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April 8: John 19:25-27
Key Verse: John 19:27
and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Devotion:
Have you ever thought about what you would like to say to people as a parting word before you or they die? Jesus’ compassion for others is shown here in a very special way when He steps in to fill the hole which is about to be left in these people’s lives! Christ knew what was going to happen and He knew the best and safest place for the people He loved to be in; they just had to listen.
It is not often God commands us to do things because He wants us to enjoy our lives as free people and not as slaves. He is not an overlord who is bashing His minions into submission, but a loving, but Holy, God who is encouraging us to do the right thing. There is no better time to listen to God than when we find ourselves in a pickle! We have probably got ourselves there because we have not been listening and we have gone against His wishes – not because He is punishing us for not listening, but because we have wandered off into a big hole all by ourselves!
Jesus wanted the people He loved to be together where they would be able to encourage each other and support each other – how can we do that if we are not together? We are finding new ways in which we can reach out to people in this global lock-down time. We are finding new expressions of church and new ways of showing our love to others. Let’s not pretend, it is hard work and I am finding it very difficult at times; but I know God is with me and I know He has something in store for me to do – why else would he have kept me alive last year?
As we go forward, try to keep pace with Jesus. Try to listen to His instructions because He is trying to lead us into a place of peace, comfort and love. Along the way we are going to have to face up to some pretty extreme times when we are going to question why we have to do this, why should we have to suffer, why, why… But know this. God is with you and walking with you every step of your life. When He says something, try to listen because it is for your benefit and for His glory.
Points to Ponder:
Do you like listening to others?
Will you stop and listen to God today?
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April 7: Luke 23:32-34
Key Verse: Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Devotion:
We often do not think of the two other people who were crucified with Jesus on that day in history – but they are very important to Christ, especially on that day! This was the last day they all were going to spend on earth; this was the very last time Jesus was able to offer forgiveness to these people and one of them took Him up on that offer on that day, his last day on earth!
It was not a particular sect or religion which crucified Jesus on that cross – it was mankind, us! We are the ones who sent Jesus to His terrible death. Yes, there were those who did not want it to happen, those who wanted Jesus to live, but it is us, mankind, who is guilty! Those two people who were being crucified with Jesus were criminals, some say they deserved it, people even came out to watch them being hung because that is what people did during that time.
How many people are we condemning by going with the flow and doing what we want to instead of listening to the rules? How many people may we sentence to death just because we wanted to go outside and have a party? It’s not something we will all think about because we are all wired differently – but the more people we see die of this virus, the more I think about making sure I am not condemning anyone!
But even when the one criminal hurled insults at Jesus, Christ was still willing to offer His total forgiveness. What an awesome Saviour we have – no matter what we have done, what we are doing or what we will do, Christ is always offering forgiveness to us and will always say yes if we ask for that forgiveness! The people who tied and nailed Jesus to the cross had no regard for His position or for who He is – but he still offered forgiveness to them as well. Will you think about someone else – no matter what they are doing?
Points to Ponder:
Do you think you are too bad for forgiveness?
Don’t you realise Jesus already offered you forgiveness?
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April 6: Psalms 36:2-4
Key Verse: Psalms 36:2
In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.
Devotion:
I guess it takes something out of this world to bring out the best and the worst in people! During this time all around the world we are seeing two sides to people; some of the people we least expect are giving and sharing without measure, and yet others are being so trapped in their own greed and pride they are not seeing what is right in front of themselves. It is my prayer today which goes out to all those people who are too blinded by greed and pride to have their eyes and hearts opened by Christ this Easter and allow them to be set free from their insulated and warped worlds.
I can think back at times a long while ago when I too would get so upset with people I would lose sleep and even try to plot my revenge on them whilst laying in my bed. I look back and wonder how I got caught up in such a pickle and realise it was nothing much other than the normal ways of life happening around me at the time; but I had a hatred in my heart which was stopping me from doing what was right!
God’s love goes out to all those people caught up in the world and trapped in their circumstance – we could all probably name a few people in our communities who are caught in these situations which seem beyond their own control. Lift up your prayers to them today that they may be set free from their hatred. We have seen enough clips on the news and social media of the lengths people are willing to go to because of their greed… and you wonder what their situation is like now. I have not spent my time and money chasing after things such as toilet paper, but rather spent it contemplating how I can help others.
I have found we have enough supplies to continue on living. I have found we have had our needs met. Yes there have been a few ‘close scrapes’ waiting for medication and doctors, but in all we have had our needs met. I continue to rely on God to fill my needs, knowing He is willing and able to do so much more than I realise… if only we could get the word out to the haters to allow them to see there is no real reason for their ways...
Points to Ponder:
Do you know someone locally who is caught up in deceit?
Will you pray for them and stretch out a hand to offer them help?
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April 5: Psalm 4:2-3
Key Verse: Psalm 4:3
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
Devotion:
Questions were asked by people such as king David a very long time ago: how long are people going to be chasing after lies instead of turning toward and accepting the truth. We can see this happening in all sorts of walks in life nowadays too; the latest of which is how some people are taking the lives of the people around them in their own hands by going out and mixing with others – not giving due care and attention toward others!
How long is it going to continue? Well, how long is a piece of string! We are human and we do chase after strange things in our lives, most of which are based around lies or vain beliefs. People want to lift themselves up and when they do, they don’t care too much about how many people they step on of affect. My heart goes out to the people who are trying to make a living in one way or another but are faced by blockades every step of the way; where normally they may go out and meet people or mix with others in order to try and get some work, they are stuck at home and not able to do this. The temptation for them to get out and do something which is against all advice is very strong!
If you know of someone who is struggling close to you, how about giving them a break and helping them out? How about suggesting something they are able to do in this time of lock-down? We are all facing hard times, but some are trapped de to circumstance in ways which we may view as criminal – and it is the people in charge who are acting like the criminals.
God has set us apart for a reason – to help others and allow them to feel like they have hope. We have hope through Jesus and we can depend on that hope. Some people do not yet know Jesus and have nothing but dark skies ahead – bring them a little light by sharing the hope we have that Jesus is here for us all. Make a difference by doing something for someone in need today!
Points to Ponder:
Do you know someone in need?
What are you going to do about it?
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April 4: Titus 2:11-15
Key Verse: Titus 2:12
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Devotion:
Have you been tempted to do things you know are not right just because you are isolated and nobody else can see you doing things? I’m pretty sure we all have at least thought of things even if we cannot go out and do things! This is why our bibles, God’s Word, are so important in our lives. Without others to temper our thoughts and deeds, we need something we can cling to which is our guide through the rough times and our direction for the good times!
This is a long wait, sitting around inside thinking we have nothing to do and nowhere to go – but there is a lot of things we can do around the house which we may well have been putting off for a long time. Now is the time to get on and do things – because we know it is the right thing to do. I am getting fitter each day and was able to get stuck into a bit of gardening the other day, something I have not been able to do for more than a year! Yes, there is still a lot more I have to do in the garden to straighten it out again, but we will get there…
We have this HOPE in Christ, the promise of His return to us, the sure thing which is going to happen! If that is not enough to spurn you on to get on and do something which you have put off for far too long, then we have to dig a bit deeper! Yes, that first step is hard and it will take a lot of effort – you may even have back-ache or some other ache because you have not done that sort of exercise for a long time… but it is worth it!
Then there is our spiritual exercise which we may well have neglected too; time we need to set aside from our ‘busy’ lives at home and direct it toward and for God and for our spiritual growth. It will be hard to get back into things because we have not done this correctly for a while, but starting it is what counts and it sets us on the right path to walk closely with God – especially in our times at home!
Points to Ponder:
Do you feel like you have nothing to do?
When was the last time you sat and read a chapter of the bible?
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April 3: James 2:18-24
Key Verse: James 2:18
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
Devotion:
How do you see your faith? Is it a faith in secret where you don’t tell others, do you go out of your way to tell people about it or do you live out your faith? This is a question I asked myself when I was at school in Zimbabwe as a ‘New Christian’; I saw people around me shouting about their faith on Sundays but only a few who would do the work to keep things going… I’m not talking about work which has to be done around the church building and logistics to keep that building functioning and open… I’m talking about the few who make it their mission to keep the people together and focus them on our common goal of bringing glory to God!
I count myself lucky to be a part of a local church who continue to be active even in this time of self isolation. We continue to offer our help to people who would like it and those who need it – they don’t have to be members of the church, just local people we can reach out to without compromising public and personal safety. This is who we are and it makes me proud to be able to share God’s Word to anyone who would like to listen or read.
Some may question the work we do or offer; some of those who question our work are supposed to be the people who do the work we pick up. Why limit yourself to do the work which is sanctioned when you know there is someone who needs help in some way?
You see, when God asked us to go out into the world and take the gospel with us, He was not meaning we need to buy a plane ticket to the furthest community around the world we can imagine, He meant we need to go to the people who need help. That could be your next door neighbour! It could be the old couple just down the road who have been told they cannot go out. We just need to listen to God’s instructions and faithfully follow them to where He wants us to be. He will take care of us and protect us as best He can – and that has no limits!
Points to Ponder:
Do you ignore pleas for help just because the rules say so?
Will you listen to God’s instructions and reach out to the people around you?
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April 2: Matthew 25:41-46
Key Verse: Matthew 25:42
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink
Devotion:
At first read this passage may seem dire and even heartless, but when you read it alongside all the warnings and all the advice we have been given – we should expect nothing less! No matter what other leaders around the world said about getting people to distance themselves from each other during this pandemic, governments of certain countries did not respond to the warnings… until they began to see the results of not listening to the warnings.
It is much the same in our spiritual world as well, God has given us the warnings, He has given us the advice and shown us the way forward – yet so many people choose to ignore these warnings and carry on doing their own thing. Jesus came to give people the warnings verbally; thankfully many people listened – but still more ignored those warnings.
Who is to blame? Is it God who has given out plenty of warnings? Is it Christ who came to warn us verbally? Is it the church who continues to proclaim the word and give the warnings? Or is it the person who ignores all of those warnings and continues to do their own thing? Unfortunately this does not just affect the person who ignores the warnings but all who come into contact with them. We have seen stark pictures of how physical distancing can stop the spread of a virus – but some people choose to ignore those warnings and they place everyone they are in contact with into the same danger they expose themselves to.
When a person chooses to openly ignore God’s warnings, they are showing all the people around them it is OK to ignore the warnings. Some of those people will see them doing wrong and choose to follow that example. Some people will simply give in from the struggle against evil and go with the flow. These are the people God is warning who will not get the chance to go to Heaven!
Points to Ponder:
Do you uphold God’s word?
Will you show others it is good and right to follow God’s word?
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April 1: John 8:21-30
Key Verse: John 8:21
Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”
Devotion:
What is the first thing you thought about when you read this sentence from Jesus? The first thing which struck me was the words “and you will die in your sin!” And yet, the people around Him did not hear that but rather heard “Where I go, you cannot come!” I suppose we will all get slightly different things from the passages we read, but my reaction to getting this reading through our church group yesterday was “how did they miss the point!”
Jesus did re-iterate these words to them and they got upset with Him for daring to pull them up on the things they were doing. According to them, they were following the teachings of Abraham and Moses as written down thousands of years before this; but in their hearts they knew they did take short cuts and do things wrong all the time. This is why they got upset – because Christ pulled them up on the sins they were committing.
Non of us like to get pulled up on the things we are doing wrong! I was mildly amused at people complaining about how some police forces are coming down too hard on them for not staying at home. Their real problem is they are not listening to the advice from the government and even the doctors! They did not like the fact they were pulled up on things they were doing wrong. As a person who is struggling with all this and trying to keep clear of people to ensure I do not become infected as my body continues to heal, I fully support some police getting upset and pulling people up!
We really do need to listen to all the words Jesus tried to teach us whilst He was on earth in human form. Those were the times when He was most vulnerable and yet He listened to every word from God. It is God alone who know what is happening and the rest of us continue to guess our way through life. The more we listen to Him, the closer we get to the truth and the way...
Points to Ponder:
How often do you get upset with people for pointing out your mistakes?
How often do you get upset with God for pointing out your mistakes?
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March 31: Daniel 7:13-14
Key Verse: Daniel 7:14
He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Devotion:
One of the things which amazes me is how some people are able to have such comprehensive and meaningful dreams; or they are able to make sense of the dreams they have! Personally, my dreams are all over the place and it is hard to make sense of some of the things which come out of my mind at night! Daniel was a man after my own heart – he always prayed and always made sure God was at the centre of his life.
When he dreamed of Jesus, it was not a pie in the sky dream or one which he had to think deep and long about to make sense of – it was matter of fact… or was it? We have the history of the life of Jesus written down for us in books and we can compare the dream with what we know has happened.. The words in the New Testament are probably taken from books like this so we can marry up the text with what happened. But what about Daniel and the others with him? What would they think of these things?
The key here is to remember that God is able and willing to do all things. No matter how difficult it is for you to believe He is going to do something, He is able to do it! Don’t limit your expectations by your mind – don’t limit things to what you think is possible or probable! God already knew what would have to be done and He knew when it had to be done. Daniel was willing to listen to Him and to tell other people about what God had told him.
I can only pray that I am willing to accept the things God shows me are possible and trust Him to bring us through this pandemic so I will be able to do the things He has shown me in dreams! God is able. I am scared, but God is able! I have limits, but God is able!
Points to Ponder:
Do you limit God to what you can do?
Will you trust Him to do so much more through you?
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March 30: Acts 1:6-11
Key Verse: Acts 1:11
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Devotion:
Can you imagine what was going through the disciples minds as they spoke to Jesus just before He ascended into Heaven? Can you imagine how their minds were blown away when they did see Him ascend! But Jesus’ last words were words of encouragement and empowerment, and not words just of hope and love.
Too often people just hang on to the words of love, peace, mercy and hope, leaving behind the real message Christ gave to us all. Yes He wants us to know the love, joy, peace, mercy and all the rest; but He also wants us to get out there and put these things into practice! Jesus said to the disciples their role would change from being the students to being the teachers because the Holy Spirit would indwell them to give them the wherewithal to teach people according to God’s wishes.
We do need to remember just how much we can do with the Holy Spirit’s guidance too. This is God being in us in a form we cannot see but can understand and listen to. If, like me, you have always strived to look for eye witness accounts for everything, then saying something like this seems alien – but is not. God really does want us to go out there and tell others about Him and He is going to give you the words to do exactly that!
Taking the first step to come forward and trust God to give you the words is the hardest step to take – because you are stepping into the ‘unknown’ world where you cannot see everything in black and white! But, once you take that step and trust God will be there with you, the Holy Spirit is there giving you what you need to teach others about God. I do like reading through some of the devotions I wrote over a decade ago to see how God was leading me back then – it makes me realise just how much I rely on Him every day.
Points to Ponder:
Do you crave support?
Will you step forward and expect the Holy Spirit to be with you?