2022-04-01
Hebrews 10:38 NCV
Living by faith is something we learn to do by practising it every day. Before we become Christians, we only have our own intelligence and abilities to rely on. But those things will only take us so far, and no further. But when we welcome God into our lives, we can trust Him for the wisdom, guidance, resources, and ability we need to fulfil His will for our lives.
The Bible tells us, ‘It was by faith that Noah heard God’s warnings about things he could not yet see. He obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family.’ (Hebrews 11:7 NCV). When Noah built the ark, he must have trusted what God had told him, because when he started there was no sign of rain.
Living by faith doesn’t always make sense. It doesn’t mean our problems will just disappear. Sometimes faith changes our circumstances. But at other times it changes our perspective by giving us the courage and strength to hold on and keep hoping when we’re expecting bad news, can’t see a way out, or don’t know the next step to take.
Faith gives us the stamina to keep going, confident that God will work things out on our behalf. Paul tells us, ‘Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’ (Hebrews 11:1 NIV). Living by faith means 1) obeying God and believing He will never let you down, 2) following in the footsteps of ordinary people who did extraordinary things for God, and 3) using your faith because you know it’s the only currency heaven recognises. When the Bible says, ‘Those who are right with me will live by faith,’ it doesn’t mean little, sporadic bursts of faith; it means making faith a lifestyle.
Phil 1-2; Luke 21:1-11; Ps 31:14-24; Pro 9:1-3
2022-03-31
Matthew 11:29 CEV
Jesus spoke to people who had given up on religion. People who were burnt out from trying (and failing) to stick to a long list of rules and regulations. Here’s what He said to them: ‘If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light’ (v.28-30 CEV).
A ‘yoke’ was a type of harness that went around the necks of two oxen so they could work together to pull a heavy plough. In each team of oxen, one was the leader and the other would follow. Accepting Jesus’ yoke means He’ll take the lead, but we have to stay in sync with Him to find real peace.
He promises His yoke won’t choke us; it won’t be overwhelming or confining, and we won’t be irritated or harmed by it. In fact, if we want to be truly free, we have to let ourselves be yoked to Jesus by submitting our will to His. It sounds strange to say that’ll bring freedom, but when we allow Him to guide us, we’re freed from wondering if we’re doing the right thing, worrying what other people think of us, and doubting our ability for the task He’s chosen.
It doesn’t work to accept Christ’s yoke for a while and then start pulling the other way when things don’t go the way we want. When we do that, the load gets heavier and we start to feel worn out. Peace and rest come when we relax and let Christ lead. Relax or resist – which will you choose?
Job 40-42; Luke 20:41-47; Ps 31:1-13; Pro 8:34-36
2022-03-30
2 Peter 1:5-6 CEV
Sometimes when we become aware of a flaw in our character, we’ll try to make ourselves feel better and justify it by blaming our circumstances. We might say things like ‘If I’d had a different tutor, I would have worked harder,’ or ‘If I had more money, I could afford the thing I want, and then I wouldn’t feel so jealous or resentful of other people.’ But even though our circumstances might be out of our control, our character isn’t. Integrity isn’t determined by our situation. It’s a choice, and every time we make the decision to act with integrity, we take a step forward in our spiritual growth.
Here’s something to try: Think about times when you’ve faced temptations and difficulties. Write them down, and next to each one, write how you dealt with it: escaped, excused, gave in, avoided, persevered, or overcame. How did you handle the things that were caused by circumstances out of your control? Do you notice any problem areas or anything you could improve on?
One way we can improve is ‘By adding…self-control’ to our spiritual weapons. Our lives are like icebergs – 15 per cent is visible; that’s our reputation, what others see of our attitude. The rest, our character, is hidden below the surface. Character is what we think but don’t necessarily share. It’s based on what we do when nobody’s looking, how we handle life’s little aggravations, how we handle failure and success. Character is based on self-control, and self-control is about making the right choices. We don’t have to work out what they are by ourselves: ‘God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him’ (Philippians 2:13 CEV).
Job 38-39; Luke 20:27-40; Ps 6; Pro 8:32-33
2022-03-29
1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV
After listing some of the worst sins imaginable, Paul told the Corinthians, ‘And that is what some of you were. But you were… justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God’ (v.11 NIV). Before we judge and condemn someone else, let’s remember what God has lifted us out of, and how much restoration has taken place in our own lives.
In Scripture, the word restore has two shades of meaning. One is to remove a tumour. A tumour can kill, and it needs to be removed. Paul wrote, ‘If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently… in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ’ (Galatians 6:1-2 NIVUK). Sharing someone’s shame and humiliation can be a burden, but ‘we should do it… [giving] special attention to those… in the family of believers’ (Galatians 6:10 NCV). We’ve all been quick to condemn others at times, but if we find being judgmental is turning into a habit, we should ask ourselves this question: if people don’t find grace among those who preach it, where will they find it? We need to show God’s grace in action by extending that same grace to others.
The other meaning of restore is to reset a broken bone. Scripture tells us, ‘Christ makes us one body… connected to each other’ (Romans 12:5 GWT). Our spiritual family is important because it will last forever. By lifting a broken and stumbling family member, we help heal their pain and enable them to become a vital, functioning part of Christ’s body again.
So, the word for today is – be a restorer.
Job 35-37; Luke 20:20-26; Ps 69:19-36; Pro 8:30-31
2022-03-28
Galatians 6:1 NIV
Sometimes when we fall we can get up by ourselves; other times we need someone to help us. And sadly, not all Christians are willing to help. Sometimes they feel that by extending grace to someone, they’re condoning their sin. But Paul knocked that argument down when he wrote, ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’ (Ephesians 4:32 NIV). Why should we be restorers?
1) Because God tells us to. ‘If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves… you also may be tempted’ (Galatians 6:1 NIV). It’s pride that causes us to point an accusing finger instead of extending a helping hand to those who fall. It makes us think we’re better than someone else, and incapable of falling like they did. But we can’t be certain how we’d react if we were faced with the same circumstances! Paul wrote, ‘We are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so… self-confident… You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else’ (1 Corinthians 10:12 MSG).
2) Because Jesus is our example. Jesus had no time for the Pharisees who hid their sins behind a religious mask. But He didn’t condemn those who were caught in sin and overtaken by temptation and failure. The minute they reached for Him, He willingly restored them. People will be watching us to see if the grace we preach is the same grace we extend to one another. Let’s set the best example we can and show grace and compassion as Jesus did.
Job 32-34; Luke 20:9-19; Ps 69:1-18; Pro 8:27-29
2022-03-27
John 19:26 NLT
Today is Mothering Sunday. A day for us to tell our mothers how much we appreciate everything they do, as well as being an opportunity to say thank you to anyone who loves and cares for us like a mother does. The Bible tells us numerous times to honour our parents, listen to them, and treat them with respect. But instead of thinking about those verses, let’s take a look at a time when Jesus honoured His mother, Mary.
In John 19, as Jesus was dying on the cross, He saw Mary and the disciple John standing below, watching. ‘He said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home’ (vv. 26-27 NLT). Jesus was being crucified; He was in unimaginable pain. But in the midst of His ordeal, His thoughts were for His mother, and to ensure she would have someone who would love, care and provide for her. Nailed to a cross and dying, Jesus did the simple but deeply loving act of asking Mary and John to become mother and son to each other. And that’s something for us to think about today as we celebrate and honour mothers.
Maybe for whatever reason you can’t give your mum a gift or see her in person. It doesn’t matter why. Just do something simple and powerful, from a loving heart: take a few minutes to pray for her and to thank God for her. And even if things haven’t been easy between you, remember that God’s at work in the situation, you just need to pray and allow Him to do the rest. Let’s make today a day when we really show what God’s love means by honouring and praying for our mothers and those who care for us.
1 Sam 17:4-51; Eph 6:10-18
