Feb 2: Mark 6:21-29

Key Verse: Mark 6:23
And he promised her with an oath, ‘Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.’

Devotion:
This is yet another fascinating part of the bible which shows the shortcomings of humanity when people try to do their best to keep their promises. The king, Herod, did not want anyone in the public eye to have any hint of power which could be seen to be above he kings power; he wanted to make sure there was nobody who could cause him worries about power or leadership! John had condemned the king wanting to marry his brother’s wife and so Herod had him arrested and placed him in prison.

After some time Herod held a banquet at which he promised the daughter of Herodias anything she wanted up to half of his kingdom! This promise was made for all to hear and the king would have to live up to that promise, or face ridicule. What happened next was a combination of the grudge of one person, the willingness of another and the peer pressure Herod faced…

The young lady, guided by the grudge of Herodias, asked for John’s head on a plate! Herod gave in to peer pressure knowing full well he was in the wrong. We look at acts like this and wonder how people could ever do such horrible things, but the world turns away from such horrors happening all over the world just because it does not directly affect them!

God doesn’t want us to turn our backs on anyone, whether they be our neighbours or some stranger trying to escape a tyrant or a lifestyle which persecutes them. God doesn’t want us to support people who kill in the name of gods or power struggles. God wants us to love our neighbours and pray for our enemies...

Points to Ponder:
How many horrors have you heard on the news today?

Will you try to be different from the world?

Feb 1: Mark 6:7-13

Key Verse: Mark 6:8
These were his instructions: ‘Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.

Devotion:
One of the things I continue learn every day is God is with us no matter where we are in our journey. As you may have noticed there has not been much input from me over the past several days – unfortunately I suffered another setback in my health once again, an ongoing issue I though I could dodge after my pancreatitis. All the doctors at the time continued to ask me if I had any signs of diabetes and I had not, but five years later after battles my body gave in. Fortunately I had been watching for signs and went to the doctors before the doctors came to me!

Being prepared for our journey with God does not mean we have to be strong and courageous in the face of any odds and fights, it just means we should be willing to allow God to be in control. He continues to try and give us the right moments at the right times when we will be able to make a difference in the communities which surround us. I am blessed to be able to say I am both a child of God and a servant of God.

I did not step out and take huge strides and make a big name for myself, I patiently worked with God by my side to bring His Word to the people around me. I will continue to do so too. I don’t take anything with me but go where I can serve His best and help the people who need to know Him.

This is all God asks of us. Not to become a famous church leader, youth leader of whatever – just to love Him and share that love with the people around us; let Him take you through thick and thin...

Points to Ponder:
Do you allow God to care for you?

Will you give Him a bit more control today?

January 24: 2 Samuel 7:4-17

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 7:14
I will be his father, and he shall be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands.

Devotion:
When David wanted to build a temple for God to dwell in after so much travelling through the desert carrying the arc of the covenant, God’s answer was a bit different than David expected. God reminded David He had been living in the tabernacle ever since they left Egypt and all that time He had not asked for a temple or any other house to be built for Him.

Instead God turned the tables and promised David He would build another type of house based on people, all from David’s descendants! Then God reminded David He was his Father, and David His Son; and just like a father God would punish him for doing wrong, but it would be punishment given by human hands and not God.

This is the promise He continues to have with us. He will look after us both in the good times and the bad times. When we are out of line, God will allow us to be punished by human hands because He does not want to punish us as we are His children. God has every right to judge and punish us and if we take things too far, we cannot say He will ignore things.

But His love for us means He will continue to try and give us what is best for us. He will continue to put the right people at the right place and time so that we can choose to prosper in His sight. That is the love a true father has for his children!

Points to Ponder:
Do you get punished when you break the law?

Will you allow God to guide you in righteousness?