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August 5: Matthew 16:24-28
Key Verse: Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Devotion:
When Jesus was saying these words to the disciples, I bet they could not get their heads round it at the time, not just because He had just talked about His death, but because what He was saying here was probably not how they were brought up. So many people say things like “you only live once” or “live life to the full” because they can’t get their heads round the price of life!
Jesus was saying in order to live a fuller life, the disciples would have to put their own lives aside and focus on the lives of others, including God! What He was saying was people who set aside their own lives and do everything to please Christ will find they lives a fuller life than if they tried to live the best life they could for themselves.
When we focus on ourselves we tend to get tied up in the world and lose focus on what is important. We focus more and more on the trappings and temptations in life and less and less n getting the most out of what we do. Getting the most out of life is not all about taking everything you can from the world, but more like how much you can put back into the lives of those around you, including the world.
God gave us this world for us to manage and maintain. He did not give us a sweet shop and tell us to eat as much as we could until we were sick. He gave us a plot of land and everything we need to tend to the land to give us the best crops we can get. He wants us to work together and with others rather than focusing on what we can get out of life!
Points to Ponder:
Do you live life to the most?
How much of your life contains Christ?
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August 4: Matthew 16:21-23
Key Verse: Matthew 16:21
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Devotion:
One of the hardest things for the disciples to grasp must have been the words Jesus started teaching them from this point onward; about how He would have to face much suffering and eventually be killed. The disciples would not accept this at first because He was their Messiah, and as far as that goes their Messiah should not be able to die!
But Jesus was trying to prepare them for what was going to happen to His physical body knowing full well He would not stay dead and would have to endure this all in order to save us from our sinful ways. How else would a perfect sacrifice be able to be made for our sins. For far too long the people had to sacrifice whatever animals they could get their hands on, trying to ensure they would be free from and damage when the time came to offer them as the sacrifice.
Jesus was without sin and the only perfect sacrifice which could ever be made to cover all of our sins once and for all. He was going to get this done so there would not have to be the continual sacrificing of animals. He was going to the cross so we would not have to!
When the disciples objected, Jesus rebuked them in a very strong manner! Peter wanted none of this to happen because He thought it would not be fair; but Jesus knew this was the only way things could be done. He was willing to step forward and accept this all because of His love for us. This was God’s call and not the call of any human being. This had to be done for us!
Points to Ponder:
Do you ever think about why Jesus did what He did?
Will you remember Jesus today and thank Him for what He did?
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August 3: Matthew 15:21-28
Key Verse: Matthew 15:27
“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
Devotion:
This Canaanite woman showed her faith in Christ to everyone, but it was Jesus who picked up on it and brought it to the surface. How solid is your faith? Not an easy question to answer truthfully because our faith will not show itself fully until it is tested in some way. I learned this just over twenty years ago when my faith too over when I literally did not know what to do.
This woman came forward and pleaded with Christ to rid her daughter of a demon because she was suffering terribly. The mother trusted in the power of the Lord even though she was not a Jew. Jesus turned round to her and said He was sent to cater for the lost sheep of Israel and not for the other people who were not the ‘chosen race!’ It may sound like Jesus was being harsh at the time, but He knew what was on this woman’s heart and knew how things would turn out – He wanted the disciples to see the truth!
Jesus compared her to being a dog and the Jews as being the children of God; we would normally feed our own family before we feed stray dogs… But the woman replied saying that even the stray dogs would wait patiently for crumbs to be dropped from the table so they could eat.
This was like saying she would wait patiently for any good things to be dropped by the children of God so she could gain something, no mater how small or insignificant it seemed at the time. This was the faith Jesus was looking for and this is what made Jesus rid the daughter of the demon right there and then!
Points to Ponder:
How much do you depend on God for?
Will you trust Him a little more today?
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August 2: Matthew 15:1-11
Key Verse: Matthew 15:2
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
Devotion:
The Pharisees and the other teachers of the law took every opportunity they could to try and trip Jesus up; trying to prove they were in some way better than Him so they could be seen to be the righteous people they so wanted to be! On this occasion they came to Jesus and tried to show Him up by saying how the disciples had not washed their hands before they ate their food… I’m sure we have all been there and not washed our hands before we ate something!
The Pharisees tried to take the law as written word for word and used that against Jesus to try and show Him up. But Jesus turned this round and pulled them up for what they were doing wrong. The Pharisees had made it an art form of taking the literal words they had come up with for the scriptural law and were using those words against the people. What they were not doing was trying to lift up the people – God’s children!
When Jesus reminded us to love one another it was with this sort of scenario in mind. If we do love our neighbours, then we are going to make sure they are included in things even when we think they are doing something wrong. We do not have the right to judge them for what they are doing; but what we can do is to tell them what we think the law actually means… this is being diligent and opening ourselves up to our neighbours.
What we can then do is discuss the law and invite God to explain it in our hearts so we can all know what should be done. What this shows us is not how we need to make sure our hands are washed before eating, but being diligent in what we do; it makes sense to wash your hands, but if you happen to not wash them, it should not be a capital crime for which we should be punished!
Points to Ponder:
Do you have habit you do just because you have always done it that way?
Will you try to focus on what Christ wants in your life?
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August 1: Psalm 119:89-92
Key Verse: Psalm 119:92
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
Devotion:
One of the greatest things we can have in life is something we can depend on no matter what! When we are very young, we believe we can always depend on our parents because they seem to be there all the time and get us out of trouble! But as we grow older and wiser we start to find out humans all have their weaknesses or their shortcomings and, just maybe, we lose faith in believing our parents can do anything!
These few verses in this Psalm tell us of the authors absolute belief and trust in God. God is the one who is eternal and is in Heaven – the place we aspire to be when we finish living our lives on earth. The author reminds us of the faithfulness of God which has been demonstrated year after year, generation after generation to so many people throughout history.
God’s laws were passed on to mankind many years ago and passed down generation after generation by people who spent their time learning the law and retelling the law to the next generations. These laws have not changed from what was given to mankind through the prophets so many years ago.
When we take these laws and make them the centre of our lives, we get to see a whole new life which has remained constant for many years. As we get to read about these laws and how people have followed these laws for many generations, we get to know them as something good and righteous to follow. As we learn that we get to make them a part of our lives and get to know God better each day, month or year!
Points to Ponder:
What laws stick out to you as being God’s important laws?
Will you try to pass these laws on to the next generation?
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July 31: Luke 12:13-21
Key Verse: Luke 12:15
Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’
Devotion:
One of the biggest things whilst growing up was seeing how many people did everything they could to get bigger, better and more stylish things in their lives. I was very fortunate with having parents who did not teach me those ways but rather taught me to be happy with what I have and to share with people who do not have!
This parable was an object lesson to the person in the crowd who was demanding their share of the family inheritance, possibly even before it was due to them! They wanted the riches now and did not want to have to wait for the right time. This shares the same storyline as the young man who demanded his inheritance before his father died and went off spending it all only to be left with nothing in the end.
It is not about having the biggest and the best but having what you need. If you are fortunate enough to have what you need, then you are very blessed! So many people around the world do not get what they need and have to continually want for more, even begging when they run out. This should not be happening in a modern society where there is more than enough to go round for everyone – if only it was shared in the right manner.
Our church, along with so many around the country, runs a foodbank for the people who do not have all they need. We continually see many people come in to get the bare essentials so they can feed their families. If you have enough, then maybe you should be offering a bit of what you have to those who are less fortunate than you. This is what Christ meant by saying we should love our neighbours!
Points to Ponder:
How much could you help out those around you?
Will you step forward and offer help to someone today?
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July 30: Luke 22:14-23
Key Verse: Luke 22:21
But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.
Devotion:
When I was reading this before sitting down to write this devotional my mind was wandering a bit and imagines the disciples all sitting round the table at the passover supper when Jesus said these words – could you imagine what went through their minds on hearing these words… how many of them would have lifted their hands off the table to try and indicate it was not them!
When we get cornered by the truth we find it hard to admit to our faults and support the truth – instead we try to do what we can to hide our faults or short-comings just one more time; as if we do have a choice in the matter! We just don’t like admitting we are wrong!
When Jesus was saying these words, He was not saying them in a accusing manner to try and corner the betrayer and force them to stop, He was simply spelling out the truth and was going to accept that truth no matter what lay ahead! He did not turn His back on the betrayer(s) Yes I say betrayers because Peter would betray Jesus with his denials three times before the cock would crow!
We all have our faults and we all need time to sort things out – even though we may continue to follow those faults or wicked ways for a while yet. Jesus was not banishing them before their final acts of betrayal. Instead He was going to give them opportunity to repent right up until the last possible second. Peter would turn his ways around and be the disciple Jesus wanted, but Judas would take one too many steps forward into the evil ways and be trapper there!
Points to Ponder:
Do you think you don’t have a choice?
Will you make a choice even though you think you don’t have a choice?
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July 29: Luke 22:1-13
Key Verse: Luke 22:8
Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.’
Devotion:
When we look into our Bibles and see the events which happened about 2000 years ago, we may get a bit confused why Jesus was so loving to the disciples… Judas had just gone to the chief priests and the officers of the temple to make plans to turn Jesus in, just for a bit of money! Ok, it may have been a fair amount of money for Judas, but that is all he was getting out of this!
Jesus knew what was going to happen and He continued to work with the disciples as if nothing was going to happen. The disciples had picked up on a change of mood and knew something was different, but they would not have had any idea things were going to be so very different from this time onward.
Jesus did not turn Judas away but continued to include him in everything, the passover feast, the gathering, the private time together and the washing of feet which came at the meal. Judas was included so he would have a final chance to stop what he was planning and admit his sins to Jesus; but the call of the money was too much and he gave in to the temptation!
Jesus knew this was going to happen but continued with everything. By now He would have been praying more to God the Father to make doubly sure this is what had to happen. He knew Judas would be tempted, knew he would betray Jesus and knew what Judas would do to himself after this had all come to pass. That is what Jesus would have had on His heart and what prompted Him to be straightforward and honest to Judas.
Points to Ponder:
Do you think Jesus does not know what you are up to?
Will you change your ways to be more like Jesus’ ways?
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July 28: Matthew 13:47-52
Key Verse: Matthew 13:52
He said to them, ‘Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.’
Devotion:
The first reaction I had from reading these verses today was annoyance at the wasteful way in which some modern fisherman treat their catches. When a large trawler gathers up the nets from trawling the sea, there are all manner of things caught in the nets. For commercial trawlers rules are set which they should be abiding by, one being the size of the fish and another being the type of fish. Anything which does not meet the criteria has to be returned… but how they do the returning is not always good!
It does not make commercial sense to spend too much time sorting out the catch and treating the catch with respect; instead some will toss anything back into the water in varying states of health. Typically you will see a large flock of seagulls gathered around the boats which are simply throwing fish back without regard to them… I wonder how people are going to be treated in the last days when the angels will be required to turn the unbelievers away from Heaven!
We should be examples by which others can learn from or look up to. God wants us to be shining lights – this means doing things how He would wants us to and showing people we do so with love, humility and pride. God wants others to see something special in us and be encouraged to find out what it is all about. That is what being a disciple is about, not just talking about Jesus but showing people a new way of hope and life!
Points to Ponder:
How do people see you?
Will you try to be more like Jesus today?
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July 27: Matthew 13:44-46
Key Verse: Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Devotion:
I could imagine a person getting caught up in a treasure hunt, finding a treasure and then buying out a whole field just to make sure they can have claim to the treasure; worldly riches do strange things to people and it is a temptation we may all fall into at some stage in our lives. I’m pretty sure modern law and lawyers would have something to say about this treasure being found before the sale of the land – but then most of them are focused on worldly treasure instead of life!
I know I have lost riches by being persuaded by people who wanted what I had more than our friendship; finding out the truth about them wanting treasure more than friendship can be heartbreaking! This is something all of us have to face at some stage in our lives – the choice between what the world has to offer and what God has to offer…
Yes, it does come down to that in the end. God wants us to focus on love and friendships more than wealth and power. Wealth and power will only last as long as our earthly lives because once we lose our lives, we leave everything behind. Jesus reminded us of the greatest commandment being to love God and the second to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Once we see how great love is we can then get to see how great the relationship with God can be when we base it on love too. Jesus based His whole earthly life on love and showed us His love by giving His life for us. God showed us His love for us by bringing Jesus back to life so He could defeat death once and for all. That love is eternal and will never fade or die!
Points to Ponder:
What is your focus on, love or money?
Will you try to share a bit more love instead of trying to build up treasures?