Walk With Me - Devotionals

How To Deal With Church Disputes

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 8th November 2022

Passage: Acts 15:6

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"It's good to talk." We often say this if a matter needs to be discussed. But, sadly, there are times when people don't talk, they walk away from one another and leave the problems unsolved. Christians are no better than non-Christians when it comes to discussing problems. Far too many times, Christians just separate when they should have kept talking, reminding themselves that they are all under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

In the early days of the Church there was a big dispute about the place of both Jews and non-Jews in the Church of Jesus Christ. Different backgrounds, cultures and often nationalities caused tensions. In Acts 15 we read of a serious situation developing and we also see how it was dealt with. "The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider the matter." We read there was much debate — no doubt they all had their say. It took time, it took patience, it took Bible Study and I am sure it took much prayer. But they reached consensus after all the talk. It was good to talk and peace prevailed.

Just as this was the right thing for church leaders to do, so it is right for us as individuals to do as well, whether we have a disagreement at home or in the church. Remember we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

Dear Lord, please help me to be a peace-maker, not a disruptive person. Amen.

The All-Knowing Saviour

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 7th November 2022

Passage: John 4:39

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We all need the help of doctors at one time or another. Sometimes after an examination and tests the doctor may have to tell us bad news — the tests may show there is a problem that needs treatment. Or worse, there may be no cure at present for the problem.

One day Jesus met a woman who had a problem — a very severe moral problem. Jesus didn't need to call for any tests or expert help. He knew exactly what was wrong with the woman and she had to admit "He told me all that I ever did." You can read the whole story in John 4:1-43.

In John chapter 2 and verse 25 we read that Jesus "knew people inside out" (The Message) and that was obvious from his conversation with this woman at the well in Sychar. She went to tell everybody about her conversation with Jesus and it was clear that the meeting with Jesus changed her life.

Jesus has not changed, although he is now at God's right hand in heaven. He knows us 'inside out', the good, the bad and the ugly — all the thoughts that live in our hearts and that we would like to hide. But the great thing about Jesus knowing us through and through is that we don't need to pretend with him. We can be completely open and ask him to deal with the problems of our hearts. The Bible calls them sin and there is only one Saviour who can help us, and that is Jesus. With him there is a complete cure for all who come to him for salvation.

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you know me and I pray that you will cleanse me from all my sin. Amen

Two Good Guides

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 6th November 2022

Passage: Psalm 43:3

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When you live in Edinburgh, as I do, you become very aware of the number of tours that are provided for visitors. And tours need guides, so you will see lots of guides, many with flags on top of poles or wearing distinctive clothes as they hurry their followers on to the different spots of interest in the old part of the city. A good tour guide is a great asset.

God has provided us with two good guides in the form of light and truth as the writer of the psalm tells us here. These two go together very well, each helping us to know more of the richness of a godly worldview that our Creator wants us to have. Let's see how they work together for us.

The first thing God did as he created the world was to bring light into the darkness: "Let there be light and there was light." (Genesis 1:3) The light came at the command of God. The Bible tells us that without Jesus Christ we live in the darkness, the darkness of not knowing God and far away from the life of God until "God, who said "let there be light in the darkness" has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT) God's great light!

And now God's truth. "The Lord does not shine upon us, except when we take his word as our light." (John Calvin) The writer of Psalm 119 said: "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path." (v105, NLT) In the New Testament we read: "And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus is the truth and the light. Let's follow him.

What's In A Name?

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 5th November 2022

Passage: Ezekiel 48:35

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Have you ever wondered how certain towns and villages got their names? Some places have taken the names of the important people who owned the land they were built on, or who captured the place in war. Other places are called after the work that was common there. We used to live in a town called King William's Town, named after the British king at the time of its founding. Place names can be fascinating because they can often tell you quite a bit about the history of the place or region.

When we ask 'what's in a name?' the answer can be, actually, quite a lot. Take for example the name of the city that is mentioned in the last verse of the Prophecy of Ezekiel. In Hebrew it was called Yahweh — Shammah, meaning 'The Lord is there'. This was a glorious city that Ezekiel saw in a vision God had given him. All the measurements of the city were given as well as its precise location. But the most important aspect was the fact that God was to be there - right in the middle of his people, living with them and keeping them safe. There is a similar vision given in the last book of the Bible, Revelation. In both cases, what we are given is a vision of heaven, the heavenly city where God is and where all his people will be gathered in glory one day. Of course a city needs citizens! Heaven is for God's people. This leads me to ask you, "Are you one of God's people through faith in Jesus?"

Dear Lord, help me to be yours through my trust in Jesus for salvation. Amen.

Paradise Lost

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 4th November 2022

Passage: Genesis 3:24

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Excluded! School pupils are aware of what happens to any pupils who continue to make trouble in school — they are excluded. This exclusion may be for a week or in the worst of cases it may be permanent. Disobedience always carries a penalty and a loss of the friendship and benefits of school.

Adam and Eve had both disobeyed God and they immediately became aware of what they had done and the consequences it would bring. They tried to hide from God but they found they couldn't. God too knew what they had done and in spite of the fact that God loved them, he hated what they had done and he drove them out of the garden — out of Paradise — and guarded against them going back in . Their exclusion was for keeps.

This is the Bible's way of telling us about sin. Sin is disobedience to the commands of God. God hates sin, and while Genesis 3 tells us about the sin of Adam and Eve, the consequences of their sin have affected all of us. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) We too are excluded from Paradise. But in God's mercy and grace Jesus came to rescue us and bring us back to God, back from our exclusion.

Dear Lord, how I thank you for your saving grace to a sinner like me. Amen

Walking With God

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 3rd November 2022

Passage: Genesis 5:24

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There is something very appealing about the short story of Enoch. The Bible says that "Enoch walked with God." The word 'walked' means he enjoyed a close relationship with God. Enoch and God were best friends. Best friends enjoy each other's company and always have plenty to talk about.

In the book by the prophet Amos there is an interesting little story about two people going on a journey and Amos says, "Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?" (Amos 3:3 NLT) Well, God and Enoch certainly agreed on the direction Enoch was taking as he walked right into the presence of God; God took him to his home in heaven.

The hymn-writer William Cowper wrote: "Oh for a closer walk with God, a constant heavenly calm. A light to shine upon the road that leads me to the Lamb." That should be the prayer of all of us. Fellowship with God is one of the most precious experiences we could have. But this only comes when we put away actions and thoughts that do not fit into a godly life. Cowper went on to write: "The dearest idol I have known — however much adored — Help me to tear it from your throne, and worship you as Lord."

Dear Lord, Please help me to walk closely with you day by day until you take me home with you. Amen

Whose Agenda Do We Follow?

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 2nd November 2022

Passage: 2 Timothy 4:3-4

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We may find it hard when other people tell us what they think about us. We might react by saying, "I'm not like that; it's a lie." But it may be true! The truth often hurts.

For that reason people often turn away from what the Bible says about us. We don't like being told that we are sinners — all of us, and that no matter how hard we try we will never be able to save ourselves. We all need help from God to save us.

So when people don't accept that they search around for a' nicer' way to think of ourselves; a way in which we can hear about the good things in us, a way that will tell us what we want to hear. We set the agenda and God will have to fit into that — somewhere.

But when it comes to telling the truth about us about society, about right and wrong, sex and relationships... it is God's agenda that matters. His agenda as given us in the Bible does not change with each generation or with each new idea that society comes up with. God is the God of truth and his truth is unchangeable. Sadly what Paul wrote in the words at the top of this page is true in our day. Don't be fooled, hold to the right teaching found only in the Bible.

Dear Lord, please help me to be faithful to your agenda for my life. Amen.

Speaking To Yourself

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 1st November 2022

Passage: Psalm 42:5

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We laugh at someone speaking to themselves. A sure sign of old age or worse we say! Actually it is a good practice — as long as you do it when nobody is around! The writer of this psalm had to take himself in hand when he became depressed. He tells us of a longing for a sense of God's presence, of his broken heart and his loneliness because of his lack of fellowship with God's people. He is really downcast. And then he takes himself in hand. It is a if we said, "I'm so miserable because I can't go to church and worship God there." And then we realise that God is right here beside us. "Why am I so upset?"

We may well have hard times in our Christian lives when we feel down. God seems far away from us. "Troubles have come again and again, sounding like waterfalls." (v7, NCB) "My enemies' insults make me feel as if my bones were broken." Depression, spiritual depression can really make us feel down in the depths.

But then the writer takes himself in hand again "Why am I so sad? The Lord shows his true love every day. I should put my hope in God." He repeats this over and over. He tells himself to sing God's praises and come to God with prayer when he can't sleep. God is never far away. We too should remember that. Let's speak to ourselves when we feel down.

Dear Lord, help me to take all my questions to you and to remember all the wonder of your love for me. Amen

An Overlooked Martyr

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 31st October 2022

Passage: Acts 12:1-2

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It is one of the great scandals of our present age to see the terrible persecution of Christians in African countries and others and they are not even mentioned in the news media. It seems to be unimportant. Persecution and suffering have been there from the very start of the Christian church.

The sad story we read in Acts 12:1-2 tells about the suffering inflicted on the early church under King Herod Agrippa. In trying to be a friend of the High Priest and his group Herod harassed the Christians and had James, the brother of John executed. Poor James does not get much of a mention as the scene moves on to what happened to Peter. It is similar to today when the media quickly moves on to another story.

But let's not overlook James' martyrdom. James was one of the first disciples of Jesus, along with his brother and his friends Andrew and Peter. He was probably an outspoken character and may well have drawn attention to himself because of that. We are not told. The fact is, however, that James had become an apostle, one of Jesus' most trusted men, and he paid for it with his life. We honour him and are challenged by his courage.

Dear Lord, help me not to forget the faith and courage of believers like James, but to be ready to follow them. Amen.

No Backward Looks

Reader: Jon Watson

Date: 30th October 2022

Passage: Luke 9:62

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My father used to plough with horses. I am sure he was proud of the straight furrows that he cut. The one thing that you don't do when you are ploughing is to look back, because it immediately throws you off your straight line, and if you were ploughing in a competition you would be sure to lose!

In Luke 11:57 to the end of the chapter, Jesus was telling about the cost of being his follower. It is not for cowards or for lazy people. A Christian needs to be willing to follow Jesus, even when it is costly in terms of time, comfort and relationships. So if you are a Christian, Jesus expects you to trust and follow him wholeheartedly- 'No backward looks'. (v62) And we remember Jesus is Lord — our Lord and Master.

One of Charles Wesley's great hymns goes like this: ""Take up your cross," the Saviour said, "if you would my disciple be, deny yourself, forsake the world and humbly follow after me." Take up your cross and follow Christ, nor think till death to put it down; for only those who bear the cross may hope to wear the glorious crown."

Yes, there is a cost in being a follower of Jesus. But what a privilege to be a follower of such a Saviour, the One who suffered so much for us — with no backward looks. Let's keep our eyes on him and follow him faithfully.