Prepare For Your 2018

Devotion for Monday January 1, 2018

Topic: Prepare For Your 2018

Text: Luke 3:1 – 6

Welcome to the year 2018. Do you know that most people usually start

their year unprepared? For this reason our devotions for the first two weeks are on what we can do to have a rewarding year. In our bible reading, John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus Christ called on the people of Judea to prepare the way for the Lord to manifest Himself for them. This implies that people who are expecting the Messiah should do something so that the Messiah will fulfill His promises. They were expected to remove every hindrance to His manifestation.

At the beginning of the year like this, we should take a stock of how we lived in the previous year, observing where we failed and where we did well. Those areas we didn’t do well should be worked on. Again, there are things that hinder the manifestation of Christ in our lives and families. We might have indulged in one sin or another thus distorting our relationship with God. We should amend our ways and live rightly so that our relationship with God will be smooth. 

What are those valleys to be filled and those mountains and hills that we ought to bring low; the crooked places to be made straight and the rough ways to be made smooth so that we can see the salvation, deliverance and blessings of God in our lives this year? Think about them as you Sing SS&S 363

Food for Thought: What do you think will hinder the manifestation of God’s salvation and blessings in your life this year?

Memory verse: Isaiah 40:3

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to prepare my heart for you to dwell in this year and always in Jesus name. 

Babel – A Place Of Confusion

Devotion for Tuesday December 12, 2017

Topic: Babel – A Place Of Confusion

Text: Genesis 11:1 – 9

Babel simply means confusion; the name of a lofty tower, begun to be built by the descendants of Noah among who was Nimrod their leader, about 120 years after the flood.

At creation, God told man to fill the earth (Genesis 1:28). Instead of obeying God’s instructions, they chose to live together. Going against God’s instruction attracts punishment. Sometimes, God allows us to wallow in our ignorance when we are at not complying with His instructions but other times, He will insist that His bidding should be carried out to the letter. He confused the language of the people and the work stopped (Genesis 11:7 – 9). Unable to communicate with one another, they scattered abroad to comply with God’s directives at creation. They wanted to evade dispersion by building a tower to accommodate all of them.

Many a time, what we fear will always come to us (Job 3:25). Are you afraid? See Isaiah 44:2. Things we do that are not in consonant with the will and purposes of God cannot prosper in our hands. We should be mindful of what we do as the motives as the motives behind our actions are well known to God and He will judge our motives on the Judgement Day. What is your motive for that plan you are making; that style of dress you have made for Christmas, that job you are pursuing, that marriage, journey, etc? If it is not of God, it will end in confusion.

Food for Thought: Are the motives behind your actions pleasing to God?

Memory verse: Genesis 11:7

Prayer:  Grant me the wisdom, O Lord, so as to make right decision that will not go against your will for my life in Jesus name.

Money Cannot Save

Devotion for Saturday December 9, 2017

Topic: Money Cannot Save

Text: Zephaniah 1:18

Jesus Christ is the only source of salvation (Acts 4:11 – 12). His salvation is all encompassing as Paul asserted. The salvation from God is not just salvation from sin unto eternal life alone but also from poverty, sickness, bondage, curse and spell, etc.

God spoke through Zephaniah to the Israelites that their wealth cannot save them from the impending judgement. God posited that neither their silver nor their gold in which they trusted, and from which they expected happiness shall profit them on that awful day. This warning was to challenge them not to be asleep because they were enjoying the patience of God. When men’s iniquity is full, certainly, His justice will overtake and overcome them.

Many wealthy people have engaged all forms of security outfits. They have the police, all kinds of security dogs, well fenced and electrified walls, personal guards, bullet proof vests and cars, etc. Unfortunately, all these cannot save especially when it comes to God’s judgement and verdict. “Riches do not profit in the day or wrath, but righteousness delivers from death (Proverbs 11:14).” On the Day of Judgement, wealth will no longer count as it will not save neither can we place value on them (see Ezekiel 7:19). Again, some donate money to the church to secure salvation. You can’t bribe God to have salvation. It is not so! Salvation is of God alone and He is the one that grants it to us.

Food for Thought: Acts 4:12

Memory verse: Proverbs 11:14

Prayer: My Father in heaven, help me never to put my trust in my wealth for there is no salvation in them.

There Is Nothing Hidden From God

Devotion for Tuesday December 4, 2017

Topic: There Is Nothing Hidden From God

Text: Acts 15:18

The context of our bible reading today is from Jerusalem Council Meeting presided over by James, the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ over the issues of Gentiles becoming Christians, and what they need to do to be accepted. He stated that whatever was happening (Repentance among Gentiles) is known to God because it has been the plan of God from time immemorial (Genesis 3:15; 12:3). The argument of James according to Family Bible Note is that “The calling of the Gentiles into the church is in accordance with God’s purpose from the beginning. Why then throw hindrance in their way.”

Nothing comes to pass by chance, but only by God’s appointment. God knows all you are passing through now. There is nothing that comes to pass by chance without His knowledge. Many cry daily saying that God has forsaken them. Many cry asking if God is not aware of the trials and attacks of the enemies. All these are well known to God. The one that may come tomorrow is also known to Him (Luke 22:33). We should not fret when the enemies come around. They can only succeed when God gives approval. Remember the case of Job. As Jesus prayed for Peter when the devil came to ask for permission to sieve him, so He is praying and working in your favour

Food for Thought: Nothing happens to us except God permits it.

Memory verse: Acts 15:12

Prayer: Lord, you know everything about me. Work out your will concerning all the problems that confront me to you own glory in Jesus name. Amen

Stand Out From The Crowd

Devotion for Monday December 4, 2017

Topic: Stand Out From The Crowd

Text: Revelation 1:1 – 6

In this message God sent to the church at Sardis, He noted that despite the depraved nature of the city, there were still some who did not defile their garments. They stood out from the crowd. Ephesians 5:27 speak about the spotlessness of the Church when she shall be presented to Christ; while Revelation 19:18 also say that the “fine linen, clean and white are the righteousness of the saints,” in which it shall be arrayed for the “marriage supper.” The garment of Christian profession is white. At baptism, candidates are arrayed in white, the symbol of holiness and righteousness.

It gladdens the heart to know that even in a place so depraved and where religion had so much declined, there were few persons who had kept themselves free from the general contamination. In most cases, where error and sin prevail, there may be found a few who are worthy of the Divine commendation; a few who show that true religion may exist even when the mass are evil. Can such be said about you? They will be rewarded with a walk with Jesus. 

Do you compromise your faith and allow corruption just because it is in vogue or that is what people want? Are you standing for righteousness and people are making mockery of you as old fashion or old school? Don’t be disheartened; stand out from the crowd for God knows His people.

Food for Thought: There is always danger in mixed multitude

Memory verse: Revelation 1:4

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to stand out from the crowd and never to compromise my faith in this present generation in Jesus name. 

Pay Attention To Him

Devotion for Sunday December 3, 2017

Topic: Pay Attention To Him

Text: Matthew 17:1 – 8

It is imperative to emphasis some things for our proper understanding. God emphasizes some things to clear our doubts or to re-affirm what we already know. At transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father said, “This is my beloved Son in who I am well pleased …,” highlighting

1) The dignity of Jesus Christ (He is a beloved Son because of His likeness and conformity to Him.

2) The Excellency of his meditation (In whom He is well pleased. Christ is most pleasing to God the Father and through Him, He is well pleased with us).

3) The Authority of His doctrine (Hear Him, not Moses and Elijah but Christ, commissioned to be the Great Prophet and Teacher). God commanded the Apostles to hear Christ; attend to His instructions and follow Him, an indication that there is authority in His words.

Do you listen to the words of Jesus and do you take instructions from Him? Do you follow Him both in words and deeds? There are lots of benefits we can derive from paying attention to Jesus Christ. His words direct us on the right path; illumine our ways and set us free. His words are spiritual foods for us. It heals us; shows us the best way to serve God and how to make heaven at last. How much do you desire to hear from Him? We should regularly hear from God the Son for our good.

Food for Thought: How much do you desire to hear from God?

Memory verse: Matthew 17:5 - While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me a listening ear to hear from you always.