Wednesday 14 June 2017

The God Of All Flesh

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Thursday June 15, 2017
Topic: The God Of All Flesh
Text: Jeremiah 32:26 – 27         
There is nothing impossible with God (Genesis 18:14; 2 Kings 19:15; & Luke 1:37). God is the Almighty (Genesis 17:1). What God actually meant was that He is able to do all things if and only Abraham will believe and trust Him. God has ways of dealing with His people when they sin against Him.
The Israelites felt that they were God’s special people and therefore God could not do as Jeremiah had prophesied. However, God categorically said that they should know that He is God of all flesh; He governs and guides them as it pleases Him. He reiterated that as the God of all flesh, He is the author of their captivity for their sins and will also out of His mercies be their Redeemer to restore them again to liberty. Our God is full of love and mercy.
Today, many of us undermine warnings from God about sin and its consequences. We feel that it is impossible for God to destroy the population of the world that throng to churches these days. If God spared only Lot’s family when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He can still do it (Genesis 19:1ff. See Genesis 7:1ff). On the other hand, there is nothing too hard for God to do in terms of protecting, providing, guiding and saving us. He can command all flesh and other creatures to work in your favour. What are the things you believe God to provide for you? Just know that he is the God of all flesh and can cause someone to arise on your behalf. Just keep trusting and obeying God.
Food for thought: Is there anything God cannot do for us?
Memory verse: Jeremiah 32 verse 27
Prayer: God, work out your will in my life to glorify your name in Jesus name.

Tuesday 13 June 2017

They Will Be A Separation

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Wednesday June 14, 2017
Topic: They Will Be A Separation
Text: Malachi 3:13 – 18                       
When God avenges for us, the world will certainly echo Ps. 58:11. We know what happened to Peter when he was imprisoned and also Paul and Silas. Many people today are disillusioned concerning the fate of the righteous by concluding that there is no hope for them as it was in the days of Malachi. They see the life of the righteous as filled with hardship and want. However, it is not so.
Here, Malachi assures that a time is coming when God will make the difference between the righteous and the wicked which the world will see. The use of return means coming back from their delusion, and to see in reality that God does make a difference between the righteous and the wicked. For now it may seem as if God has not put any difference between the righteous and the wicked, as the wicked seem to have their way now. Certainly, He will one day make an everlasting separation between them, such as all beings in heaven and hell shall well understand. The reason for this is in Matt. 13:24 – 30. Then the unrighteous will clearly see the happiness of the righteous, and their own misery, how they will perish in their wickedness.  Where will you belong? The way you live now will determine where you will be after the separation.
Food for Thought: Do you look down on God and His religion? Return from your delusion before it will be too late.
Memory verse: Malachi 3 verse 18
Prayer: Lord, when you make the difference, grant that I will not be among the wicked. Help me to live righteously in Jesus name.

Monday 12 June 2017

Bad Attitude That Hinders Spiritual Growth

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Tuesday June 13, 2017
Topic: Bad Attitude That Hinders Spiritual Growth
Text: Matt. 7:24 – 29
Carelessness, carefree, negligence and presumption are very dangerous attitude that every serious minded Christians should avoid and never imbibe. A careless or carefree man can easily fall victim of the evil one. We know the story of Samson how he was so carefree with the instruction from God before his birth.
God’s word serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). It directs and guides us. It guards us against danger and grants us wisdom on how best to live successfully (Joshua 1:7 & 8). When we read or hear the word of God, we should apply them diligently to our lives as evidence we are true disciples of Jesus Christ. This virtue of living out what we hear from the word of God teaches here that we shouldn’t be carefree, careless, negligent or presumptuous of the word we hear. James lends credence to this in James 1:22, 23 and 2:14.
In our spiritual growth, what makes the difference is not how many times you have been through the Bible, but how thoroughly the Bible is reflecting in the life you live. This is what matters in our Christianity. You may have gone through the Bible many times but your character remains questionable.
Does the Bible have any effect on your life? Do you preach and teach the word of God but do the opposite? What is your testimony in your school, office, neighbourhood, etc as a Christian? We should not take God’s word for granted or we end up in hell. It is not just the hearers and preachers that will be saved but the doers of the word.
Food for Thought: James 1:22
Memory verse: Matthew 7 verse 26
Prayer: God, help me to apply your word into my life and not to take it for granted in Jesus name. Amen

Sunday 11 June 2017

Do You Desire Favour?

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Monday June 12, 2017
Topic: Do You Desire Favour?
Text: Proverbs 11:27
Many people don’t know how to court God’s favour. Living Bible translated this verse thus: “If you search for good you find God’s favour; if you search for evil, you find His curse.” Searching for good is one of the ways to court God’s favour. Doing good to people especially the down trodden and less privileged ones are ways to procure God’s favour. Matthew Henry Commentary puts it thus: “Those that are industrious to do good in the world get themselves beloved both with God and man: He that rises early to that which is good, that seeks opportunities of serving his friends and relieving the poor, and lays out himself therein, procures favour.”
This is challenging for us in this era of greed and selfishness; where people are so concerned about self than for anything else. People who do good to others always have God's loving kindness surrounding them. The opposite of these is for men that seek evil. They are preparing ruin for themselves, who specialize in doing evil. It shall come upon them; when they will be paid in their own coin (see Esther 7:9 and 10).
Do you earnestly seek to do evil or good? They are many who do evil indirectly like Balak who called Balaam to assist him. Cain did his own openly by killing Abel and judgment came upon him. Evil hunts even after many years (Gen. 50:15). It pays to be kind and to be good to others.
Food for Thought: Little deeds of kindness, little words of love, help to make earth happy like the heaven above – Carney
Memory verse: Psalm 7:16
Prayer: God, remove evil from my heart and life. Grant me the spirit of kindness and grace to be kind to people in Jesus name, Amen.

Saturday 10 June 2017

Time Heals Wound

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Sunday June 11, 2017
Topic: Time Heals Wound
Text: Genesis 33:4 - But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
Sin is not good, whether it is supplanting, lie, cheating, stealing with gun or pen, killing, bribery, etc. Apart from eternal consequence of going to hell fire, it makes one uneasy and to run when no one pursues. The person loses peace and for every little thing, his heart condemns him.
With the aid of his mother, Jacob cheated his brother Esau and ran away (Genesis 27: 6 -29). The result of this action of Jacob is in Genesis 27:41 because he falsely took away his brother’s blessings. Hatred and murder are intimately connected. If you indulge in one, it leads to the other. Actually Esau’s aim was to prevent Jacob or his seed from having the dominion, by taking away his life. It is very possible for men to fret at God's counsels, but they can never change them.
In order to prevent mischief or killing of Jacob, Rebecca warned him of the impending danger. She counselled Jacob to flee for his safety and life (Genesis 27:42). “Time heals wound” is a popular saying. When Jacob was returning, his sin started hunting him which made him devise means to appease Esau. However, Esau had overcome his bitterness and welcomed Jacob with open arms.
We must overcome bitterness. Paul admonished us to be at peace with all people (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14). Indeed, you might have been offended, abused, mocked and ridiculed without cause. As children of God, we have it as a duty to avoid bitterness which leads to other sins. Be the light – Romans 14:19 and Hebrews 12: 14.
Food for Thought: Mark 9:50
Memory verse: Genesis 33 verse 4 - But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
Prayer: God, uproot every form of bitterness, hatred and unforgiving spirit in my heart.

Friday 9 June 2017

You Are Surrounded By Wolves

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Saturday June 10, 2017
Topic: You Are Surrounded By Wolves
Text: Matthew 10:16 - Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
When God calls us to a duty, He makes known to us the intricacies and implications. When He called me into full time ministry, He gave me Isaiah 43:1 – 10 which I see as what I have passed through since my ordination. When God called Paul, He told him about what he would suffer (Acts 9:10–16).
In our text today was the commission Jesus gave His disciples and present Christians on evangelism. Jesus Christ sent the disciples into the world as sheep among wolves; He intimated them that the enemies of the gospel in this wicked world have a great inclination, from their nature, to devour and destroy the ministers of the gospel and Christians alike. This is just as wolves have, from their natural temper to devour sheep. What a metaphor!
Despite all these challenges, Jesus recommended ways they can overcome them. He recommended prudence and innocence; saying you shall be as wise as serpents, to avoid the world's injuries, and harmless as doves, in not revenging against them. What a good counsel from Jesus who actually wants us to succeed in our Christian race! Christians must not be altogether doves, lest they fall into dangers or serpents, lest they endanger others. This teaches us that wisdom and innocence should dwell together. How wise and innocent are you?
Food for Thought: “For as piety without policy is too simple to be safe, so policy without piety is too subtle to be good” – William Burkett Notes.
Memory verse: Matthew 10 verse 16 - "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
Prayer: God, fill me with the spirit of wisdom and innocence in my Christianity.

Thursday 8 June 2017

The Profane

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Friday June 9, 2017                     
Topic: The Profane                                                           
Text: Hebrews 12: 14 – 16       
A profane person here is one who, like Esau, despises sacred things and gives up spiritual blessings for sensual enjoyments. Profane means treating something as irrelevant – showing disrespect for God.
A profane person here is a worldly person who profanes holy privileges by placing on them a worldly estimate. This is the worst that can happen to any man. Esau did it and it was used as a reference point by the author of Hebrews (Genesis 25:27–30). He regretted and repented but that did not solve his problem. There are mistakes we make and even when we repent, it can’t remove the consequences of our actions. Therefore, beware of what you do.
When you treat God’s instructions as irrelevant, you place yourself at loggerhead with Him. Saul did it when He instructed him to go and destroy the Amalekites and all therein. He failed and God rejected him as King. William Burkett Notes says, “We should understand such as mock religion, who lightly regard its promises and threatening, who despise or neglect its worship, who speak irreverently of its concerns” as profane persons.
Do your actions or words mock religion? Do you do things that do not glorify God yet you are in the Church? Do you treat God’s commandments as irrelevant? Don’t play with God’s instructions. Know that there are grave consequences that will follow. When Esau wanted the blessing and sought it with tears, he couldn’t get it (Hebrews 12:17; Genesis 27:34–38; Hebrews 6: 6). Beloved beware and don’t play with your salvation.
Food for Thought: Hebrews 6:6 - If they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
Memory verse: Hebrews 12 verse 16 - For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.
Prayer: Deliver me from all acts of profanity, O Lord and make me to be obedient to your words and instructions.

Wednesday 7 June 2017

Why Are You Crying?

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Thursday June 8, 2017                  
Topic: Why Are You Crying?                                                           
Text: John 20:15
When God does something for us, we should be grateful for such blessing, received. Mary Magdalene demonstrated such character. She ministered to Jesus Christ with her substance (Luke 8:3). Jesus casted out seven demons from her and as act of gratitude to her great Deliverer, she became His follower. She was committed to serving Christ with total sincerity of heart and it paid off for her. When other women left the tomb disappointed, she stayed back crying at the tomb perhaps waiting to get information on what had happened. Her staying back paid off as Jesus appeared and spoke to her (John 20: 15a).
The first question Jesus asked Mary was an expression of kindly sympathy. The second question seems to suggest that He knew the cause of her grief. This is the character of Jesus; not only sympathetic but also empathetic about our situations (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15 and 16). His appearance comforted Mary. God will comfort you also on that, which is the cause of your sorrow and grief at the moment.
You may be crying because of what you are presently passing through or people might have mocked or abused you. Maybe you have made frantic efforts to succeed in life and nothing seems to work for you. Maybe you are in the hospital and there is no headway about your healing and now you have resorted to crying. Never mind, it is not and never too late with Jesus, except you haven’t invited Him into the matter. He has solutions to your problems. He has answer for you. Just keep trusting Him.
Food for Thought: 2 Corinthians 1: 3 & 4
Memory verse: John 20 verse 15b

Prayer: Pray for God’s comfort concerning that protracted problem that makes you cry often and again.

Tuesday 6 June 2017

To Be Saved Is Very Simple

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Wednesday June 7, 2017                
Topic: To Be Saved Is Very Simple                                        
Text: Luke 23:40 – 43            
Some people believe that salvation offered by Christ is very hard to obtain. People who know that armed robber who Jesus forgave on the Cross of Calvary would have concluded that he went to hell fire. Those he robbed would have wished he went to hell to suffer in hell fire for all the atrocities he committed. This is how most of us condemn and conclude wrongly. We should be careful because on the last day we will be disappointed when we see the people that made heaven and hell at last. My desire is that we will make heaven in Jesus name. Paradise is the place where the souls of the righteous remain after death till the resurrection. It is a place of blessedness. On the cross, the evil doer, who believed in Christ received forgiveness and was granted access to paradise. This goes to confirm what Paul said in Rom. 10:10. From this passage we should note that there is future and eternal state into which all souls pass at death. It takes surrendering your life to Christ, believing in His death and resurrection to be saved. The thief made that simple prayers and God was merciful to him. Are your sins too many and you think God cannot forgive you? There is no sin He cannot forgive when we truly and sincerely turn to Him. The expectation from you is repentance. It was so simple for the Jailer and his family (Acts 16:30–33). It will be so simple for you if only you could believe and accept Him today.
Food for Thought: We receive salvation when we believe in our hearts and confess it with our mouth.
Memory verse: Luke 23 verse 43
Prayer: Pray about your salvation. If you have received Christ pray it will be permanent. If not, repent and surrender your life to Him now.

Monday 5 June 2017

Don’t Misuse The Grace Of God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Tuesday June 6, 2017                      
Topic: Don’t Misuse The Grace Of God                               
Text: Romans 6:1 – 3
God grants us grace at different levels and variations. The grace He has given me may not be the same with yours. Continuing in sin after you have repented is an abuse of God’s grace. When the grace will disappear, you will pay dearly for it as Samson did. God is of a purer eyes not to behold our sins (Habakkuk 1:13) and does not live in sin either (Ephesians 4:30) because the moment we offend Him, He leaves. When we grieve the Holy Spirit, we provoke God (1 Corinthians 10:22) and it will attract unbearable consequences.
What Paul is saying in our text is that believers (Christians) must die to sin and live to God (Romans 6:1 and 2). He explained further in Rom 6:3–10, that this act of living in holiness is necessary because of our baptism and union with Christ. He shows that the connection between justification and holiness are inseparable. Anyone united with Christ should live as Christ did. The attitude of deciding ahead of time to take advantage of God by sinning shows that the person does not understand the seriousness of sin. That God forgives us does not make sin less serious; allowing His Son to die for our sins shows how dreadful sin is.
Genuine and true Christians died to sin at their baptism and therefore should not live in sin again. It is a well-known fact that we can never be dead and alive at the same time. Only those who are foolish and deceivers can say they are dead unto sin while they are still living in it. Remember you cannot serve two masters.
Food for Thought: By virtue of our baptism, we ought to have died to sin. Are you truly dead to sin?
Memory verse: Romans 6:15
Prayer: God, make me dead to sin and never to abuse your grace I enjoy.


Sunday 4 June 2017

He Is Abundantly Able

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Monday June 5, 2017
Topic: He Is Abundantly Able
Text: Romans 4:21
“God is able, abundantly able to deliver and to save those who trust in Him,” so says a song writer. God is able to perform what He has said. He fulfilled the promises He made in the scriptures. Where He did not fulfil it, may be the person to receive it compromised or failed on his part as in the case of Eli (1 Sam. 2:30). As we read yesterday, Abraham didn’t waver because of his strong belief that God is able to fulfil His promises (Romans 4:21). He was firmly persuaded of God's ability to fulfil His promises. Do you easily shake when you come to the curves of life? Abraham was certain that God not only could, but would do what He promised. We should know that this was not the only time Abraham clearly showed this kind of confidence in God. His faith was equally implicit and strong when God commanded him to go and sacrifice his promised son (Hebrews 11:19). Beloved of Christ, God is able to perform what He promised (Luke 1:37). What is that He cannot do? What you can achieve depends on what you believe. Do you actually believe God for what you are asking from Him? You should be fully persuaded that God is able to do it. It may have taken a lot of time but it is never late with God. You should live by believing in God and not by debating or arguing about His ability because with Him, all things are possible. Debating whether God can do it or not is a mark of unbelief. Just trust God for He would do it for you (Ps 4:5; 9:10 and 25:2).  
Food for Thought: All we have seen, read and heard are enough to persuade us that God can do that which we ask of Him.
Memory verse: Romans 4 verse 21

Prayer: God, grant me an implicit faith to trust you for all my needs.

He Is Abundantly Able

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Monday June 5, 2017
Topic: He Is Abundantly Able
Text: Romans 4:21
“God is able, abundantly able to deliver and to save those who trust in Him,” so says a song writer. God is able to perform what He has said. He fulfilled the promises He made in the scriptures. Where He did not fulfil it, may be the person to receive it compromised or failed on his part as in the case of Eli (1 Sam. 2:30). As we read yesterday, Abraham didn’t waver because of his strong belief that God is able to fulfil His promises (Romans 4:21). He was firmly persuaded of God's ability to fulfil His promises. Do you easily shake when you come to the curves of life? Abraham was certain that God not only could, but would do what He promised. We should know that this was not the only time Abraham clearly showed this kind of confidence in God. His faith was equally implicit and strong when God commanded him to go and sacrifice his promised son (Hebrews 11:19). Beloved of Christ, God is able to perform what He promised (Luke 1:37). What is that He cannot do? What you can achieve depends on what you believe. Do you actually believe God for what you are asking from Him? You should be fully persuaded that God is able to do it. It may have taken a lot of time but it is never late with God. You should live by believing in God and not by debating or arguing about His ability because with Him, all things are possible. Debating whether God can do it or not is a mark of unbelief. Just trust God for He would do it for you (Ps 4:5; 9:10 and 25:2).  
Food for Thought: All we have seen, read and heard are enough to persuade us that God can do that which we ask of Him.
Memory verse: Romans 4 verse 21

Prayer: God, grant me an implicit faith to trust you for all my needs.

Thursday 1 June 2017

You Will Not Be Ashamed

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion for Friday June 2, 2017
Topic: You Will Not Be Ashamed
Text: Psalm 37:18 – 20
Famine and war are two things that we should not experience. It is my prayer they will not come to us in Jesus name. We saw few days ago dangers and consequences of famine. It leads to stealing, killing, covetousness and all manner of crimes. Famine can come as a result of sin, war, natural disaster or God’s intent to manifest His glory. From whichever way famine might come, God has a way of taking care of His people and taking away shame as our text suggests.
The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8 – 16) is a true case. Elijah was not disappointed. We should know that when we are faithful in what God commits into our hands, He will always take care of whatever consequences that may arise. Sometimes calamities will come, but deliverance will come also. The righteous are never immune from trouble. When it happens and they call upon God, He will prove his faithfulness and love.
Beloved, if God's providence is our inheritance, we need not worry about famine or escalating prices of food items as it was when I was writing. The barrel of meal and cruse of oil lasted out the days of famine for widow of Zarephath and if ravens do not bring your bread and meat, your supply shall come in some other ways. Have this assurance as He has promised to help us (Isa. 41:10, 13 & 14). Read Psalmist’s assurance in Ps. 37:25 and stand by it also.
Food for Thought: Providence knows what we need better than we do.
Memory verse: Psalm 37 verse 19
Prayer: God, provide all I need through your providence in time of trouble or famine.

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...