Wednesday 28 February 2018

He Will Comfort You

Devotion for Thursday March 1, 2018
Topic: He Will Comfort You
Text: Isaiah 51:1 – 3                              
It is good for those privileged to be born again, to consider that they were shaped in sin. This should cause us to have low thoughts of ourselves, and high thoughts of divine grace we have received by virtue of our new birth. In our text, we are called to a steadfast faith in the Lord. If we consider our present state, we will be discouraged. For this reason, God speaking through the prophet Isaiah called on us to consider where and how we started. He also challenged us to look at the life of Abraham our father of faith and his wife Sarah how He increased them. Thus, He assured His people of His comfort in their troubled state with promise of restoration (Isaiah 51:3). 
Beloved, God is a covenant keeping God. He that called us is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9; Nehemiah 9:32). He called us for a purpose which amongst them is to increase and comfort us. In this world, we are faced with so many challenges of life like sickness (some protracted), sever wants, spiritual battles and many more. All these are what we face because we are still in the world. However, there is a place God has prepared for us that is void of all this challenges. In the interim however, He has assures us of His comfort (Psalm 102:13; Isaiah 40:1; 51:12; 52:9 – 10). 
What do you lacking now that everything seem to be like desert to you? He will make all to flourish again like the Garden of Eden be it your health, finances, marriage, studies, etc. In this new month, hold on to Him.
Sing SS&S 530
Food for Thought: When God says something, He performs it. Keep believing for He will never fail 
Memory verse: Isaiah 51:3
Prayer: Lord, send your comfort to me in my troubled situations.

Tuesday 27 February 2018

Devotion for Wednesday February 28, 2018
Topic: He Will Sustain Your Burden
Text: Psalm 55:16 – 23
David resolved to call upon God, being well assured that no one seeks Him in vain (Psalm 55:16). If we desire to have peace of mind, and that joy in the Holy Ghost which is a safeguard and support in times of trouble we should be regular and constant in prayer. That is the reason David prays morning, noon and evening. This is a challenge for us. How many times do we pray in a day? Having developed a relationship with God and having seen God’s faithfulness to His word, David encourages us to “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” To sustain our burden as used in Psalm 55:22 means that God will bear our burden and answer us accordingly. This is a glorious promise to anyone tempted and afflicted to run to God. If God has assured us of bearing our burdens (Matthew 11:28 – 30), why do you despair? Unfortunately, most of us despair over common things of life. We have entered into the New Covenant with God as Christians which guarantees salvation, peace, healing, deliverance among other blessings, but can’t assess these blessings because we have refused to lay our problems at the foot of the Cross of Calvary where our salvation, peace and others things were bought with the blood of Jesus. Are you ready to cast your burden on the Lord? Better do so for your own good.
Sing SS&S 319; Abu 249 – What a friend we have in Jesus
Food for Thought: Psalm 37:5              
Memory verse: 1 Peter 5:7
Prayer: Lord God, I bring before you this day the burden in my heart. Sustain them O Lord according to your promises in Jesus name. Amen.

Monday 26 February 2018

Continue With The Lord


Devotion for Tuesday February 27, 2018
Topic: Continue With The Lord                         
Text: Acts 11:19 – 24
The first preachers of the gospel at Antioch were people dispersed from Jerusalem by persecution; thus what was meant to hurt the church was made to work for its good. Initially, they concentrated their preaching on the Jews only (Acts 11:19) but some other preachers from Cyrene and Cyprus (in present day North Africa) came also and preached to Gentiles in Antioch. Divine power attended their preaching and many believed the gospel (Acts 11:21). 
The Church at Jerusalem heard that the gospel had reached Antioch and they sent Barnabas to them. He was a great link between the Jewish believers and Gentile believers. He was a wise choice to go to Antioch for a number of reasons. As he was from Cyprus, he would have had a natural connection with the evangelists who had started the movement in Antioch. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. His name means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36), and he lived up to it as he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord and continue with Him. He came and confirmed what was earlier preached. He didn't try to show off as a ‘senior believer/evangelist.’ 
Christians should partner one another in the gospel because we all are meant to work for Christ who owns the Church. Barnabas urged them that they should be firm and resolute in their new found faith despite trials and temptation that may come their way. Are you source of encouragement to people around you as Barnabas was? 
Sing SS&S 529; Abu 216
Food for Thought: Barnabas lived up to his name by being a source of encouragement. Are you living up to your name as a Christian?
Memory verse: Acts 11:23
Prayer: May I live up to my name as a Christian O Lord and a source of encouragement to people around me in Jesus name. Amen


Sunday 25 February 2018

When God Remembers You

Devotion for Monday February 26, 2018
Topic: When God Remembers You
Text: 2 Samuel 9:9 - 13
When God remembers us, He restores all we have lost and add more blessings for us. This was the case of Mephibosheth here. God used David to remember him. As a cripple, he was not counted as anything. Nobody says anything about him. The worst was the fact that his father was no more and his brother was not on the throne and probably Ziba might have withdrawn his services. Things may have been so hard for him. But God was somewhere watching and He decided to honour him. Are you crippled in any form either physically, financially or spiritually and you have nobody to help you? God will remember you as He remembered Mephibosheth in Jesus name. David restored to him all that belonged to his father (v 9) and also commanded Ziba to serve him so that they will be provisions for his family. Ordinarily, properties acquired by Kings are transferred to their successors and not to their sons. This was the reason these properties were in David’s hands (compare 2 Samuel 12:8). But he restored them to Mephibosheth. His status changed overnight. David went looking for Mephibosheth. It was not the opposite. When Providence smiles on us, we should not forget or neglect the people that helped us to climb to stardom. We go looking for them as David did and even as God came down to the earth looking for the lost world. This is love. We should emulate this kind of act as Christians. Till date Jesus Christ seeks this lost and ruined race. Let Him into your life. SS&S 363; Abu 269   
Food for Thought: A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.
Memory verse: 2 Samuel 9:9
Prayer: Lord, remember me and restore all that I have lost through the fall of man in Jesus name. Amen


Saturday 24 February 2018

What Is Your Servant?

Devotion for Sunday February 25, 2018
Topic: What Is Your Servant? 
Text: 2 Samuel 9:8                                  
Yesterday, we read how David sought for Mephibosheth and brought him to dine at his table just for the sake of Jonathan’s love for him. It was the conviction of unworthiness, and true gratitude for favours received led Mephibosheth to ask “what is your servant?” The way David treated him surprised him so much. David’s treatment of Mephibosheth shows his integrity as a leader who accepted his obligation to show love and mercy. His generous provision for Jonathan’s son goes beyond any political benefit he might have received. This should be a lesson for those in authority. What David did, humbled Mephibosheth. It is good to have a humble heart under undeserved Providences. This is applicable to our salvation too. We deserved death by virtue of our sins but God in His love and mercies came and died for us. This should make us humble in whatever position we find ourselves. This led to the statements Paul made in 1 Corinthians 15:9 and Ephesians 3:8. Mephibosheth used the phrase, a servant and dead dog not because he was crippled but because he saw himself as a despised person who is not worthy of such honour. Do you have a humbled heart? How do you feel about the gifts God has bestowed on you? A thankful heart is the greatest virtue. Develop yours.  Sing SS&S 1138; Abu 240
Food for Thought: The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart.
Memory verse: 2 Samuel 9:8
Prayer: Lord God, grant me a thankful heart to always appreciate my salvation and works of mercies you do in my life. 

Friday 23 February 2018

Our Kindness Rebounds To Us


Devotion for Saturday February 24, 2018
Topic: Our Kindness Rebounds To Us
Text: 2 Samuel 9:1 – 7
Naturally, most kings will try to wipe out the families of their rivals to the throne in order to prevent any descendants from seeking that throne.  But the case of David was different as he showed kindness to Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. David was kind, partly because of his loyalty to God’s previously anointed king (see 1 Samuel 24:5-6) and mainly because of his vow to show kindness to all of Jonathan’s descendants (1 Samuel 20:14 – 17). David did not forget the love and sacrifice Jonathan showed him by willingly supporting his ascension to the throne of his father Saul. Do you forget the mercies God and people show you? In the midst of numerous affairs, cares and worries of life, we are apt to forget the gratitude we owe, and some engagements we have to undertake, not only to our friends, but to God Himself. Yet people who are really godly will have no rest until they have discharged their vows and attend to their engagements. David made inquiry because he knew he owed a great deal of responsibility to the family of Jonathan in particular. The kindness he showed David came back to his son. God is ever faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. We can show kindness for love we have received from God by being more dedicated and committed to His service and that of humanity. We should always pray for those who have shown us love. When we do this, God will bless them and us, the more. Sing SS&S 798; Abu 239
Food for Thought: Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together – Goethe.
Memory verse: 2 Samuel 9:1
Prayer: God, may I ever be grateful for the love I have received from you and from people.


Pride And Its Effect


Devotion for Friday February 23, 2018
Topic: Pride And Its Effect
Text: Isaiah 10: 5 – 19
The king of Assyria, in his pride, thought to act by his own will. Most tyrants of the world are tools of Providence. The plan of God was to correct His people for their hypocrisy, and bring them nearer to Him; but that wasn’t Sennacherib's plan. His desire was to gratify his own covetousness and ambition. He boasted of the great things he has done to other nations (Isaiah 10:8 – 11), by his own policy and power. He did not know that it was God who made him what he was, and puts the staff into his hand (Isaiah 10:5). If he had consulted Nebuchadnezzar, he wouldn’t have been so pompous. His pomposity provoked God’s anger (Isaiah 10:12 – 15). 
Matthew Henry opined that “For a tool to boast or to strive against Him that formed it, would not be more out of the way, than for Sennacherib to vaunt himself against Jehovah.” God’s verdict on King of Assyria was that He shall strip him and all his princes, of their wealth, and might, and glory; and destroy his numerous armies as fire destroys things which are thrown into it (Isaiah 10:16). That was the effect of pride on Sennacherib. 
Beloved, do you boast of the talent, wisdom, power or position God has given to you? Do you look down on others because you feel you are better than them? Think twice! God is God of justice. He exalts and brings down (Psalm 75:7; Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:14). 
Sing A&M 194; Abu 177.
Food for Thought: Proverbs 29:23                
Memory verse: Isaiah 10:12
Prayer: 1. My Father in heaven, may I not exalt myself because of where you have placed me or the talent you have given to me. 2. Grant me the spirit of humility and appreciation for what you have made me in Jesus name. Amen      

Friday 2 February 2018

We Are Joint Heirs With Christ

Devotion for Saturday February 3, 2018
Topic: We Are Joint Heirs With Christ
Text: Romans 8:17 – 25                                    
Behold what manner of love God has bestowed on us (1 John 3:1)! Our God breaks protocols when He wants to bless someone He loves. He can change the course of nature to ensure He blesses someone or fulfills His wills for us. When Balaam couldn’t see reasons with Him, He used his donkey to speak to him (Numbers 22:22 – 28). He parted the Red Sea for Israel to walk through but when the Egyptians tried it, they sank. These supernatural acts are what make God the Almighty. Paul stated in our text that Christians are all first born and heirs of the Almighty God. Naturally, only first born is the heir in the family. Others are never seen as heirs. In earthly inheritances, only the first-born are heirs; but the church is a church of first-born, for they are all heirs. Heaven is an inheritance that all the saints are heirs to. They do not come to it as purchasers by any merit or procurement of their own; but as heirs, purely by the act of God; for God makes Christians heirs. The saints are heirs though in this world they are heirs under age (Galatians 4:1 – 2). However, there is a clause attached to the status of being heir to the heavenly Kingdom and that is the condition that we suffer with Him (Romans 8:17). Paul further stated that what God has in stock for us should make us to be expectant of the time we will be glorified (Romans 8:18 – 25). Are you working towards that time? Make it a priority.
Sing A&M 330; Abu 112
Food for Thought: Galatians 4:7
Memory verse: Romans 8:17
Prayer: God, as you have made me heir, don’t allow me to abuse this honour on me in Jesus name. Amen

Thursday 1 February 2018

The Lord God Is My Portion

Devotion for Friday February 2, 2018
Topic: The Lord God Is My Portion
Text: Psalm 119:57
Any true believer (Christian) takes the Lord for the portion of his/her inheritance and nothing less will satisfy him or her. In our text, we can see the true character of a godly man. 1. He makes the favour of God his happiness. Thus the Psalmist here was happy to assert that God is his portion and nothing else matters to him. Some people place their happiness and pleasure in the wealth and honours of this world. Their portion is in this life; they look no further; they desire nothing more; these are their good things (Luke 16:25). However, a godly man takes the Lord for the portion of his inheritance and his cup, and nothing less will satisfy him. Another character of a godly man here is that he makes the word of God his guiding principle. He had declared his choice: he preferred the word of God to the wealth of the world. It was his firm resolve to keep, that is, treasure up and observe the words of his God (compare John 14:15) because he loves God. Here he confesses his binding obligation of his vow to God.  Beloved, what is your portion and what is it that gives you joy and makes you happy. Is it God and His word or the wealth of this world?
Sing SS&S 811; Abu 227
Food for Thought: Psalm 16:5         
Memory verse: Lamentation 3:24
Prayer: Lord God, you are my portion. Make me to be contented with what you have offered me and will offer me in future in Jesus name. Amen


Awake From Sleep: Devotion for Friday October 9, 2020

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