[Friday's Devotional] - Application required

As we have learned from our memory verse, if we are to build our lives on a solid foundation then we need to listen to the Word AND put it into practice. What do we need to do to apply this week's words to our daily lives?

1) I need to communicate daily with God in prayer.

2) I need to stay connected to Jesus, the vine so that I can grow

3) I need to bear fruit as a result of the growth and nourishment I receive

4) I need to love others in the same way that Jesus loves me (and loves them)

Lord Jesus, thank you for your Word which we have read this week. Help me to converse with you in prayer each day, to stay connected to you, to bear fruit and to love others. Amen.

Memory Verse: Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Thursday's Devotional] - In Love

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." John 15: 9-14 [NIV]

God loves Jesus and in the same way Jesus loves us. He wants us to love others in the same manner. Where do you stand on the "loving others" scale? Some people love themselves and hate others, others have a self-loathing or low self-esteem and find it difficult to love anyone. But love is the most important thing:

This is my command: Love each other.
John 15: 17 [NIV]

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 [NIV]

As connected branches, belonging to the vine, we are recipients of the love that flows from God to us via Jesus. Don't let the love stop with you, let it flow to the other branches (whether they are connected or not) – love others in the same way as Jesus loves you. Let them know that Jesus loves them too.

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me with the love of the Father – help me to love others as you have loved me. Amen.

Memory Verse: Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Remain in Christ

Sometimes we can be "going through the motions" Christians, we do good deeds because we know that that is what we are supposed to do. But are these works as a result of our growth and our "remaining in Christ"? Or are we rather dry and dead looking inside, but doing our best by our own effort (and will) to bear fruit.

You can't tack on fruit to a dead tree and expect it to live – so we need to make sure that our bearing fruit is a result of who we are and where we are, not just an attempt at holy busyness. Sometimes I can be guilty of trying to do the right thing, because it is the right thing, not because I am "right with God".

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15: 6-7 [NIV]

Let's concentrate on the heart, what is our deepest innermost being – not merely the tasks in our lives or the superficial exterior.

"People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts." 1 Samuel 16:7b [CEV]

Heavenly Father, thank you that you have searched me and know me – that I can't hide anything from you. Help me to remain in Christ, so that I will grow and bear fruit. Amen.

Memory Verse: Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Bear Fruit

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:1-4 [NIV]

If you are remaining connected to the vine, you will be supplied with everything you need to bear fruit. What is the fruit we are talking about?

We bear fruit by connecting with God in prayer. As we pray, God will answer our prayers (as long as we are praying in accordance with his will). By maintaining a good connection, spending time in the Word and in listening to God in prayer, we will have a deeper knowledge of God's will and his direction for our lives. We will have joy, we will grow in faith and in our actions.

Are you fruitful today? If you are connected to the vine it will be possible to see the fruit growing in your life. What are the fruits of the Spirit?

- love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, kindness and self control (Galatians 5: 22-23)

Apple trees produce apples, orange trees produce oranges and plum trees produce plums. The fruit that you bear is the fruit of the vine (grapes!) – a vine cannot produce plums, oranges or apples. So if you are connected to the vine your life will show the fruit that comes from Jesus. You do this by putting the Words into practice (like our memory verse states).

Lord, help me to bear fruit in my life today – thank you for the connection I have with you. Thank you that I can bear the fruit of your Spirit which recognisably comes from you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Memory Verse: Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Monday's Devotional] - Connected to the vine

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 [NIV]

You are a branch of the vine – the vine is Jesus. A branch which is connected to the vine is supplied with everything it needs to live and grow and bear fruit. Once a branch is cut off from the vine it cannot live and will wither and die, since it is disconnected from the nutrients and water it needs to live.

If we are to live and grow into the likeness of Christ, we need to be connected to the vine. Are you connected to Jesus today? Do you feel that you are lacking in growth, perhaps even spiritually dying? Today is an opportunity to do something about it – come closer to Jesus and you will bear fruit – your life will show that you are connected, living and growing into a likeness of Christ.

Jesus, sometimes I feel disconnected from your vine – help me to draw closer to you today. Thank you for leaving your Holy Spirit to be my guide and help me to allow him to direct me and nourish me. Amen.

Memory Verse: Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Friday's Devotional] - Courageous

A courageous man or woman is hard to find. Epaphroditus, according to Paul, was just such a person:

So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. Philippians 2:29-30 [NIV]

Jesus said:

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
John 15: 13 [NIV]

How courageous are you? When I read the verse above, I am reminded of acts of heroism by members of the armed forces or the emergency services. However, I am also dismayed by the increasing political correctness of the "health and safety police" whose rules are being used to prevent people from putting their lives on the line for other people. In this situation, I think it makes more sense to ask "What Would Jesus Do?" and never to let go of your God-given common sense.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the example of your life on earth. Help me to be courageous in my daily walk, in showing your love to other people and interceding for those who are in need. Amen.

Memory Verse: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Thursday's Devotional] - Considerate

Epaphroditus was the model of consideration. We read in Philippians that he was chosen by the Philippian church to go to Paul (under house arrest in Rome) and deliver to him a gift from the church to help support Paul. The distance from Philippi in Northern Greece to Rome in Italy is 800 miles. Epaphroditus travelled this distance – perhaps a 7 week journey on foot. In Rome, he had been ill and near to death, and was concerned that when his church in Philippi heard this news he should go back to them.

Are you considerate of others? Being considerate is a Christ-like quality as Paul writes:

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. Titus 3:1-2 [NIV]

Thinking of others' needs ahead of our own is the model we should follow. How are you doing on this front? Take time from your busy day to consider someone else and pray for them or do something kind for them this week.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the example of your life – help me to be considerate of others and not selfish as I go about my daily life. Help me to reach out to someone in need today. Amen.

Memory Verse: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Cooperative

As parts of the body of Christ – Christians need to cooperate with each other. We are all one family – sometimes Christians call each other "brother" or "sister", in the same way that these terms are used in the Bible. The church is not just an institution or a social club, not merely an organisation – it's a family, we share the same Father. We are not called to be Lone Rangers, rather to work in co-operation with each other towards our common goal and against our common enemy, Satan.

Too often, Christians can be a little insular – if you take one ministry, you will find multiple organisations initiated by different churches doing similar things. Sometimes people work in co-operation with other groups in an effective and co-ordinated manner. In other situations due to pride or dogma or human failing, several organisations are doing similar things in the same area without talking to or cooperating with each other.

We need to take the model of the Disciples after Pentecost:

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:44-47 [NIV]

Are you a Lone Ranger in your Christian life? Perhaps you should team up with others who share the same passions and work together?

Lord Jesus, help me to be in tune with my Brothers and Sisters and help us to work as parts of the body – acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with you. Amen.

Memory Verse: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Consistent

Godly character requires consistency, if we can live life consistently then we are reaching maturity as Christians. On the other hand if we are swayed by our emotions or our values change day by day then we are showing a lack of consistency and an immaturity that doesn't sit comfortably in the life of a Godly Man or Woman.

Timothy was a man with proven consistency:

But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. Philippians 2:22 [NIV]

As you work and serve your Heavenly Father, are you living a consistent life? Easier said than done – isn't it! Jesus had a lot to say about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees:

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Matthew 23:23-24 [NIV]

Notice that Jesus mentions justice, mercy and faithfulness – I can see an echo from the words of Micah 6:8 – "to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God".

Lord, help me to be consistent in my daily life – acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly and faithfully with you. Amen.

Memory Verse: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Monday's Devotional] - Caring

This week we are looking at 5 characteristics of being a Godly Man (or Godly Woman). We are using Philippians 2 as a reference and exploring the character of Timothy and Epaphroditus.

In our world of busyness and self-obsession, it is rare to find people who are caring and unselfish. Timothy was such a man – he genuinely cared about others, and Paul recognised this as a rare commodity (then as now):

I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. Philippians 2:20-22 [NIV]

If you asked someone you know well to sum you up in 5 words, do you think that "caring" would be one of them? Is there something you need to do for someone today to show them that you care for them?

Jesus, thank you for caring for me – enough to die for me. Help me to put the needs of others above my own. Help me to find time to care about others and ways in which I can show your love to them. Amen.

Memory Verse: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Friday's Devotional] - Committed to action

The second half of the memory verse for this week is about action – "Do what it says"! What we do, and how we behave, is a visible sign of what we believe. What is the purpose of learning a foreign language if you never take the opportunity to speak it? It is by putting words into action that we really show what it means to believe and understand the Word of God.

Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your laws, and I will obey them at all times.
Explain your law to me, and I will obey it; I will keep it with all my heart.
Psalm 119: 33-34 [GNT]

Obeying the Word of God starts in the mind – what we believe (what is in our hearts and minds) determines how we act. If we want to change our actions, we need to change what we believe. If our beliefs are determined by the Word, the actions should follow. Are you putting into action the things you have read in the Bible this week?

Lord, make me a doer of your Word, not only a reader of your Word. Give me the resolve to make your words my actions, in Jesus name. Amen.

Memory Verse: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Thursday's Devotional] - A clean heart

Blessed are the pure in heart, they will see God. Matthew 5:8 [NIV]

If your heart is full of sin and conflict you will find it hard to see God. In order to see clearly we need to remove the "logs" from our eyes. This doesn't mean we need to be sinless – just up to date with our daily confessions, and practicing the humility we observed yesterday.

We also need to resolve the conflicts in our relationships with our brothers and sisters, before we can see clearly in the light of God's illumination:

But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. 1 John 2:11 [NIV]

You can't love God and hate others. You can't be reconciled to God and not be reconciled with others. Is there someone you are in conflict with today? Take the first step towards putting things right before this day is over. As we share the peace with others around is in our Sunday service, so today you can share the peace with someone you find it hard to love – and see how it can break down the barriers and enhance your walk with God.

Lord, I want to have a clean heart. Give me the courage and the humility to take the first step to put things right with my relationships – with others, and with you. Amen.

Memory Verse: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Wednesday's Devotional] - A humble attitude

If we have pride and a selfish attitude we will not be open to allowing God to direct our lives – we make life all about us and not about serving others. We need to have an openness to allow God to work in our day to day thoughts, actions and decisions – we need to put ourselves lower in our priorities. We are called to an attitude of humility:

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:9 [NIV]

If God is in the driving seat in your life, you won't need to worry about which direction you are headed in. Since we can't see the destination of our lives and we don't understand much about the people around us, we can sometimes misunderstand what direction we should be taking.

Are you heading in the right direction? Do you trust God to control the steering wheel of your life? He knows the past, the present and the future – we can't understand the full picture – we can only trust God:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 [ESV]

Lord Jesus, thank you for your example, that you did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made yourself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, you humbled yourself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Amen.

Memory Verse: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Ask for good gifts

We have a promise from God that he will instruct us and teach us:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 [NIV]

Before this promise can be fulfilled in your life you need to do something – you need to ask God to direct your life. Jesus said that this type of request will always have an answer:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11 [NIV]

The simple fact is that God is ready, willing and able to give good gifts to his children – however, he is waiting to hear from us! Young children get very excited about Christmas and parents are especially keen to know what their children would like as a gift. God is also waiting – as our Good Father – to give us the presents that really satisfy.

Lord, thank you for the good gifts you have ready to give me. Help me to recognise my needs and know when to ask for your gifts. Amen.

Memory Verse: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Monday's Devotional] - Seeing the light

In order to see clearly we need to have our path illuminated – in life, this happens as a result of having a relationship with Jesus. That means knowing him – not just knowing about him. Once we are in relationship with Jesus, we are born again – and we can see for the first time the light of truth.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 [NIV]

Jesus said:

I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again.
John 3:3 [GNT]

Does the Gospel make sense to you? If you are puzzled about what it means, you need the author to explain it to you - by entering into a relationship with Christ we can understand the words he left us in his Word. Why not talk to him today?

Jesus, help me to know you – not just to study your life. Reveal the mysteries of your Word to me that I may see clearly by the Light of the World. Amen.

Memory Verse: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Friday's Devotional] - Acting it out

I hope that you are enjoying learning more about life, the world and everything as we study the Word this month. The purpose of this period of studying the Bible isn't only to increase our knowledge, nor is it only to give as a warm fuzzy feeling about how good we should be feeling. Ideally we will all take the next (and most important) step of putting the Word of God into action in our lives.

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:17 [NIV]

The benefits of putting such things into action are positive improvements in your mind, your faith, your mood, your spiritual health and your community.

Lord, thank you for the things you have shown me and taught me this week. Make me bold to seize the opportunities ahead to put your Word into action in my life. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Amen.

Memory Verse: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:18 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Thursday's Devotional] - In the mood

So often we allow our emotions to dictate our feelings and mood. Gloom, despair and depression are very common even though there is often no factual reason for us to be so upset. Emotions vary like the weather and the tides – but the Word of God is constant and unchanging through the ages.

What do you do when you are feeling down in the dumps? Sometimes we are tempted to pick up a magazine or a newspaper – or more likely to turn on the TV to change our mood. Soaking up the mood from these sources is unlikely to do us any good – what would be better would be to turn to the Word of God. There we will find hope to counter the mood of despair we find in the world.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4 [NIV]

Meditate on this thought – everything that was written in the Bible was written to encourage you and to give you hope.

Lord, sometimes my mood doesn't reflect my true identity as your child. Help me to remember the great things you have done for me and help me to find the joy, happiness and hope that the world needs written in your Book. Amen.

Memory Verse: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:18 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Light up your mind

One of the things I love about Christmas (I know that it was several months ago and some of you will have forgotten about it as we head towards Easter) is the readings from Isaiah which prophesy the coming of Christ, and the excellent music of Handel's Messiah which is set to some of these passages. One of my favourites is the passage in Isaiah where it is said that "the people walking in darkness have seen a great light". Jesus described himself as the light of the world:

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8: 12 [NIV]

Light and darkness are often used to describe good and evil – certainly we need to have illumination to see the right direction for our lives, and light shining on things removes the darkness (evil) and helps us to see clearly what we should be doing. If we allow this to happen it will change our lives:

Understanding your word brings light to the minds of ordinary people.
Psalm 119:130 [CEV]

Lord, help me to be enlightened by meditating on your Word. Light up my next step and show me what you would have me do. Help me to have opened eyes this week that I may see the wonderful things you would reveal to me in your Word. Amen.

Memory Verse: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:18 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Let it Grow

How does the Bible stimulate growth in the follower of Christ? As followers of Christ we are part of God's family, we don't just believe in him we Belong to Him. As members of the family we have an inheritance (something which is coming to us here on Earth and in the future in Heaven). The word of God can help you to grow as Paul said to the people of Ephesus:

"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." Acts 20: 32 [TNIV]

You will recall that we looked last week at a key verse which keeps recurring during this year:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NIV]

Let's look at the four ways this verse tells us that the Word can help us to grow:

· Teaching – showing me the path I should walk on

· Rebuking – showing me where I fell off the path into a ditch

· Correcting – showing me how to get back on the right path

· Training in righteousness – showing me how to stay on the path

Lord, thank you that I belong to your family and I have a wonderful inheritance. Help me to use your Word to grow. Keep me on the right path. Amen.

Memory Verse: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:18 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Monday's Devotional] - No regrets

Does God want you to feel guilty? I guess if you asked 100 random people in the street this question, more than half of them would say yes! This is a terrible failure of communication of the Gospel and a battle won in many hearts by Satan. People confuse the issue of conviction (knowing that you have sinned in a particular situation), with condemnation (being judged and sentenced).

We have failed to get the message across that whatever we have done and whatever we will do need not result in punishment and destruction by God if we admit, believe and confess (ABC) in the fact that Jesus paid the price for all our past and future wrong.

Jesus communicated this very effectively by his words and actions – unfortunately the church through the ages has focused too much on sin, judgement and death and too little on forgiveness, acceptance and life. It's not easy sometimes to feel guilt-free – if you feel guilty about something today, spend 5 minutes in prayer confessing and asking for God to forgive you, and laying down your sin before God – then you can feel clean. Jesus said:

"You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you." John 15:3 [NIV]

Lord, sometimes I forget that I am already clean and carry around feelings of guilt and shame. Thank you, Jesus, for paying the price for everything I have done, whatever I am doing today and anything I will do in the future. Help me to lay this guilt at the foot of your cross. Amen.

Memory Verse: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:18 [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Friday's Devotional] - Transforming Power

The Bible has power to transform lives. Perhaps you can give a personal testimony to the way in which your life has been transformed? As Rick Warren comments: the best translation of the Bible is when you translate it into actions in your life.

If we absorb and accept the Word of God, we will be able to align ourselves with the will of God, as Paul said in Romans:

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Romans 12:2 [NIV]

The Bible is capable of renewing your mind, and a renewed mind can transform your life. Without transformation, you will find that your pattern of life is conformed to the corrupted values of this world. Politicians try to transform the world by policy and laws, yet the power to fundamentally transform a nation or the world is only found in the following of the timeless Word of God.

Lord, from this day forward, I will accept the Bible as your flawless Word to me and I will make it the Final Authority for my life - even when I don't understand it, it is not popular, it is not easy, or I don't like it. You are God and I am not. Thank you for loving me enough to speak to me through your Word. Amen.

Memory Verse: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16a [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)

[Thursday's Devotional] - Bulletproof through the ages

Over the years the Word of the Lord, the Bible, has been attacked many times. People have disputed, destroyed, ridiculed and despised the Word of God, yet the Bible continues to survive and thrive as the most-read book and the one which people are willing to defend at all costs. One of the worst places in the world for persecution of Christians – where owning a Bible can cost your freedom or your life – is North Korea. Yet even there, the church is strong in numbers in spite of the risks of discovery and punishment.

Jesus spoke of the timeless nature of the Word of God:

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
Matthew 24:35 [NIV]

In the same way, today's newspapers are tomorrow's chip shop wrapping paper (or else in the recycling bin). Yet the Word stands for ever:

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever."
1 Peter 1: 24-25 [NIV]

Lord, your Word has survived through the ages. Your Word is a rock which is a solid foundation for my life. Your Word is the only guidance I need to make sense of Your World. Thank you for your Word for me today. Amen.

Memory Verse: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16a [NIV]

Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)