Devotion Thoughts - 04/05/2011

Judges 19:1-30
We can be wrong about any group of people, even those of our own people (19:12,22); the man and his concubine might have been far better off treated by 'strangers'. Never assume we know all there is to know about anyone; rather ask for God's guidance before making a decision.

Judges 20:1-48
Actions have repercussions. God commanded that there be no immoral sin in the land. Unfortunately, the Benjamites chose to defend the sin against the rest of the tribes.
It also happens in the Christian church that sins forbidden by God, such as homosexuality, are defended by some church leaders. Such sins and sinners have no place in God's kingdom, in spite of the veneer of religion and respectability church leadership might lend to it. Having said that, homosexuality is a sin like any other, and those who pick on it incessantly would do well to remember Jesus injunction:

"Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

and:

"Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;".

John 3:22-36. John 4:1-3
When I became a Christian it was so wonderfully life-changing that all I wanted to do was talk about Jesus. But as time went by my fervour cooled, and I spoke less and less about Jesus, until eventually I stopped witnessing altogether; I had become a backslider. It was not only some six years later, after I rededicated myself to God, that I began to decrease again, allowing Jesus to increase. This time I was determined that I would be like John: 'He must increase; I must decrease' (3:30), a process that has not stopped, for which I thank God.

Psalm 104:24-35
I surely am looking forward to seeing the glory of the Lord! If I can be full of rejoicing at the albeit invisible presence of the Lord with me as I live my life on earth, then it must be far more wonderful to be in His visible presence! That is going to be something!

Proverbs 14:22-24
God will bless those who do good and punish those who do evil. This is a given, a constant that we can rely on. With God's help, let us aim to do good.

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Devotion Thoughts - 03/05/2011

Judges 17:1-13. Judges 18:1-31
There are those of 'Christian persuasion' who are clearly mixed up. On the one hand they want to honour the Lord in the way they live; but on the other hand they break God's commands like Micah's mother did (17:3). God had forbidden the making of 'graven images', yet she believed in the way she interpreted God's will, a case of doing what was right in her own eyes (17:6). Her son eventually had 'an house of gods' and made one of his sons a priest! This shows the lengths to which some will go in order to have a 'religious' experience.
Sometimes large ministries or churches develop from their confused 'Christian' worship, but that does not mean that God is honoured in it (Matthew 7:21-23).
Thankfully, for believers it is simple; 'believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved' (Acts 16:31)! It was simple enough for the thief on the cross to be saved (Luke 23:42-43). Let us not complicate our faith by creating rules and methods that God never commanded.

John 3:1-21
'Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God' (3:3). Jesus could not have spoken more clearly than that, yet so many 'Christians' do not accept what He said. They prefer their own way to God ( Proverbs 14:12), such as living a good life, doing good deeds, praying many times a day, going through certain rituals, accepting other religions because 'all roads lead to God', and so on. But the way to God is the way of the cross as Jesus says in John 3:14-18. Many who tried to honour God their own way are going to be horribly shocked when He rejects them at the Judgment. Take no chances - ask Jesus to be your Saviour - now!

Psalm 104:1-23
There is order and beauty about everything God created. There is such an abundance produced from the earth that none should go hungry. The problem is men who want more than what they are entitled to, causing them to break God's laws in order to feed their greed. If men learned to be satisfied with their lot in life they would be happier people!

Proverbs 14:20-21
If we are neighbours to the poor (v.20) and hate them then we sin; if we try to help them, we will feel blessed in our hearts (v.21).
God is loving and compassionate, and wants us to be the same. The blessings and help we give to the needy will definitely come back to us.

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Devotion Thoughts - 02/05/2011

Judges 15:1-20; Judges 16:1-31
(15:11) Although a physically powerful man, in twenty years of being Israel's judge (15:20) Samson had not helped them to conquer their rulers, the Philistines. He was too self-centred to realise he had responsibilities for which God had equipped him.
All believers have spiritual gifts and are given opportunities to witness. Knowing that God is waiting to use us, we should not be self-centred but yield ourselves to God, doing our best to honour Him in service.
Samuel was a glutton for punishment. Let down by a Philistine wife he still continues to seek diversion amongst them, aware that the Philistines are dying (sometimes literally!) to kill him. Relying on his own (God-given) powers, he toyed with the Philistines regarding the secret of his strength. But he was tricked, and ended up a blinded prisoner. For the first time we read of a humbled Samson praying a serious prayer to God for strength to bring down the house where he was being made sport of. God hears, and Samson is the most effective he has ever been, killing three thousand Philistines as well as himself.
Messing around with the opportunities God gives us is not a good idea. God can send us a lot of drama to get us to do His will. Rather let us surrender our will to him and humbly ask Him to use us. He sure will, and effectively, too!

John 2:1-25
Jesus began His earthly ministry in style, changing water into top quality wine! As the governor of the feast said to the groom. 'You have kept the best [wine] until last'.
Satan is not like Jesus. He is a deceiver, promising all kinds of things to those who follow him. Unfortunately for them he does not have the power to back up his promises.
Jesus, however, as the King of kings and the Lord of lords, is invested with all power; He is able to keep all His promises written in His Word. And what He will do for us is better than we expect, for He is keeping ' the best until last'. Now, He invites us to take up our 'cross' and follow Him. Once we have completed our earthly service, He will replace it with a crown!

Psalm 103:1-22
This is a magnificent psalm of praise to God, well worth memorising - especially the first five verses. It is helpful to memorise scripture, for we will have something the Holy Spirit can bring to mind when we need it.

Proverbs 14:17-19
One of the worst things we can do is to panic when threatened with danger. That is what training (knowledge) does for you; it prepares you to respond appropriately to a threat, enabling you to counter it, instead of reacting mindlessly or in anger and becoming a victim (v.17). This is also applicable from a spiritual perspective . Those who know they are the redeemed of the Lord are better able to stand firm in the face of attacks on their faith.

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Devotion Thoughts - 29/04/2011

Judges 9:22-57, Judges 10:1-18


We all know the saying, 'what you sow you reap'. Having dealt treacherously with his half-brothers, Abimelech in turn experienced treachery at the hands of some of his people (9:24). In the ensuing battles, Abimelech was killed because God had so arranged it (9:56).


When the Israelites again sinned against God (10:6), He punished them once more. It might seem that God is watching us like a hawk in case we sin, and will then punish us for sinning. Not so, for believers are under grace; every one of our sins is forgiven already thanks to Jesus. Rather think of God as being our Father. What father will not punish his young child for playing with matches? And how about when a young child runs out into the street having been forbidden to do so for fear of being run over by a car?


Let's not say God 'punishes'; rather say He corrects. He does it out of love because He knows what bad habits can do in our lives, and how bad choices will prevent us from joining Him in heaven. His correction is not about punishment, but designed to correct us and keep us on The Way to God.

Luke 24:13-53


Sometimes Jesus asked questions to help people verbalise what they thought about Him. The two on the Emmaus road thought Jesus was dead and buried, but were also confused over reports of His resurrection. Jesus responds by pointing out that everything they needed to know about Him had already been written by the prophets. Reading the Bible, with faith to believe that it is accurately given to us by God, is still the best way to get to know Him better!

Psalm 100:1-5


I find it sad that the worship of God is being left out of the assemblies in some schools. I still cherish memories of singing, 'Praise God from Whom all blessings flow'. I was not a born again believer until the final months of my Matric year, but that did not mean I did not appreciate the majesty of God up to then. In my parents' home, my siblings and I were brought up to respect God for Who He is - Almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth. Such teachings reinforced by wonderful hymns of praise at school built a foundation that has brought much blessing to me through the years.

Proverbs 14:11-12


There is a proliferation of religions founded by so-called Christians, some of whom have even had the temerity to produce their own 'translation' of the Bible in which certain verses are altered incorrectly so that it falls in with what they want to believe. (There is a warning in Revelation 22:18-19 against such a practice).


Bibles from the Bible Society are acceptable, and well worth reading if you want to find the road to God!

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Devotion Thoughts - 28/04/2011: Don't let success go to your head!

Judges 8:18-35


There was no doubt that God had given Gideon and his men the victory; how else to account for three hundred men defeating the huge Midianite army? God inspired the selection of the fighting men, and the methods to be used in their warfare. Total obedience brought victory.


Unfortunately, there will always be 'men of Ephraim' in our lives who want a part in any success and are upset when they are left out. Gideon played the diplomat, aware that victory was a fact and God was glorified. There are times when we can choose to react in an unpleasant way against other brethren who could have done more, but God prefers that we love them, leaving it to God to deal with them.


We must take care how we handle success; if it goes to our heads we might afterwards act without first referring to God. He had commanded that worship take place at Shiloh; Gideon thought it okay to worship at Ophrah. After his death things went badly for his children and the nation.


Some Christian ministries start well, only to lose out when their leaders stop being totally dependent upon God and obedient to His guidance.

Judges 9:1-21


Loving our relatives is one thing; acceptance of their smooth talk that leads to sin is something else. We should always be careful of who we believe, no matter the closeness of our relationship. Only God is trustworthy; He will give us needed guidance when we ask for it.

Luke 23:44-56


Joseph openly acknowledged his relationship with Jesus by going to Pilate to ask for His body. He had also stood up bravely for Jesus against the hatred of the priests (v.51), setting a wonderful example for all believers.


What if I told you that such deeds of service done for Jesus by those who are not born again believers are not acceptable to Him? Read Matthew 7:21-23. Only deeds performed according to God's will will be rewarded by Jesus. There is no way doing good deeds alone will get us into heaven; we have to go via Jesus Himself (John 3:16; John 14:6).

Luke 24:1-12


The women did not hesitate to do something good for their Lord, in spite of the difficulties they knew lay ahead. Their preparations made in faith, they went to see what could be done about the major obstacle: the huge and heavy stone covering the mouth of the grave. But God had already taken care of the problem; He had moved it out of the way!


When God lays it on our hearts to do some service for Him, we might be aware that certain obstacles are in our way, but that should not hold us back. We must prepare ourselves for service, go ahead, and see how God takes care of the obstacles. It is a great way to learn how God works in our lives!

Psalm 99:1-9


The psalmist views God as so high and holy that He is unapproachable. Thankfully, God in the form of Jesus is approachable even while He is holy! He came down to our level to make it possible, even allowing unholy men to scourge and crucify Him, a picture of God that the psalmist did not have. I am grateful that I have ready access to a warm and loving God Who willingly sacrificed Himself for my spiritual and physical well-being (Isaiah 53:5).

Proverbs 14:9-10


It amazes me that some supposedly Christian ministers do not believe men are sinners, in spite of the Bible containing verses such as Romans 3:23 - 'For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God'. Certainly they have not been led by the Holy Spirit to come to such a conclusion, for whatever the Holy Spirit teaches is in line with the Biblical record (John 14:26). It is clear, then, that such 'Christian ministers' are not born again believers, for then they would have the Holy Spirit in them, teaching them the truth. Beware of such false 'teachers' (Matthew 7:15); they will be exposed at the Judgment, too late for those they will have led astray.

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Devotion Thoughts - 19/04/2011

Joshua 19:1-51


Last, but not least! When Joshua had completed his mission - leading the people into Canaan, conquering the inhabitants and settling the tribes in their conquered territories, he was given his reward- Timnath-serah, his own city.


God will reward us for our service to Him. Some Christians enjoy better material blessings in this life than others. However, our real reward is not here on earth (John 14:2). Just as Joshua trusted God and was faithful in service, so must we continue to be faithful believers. Finally, in Glory, we will have a wonderful home - forever!


Joshua 20:1-9


At present provision has to be made on earth for the sins that men commit. The cities of refuge were one such provision . There will not be any need for such provisions in heaven. Revelation 21:4 gives the reason: there will never be any tears in heaven because death, sorrow, crying, pain and other undesirable ills that we have on earth do not exist there! Hallelujah!


Luke 19:28-48


Jesus, as prophesied, rode into Jerusalem sitting on a donkey, to the adulation of the people, including a 'multitude of His disciples' (v.37). Some Christians believe that the crowd that praised Him as He rode into Jerusalem was the same crowd baying for His blood at His trial. I question that a crowd that included many of His disciples could be so fickle. If His disciples ran away at His arrest then, logically, the 'multitude' did likewise. It was a crowd that followed the priests that clamoured for Him to die.


My Point: I have heard preachers say it was the same crowd. We need to read the Scriptures with care! The priests who studied the scriptures misread them, ending up by crucifying the Messiah!


Psalm 88:1-18


This is another prayer uttered in desperation. I'm sure that, at one time or another, whether for healing of someone in spiritual, physical or mental danger, we have felt the same way as the psalmist. It takes much seeking after God (Matthew 6:33) to reach the point where we trust Him so completely that, no matter what happens to us or our loved ones, we believe He is doing what is best for us. It is an objective worth pursuing.


Proverbs 13:12-14


Here's a kind of paraphrase:

• v.12: it gives a good feeling when we achieve goals. However,


• v.13: some goals, for example the pursuit of wealth, do not bring happiness; those who believe God's Word will know this.


• v.14. Good teaching about God's Word, for example that He wants to save us, will help us to find God and the joy He gives.
  
  
  

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