Walk With Me - Devotionals

This Little Light Of Mine

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 20th June 2022

Passage: Mark 4:21

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We have by the fireside in our house a little lamp which we bought in Israel many years ago. It is just the kind of lamp Jesus would have referred to in the verses in Mark 4:21-25. Jesus loved using stories and word pictures to get across what he wanted people to hear and think about. He said: "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand." (Mark 4:23).

When we do listen to Jesus and take his word seriously we will realise that what he has to say is truly important for us and for other people as well. As we take Jesus' teaching into our hearts and as we follow him as our Lord and our Saviour then he gives us a great work to do — to let our light shine - that is, to tell others what Jesus wants them to know too.

Our little light by the fireside will not give much light when compared with the electric lights we are used to today. However, in the time Jesus lived on earth there were no big lights in most houses and the little lights shone out brilliantly in the darkness. So, no matter how young we may be or how old, Jesus wants us to shine out for him and the truth he wants everyone to know about him.

Do you know the children's chorus: "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine"?

Dear Lord, please help me to shine out for you by the way I live. Amen.

Very Ordinary Men

Reader: Calum Cameron

Date: 19th June 2022

Passage: Acts 2:7

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Galileans! In the days when Jesus walked this earth many people dismissed him as someone unimportant. Why? Because he was a Galilean — he was Jesus of Nazareth (in Galilee) and people turned up their noses and said, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" So it was that on the day of Pentecost people were completely bewildered that Galileans of all people should be speaking in the languages of the many people in Jerusalem at that time. Galileans were country folk who spoke with a very distinctive accent, but not usually foreign languages!

Throughout the history of the Christian church, God has often used very ordinary people to be his great proclaimers of the Gospel. Paul the apostle said that in his time: "...not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth." (1 Corinthians 1:26). They were just ordinary people, as were most of the disciples of Jesus. Of course God often does use some extraordinary people to spread the Gospel message to people across the world. But for the most part he does this through ordinary folk who are happy to spread the Gospel to their friends as they live and work together. And as we see from these Galileans, very ordinary men can change the world for Christ when the Holy Spirit lives in them.

Dear Lord, take my ordinary life and use it for your glory. Amen.

The Baptism Of Jesus

Reader: Miriam Montgomery

Date: 18th June 2022

Passage: Matthew 3:13

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The baptism of Jesus was unique. Here he was at the river Jordan among a crowd of people who had come to be baptised by John the Baptist because they needed to repent of their sins. John's preaching had warned people of God's judgment upon their sin; a judgment, he said, that was coming soon. He called on the people to repent. Many responded and they were baptised as a sign of their repentance. But why was Jesus there? Jesus had not sinned; he did not need to repent of anything. John was taken by surprise that Jesus came to be baptised.

Jesus knew he did not need to repent of sin but he did want to be identified with the sinners he had come to save. The baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of his public ministry which eventually took him to the cross as he took all the sin of all those who repent of their sin and trust in Jesus for their salvation. John the Baptist himself called Jesus: "The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

As Jesus rose from his baptism, God his heavenly Father confirmed that Jesus was his Son. The Holy Spirit came to him and Jesus was sent out on his great journey to save all who would follow him. Isn't it wonderful that Jesus is still saving sinners today?

Dear Lord, as you identify with sinners you came to save, may I truly identify myself with you as my Saviour. Amen.

The Right Way

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 17th June 2022

Passage: Psalm 16:11

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Psalm 16 is, on the whole, a happy psalm. This is quite remarkable because it is probable that David wrote the psalm when he was in hiding because King Saul was searching for him in order to kill him. He begins the psalm by saying: "Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you." (Psalm 16:1, The Message) Well, David found true security in God — see the text at the top: "Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way." (Psalm 16:11, The Message)

Do you ever wonder if you are on the right way in your life? Sometimes we give in to temptations that seem fun at the time but end us up in disappointment and difficulty. Life can be full of choices — who to be friends with, what job should I apply for, is it wrong to take strong drink or drugs when everyone else seems to be doing it? Elvis Presley wrote a song and the end of the first verse had some really good advice : "Put your hand in the hand of the man of Galilee." That's just what David did and he found that God led him in the right and good way. Jesus, 'the man of Galilee', said he had come to give us life — abundant and full life — and to show us the right way by following him.

When you wonder what you should or should not do, ask yourself: "What would Jesus do? Can I honestly take Jesus with me into this place or company?" He shows us the right way.

Dear Lord, help me to take your hand so I will go in the right way. Amen.

The Throne In Heaven

Reader: Calum Cameron

Date: 16th June 2022

Passage: Revelation 4:3

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Sometimes we wonder if the world is going crazy. There are earthquakes and tsunamis, climate change and the weather seems odd all over the world. We read of wars and terrible suffering in many places and even the politics seem to be so different from what they used to be. We live in a crazy world. Or do we?

In the last book of the Bible we learn a lot about the world we live in, and we learn that the world is not out of control. There is a throne in heaven, with one seated on the throne. God is in control. The book of Revelation reminds us that there are many and powerful evil forces in the world. The sin, suffering and even the seeming disorder in climate and weather are affected by these evil forces. But God has not lost control of things. This book of Revelation was written to encourage Christians many centuries ago when they were suffering under a very cruel and godless empire. They were reminded that while the world hates God and his people, the evil forces will not have the final word. God is on the throne and time and time again we have seen over the years how the evil forces have often destroyed themselves. But while much evil continues, God assures us there is a victorious end for him and his people. Evil will be confined to hell and God will live gloriously with his those he loves and who love him, in heaven.

Dear Lord, help me to remember that you are in control of all things. Amen.

Idols In Their Hearts

Reader: Miriam Montgomery

Date: 15th June 2022

Passage: Ezekiel 14:3

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Idols in their hearts! What a striking phrase that is, and one that describes the hearts of many of us. We tend to think of idols as things which people make to worship and bow down to. But God was very clear to Ezekiel that idols can be set up in our hearts and minds and we worship them.

There are many idols of this kind which we can set up in our hearts — thoughts about being rich, about immoral desires, about things we want to buy but can't afford, and especially anything that comes before God in our hearts and desires. One Christian said that "idolatry is anything that cools your desire for Christ."

Notice what God said about those who had idols in their hearts: "They have embraced wickedness that will destroy them." That is always true. If we put anything before God then we are on a dangerous road. The 'idols' never deliver what they promise; they deceive us. Jesus said: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and these things (which we need) will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

Make this verse of a hymn by William Cowper your own prayer: The dearest idol I have known — however much adored — help me to tear it from your throne, and worship you as Lord. Amen.

The Cult Of Personality

Reader: Kathryn Martin

Date: 14th June 2022

Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:12

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Every day we are used to hearing about 'celebrities' - people who make the headlines for one reason or another. People idolise pop stars or sports stars or film stars. People in the days of the New Testament were no different. In the Roman Empire they even had their star gladiators.

This 'cult of personalities' even crept into the Church. In Corinth the congregation was divided. Some members thought Paul was great, others favoured Apollos and some, Peter. Some, probably feeling rather superior, said they followed Christ!

You find this kind of thing in today's churches as well. There are popular preachers — the 'stars' of the Christian scene. Paul says this kind of thing ought not to be in the church. The emphasis must always be on the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course God uses different servants in different circumstances and some preachers are better communicators than others. Some are effective evangelists, some good teachers, but there should not be any jealousy among them and there should not be any favouritism among the congregations. God's servants are there to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and we need to pray for them and encourage them all.

Dear Lord, help us to focus on the Gospel, so that there may be no division among us. Amen.

Who Is On God's Guest List?

Reader: Calum Cameron

Date: 13th June 2022

Passage: Psalm 15:1

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One of the greatest privileges we could ever experience is found in Revelation 3:20 when Jesus said, "Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you." (The Message) Imagine that, Jesus comes to eat with us! Indeed he comes to stay with us for food when we invite him into our hearts.

Now, in Psalm 15 we read of another great privilege — coming into God's house. Imagine being invited to have a meal and spend a while in God's presence. Would you respond to such an invitation? Well, we read in this Psalm about who the people are whom God likes to be his 'guests' in his holy place. Let the Message translation of the Psalm show us the kind of folk God wants in his company: "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbour; despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe." (Psalm 15:2-5) These are the people whom God wants to be in his presence; they will stand unashamed before him.

This is a challenge to us about the kind of people we are; the kind of life we lead. Would God include you in his guest list? The wonderful thing is that God himself helps us to develop our Christian character so that we become acceptable to him.

Dear Lord, help me to live more and more like Jesus so I can be your guest. Amen.

Persecution And The Church Of Jesus Christ

Reader: Miriam Montgomery

Date: 12th June 2022

Passage: Acts 8:3

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Who would have thought that Saul of Tarsus would have become Paul the Apostle? This young man, as proud a Jewish believer as you could find, just went enraged in his efforts to destroy the church of Jesus Christ. But for all his efforts to obliterate every mention of Jesus Paul failed miserably. Yes he did put some people in prison, but while he was doing that, other Christians went off to other places to escape him and there they carried on preaching the Gospel (Acts 8:4).

Persecution and suffering has been the difficult experience of Christians and the Church of Christ down through the ages. The same hatred that was shown to the Lord Jesus has been shown to his followers for many different reasons. But all of the reasons stem from the same root — the devil hates the Lordship of Jesus Christ the Son of God and he uses many disguises to try and ravage the Church and those who belong to it. However, just as God changed Saul's life and he became a great servant of the Lord Jesus, so it has often been the case that the more the church has been persecuted, the more it has actually increased. This is still happening in our time in such countries as Iran, China, Turkey and many more. It is true that Christians in these lands do have a tough time but they are on the victory side. Let us remember them in their suffering and pray that God will help them to carry on preaching the Gospel.

Dear Lord, comfort your persecuted Church with your presence and courage I pray. Amen.

You Can Trust What You Read In The Bible

Reader: Kathryn Martin

Date: 11th June 2022

Passage: Luke 1:1-4

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Perhaps you have sometimes wondered if what you read in the Bible is all true? Over the years many people have taunted Christians by casting doubt on the Bible, especially when it claims to be the very word of God (see 2 Timothy 3:16). Luke, who wrote the Gospel, is acknowledged to be a very careful writer, an educated man and a doctor, who accompanied Paul on many of his travels. Luke dedicated his Gospel to a nobleman called Theophilus, and he explains three very good reasons why he wrote the Gospel. These three reasons can apply to all that we read in the Bible.

Reason 1: Luke tells us that he received his information from eyewitnesses.

Reason 2: He said he had written an orderly account of the doings and sayings of Jesus. This means that Luke is writing a proper and trustworthy record of what the eyewitnesses told him of the life of the Lord Jesus.

Reason 3: Paul tells us he wrote so that Theophilus, and indeed all of us, can now have certainty about the teaching of Jesus. Just as Theophilus could be certain that what Luke wrote to him was true so we may also trust not just what Luke wrote but the whole of the Bible. The Bible is a unity and one part helps to interpret another. It is all written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is God's word.

Lord, I thank you for the Bible. Help me as I study it. Amen.