Friday 31 March 2017

He Will Accomplish It

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Saturday April 1, 2017
Topic: He Will Accomplish It           
Text: Philippians 1: 3 – 6   
Lamentation 3:22 says: “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.” God’s grace brought us to the level we are in today. Despite all we have accomplished so far in life, there are some other desires, dreams and goals we hope to accomplish even in this new month. The greatest of all is to live well and make heaven. This was the major prayer of Paul for the Philippians.
Albert Barnes Commentary on Philippians 1:6 says, “God abandons nothing that He undertakes. There are no unfinished worlds or systems; no half-made and forsaken works of His hands. There is no evidence in His works of creation of change of plan, or of having forsaken what He began from disgust, or disappointment, or want of power to complete them.” This was the assurance of Paul in telling us today that what God has started in our lives, He will accomplish them.
Beloved, be assured that there shall be nothing lacking on God's part to support you; to make you wise, holy, prosperous, happy and to bring you at last to His kingdom and glory. Believe God to accomplish your salvation. You will not miss heaven in Jesus name. Again, what are the goals you hope to accomplish this year? Is God in your plans for them? If so, then be assured that you will accomplish them. All you need is to lean on Him and you will see God working in your favour this month and beyond. Happy new month!
Food for Thought: Philippians 4:13
Memory verse: Philippians 1 verse 6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (EVS).
Prayer: Lord, accomplish every project you have started in my life especially the project of my salvation in Jesus name.

Thursday 30 March 2017

Price of Godliness (Imprisonment 2)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Friday March 31, 2017                
Topic: Price of Godliness (Imprisonment 2)
Text: Act 4:1 – 4
When you have a message from God and preach it raw as received, there is every tendency it will hurt some people and puncture their ego. I have incurred the wrath of many people because of my messages. I thank God that so far, they have not arrested or sent me to prison. The Sadducees don’t believe in resurrection and for the disciples to be preaching that Jesus resurrected was not acceptable to them. They instigated the arrest of the Peter and John.
These men (Apostles Peter and John) had spoken to the people during the afternoon prayer time. The Sadducees moved in quickly to investigate. They were understandably disturbed with what the Apostles were saying because they were refuting one of their fundamental beliefs and thus threatening their authority as religious teachers. Because of their unlimited power over the Temple grounds, they were able to arrest Peter and John for no other reason than teaching what contradicts their beliefs.
Preaching the gospel can offend some people because of their tie with the devil and it can even lead to imprisonment. Though it is not always that preaching can lead to problem but we run risks in trying to win others to Christ. The risks may include attack of the enemies of the cross, rejection, persecution, imprisonment, denial of rights and privileges. Whatever risk we may face, we should note that people of God in the past suffered same and we should be willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. Whatever the risks, realize that nothing done for God is ever wasted. You will surely receive your reward.
Food for Thought: You can bind and imprison a preacher but you cannot bind or imprison his message.
Memory verse: Acts 4 verse 3

Prayer: Lord, grant utterance to your people to enable them preach no matter the risk and consequences in Jesus name. Amen.

Wednesday 29 March 2017

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Thursday March 30, 2017
Topic: Price of Godliness (Imprisonment 1)
Text: Genesis 39:19 – 23
Joseph had a dream that his parents and brothers will come to worship him but for the dream to be fulfilled, he went through several processes; sale into captivity, living as a slave and then in prison. It was not his dream that took him to prison but his desire to please his God and live godly. Portiphar’s wife couldn’t stop lusting after Joseph. When he refused and ran away from her leaving his clothes, she framed him up and that landed him in prison.
If Joseph had succumbed to her pressure and slept with her, he wouldn’t have ended in prison but he would have gone out of favour with God. Just like Moses, Joseph chose to suffer momentarily affliction instead of partaking in the pleasures of sin that would have destroyed him completely.
Are you suffering now because you refused to give in to crimes and they are threatening you with imprisonment? Do not despair. God is on His throne laughing at them and He will soon set them into confusion. Are you already in prison because of a crime you didn’t commit? Let the story of Joseph encourage you. As a prisoner and slave, he could have seen his situation as hopeless but he did his best with each small task given him. His diligence and positive attitude didn’t go unnoticed by the warden, who promoted him to prison administrator. Are you facing an apparently hopeless situation? Remember how God turned Joseph’s situation around and do your best always. God will see your efforts and can reverse even overwhelming odds that stand against you.
Food for Thought: 1 Peter 2:19 – 21
Memory verse: Genesis 39 verse 20
Prayer: God, grant me the grace I need to follow the example you have set for us even if it leads to imprisonment in Jesus name.

Tuesday 28 March 2017

Price of Godliness (Persecution)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Wednesday March 29, 2017
Topic: Price of Godliness (Persecution)
 Text: 2 Timothy 3:10 – 12                    
Godliness has so many price tags which we shall be looking at from now till next week.  In this letter, Paul charges Timothy that if he wanted to live godly in Christ; he must make up his mind to encounter persecution. He asserts that total obedience to God and a life lived for Christ will be persecuted. What Paul meant here is that instead of Timothy thinking of persecution as a stumbling block, he should consider it the portion of the godly which is meant to prepare them for the heavenly glory. He urged Timothy to follow after his way of life, noting how he suffered persecution (2 Timothy 3:10, 11). Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 3:12 was to intimate Timothy that persecution is a process all those who choose godliness will certainly pass through.
Beloved, if you desire to live godly life you should not be surprised when people misunderstand, criticize, and even try to hurt you because of what you believed and how you live your Christian life. They can go extra mile to stop you from serving God or silence you by sending you into the prison. Don’t give up even when they set you up. Continue to live as you know you should. God is the only one you need to please. This should be your aim; to please God always. Remember that there is a reward for you if you will remain steadfast and immovable in your faith and walk with God.
Food for Thought: It is better to incur the world's hatred by speaking against its wickedness than gain its goodwill by going down the stream with it – Henry (PowerBible CD).
Memory verse: 2 Timothy 3 verse 12   
Prayer: Lord, grant me the courage to stand for the truth even in the face of persecution in Jesus name.

Monday 27 March 2017

The Power Of Unity

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Tuesday March 28, 2017
Topic: The Power Of Unity
Text: Acts 4:32 – 37
Unity is indispensable among Christians if they hope to achieve the mandate given by Christ to make disciples of all nations. This is so because no single Christian has all that is needed to build the body of Christ. All of us have diverse gifts that should be coordinated to build the church of God. Unity is possible where there is love.
The disciples were in one accord because they love one another. They were able to share possessions and property as a result of the unity brought by the Holy Spirit working in and through them. What they shared were offered voluntarily; they were basically things needed and giving up what one has for the good of other believers was not a membership requirement in order to be a part of the church. The spiritual unity and generosity of these early believers attracted others to them.
The way the disciples lived and shared things together in unity is an example for present day church but it may not be possible to do it exactly the way it was done by the early church. The organizational structure they used was not a command in the bible, but there are vital principles we can adopt to make our present day church more united and efficient in the task of discipleship.
What can you say about your church in terms of unity? Some Christians today are so selfish and self-centred that they find it hard to associate with others. This lack of oneness and unity is the reason why we find it hard to progress in our churches. If we can emulate the early church’s unity, we will certainly see unprecedented growth in our churches.
Food for thought: The best way to strengthen our faith and unity is to meet regularly for prayer, bible studies and worship.
Memory verse: Acts 2:44
Prayer: Lord God, unite your church and make Christians to live in one accord as it was in the early church.

Sunday 26 March 2017

Don’t Be Intimidated

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Monday March 27, 2017
Topic: Don’t Be Intimidated
Text: Acts 4:23 – 31          
Sometimes we may exercise boldness and courage over issues but when we leave there, people may talk fear into us and discourage us. When Peter and John got back to the other disciples, they narrated what happened at the council. These disciples didn’t exercise any fear too. Rather they joined hands to pray for more utterance and boldness to preach the gospel. They never asked God to silence their enemies. They didn’t pray for their death neither did they ask God for protection against their threat and persecution. All they were after was how to preach the gospel. Is there any lesson for us in the reaction of the other Apostles and their prayers?
Their prayer was centred on the will of God to get the gospel to the uttermost part of the earth as their master charged them. The direction of their prayer and what they asked for are very important which we should take note of. Observe how they prayed. There was unity and they were of one mind (Acts 4:24). Nobody had ulterior motive. First, they praised God; then they told God their specific problem and asked for His help. They did not ask God to remove the problem but to help them deal with it.
This is a model for us to follow when we pray. Those who query God about problems should understand that they can overcome problems and that will strengthen their faiths. God may choose to remove our problems, when we ask but we must recognize that often He will leave a problem but give us the strength and courage to deal with it.
Food for Thought: Psalm 2:1 – 4
Memory verse: Acts 4 verse 24  

Prayer: Lord, grant that I will not be intimidated by threats of the enemies of the gospel in Jesus name. Amen

Saturday 25 March 2017

The Wise Woman

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Mothering Sunday March 26, 2017
Topic: The Wise Woman
Text: Proverbs 14:1
Happy Mothers’ Day celebration to all women especially those of Anglican Communion Worldwide! Prov. 31:10ff give an insight into what a virtuous woman looks like. Such a woman can be described as the wise woman. Today, in our society, most women cannot be classified as wise simply because of their ineptitude, selfishness, greed and poor understanding of their roles in marriage.
A wise woman by her prudent and industrious management increases property in the family, food and raiment for her household. These increases also include wealth, children, social status through wise control of the family’s resources, support for the husband and godly training of the children (Proverbs 31:10ff).
The foolish woman diminishes her home by arbitrary and careless mismanagement of the family which includes wealth, children, husband, etc. She destroys her home through her ineptitude, selfishness, greed and poor understanding of their roles in marriage.
As we celebrate Mothers’ Day it will be proper for our women and mothers to re-assess their lives; their marriages and their families. How industrious are you in making home an envy of others or you destroy your home with arbitrary quest for fashion and outward beauty at the expense of your family urgent needs? The quest for things worldly should not take precedence over the things eternal. Build your home by complementing your husband.
Action: Write down the ways a wise woman builds her home and the ways a foolish woman destroys her home, and make a comparison with your life.
Memory verse: Proverbs 14 verse 1 - The wisest of women builds her house,
but folly with her own hands tears it down (ESV).
Prayer: Lord God; bless all women and mothers, and make them wise in Jesus name. Amen.

Friday 24 March 2017

Obey God Rather Than Men

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Saturday March 25, 2017
Topic: Obey God Rather Than Men
Text: Acts 4:19 – 22     
One of the commands the disciples received from Christ at His ascension was to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). The death and resurrection of Christ convinced them about the truth of the gospel which they should testify to people. As the council demanded that they should stop preaching in the name of Jesus, Peter and John did not waste time in rejecting any such ban on speaking in the name of Jesus, saying it is better to obey God rather than men.
What the response of the apostles means is that the members of the council are at odd with the will of God which is to obey Him rather than men. Thus they asked the council members to judge whether they should obey the council’s orders or God’s. Being with Jesus had actually transformed their lives because they lived with Him; witnessed His resurrection and experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit. These had tremendous effect on them so they asserted that they cannot stop speaking about the things they have seen and heard. The response from the disciple was act of courage which can only come from someone filled with the Holy Spirit.
There are times we face such challenges. We may be tempted to yield to such challenge but here is an example for us to follow. Do not give in to such challenges because He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. We should choose to obey God no matter what the threat will be. God was with the Apostles and He will be with you if you stand for Him. Obeying Him will bring blessings and peace rather than obeying men.
Action: As you go out today, be determined to obey and please God in all things rather than men.
Memory verse: Acts 4 verse 19
Prayer: Lord God, help me to obey and please you instead of men in Jesus name. Amen.

Thursday 23 March 2017

They Cannot Deny It

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Friday March 24, 2017
Topic: They Cannot Deny It
Text: Acts 4:15 – 18
The Council was in a dilemma on what to do with the Apostles as they had performed an undeniable and widely publicized miraculous healing of the man born lame. This miracle and others done by the Apostles made the masses to gravitate toward Christianity abandoning the Jewish religion. Their problem now was how they could save their faces (in light of the obviously healed man), discourage further teaching and healing in the name of Jesus, and preserve the status quo.
Their solution to the above concerns was to order them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again. Unfortunately, their power and position could not convince them to be silent. When God’s will is unfolding, no one can stop it (Acts 5:34 – 39). Again, His works do not leave traces of doubt behind. The healing of this man was so obvious that the Council couldn’t deny it. They attested to it.
Most unbelievers question our salvation too when they discover that our lives do not reflect the confession we make. We give unbelievers room to doubt our faith when we compromise and live carelessly. Can people in your office, school, neighbourhood, and other places where you may be found say that your salvation and faith are undeniable? Can people actually vouch that you are a true Christian? Ponder on these questions and where there is need; amend your ways now by repenting of your sins before it will be too late.          
Food for Thought: Can people question your credibility as a Christian?
Memory verse: Acts 4 verse 16b
Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to live well so that people can’t deny or question whether I am a Christian indeed.

Wednesday 22 March 2017

They Had Been With Jesus

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Thursday March 23, 2017
Topic: They Had Been With Jesus
Text: Acts 4:13 – 14
Any Christian whose life has not been thoroughly transformed is a mistake. There must be an all-round transformation of the life of a Christian in his thoughts, actions, reactions, words, etc. Jesus doesn’t abandon His halfway. After Peter had addressed the gathering as we read yesterday, they saw the boldness of the disciples and realized that they had been with Jesus.
Despite the fact that Peter and his colleagues didn’t receive formal education or training, yet they were bold, composed, confident, and undaunted as they defended their act of healing the man born lame. As the apostles stood there with the healed cripple, speaking with authority, the members of the council recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. Their boldness was possible because they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Being with Jesus should be seen in our lives. These men stayed only three years with Jesus. Some of us have been in the church for over three years and above. What have we to show that we have been with Jesus all these years? How bold are we when telling others about our faith? There should be an all-round transformation of our lives; our words should be reformed, our emotions, temperament, desire must be moderated and brought under control or else people will not see us as Christians. Let our lives shine as light for the world (Matt. 5:13 – 16).
Food for Thought: When people hear you speak, can they say, you have been with Jesus?
Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 1:27
Prayer: Make my life, O Lord, to reflect the true nature of Christ through my words and deeds.

Tuesday 21 March 2017

The Uniqueness Of Jesus

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Wednesday March 22, 2017
Topic: The Uniqueness Of Jesus
Text: Acts 4:5 – 12  
Sometimes, do you wonder why the Pharisees and Sadducees were always picking at Jesus and His disciples even when there are no obvious reasons for such? How can they quarrel with the disciples over the healing of a man born lame instead of being happy and returning the glory to God? The reason for this kind of behaviour is nothing but selfishness and envy or else what would have instigated such action? However, thanks to God for the boldness and authority of the disciples.
Peter used that opportunity to rebuke their hypocrisy, hatred and wickedness against Jesus Christ. He listed what made Jesus unique. Christ was the rejected stone which turned out to be the cornerstone. Peter asserted that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. All these things mention in Acts 4:10 – 12 by Peter made Christ unique.
There are two kinds of courage: reckless courage, knowing the danger, faces it without knowing the consequences and the fearless courage that knows the peril and yet is undaunted. Peter’s boldness is of the latter as he was bold to challenge these men. We should be bold to speak out for Jesus Christ not minding the consequences because of His uniqueness. He even charged us to risk our lives for Him (Matthew 10:39; 16:25). If Jesus Christ in His uniqueness died for us, what will be too much to offer Him? We should show the world the uniqueness of Jesus Christ by living His life. This will make the world to appreciate that He is unique indeed.
Food for Thought: 2 Timothy 2:5 – 6
Memory verse: Acts 4 verse 12 - And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Prayer: Lord God, let the words of my mouth and the life I live show the world the uniqueness of Christ.


Monday 20 March 2017

Wavering In Faith?

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Tuesday March 21, 2017
Topic: Wavering In Faith?
Text: 1 Kings 17:17 – 24
Affliction, pain, problem and sickness, want, etc, can make us behave funny and abnormal. John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) but when he was imprisoned, he sent message to ask if Jesus was indeed the Messiah. One would wonder why sudden doubt? This is one effect of a backslidden life or one who had not actually repented. Another reason for such doubt maybe the result of knowing God just because of miracle you have received and not because you have a relationship with Him.
This latter reason may be the cause of this woman of Zarephath’s action against Elijah in our scriptural reading for the day. She received a miracle when she had not developed a relationship with God. However, one would have expected that with such a miracle received, she would have known God the more. This woman’s action is one way sinners react. They see the presence of true Christians as the cause of their problem instead of repenting and using such opportunity to develop a relationship with God.
On daily basis we receive one form of miracle or another from God. These miracles especially waking up everyday should challenge us to develop a relationship with God. Again, we shouldn’t start wavering in faith because of one problem when we have previously been blessed with a miracle. The miracle should challenge us to draw closer to God in our time of troubles, problems, affliction, sickness and pain. These problems of life shouldn’t despair us.
Food for Thought: Cynicism and fear freezes life; faith thaws it out. Release your life and set it free with faith.
Memory verse: 1 King 17 verse 18
Prayer: Lord God, increase faith in me so as to set me free from wavering in Jesus name.

Sunday 19 March 2017

The Widow Of Zarephath

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Monday March 20, 2017
Topic: The Widow Of Zarephath
Text: 1 Kings 17:8 – 16
In mid-2016, I read in one of the Nigerian National dailies how a woman used her child as a surety to get food for her family in Osun State Nigeria because of hunger. In August 2016, I also read how a pregnant woman stole N300:00 (less than a dollar) to eat. She didn’t deny when arrested. These and many more are effects of hunger on Nigerians as at the time of writing especially the one caused by famine.
That makes it worse as was this case in Israel in time of this woman of Zarephath. Her faith in this time of crises was exemplary and worthy of emulation. This woman and Jezebel, wife of Ahab are from the same territory. She was not a Jewess. Zarephath is a Phoenician seaport on the Mediterranean between Tyre and Sidon, usually subject to Tyre. How come she had faith in God of Israel to believe Elijah? Is there any lesson for us about those who are not of the same faith with you?
How could this woman easily believe the words of Elijah as she was not an Israelite? Probably, she had heard so much about Elijah and the God of Israel. Or she had become a secret worshipper of God of Israel. Beloved, you might have heard so much about God or you might have read so much about Him in the scriptures. Do you believe His words or you still have doubts in His ability to heal, deliver and save you?  
This woman gave up what she termed her last meal before death to a total stranger. She acted like the widow who gave a mite. That was an uncommon faith. Her faith is a challenge for us. How many of us are willing to give out from our best or last food, clothes, car, etc? Most of us give out the over used clothes, remnant of our food, etc. We should learn to give the best. This woman was rewarded for such a faith. You will receive far more if you learn to give your best.
Action: As you go out today, ensure that you give your best in words and deed to those who need them.
Memory verse: 1 King 17 verse 15
Prayer: God, grant me the kind of faith in that woman of Zarephath in Jesus name. Amen.

Saturday 18 March 2017

Retreat For Progress

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Sunday March 19, 2017
Topic: Retreat For Progress
Text: Mark 1:35                   
Severally, Jesus went out alone to pray in the wilderness. It was a time of personal reflection for Him. He uses the period to assess what He did earlier and make a project on ways to improve. He was always in constant prayer with the Father during His earthly ministry. Mark recorded three of these times of prayer: (1) after the successful ministry in Capernaum with the healing of many sick and demon-possessed people; (2) after the miracle of feeding more than five thousand people (Mark 6:46); (3) in Gethsemane, just prior to His arrest, trial, and crucifixion (Mark 14:32-42).
What did Jesus pray about? His prayers may have focused on fulfilling His mission. Fame, being a celebrity or an icon is a temptation in itself, for it can threaten us to turn away from our mission. This may be what Jesus tried to forestall by taking time to retreat. This helped Him to focus on His task and gain strength for that. He had a mission to fulfil which was death on the cross to accomplish salvation.
If we want to make progress in our spiritual lives, we must as a matter of priority set out times for retreat. It may be as you go for a walk, your personal quiet time, or anywhere you choose. This will help you to assess the way you lived in the previous day (if you hold your retreat in the morning) and ways to live as you go forth into the world that day. As you do that you will observe your faults, your strength and your weakness. This will help you to avoid some previous mistakes and to make substantial progress in your endeavours and in your spiritual life.
Action: Make plans for a regular personal retreat and work conscientiously with your plan. Look for the book RETREAT FOR SPIRITUAL PROGRESS by Zachariah Fomum. It will help you a lot.
Memory verse: Mark 1 verse 35      

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord, to always make our time to have personal fellowship with you in a bid to make spiritual progress.

Friday 17 March 2017

No Excuse (VII)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Saturday March 18, 2017
Topic: No Excuse 7  
Text: Revelation 3:14 – 22
Laodicea was a commercial city and the wealthiest of the seven cities. It was known for its banking industry, manufacture of wool, and a medical school that produced eye ointment. The church there had become lukewarm and thus unpleasant and disgusting. They didn’t take a stand for anything; indifference led them to idleness and complacency. By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church became hardened and self-satisfied, which led to its spiritual ruin.
Nothing disgusts more than a half-hearted, nominal and self-sufficient Christian. Such people will never seek counsel or make time to fast and pray. God uses things familiar to us in teaching us moral lessons. Laodicea had always had problem with water supply and the water that flows into the city from an aqueduct get there not hot nor refreshingly cool but lukewarm. This was a perfect description of this church.
Today, some of us believe that many material possessions are signs of God’s spiritual blessing. Laodicea was a wealthy city, and the church was also wealthy. But what they could see and buy had become more valuable to them than what is unseen and eternal. Wealth, luxury, and ease can make people feel confident, satisfied, and complacent. But no matter how much you possess or money you make, you have nothing if you don’t have a vital relationship with Christ. How does your current level of wealth affect your spiritual desire? Instead of centring your life primarily on comfort and luxury, find your true riches in Christ. Your wealth should not be an excuse.
Food for Thought: Revelation 3:18
Memory verse: Revelation 3 verse 19

Prayer: God, heal me of complacency and being lukewarm to your service in Jesus name. Amen.


Thursday 16 March 2017

No Excuse (VI)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Friday March 17, 2017
Topic: No Excuse (VI)
 Text: Revelation 3:7 – 13           
Philadelphia was a small church in a difficult area with no prestige and no wealth, discouraged because it hadn’t grown. But Jesus Christ had no words of rebuke for this small, seemingly insignificant church. From our bible reading, it was obvious that there was significant conflict between the Christians and the Jews in Philadelphia.
As in the letter to the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:9), Jesus Christ referred to those who called themselves Jews as liars and those who belong to Satan. Though this church may have been small (you have little strength) and may have had little impact upon the city, but it had obeyed and had not denied God. They had been faithful in a difficult area. What a challenge to big churches of today who compromise their standard in order to accommodate some ‘rich’ people who are not ready to repent.
What are the challenges you face in your church? Is the small nature? Note that God didn’t commend any of these churches for building cathedrals and having the largest congregations. These are not what God judges. He is always after our spiritual lives. That your congregation is small should not be the basis of losing faith. God’s emphasis is not on multitude. You should not be discouraged by the small nature of your church or inability to build a big church. Sustain your faithfulness and righteousness and God will open doors of opportunities for you as He assured the church at Philadelphia. Do not be weakened by your little strength for God will not accept that as an excuse.    
Food for Thought: Revelation 3:8
Memory verse: Revelation 3 verse 10
Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to hold fast what I have, that no one will take away my crown from me in Jesus name. Amen.

Wednesday 15 March 2017

No Excuse (V)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Thursday March 16, 2017
Topic: No Excuse (V)
Text: Revelation 3:1 – 6  
The problem in the church at Sardis was spiritual death. In spite of its reputation for being active, the church was filled with sin. Its deeds were evil, which soiled their clothes. There was no word of commendation for it that looked so good on the outside but was so corrupt on the inside. God urged them to obey the truth they had heard when they first believed in Christ and to get back to the basics of the faith.
The reason for this admonition is because He did not find their works perfect before Him. He charged them to be watchful and to strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die (3:2, 3). Where iniquity abounds grace also abounds. God noted that there were few names that did not defiled their garments. This was personal commendation for some members of this church and not general commendation. Is there any lesson for us in this personal commendation? Though it is important to grow in our knowledge of Christ, to deepen our understanding through careful study, we must never abandon the basic truths of our faith.
On facial observation, this church looked good but not so with God. They were only doing ‘maintenance service.’ There were no innovations or improvement on what they had. This gave room for redundancy, complacency and spiritual death. Is such condition obtainable in your church that you have now become spiritually dead? That is no excuse before God. Few people in Sardis still maintained their salvation. Why can’t you remain focused in the faith? Why will you allow the spiritual death of others to affect you? God can’t accept that excuse (Romans 2:1). Repent now and return to God.    
Food for Thought: Do you have the reputation of being alive but you are dead?
Memory verse: Revelation 3 verse 2
Prayer: Lord God, help me to strengthen what is alive in me and to repent of my sins in Jesus name. 

Tuesday 14 March 2017

No Excuse (IV)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Wednesday March 15, 2017
Topic: No Excuse IV
Text: Revelation 2:18 – 29
Thyatira was a town where many people work for a living. Many trade and artisans were there with specialties in cloth making, dyeing, and pottery. Lydia, Paul’s first convert in Philippi, was a merchant from Thyatira (Acts 16:14). The city was mostly secular, with no particular religion known with them.
In this letter, God acknowledged their works (charity), love, service, faith, and patience. Despite all these, He had few things against them. He accused them of allowing that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce His servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. In the church in Thyatira, a woman taught that immorality was not a sin for believers. Her name may be Jezebel or maybe, John used that name Jezebel to symbolize the kind of evil she was promoting. God pronounced judgement on that woman (Revelation 2:22, 23) after He had given her the grace to repent but she did not (Revelation 2:21). God charged those who were not influenced by this woman’s teaching to hold fast what you have till He comes (Revelation 2:25).  
Beloved in Christ, immorality is a great sin before man and God. Some pastors teach that these things doesn’t matter, insisting that what matter before God is confession of Christ as Lord and Saviour. Sadly, many people believe such teaching because their pastor has said so. Here is an eye opener. God doesn’t compromise and we shouldn’t do so. There is no excuse if we accept teachings of what the bible condemns as sin. Beware because you don’t have excuse before God (Romans 2:1).
Food for Thought: Acts 15:20, 29
Memory verse: Revelation 2 verse 20 - But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Prayer: God, deliver me from contamination with things offered to idol and the teachings of Jezebel in Jesus name. Amen.

Monday 13 March 2017

No Excuse III

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Tuesday March 14, 2017
Topic: No Excuse III
Text: Revelation 2:14 – 17          
Yesterday, we saw the commendation God gave the church at Smyrna. Just like in Smyrna, it was not easy to be a Christian in Pergamum. They were greatly pressured to compromise or leave the faith. This made some of them to accept the doctrine of Nicolaitans which the Ephesians hated. Some stood out for God and amongst them was Antipas who refused to compromise. He was faithful, and he died for his faith, a martyr. Unfortunately, some people in this church tolerated those who taught or practiced what Christ opposed (2:15). God acknowledged that the live in the place where Satan had his throne and some held on to their faith, holding on to God’s name.
Nevertheless, God had something against that church. Some people there held on to the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to put a stumbling block on the way of the Israelites. Though the ‘Balaks’ placed stumbling blocks on their way but that didn’t exonerate them before God. He chided and urged them to repent (2:16).
Are you a victim of false teaching and now you are a compromising Christian? Are you holding on to the teaching of the Nicolaitans? God says repent because you have no excuse. The bible is our Magna Carter for a right living and fellowship with God. Any other teaching is irrelevant. We have to be extremely careful about the teachings we uphold in this end time because false teachers like the Nicolaitans are out there to deceive. You don’t have any excuse to fail God (Romans 2:1).
Food for Thought: Revelation 2:6
Memory verse: Revelation 2 verse 15
Prayer: As I am inexcusable, O Lord, I pray, for grace to overcome all stumbling blocks in this Christian race in Jesus name.

Awake From Sleep: Devotion for Friday October 9, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL Devotion for Friday October 9, 2020 Topic: Awake From Sleep                                Text...