superb meals. It is not a promise to give wealth to all so we can all buy electric cars. It is a promise to be there for us in ways which we cannot understand until we are in times of dire need. Trust in God when the going gets tough!
Points to Ponder:
Do you find the going getting tougher?
Will you try to place a lot more trust in Christ?
October 24: Mark 10:46-52
Key Verse: Mark 10:48
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’
Devotion:
What does it take before you listen? Do you have to get into trouble? Do you have to get to the end of your tether? Do you have to hit rock bottom? Sometimes we get so tangled up in the world we lose sight of what God is asking us to do and the only way to get back on track is to lose our way...
Bartimaeus was a blind man who was sitting by the roadside. He had probably been there a while and when he heard it was Jesus coming by, he shouted out for help. His help was not like the other people who may have been in crowds, but rather it had a desperation which went beyond that. He was being open and honest with Christ!
We need it stop with being caught up in ourselves and in the world. We need to open up our lives to Christ, not just by asking Him into our lives, but by giving Him control. Bartimaeus had nothing to lose so gave what little he had left to Christ. He humbled himself before Jesus.
God does not want a bunch of charismatic people who can turn the world upside down with their chatting, singing, performing or even money; God wants people who are willing to give whatever they have to Him and be willing to obey Him. When Jesus saw this in the blind man, He changed his life by giving him his sight back – the only condition being he should continue to give everything to Christ by following Him!
Points to Ponder:
Do you work hard to be a good missionary?
Will you give up what you have to obey God?
October 23: John 16:1-6
Key Verse: John 16:6
Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.
Devotion:
How many times have you asked someone to tell you the truth over and over again, and then been disappointed when they did tell you the truth? We do often build up stories and pictures in our heads which are not real, but we build them up because they make us feel better than the real world does! We even go out of our way to tell others about these stories so we can feel good about telling someone something which sounds like good news...
What we should be doing is trying to tell the truth to people; this way they will not be disappointed when the truth does come out. Jesus was sure to tell people the truth all the time. People knew they could trust everything He said – just as we know we can depend on Jesus’ Words, our Bibles...
Sometimes the truth is going to be hard to tell because you know it is going to hurt someone in the short term. Can you imagine how much anguish Jesus went through as He went around telling people the truth about themselves and about what was going to happen! No matter what, He told them the truth!
This was one of those times when Jesus was trying to tell the disciples the truth and trying not to hurt them in the process. He told them He was going to be with the Father and they could not follow Him when He went back to Heaven – at least not yet! He had to do this so He could, and can, be our Advocate; the person who stands up in front of God and says we are no longer guilty because He paid for our sins!
Points to Ponder:
How many of your lies have been found out?
Will you try sharing Jesus’ truth with others today?