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November 7: Romans 12:14-16
Key Verse: Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Devotion:
As a youngster I can remember lashing out at people who did things against me and then feeling bad for doing so afterward. At the time of lashing out I was probably too caught up in anger and did not think of what I was doing to the other person. In the last decade I have found myself in positions where people have done bad things toward me and I have had to take time to think about how I should act; I am glad I have taken the time to think and not lash out as I would have done when I was younger!
Those times may have been testing but being able to think of a calm solution and a way forward which involved positive actions and not negative actions has led to me being able to find ways out of the situations. Asking God for help and listening to Him for answers has proved even more valuable!
It is little wonder then Jesus is telling us to use love instead of hate, to think of others instead of ourselves and to honour those around us even when they seem to hate us. When He says we should bless and not persecute, and bless instead of cursing it is to try to diffuse the situations and to allow others to think of a more positive and loving ways forward.
The key is not to think ourselves as being above anyone else but to honour others no matter how bad the situation seems to be. Doing so will make them think again about the way they are acting and allow them room to show love as well.
Points to Ponder:
How often do you act out of spite?
How often do you act out of love?
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November 6: Luke 14:12-14
Key Verse: Luke 14:12
Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.
Devotion:
One of the things we often look for in life is what we can get in return for doing something. Our whole work ethic is based around this: you work for a known goal to get paid a certain amount. But that is not what is being talked about here, instead we are talking about giving things and not expecting anything in return.
Now we could give to the people around us, and I find myself doing this a lot. But when we do those people more often than not will do something in return for you. So Jesus was encouraging us to do things for people whom we know do not have the means to pay us back in kind. I agree the world would be a better place if we did all do things for each other even if they did things in return for us…
But Jesus wants us to go further than that and to never expect anything in return for the things we do. I learned this attitude from a very dear friend of mine who turned us around and went back to a local sandwich shop to buy a meal and drink for someone on the side of the road who had no clear means of paying him back. That act made me refocus on how I did things from that moment on.
Jesus came to do things for us knowing full well we did not have the means to pay Him back for what He did. The only thing He asks is that we love Him and those around us. Don’t be a giver because you know you’ll receive!
Points to Ponder:
What do you expect for the thing you do?
Will you try to do something for someone who cannot hope to pay you back?
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November 5: Micah 3:5-12
Key Verse: Micah 3:5
This is what the Lord says: ‘As for the prophets who lead my people astray, they proclaim “peace” if they have something to eat, but prepare to wage war against anyone who refuses to feed them.
Devotion:
One of our biggest downfalls is how humankind uses violence to try and get their point across. The prophet Micah was trying to warn the leaders of Israel how they would only land themselves and their country in deep water if they continued to try and get things done through violence or by distorting the truth.
Jesus stood for all that is righteous and ensured we saw how the truth should always be held up. The leaders of the tribes of Israel were using bloodshed, wickedness and various other means of injustice instead of upholding justice like God had told them to. The leaders had lost their way because of their own lust for money and power.
God wants us to see we should be reserving such feelings for loving and worshipping Him and not for the desires and wants in our personal lives. I don’t think Micah could have worded things any differently and yet the leaders continued to uplift themselves and their greed instead of God and His ways.
For as long as we continue to build empires, countries or even communities on the lust for money, power or any other personal gain, all we may end up getting is a small amount of personal gain. God wants us to look at the eternal picture and realise we need Him to be the centre of our lives and not greed, pride or lust!
Points to Ponder:
What is the point of what you are trying to do?
Will you try to help others to worship God in the right manner?
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November 4: Luke 14:7-11
Key Verse: Luke 14:11
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Devotion:
I love the way Jesus would watch people to see how they acted before He commented on things. Many times He would give them advice by telling them parables rather than calling people out directly to give them the change to change their ways or minds. This is one of those times when Jesus commented on their behaviour without naming individuals.
How often do you try to get yourself noticed when you enter a group of people? Maybe you come dressed in something outstanding so people will look up to you. Maybe you make a loud entrance so people notice when you have arrived. Maybe you go directly to the host to make yourself known in front of people…
Jesus is telling people they should act differently. When we arrive at a place we should not necessarily act like everyone else, but act more akin to you being just another person at the gathering. If we over-react we may well find we are overshadowed very quickly by the true guest of honour and that would make us feel very put out. If we humble ourselves then the host may well call us out and give us honour in front of others.
We should not be going to an event to be noticed but going there to be part of the event. We should not be going because important people are going, but going because we have been invited. God wants us to be leaders who serve, not leaders who dictate!
Points to Ponder:
Did you know Jesus wants you to be humble?
Do you know Jesus wants you to be a leader too?
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November 3: Luke 14:1-6
Key Verse: Luke 14:3
Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?’
Devotion:
One of the things Jesus wanted to turn over was the unrighteous lawfulness of the Pharisees. How can it be unrighteous if it is the law? Sometimes we take things too far and we rather stick to the letter of the law rather than doing what is right in God’s eyes. Sometimes laws are made which should be righteous but can be used in an unrighteous manner if taken too literally or out of context.
This is why Jesus promoted the love of God and the love for one another above all other laws and this was a clear demonstration of this. A man was close by who had an abnormal swelling of part o his body. Jesus’ heart went out to this man and so He healed the man even though it was the Sabbath when the law stated nobody should work.
He reflected after healing the man by saying that if any of them had a child or livestock which was stuck in a well, they would go out of their way to rescue that child or animal even though it was the Sabbath. Jesus was saying His love for this man was as important as a child to Him and He wanted to rescue the man even though it was the Sabbath.
We need to reflect on things which confront us and make sure we are doing what Jesus would do rather than what the exact letter of the law says we are or are not allowed to do. Love above all!
Points to Ponder:
Have you ever helped someone out despite it meaning breaking a law?
Make sure your love is stronger than man’s laws?
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November 2: Romans 8:31-39
Key Verse: Romans 8:34
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Devotion:
I love the way Paul writes about Christ being everything to and for us. He starts off by asking who can ever be against us if God is for us, continues to remind us He gave His own Son up for us. Jesus, the one given up for us, willingly stepped forward then and even now steps forward to be our witness to God so we are presented not guilty!
Who is the one to condemn us then? It certainly isn’t Christ who did all of those things so we would be blameless. It certainly isn’t God who sees us as innocent because Jesus took on the debt instead… It’s those people around us who don’t know what Christ has done for us!
So can they prevent us from accepting the love Christ has for us? Can they separate us from God? No! No person on earth can keep us from Christ because He is making sure every one of us is given the opportunity to see Christ for what He is and what He has done for us!
Each of us makes the choice as to whether we do listen to the Gospel or whether we stick our heads in the sand and pretend Jesus did not do all of that for us! The world around us does not want to hear the truth for fear of having to admit they have done something wrong – but once we admit our mistakes and ask Christ to be in our lives, nothing can ever separate us from God again!
Points to Ponder:
Do you get swayed by what people do around you?
Will you try to listen to what Christ did for you?
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November 1: Matthew 5:1-12
Key Verse: Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Devotion:
After all this talk about trying to do what is right, Jesus lays down things here with a different view in mind. We often think of the Ten Commandments when we try to tell people how they should live – yes we do tend to judge people by telling them what to do! But Jesus uses a different approach by encouraging the disciples rather than enforcing rules and regulations on them.
When we want to help spread the gospel we should not be discouraging people by pointing out what they are doing wrong but telling them what a different life can be like. Jesus was doing exactly that by telling them of all the blessing they can receive no matter what is going on in their lives.
We often think of the bad things that can happen and wonder why God allows things like that to happen; but this is not God dishing out bad things, more like the evil one trying to discourage us by using whatever means he can! What Jesus says here is that He is with us even in the bad times and the hard times. If we are willing to stop and listen to Him rather than the worldly things happening around us, we will be comforted and maybe even guided to avoid more bad things.
But each of these things Jesus highlights are everyday things for each of us. Sometimes we feel down, sometimes we have to mourn the loss of friends or family. If we are willing to accept His comforting and act in a Christian manner, we can also encourage those around us. Jesus wants us to turn our lives around...
Points to Ponder:
How often do you get despondent with the world?
How often do you wait on God?
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October 31: Luke 13:18-21
Key Verse: Luke 13:19
It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.
Devotion:
One of the great things about being a Christian is the joy we get when we are able to help people when least expected. We saw this yesterday when Jesus healed the woman on the Sabbath, but today we get a hint of why He did so much healing and spread so much joy. Jesus was sharing the gospel, sharing the joy of being able to worship a God who cares for us and who loves us no matter what!
When we are able to do a little, others get to see and they in turn will be able to share the love and joy we find when they try to do something for others too. The more we are able to share this love with God to the people, the more we are able to allow others to see just how awesome our God is!
Sometimes it is the smallest things in our lives which hold us together as community. Sometimes it is the smallest expression of love which will change a community. It is not something you can stand on the outside with and throw in to see if it works; it has got to come from the inside which means joining in with the community to show it from the inside!
Jesus came into all sorts of villages, communities and groups of people. Leaders scolded Him to daring to go into the sinners circles… But how was He supposed to change people’s hearts unless He was willing to stand amongst them and show His love?
Points to Ponder:
Do you try to change people by telling them what to do?
Will you try to help someone instead of telling them what to do?
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October 30: Luke 13:10-17
Key Verse: Luke 13:17
When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
Devotion:
Sorry for the sporadic appearances of the devotions, but I’ve been off sick for most of the week and just now beginning to think straight again. Having a story about healing seems somewhat appropriate. This is another case of Jesus showing mercy over and above the rules of the synagogue and showing us that there is always time to do good, no matter what day it is!
This woman had been crippled for eighteen years, not just through some birth defect, but by the evil one who does not care for anyone but itself. Jesus called the woman forward and released her from the grip of the evil spirit which had done this to her for so very long; immediately she was released and was able to stand properly once again!
The synagogue leader reprimanded Jesus because He dared to do some work on the Sabbath. Jesus in return reprimanded him for not caring about the people on the Sabbath! God has given us times to work and times to rest and times to praise Him. He has done this to give us a better life, one where we will not lose focus on what is important and still have time to manage things.
When we take rules and regulations too far and turn our backs on people, we are turning our backs on God’s people and hence on God Himself! This is one of the reasons why Jesus said the most important rules are to love God and to love one another!
Points to Ponder:
Do you stop work just because the rules say so?
When was the last time you went above and beyond to help someone?
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October 28: John 15:17-27
Key Verse: John 15:22
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
Devotion:
When you found out for the first time something you were doing was wrong, did you stop doing it? Sometimes we do things because we don’t know they are wrong – we do this a lot as young people because we are still learning the ways of the world. If we were good imitators we may be able to do things right; but that depends on the person we are imitating doing things right to start with!
Jesus warned the disciples the world would simply hate them because they were doing what Jesus said they should do; not because they were doing anything wrong, but because the world was doing things wrong and did not want to be shown up! We cannot be guilty of doing wrong if we do not know it is wrong, but as soon as we know it is wrong, we have no excuse for doing it wrong again.
As our church grows into the world the world is not going to like the way we point out what is wrong because that means they no longer have the excuse of “we did not know it was wrong!” God gave us the Bible so we could help people (and ourselves) to see what is wrong.
The Holy Spirit comes to show us what is right and wrong. He does this no matter where we are or what we believe. This means nobody really has the excuse of saying they did not know it was wrong any more.
Points to Ponder:
Who teaches you right from wrong?
How well do you listen to the Holy Spirit?