Category: Devotions

How to get through confusion.
Luke 2
There are times when it looks like evil dictators are in control, v1
There are times when it looks like compliance is in control, v3
There are times when your historical background is in control, v4
There are times when inconvenient circumstances are in control, v5-6
There are times when it feels like rejection is in control, v7
But through it all remember 7 key messages:
Do not be afraid v10
A Saviour is here for you, v11
Give glory to God, v14
Search for Him and you will find Him, v16
Offer your sacrifice, v24
Fill your life with praise, prophecy and worship, v28, 36, 38
Some things you will not understand right away, v50

God uses ordinary people like you and me….
Luke 1
Ordinary people who will say Let it be, v38
It is a prayer of adjustment: I will adjust to what you want for my life God.
It is a prayer of conception: I am here, my mind understands, my heart receives, my body is ready, use me.
It is a prayer of faith: let it be. Amen. It is so. I agree. It is done.

Death
Not one of us has experienced it for ourselves, but no one doubts it. All of us have been effected by it, some have come close to it, some are very afraid of it, death casts a shadow over our lives.
Mark 16
Jesus lifts the fear of death.
I am the resurrection.

Most people of faith or no faith carry a cry in their heart that says, “There must be more than this.”
There must be more than the suffering I am going through.
There must be more than an allotted amount of years on this earth.
There must be more than being born, being alive, being dead and put in the ground.
We must be made for something else, somewhere else.
The majority carry a sense of eternity in their hearts.
Thee is another place.
It is because Jesus is the resurrection.

The Bible will hold you during your cross.
Mark 15:34
If only the religious had not been so blind to God’s Word.
Jesus in his greatest trial knew and recalled the Word.
Psalm 22:1
He is still my God.
Though I feel abandoned and punished because of the sin, I still trust Him.
And I know that later in this Psalm ( a Psalm prophesying about me) that there will be vindication after the suffering.
The Bible is holding me now.

Do what you can
Mark 14
You know where to go
You have what you need
You can give
V3
If we all just did what we can then our story would reach the world, v9

She did what she could, v8. Let us also.

Are you watching?

Mark 13
Are you aware of the deceptive Messiahs, v6?
Are you following the news of the wars, v7?
Do you see the natural disasters around the world, v8?
Are your praying for the persecuted, v9,11?
Are you involved in praying, giving and going to overseas work, v10?
Can you see the breakdown of families today, v12?
Are you understanding the happenings in Israel, v14?
Keep watching, He’s coming!

Who are ya?
So the English football fans chant to belittle the opponents: We have no idea who you are, you are nothing, you are not important.

Mark 12

I think a little bit of this attitude is needed in our hero-searching, hero-worshipping Christian culture.

The accusation towards Jesus was that he didn’t stand in fear of man, v14. The way of God and the truth is for everyone no matter who they are.

The warning of Jesus was to be cautious with the heroes, the stars, the crowd-pullers and those who get all the attention, v38-39. Those who desire such treatment will be dealt with.

The behaviour of Jesus was to see what people were missing, v42-43. The Kingdom of God is found more in poverty than anywhere else.

Who are ya?

Exits are as important as entries.
When evening came, they got out of the city, v19.
Mark 11
The day will come to an end.
Evening will come, people will back off, the attacks will cease even for a short while. The sun will fall, the light will fade and when it does, leave.
Many only focus on the entry points.
But we need exits in our life and strategies for those exits.

COMING SOON
Missionary Apprentice programme: To celebrate Elim 100 we are launching our Missionary Apprentice Programme (MAP). We are seeking to release young people from around the UK into their mission, as they journey alongside Elim Missions and discover how they can live with a missional focus. Register your interest http://elim.im/summer2015
http://ow.ly/i/6DAXi

So who do you want to be?
Mark 10
The rich young man wanted to be all that he could be (v21)
But one thing he lacked, there was no lack.
We need to give God room to move in our lives.
We need to be empty.
We need to be hungry.
We need to be thirsty.
There needs to be lack.
Many are focused on being someone they have stopped lacking.