2020-02-13
Jonah 1:12 NIV
We shouldn’t hold on to a relationship with someone when God is telling us to let go. Whether we’re dating someone or just friends, we need to be listening to God’s guidance. If we keep holding on, we can end up feeling like we’re in an emotional storm. We feel like we’re torn between doing what we want to do and doing what God wants us to do. Until we obey God, the storm we’re in will keep getting worse, as in the case of Jonah. The Bible says: ‘The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder…Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm’ (vv.11-15 NIV). Sometimes we have to make the decision to let people go so that the storm can calm in our lives too. God loves everyone and has plans for everyone’s lives, but other people can sometimes get in the way of us fulfilling those plans. God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh, but he went the opposite way. The people on the boat were not the right people for Jonah to be with – he needed to be going towards Nineveh, while they needed to go in another direction. In our lives, there may be people who are taking us the opposite way to God’s plan for us, or we might be holding other people back from what God has in store for them. We need to consider and ask God whether we should let them go.
Rom 3:21-6:23; Matt 14:1-12; Ps 145:1-13; Prov 4:20-22
2020-02-12
Romans 12:2 NIV
Ever had a thought and you weren’t sure where it came from? God can speak to us through our thoughts, and guide us in the way He wants us to go. But there’s a problem. We often fill our minds with so many unhelpful things that we struggle to discern where our thoughts are coming from. We doubt that we can hear Him through our thoughts, and we’d rather He did something more obvious such as speak in an audible voice. When we become Christians, God starts the process of renewing our minds. Paul writes that ‘we have the mind of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 2:16). When God saves us, He starts thinking His thoughts through us. But it can be challenging to work out whether some of our thoughts are ours, God’s, or lies from the enemy. We need to test each thought to make sure it lines up with God’s truth. We need to be careful about what we’re letting ourselves read, watch, and listen to. And we need to spend time listening to God and learning more about His character through reading the Bible. The deeper our relationship is with Him, the easier we’ll find it to recognise His voice. This is what Romans 12:2 is talking about. Our minds need to be renewed so that they’re aware of God’s truth, and so that we ‘will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.’ If we’re struggling to know whether it’s a God-given thought, we can go to Him for wisdom. The Bible says: ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you’ (James 1:5 NIV). Let’s get into the habit of testing our thoughts to see if they’re from God.
Rom 1:1-3:20; Matt 13:47-58; Ps 141; Prov 4:18-19
2020-02-11
Romans 12:15 NKJV
To show compassion we need to recognise and understand other people’s emotions. The Bible says, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.’ In other words, if someone is hurting, hurt with them, and if they’re happy, be happy for them. If our colleague has just been promoted, we can either let ourselves become jealous and resentful or we can rejoice with them. Or if someone we know just lost a loved one and we don’t know what to say, we just need to be there for them. We can enter a part of the grieving process with them. Showing compassion goes beyond words. It’s about recognising the emotions of others, and then allowing ourselves to feel those emotions too. The Bible tells us about a time when Jesus’ friend died (you can read about this in John 11). When Jesus arrived at the scene, Lazarus had been dead for a few days and everyone was mourning. He knew He could raise Lazarus from the dead, and He did. But before that, we’re told that ‘Jesus wept’ (John 11:35 NIV). He allowed himself to enter into the emotions of those around Him. And that’s what we need to do too. Paul said: ‘Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves…clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience’ (Colossians 3:12 NLTUK). In our interactions with others, we need to be wearing all these things. If we’re frustrated with someone because of their struggles, or we’re impatient because of the things we’re personally going through, we can sometimes come across as insensitive. But we’re called to be gentle, kind, and patient with people. We’re called to walk alongside people, whatever they’re going through.
Isa 63-66; Matt 13:36-46; Ps 138; Prov 4:14-17
2020-02-10
James 5:11 NIV
When it comes to Christlike compassion, the Bible teaches us two more things. Firstly, compassion relates to the needs of others. Paul writes, ‘Jesus…This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do’ (Hebrews 4:14-15 NLT). Jesus understands. Whatever situation, challenge, or difficulty we find ourselves in, Jesus can relate. He faced pressure, rejection, pain, temptation, and false accusations. And when we face those things, we can understand how other people feel too. None of us like facing tough times, but those times are the ones which grow our compassion. We become able to help and encourage those who are facing a similar situation. Secondly, compassion responds to the needs of others. It’s not enough just to recognise and relate to the needs of others. We need to provide practical help; otherwise, our compassion doesn’t mean much. Jesus responded to sick people with healing, to hungry people with food, and to lost people with the good news of the gospel. Maybe we can sponsor a hungry child, spend time with someone who is lonely, bring a meal to someone who’s grieving, pray for someone who is struggling, or listen patiently to someone who needs a friend. The Bible says that Jesus ‘went around doing good’ (Acts 10:38 NIV). We need to make sure we’re focused on ‘doing good’ rather than appearing good. Our compassion shouldn’t just be for show. In James 5, we’re told that ‘the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.’ Are we people who are full of compassion? And are we prepared to let that compassion move us to help when we see people in need?
Isa 58-62; Matt 13:24-35; Ps 134; Prov 4:5-13
2020-02-09
Philippians 2:4 NCV
Many dictionaries define compassion as sympathy, pity, or concern – all emotional responses. But the compassion of Jesus goes beyond emotion and translates into action. The Bible says: ‘When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honour to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others’ (Philippians 2:3-4 NCV). Putting other people before ourselves can be really tricky, especially when those people frustrate us. Sometimes other people have been hurt, and they have messy lives, which can make them challenging to love. In Luke 23:43, Jesus showed compassion to a convicted criminal on the cross and saved him. The criminal said: ‘”Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise”‘ (vv.42-43 NIV). We shouldn’t pick and choose who we’ll show compassion to. God cares about the needs of every single person, and we should care about their needs too. If we only care about our own needs, or the needs of those who are easy to love, we’re not acting like Jesus. We need to see beyond ourselves, even when we’re going through a tough time. There are always people around us who need support. The Bible asks: ‘If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?’ (1 John 3:17 NIV). Showing God’s love to people means being concerned about the needs of others, and being willing to step up and help.
Luke 19:11-26; Ps 36:5-9;Heb 10:19-23
2020-02-07
Ecclesiastes 5:19 NLT
Over the course of our lives, we’ll probably spend a lot of time working. Whether it’s studying, a paid job, or volunteering, God wants us to enjoy it. The Bible says: ‘To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God.’ The idea of working doesn’t always fill us with joy. Sometimes we struggle to get out of bed and get started on our work with a positive attitude. But we need to try to realise that God has a purpose for us where we are and in our work. When we understand that, we can begin to rejoice in our work rather than resent it, and believe that God has a plan for our future. God may have plans for us to have a different job in the future, but whatever work we’re doing right now, we need to try and glorify God in it. The Bible says: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters’ (Colossians 3:23 NIV). Sometimes we can struggle with our work because it seems like other people overlook or undervalue us. David’s family didn’t think he was qualified to be Israel’s next king, but God had a different opinion. He also had the last word. The Bible says: ‘It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall’ (Psalm 75:7 NLT). We need to be faithful and work hard where God has placed us, and when the time is right, He’ll bless us.
Isa 49-52; Matt 13:1-9; Ps 67; Prov 4:1-2
