- Details
- Written by: DJ Dave
- Hits: 1208
May 5: Acts 3:1-10
Key Verse: Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Devotion:
What have you got out of looking at the introduction to the apostolic letters in the bible? I thought about this for a short while and very quickly realised the introductions were centred around making sure people knew God through Jesus. What better passage to choose today than one where the a couple of the disciples are walking up to the temple and come upon the lame beggar who has been put out every day on the way to the temple so he can beg for support from people going to the temple and they do something extraordinary in Jesus’ name!
This makes me think of the beggars who stand at the junctions of major routes around London like the A406 North Circular Road where they clearly spend all of their day placed at the junctions where the traffic builds up and is often at a stand-still. But the difference here is the target audience, for want of a better term. The beggars friends would put him in clear sight of people who have been taught to care for others whereas modern day beggars are typically placed in paths of the wealthy or so called middle class people…
So what was all the fuss? This beggar had been lame from birth – he was born with a condition which prevented him from being able to work so he had no option but to beg for support from people. Can you imagine what went through his head when Peter said these words? What would go through your mind if you were in a similar circumstance? We don’t often think about what people are going through which places them in a position where they are forced to rely on others for their well-being!
This week in North London we see the opening of another Foodbank which is going to help hundreds of people out in these times where so many are fully reliant on others for their well-being! I know what it is like to have nothing and to have to ask others for help. I know what it is like to be very hungry with no food in the cupboards. I ask God to look after me all the time because I know how close I am to having to rely on others; but I fully trust He is able to do things whereby I can continue to work for Him and to help spread the fantastic news of Jesus being our Saviour.
Points to Ponder:
Is there someone you know who desperately needs help?
If you cannot help physically will you stand up and pray for them now?
- Details
- Written by: DJ Dave
- Hits: 1311
May 4: Jude 1:1-2
Key Verse: Jude 1:1
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
Devotion:
How often do you keep in touch with people who move away from you for one reason or another? I assumed when I left my country of birth the people I knew would keep in touch, but was a bit disconcerted to find out they did not. I learned the truth when someone I knew and loved moved away to the other side of the world. Nowadays we have the internet and social media and I find I am able to catch up with many people, but back then we would have to write letters to each other…
When we move away to a very different place or lifestyle, we are effectively starting off again in a new place where we have to find our feet, meet local people and get to know them. They may well be from very different lifestyles to your own and it will probably take a lot of getting used to – you find you have to go above and beyond in many cases to make local friends. This takes time and energy… In many cases we do work and we do not see the results we want to because life is so very different to what we are used to!
So what keeps us going? What is it that makes us keep going when the world around us seems to be falling apart? What gives us the strength to continue in the face of such adversity? Not what but whom! Yes, we have Christ with us and we can gain buckets full of strength and grace to carry on, but we also need a bit of support from others in our lives. Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you how very important it is to hear from the people you have left behind, not so you can carry on being the same, but to be different and make a difference locally.
It does not matter what line of work we are in, be it running a hotel, programming computers or being a missionary – hearing from people does inspire you to make that difference you were seeking when you first moved! So what do you do to the people who have moved away from you for various works?
Points to Ponder:
Do you have a friend who moved away to do something for God?
Do you keep in contact with them?
- Details
- Written by: DJ Dave
- Hits: 1181
May 3: 3 John 1:1-4
Key Verse: 3 John 1:1
The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
Devotion:
Once again we assume we are reading the words of John, not because he calls himself by name, but because of his loving character. John writes to Gaius, an elder himself whom he met at some stage and who he has grown to love with a deep Christian love. This is a love which I see as being the full care for someone you know, but not just care but full trust and knowledge this is someone you can trust wholly to deliver the true gospel to others.
Can you name one person you know who is a Christian and who does whatever they can to ensure they are telling people the truth as much as the can. I have been fortunate to know quit a few people who do go out of their way to make sure others hear the gospel and get to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour. I’m not including the people who continue to tell me how many people they have led to the Lord or those who keep a personal tally – I am talking about those who create and keep loving relationships with the people they know.
During this global pandemic we have seen the results of the people who keep tally rather than truly car about the people they come in contact with. We have seen the results of greed and pride which shine through all the best words and talks to show up true colours of people. Don’t try to fool yourself into believing you can hide your true colours behind pleasing looks or carefully crafted words because God is making sure the truth comes out!
I do love the way John has introduced each of his letters with full love and trust but never forgetting just who is behind that true love and trust – our eternally faithful and loving God! His love for people goes beyond words and is deep set in the real care for the people he has got to know and love through the church. So, today, lift up the people you know and love through the church, lift them up to our loving Saviour and ask Him to wrap His arms around them while we cannot!
Points to Ponder:
What do you think people think of you?
Do you know God wants them to know the real you?
- Details
- Written by: DJ Dave
- Hits: 1408
May 2: 2 John 1:1-3
Key Verse: 2 John 1:2
because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:
Devotion:
The letter continues in the same way John seemed to live his life – with open love for all Christians! This is the one thing which unites us in a way nothing else will. We don’t choose our family because they are chosen for us, but when we are willing to open our hearts to that love outside of our normal circle of friends, we open our lives to the love which Christ continues to want for us.
Over this time when we have been locked down and our lives have been turned upside down through things beyond our control, we have learned to love in ways which we had left behind. When we first heard we were going into isolation the world seemed to go mad and the greed of many showed up in ways we had not seen openly before – but that greed had always been there, just in a form we ignored politely!
But as we continue to see the pain other have to endure because of our actions or because of their selfless actions, we begin to understand what this Christian love can be. What we need to do is to link the two together in our hearts and minds – the love for those who need it and the love which Christ is calling us to have. Once we link these together we can look further into our Saviour and the will He has for us in our lives instead of focusing on ourselves in our usual selfish ways!
So today our task is to open up our hearts just a little bit more – something many of us fear because of the bad or sad times we have had to endure when we last opened up our lives to others. Christ taught us we should continue to forgive people who are willing to try again – this is hard when we fear what will happen, but we need to trust in God to guide us on the best path forward with His love at the centre!
Points to Ponder:
Who have you recently ignored because of your hurt?
Will you allow God to give you the love to share with others?
- Details
- Written by: DJ Dave
- Hits: 1288
May 1: 1 John 1:1-4
Key Verse: 1 John 1:2
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
Devotion:
And now for something completely different! Just when I was thinking the beginnings of the letters were starting to be too similar, BAM! Although the author does not write his name down, we can assume this is John because of the way he writes – he includes love for Christ in everything he writes or shares! John is known for his love for Jesus and his recognition of His position as being the Son of God. His reference here to the one who was there from the beginning is clear recognition of Christ.
I think I am a lot like John in how I love the Word of God. All my teachers is the past would testify ho bad I was with reading and remembering anything; but reading my bible is more of a love than a chore! Finding out how much God has done for us over time and seeing how His love extends to the furthest corners of the world inspires me to find out more. I think the first book I read from cover to cover and did not want to put it down was one of a handful of books I have actually read cover to cover (yes, just one hand!) That book was a novel based on the reality of metal fatigue in aircraft -it had me engrossed because I just wanted to know more!
This is the way I find myself with my bible – I want to find out more, I want to see what happen, I want to find the roots of why and I am loving every step I take in reading it – no matter how may times I read it! The more I read, the more I find out and the more my love for it grows. I really do think this is how John felt about finding the truth from Jesus and living it out… it just made sense and explained so much!
John wanted people to know everything he felt and so he writes in a unique style which conveys his love for Christ. I used to find it very difficult to work out my feelings, and still do, so I took to writing stuff down – no on paper, but on computers. Much of what I write never makes it to the open because it gets deleted before anyone sees it, but it helps me to begin to understand myself!
Points to Ponder:
How do you cope with your feelings?
How would you go about sharing your feelings for God?
- Details
- Written by: DJ Dave
- Hits: 1314
April 30: 2 Peter 1:1-2
Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
Devotion:
How do you regard your faith and your relationship with Christ? Simon Peter starts off this letter by acknowledging the preciousness of his faith in Christ as Saviour and God. If we are not going to be up front with our beliefs then we are not going to pass on our beliefs to many people! One of the things Peter learned the hard way is being honest about God and about Christ, no matter what the circumstances are!
One of the most important lessons I learned as a Christian youth worker was to include young people in the conversation and not to talk at them. As teens go through school they are talked at by many teachers and they switch off to the words coming out of the teachers mouth, just because they are not being included. Mention a name or two and they refocus! But more important than mentioning people’s names when you talk with them is to include them in a conversation…
Peter is doing that here by inviting people to read who have received a faith as precious as his. That’s saying they are part of the same group of Christians and not an after thought or something akin to that! If you are going to talk to someone giving them an insight about Christianity, then talking about Christians as if they are separate from everyone will not win you any friends or ears! But saying something as simple as “as Christians we believe...” will include all Christians and will invite the person in too.
Jesus made sure God was included in discussions by making sure He mentioned God as being The Father or part of Him. There is that personal link being established which would make sure the disciples and other people listening would always think of God when they thought of Him.
Points to Ponder:
Do you talk with people are at them?
Will you talk with others about our friend and Saviour Jesus Christ?
- Details
- Written by: DJ Dave
- Hits: 1224
April 29: 1 Peter 1:1-2
Key Verse: 1 Peter 1:2
who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Devotion:
Peter, formerly known as Simon, was given his new name by Jesus because of the foreknowledge Christ had of whom he could and would be. Peter does acknowledge himself with his new name because h was now living a life which was quite different to his former life without Christ. His journey was long and very difficult at times where he would struggle with his feelings and his dedication to Jesus, something I am sure we all struggle with at some time or another.
He addresses this letter to all people scattered across the lands; that is the Jews who had gone beyond their borders and no longer were living the life dictated by the Jewish law-makes. To me this seems to be the people who were disillusioned with the constant need to stick to laws which were centuries old and seemed to have drifted away from what they believed. Peter was probably addressing them to bring them back into the fold, not of law-abiding Jews, but of Messiah believing Jews.
He was quite convinced many people had been chosen by God and now were living their different lives, not because they liked rebellion, but because they were convicted by the Holy Spirit and wanted to b obedient to their Messiah, Jesus Christ. A few years ago I would have said the modern Christian had a similar choice in their lives, whether to follow the church and its rules, or to follow Christ. But I see so many people coming back to living their lives with Christ at the centre that I think the church is growing with a new vigour for Christ.
It is this vigour to have Christ at the centre of our lives which I want to encourage in all of us. Yes, we are probably like Simon-Peter and have gone on the side of humanity rather than siding with Christ when the pressure got too much. Remember Christ at all times. Remember how He encouraged Peter to turn fully back to Him. Remember the new vigour given to Peter and try to be more like him today.
Points to Ponder:
When was the last time you chose earthly ways instead of Christian ways?
Do you know Christ has already forgiven you and wants to strengthen you now?
- Details
- Written by: DJ Dave
- Hits: 1371
April 28: James 1:1-5
Key Verse: James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
Devotion:
The epistle of James is generally believed to be written by James the brother of Jesus, otherwise known as James the Just! The letter is written to all of the tribes of Israel who have been scattered about a bit. People just don’t like to be kept in – which makes this lock-down all the harder for us all to endure! The twelve tribes still had their allocated land as defined by their ancestors, but they had moved about quite a lot over the many hundreds of years since being given the land.
James is writing this to all the people to give them various reminders of just who they are as God’s chosen race. This does not exclude everyone else but is directed to the Jews who have been facing a hard time being caught between the upholders of the law and those who were upholding Jesus. James is convinced Jesus is the Messiah and wants all of the people in the twelve tribes to believe this same truth he has grown to understand.
Through following what Jesus had gone through, James understood the meaning of trials and how we have to lean on our faith to be able to get through the hard times. I have found it such a great comfort knowing I have Jesus as my Saviour during these times we all live in today. My faith has given me the courage to continue on and to also trust God has my back. When everyone went mad about shopping and being greedy, I continued to ask God to keep me supplied in essentials and to look after me (my nearest and dearest included in the ‘me’.) All the time I knew God would not let me down just as He did not during my time in hospital.
It was these times of trials which broadened my faith and which I wish to pass on to you just as James was passing this on to all the people of Israel. The perseverance we gain allows us to finish the work God has appointed us to do so we can gain more faith and more strength to do more for Him. Christ was able to gain everything by giving everything!
Points to Ponder:
What do you do for God?
Will you trust Him to give you more to do?
- Details
- Written by: DJ Dave
- Hits: 1244
April 27: Hebrews 1:1-4
Key Verse: Hebrews 1:1
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways
Devotion:
The apostle’s letter to the Hebrew people was quite different to the others we have read so far, primarily because of whom h was talking to. The Jews knew they were the chosen people and knew from their history all that God had done for them; some may have forgotten because they had not experienced it first hand, but as a whole, they knew who they were – God was their protector!
But what our apostle is saying here is a solid reminder to the people about their history. History was very important to them, and still is. Many Jewish families can trace their families back a long way – just because they have kept records or told stories generation after generation. The reminder here is the rich history they have and now, after Christ had risen, a new purpose to their existence. Not that they did not already have a purpose, but God had made sure the promises He made had come true in their generation!
Jesus Christ’s name had to be glorified and He had to be lifted up to His rightful place by God’s side – something many would have doubted would happen in their lifetime because they had such a long history of waiting. Let’s compare this to our lifestyle now. Who would have guessed we would be living through a global pandemic in our lifetime? It’s just not what was expected and yet, here we are. Leaders around the world seem to be in mild panic as they say things which we can reflect on as being totally ridiculous; all because we find ourselves in extraordinary times!
This striking beginning to this letter reminds us all of the position Jesus held and how Christ was glorified by God the Father so we would be in awe of His love for us all; the Hebrew people being in the very centre of this all in that generation! We can now look forward to seeing all the things God has promised come true! What a privileged time we live in!
Points to Ponder:
What fills your mind in our time now?
Will you read up a little more to allow Christ to be in the centre of your life?
- Details
- Written by: DJ Dave
- Hits: 1335
April 26: Philemon 1:1-3
Key Verse: Philemon 1:1
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker -
Devotion:
At this time Paul is a prisoner, not a prisoner locked up by Christ because He had already ascended into Heaven, but a prisoner of the Roman Empire being locked up because of his continued proclamation of the gospel despite being told not to! Paul did care for the laws of the land, but when those laws tell you to do something against God, you have to make a choice and Paul chose God! Paul did not have any reason to be ashamed of being locked up because it was for all the right reasons!
Timothy was not imprisoned and so is introduced here to reassure Philemon there is someone who will be able to support him despite Paul being locked up. It I thought that Philemon was a ma of great standing in the local community and indeed must have been fairly well off to be able to host church in his home. I doubt I would be able to get too many people in my home to if we were allowed to do that…
We live on o around a local estate here in North London where we reach out to people with the gospel an invite them to come as they are and be with Christ. We don’t have a church building but use our local community centre where we have to set up and take down everything which makes our services go every week – or at least that is how we were doing in until we all had to join the lock-down. We long for the day when we will be able to see everyone together, face to face, and know that Christ is with us!
I’m sure Paul was hoping to be able to meet together in a building where they could all worship God together – being stuck at home or in prison alone is not the most encouraging place to be! But, God is with us and continues to give us hope no matter what the physical circumstance. This is what Paul was trying to get across even though he was in prison for following God’s will in his life.
Points to Ponder:
What do you do for church nowadays?
Would you be willing to be locked up just because you obeyed God?