Submit To God’s Will

Devotion for Friday June 1, 2018

Topic: Submit To God’s Will

Text: Luke 1:26 – 38 

There are many reasons why Mary would have rejected the message from Angel Gabriel. The shame as a result of being pregnant out of wedlock, the consequences it will have on her faith, her family and her fiancé. To some people they will choose to avoid such honour rather than bearing the shame like most of us who deny our faith in the face of adversities and temptations. Mary knew she will be ridiculed but like Moses, she chose to suffer affliction of shame, abandonment by friends and loved ones, and reproach, instead of going against the will of God. When Mary said the words in Luke 1:38, she didn’t know about the tremendous opportunity she would have. She only knew that God was asking her to serve Him, and she willingly obeyed. 

Don’t wait to see the bottom line before offering your life to God. Offer yourself willingly, even when the outcome seems disastrous. It will never lead to regret at the end. Please stop battling with God on the need to submit to His will. You cannot battle with your maker. God is saying submit now before it will be too late. 

I knew how I battled with God before resigning from teaching and to start full time church work. It was a real battle in 1995 that lasted months. I thank God I took the right decision at the end and today, I am better off. If not I wouldn’t be alive today. Beloved, submit to God’s will in everything you will do this month and you will never regret doing so. This hymn was the hymn God gave me in 1995 and I want you to share it with me – A&M 357, Abu 193

Food for Thought: Expression of resignation to the will of God, and of faith in His promise is essential in gaining God’s approval and blessings.

Memory verse: Luke 1:38

Prayer: Lord, strengthen my faith in you so that I will always resign to your will for me in all situations in Jesus name. Amen

Find Joy In One Another

Devotion for Thursday May 31, 2018

Topic: Find Joy In One Another

Text: John 3:22 – 36

Here in our text, John teaches us not to envy or resent one another’s gifts or blessings. Rather we should find joy in what others are blessed with or doing. There was a dispute between the Jews and John the Baptist’s disciples which may have centred on the relative worth of John’s baptism and that of Jesus Christ. However, John, being mindful of his office, not only puts a stop to their endeavours, but also takes occasion by that means to give testimony about Christ, that in him alone the Father has set forth everlasting life. He summed up his testimony saying, “Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled” – John 3:29b He was filled with joy that he has done his job as a forerunner of Jesus Christ and was very happy that Jesus had taken over. This act of John is a great challenge for present day Christians who are creating gulf instead of building bridges with interdenominational barriers between them. Today, there is so much competition among Christians. We envy and resent people’s gifts and hardly acknowledge the working of God in other people’s lives. This is one ploy of the devil to plant disunity and disharmony among Christians and many of us are undermining this plot of the devil. We should find joy in one another. We preach about heaven; a place for all believers yet we don’t see anything good in fellow Christians. One thing I know for sure is that, God is not making heaven for one denomination alone and again, many of us will be disappointed on the last day as the people that will make heaven are people who find joy in other people’s gifts and ministries. God help your church to understand this.

Sing The Church’s One Foundation A&M 225; Abu 81

Food for Thought: True brotherly love appreciates and supports gifts and ministry of other believers.

Memory verse: John 3:29b

Prayer: Almighty God, may I find joy in other people’s gifts and ministry in Jesus name.

Please pray for the production of My Daily Covenant with God and also pray for Tabugbo Morgan Uzoma as he celebrates his birthday today.

Whatever He Says To You, Do It

Devotion for Wednesday May 30, 2018

Topic: Whatever He Says To You, Do It

Text: John 2:1 – 11

It is evident from John 2:4 that Jesus’ mother did not understand what He had said as a harsh reproof and repulse, but as an indication of His willingness at the proper time to provide wine, hence her statement in John 2:5. From our bible passage, it shows that Mary had known the power in Jesus and His willingness to solve people’s problems which led her to speak to the servants. There are some lessons for us in this text. 1) There is a time for everything on earth. Jesus didn’t act immediately the mother made the request but waited for the appropriate time. This shows that there is time for God to answer us. He may not answer us immediately we make our request but obviously, He will answer. 2) What Jesus says to us is what we should do so as to attract His blessings upon our lives. We find it so difficult to do God’s bidding most times. Unfortunately, obedience to God’s word no matter how difficult or painful it may be is the way to test our faithfulness and love for God. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments” – John 14:15. Until we do that, we cannot claim that we love God. 3) We should not question God’s instructions to us. The servants didn’t question Mary’s or Jesus’ instructions. They obeyed to the letter and that produced the miracle. Can you imagine the instruction of Jesus telling the servants to take water they just poured into the jar and serve as wine? Yet they didn’t question but acted and there was a miracle. As we obey God without questioning, we will be reaping our miracles.

Sing A&M 202; Abu 202

Food for Thought: “Let the ground of all religious actions be obedience; examine not why it is commanded, but observe it because it is commanded. True obedience neither procrastinates nor questions. -Quarles

Memory verse: John 2:5

Prayer: Lord God, grant me an obedient spirit in all you command me to do in Jesus name.

God Will Heal Nigeria

Devotion for Tuesday May 29, 2018 (Democracy Day)

Topic: God Will Heal Nigeria

Text: Jeremiah 33:6 – 9

Any person or nation that God has blessed and that person or nation is still suffering lack, it means that God’s judgement is upon that country or person. I can imagine how countries that are not endowed with such human and natural resources could be living in abundance while a country like Nigeria richly blessed is living in want and abject poverty. The only reason for this is not far from judgement of God. When God places his judgement on a people, some of the following happen. They have eyes but cannot see. They have things in abundance but they are still in want. They have bad leaders that plunder their common wealth, corrupt and abuse of the rule of law which form the order of the day. These things are prevalent in our nation today. However, there is still hope for us as a people because there is no situation that God cannot change. In our text, God assures that He will not abate his present judgements upon Jerusalem (Nigeria), but He gives the gracious assurance of a future restoration. What this implies is that, we should learn our lessons and repent of our sins now. God’s word in 2 Chronicle 7:14 should be uppermost in our hearts. The example of what Nineveh did in time of Jonah should be considered as the way out of our present socio-economic and political quagmire we have found ourselves in. God will heal our land.

Sing A&M 262; Abu 83  

Food for Thought: Proverbs 11:11

Memory verse: Proverbs 14:34

Prayer: God let righteousness reign in our nation and let it start through me in Jesus name.

Our Works Perfect Our Faith

Devotion for Monday May 28, 2018

Topic: Our Works Perfect Our Faith

Text: James 2:19 – 24

Here in our scriptural reading for the day, James presents a proof that faith cannot exist without being active in works of righteousness. He argued that Abraham’s faith in God would have been of no avail to him, had it not been manifested by his works. It was by his works; his obedience to the commands of God that his faith was made perfect and shown to be complete because it produced its appropriate fruit. The idea of James here is that our work is a way of justifying our faith and righteousness. From James position, we can allude that our work of righteousness speaks more of our faith than our profession. There we have a binding obligation to work out our faith so that people will know us more about our faith from our works and not from our confession. This is a challenge for us in this present generation where sin and all manner of evil have become the order of the day. It is only when we establish our righteousness through godly living that we can influence our generation for good. The bible says, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” – Romans 8:19. We must reveal ourselves to the world through the works (actions and words) we do. The works Abraham did by offering his only begotten son made perfect his faith. Likewise will your works make perfect your faith and it all starts from absolute obedience.

Sing A&M 225; Abu 81

Food for Thought: Allow people to know your faith through your works of charity and your obedience to God and not just your confession.

Memory verse: James 2:22

Prayer: Grant, O Lord, my God, that I will justify my faith through the way I live and my obedience to your commandments in Jesus name.

Marks Of Childhood, Emblem Of True Christianity

Devotion for Sunday (Children’s Day) May 27, 2018

Topic: Marks Of Childhood, Emblem Of True Christianity               

Text: Matthew 18:1 – 6

We rejoice with our children on this their special day. We thank God for their lives and pray that they will grow in the fear and knowledge of God. They will not become thorns on our fleshes in Jesus name. Greatness in the view of men differs much from greatness in the sight of God. That is the reason God’s dictionary is different from Man’s dictionary. When the argument started among the disciples on who is the greatest, Jesus set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter His kingdom. Children, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. These are some great qualities in children that are suitable for God’s Kingdom. These are marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems of the lowly minds of true Christians. Surely we need to daily renew our minds that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. How humble and teachable are you? Do you desire to be in authority and for what purpose – the glory of it or for service of humanity? Let us learn from children’s character; humble, docile, submissive and obedient. We should daily study this subject of humility, and examine our own spirits so that we can properly conform to the standard required of the Kingdom of God.

SS&S 1155; Abu 279

Food for Thought: Marks of childhood are sources of wisdom.

Memory Verse: Matthew 18:3

Prayer: Grant unto me, O Lord my God, a humble, submissive and obedient spirit worthy of your Kingdom in Jesus name.

Judge Between Me And My Vineyard

Devotion for Saturday May 26, 2018

Topic: Judge Between Me And My Vineyard

Text: Isaiah 5: 1 – 7

Our bible passage for today is an imagery used by God to teach the nation of Israel and by extension we the present readers about our unfaithfulness, despite the enormous grace and mercies we have received from Him. He used the imagery of a vineyard at a very good place, fertile enough to produce good fruits (Isaiah 5:1, 2). All that was needed to make the vineyard were provided (Isaiah 5:2). Unfortunately and regrettably too, the vineyard produce the opposite of what God expected. Instead of good grapes, it produced wild grapes that are not useful. The lesson of the song of the vineyard shows that God’s chosen nation was expected to bear fruit—to carry out His work and to uphold justice. It did bear fruit, but the fruit was bad. The hurt friend (God) now directs rhetorical questions to the people of Judah, asking them to judge whether He is guilty of neglecting them or not. God often condemns sinners “out of their own mouth” (Deuteronomy 32:6; 2 Samuel 12:1-6; Job 15:6; Luke 19:22; Romans 3:4). Jesus gave us insight on how to identify someone by his or her fruit in Matthew 7:20. Have you examined your own “fruits” lately? Is it good or bad, useful or wild? This examination is appropriate and should be on regular basis because being vulnerable; we can fall off at any given time. We should take heed.

Sing A&M 94, Abu 171

Food for Thought: What kind of fruit(s) do you bear? Compare your fruits with Galatians 5:22 and 23.

Memory verse: Isaiah 5:3

Prayer: Almighty God, as you have invested so much on me, help me to make return equal to what you have invested in me in Jesus name.

The Word Of God Gives Life

Devotion for Friday May 25, 2018

Topic: The Word Of God Gives Life

Text: Ezekiel 37:1 – 14

There are many lessons in our bible reading for the day especially when we feel discouraged in life. It shows us the power of God over hopeless situations. It also reveals the power in God’s word and inabilities in man. God alone is the one whose word stands. The bible says in Lamentation 3:37, “Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it?” God used this revelation to illustrate how He will restore Israel from their hopeless situation in captivity to glory in their land (Ezekiel 37:12 – 14). God likened the spiritually dead situation of Israel at that time to dry bones. Your church may seem like a heap of dry bones to you; spiritually dead with no hope of vitality. But just as God promised to restore His nation, He can restore any church, no matter how dry or dead it may be. Rather than giving up, pray for renewal and for God can restore it to life. The hope and prayer of every church should be that God will put His Spirit into it (Ezekiel 37:14). In fact, God is at work calling his people back to Himself, bringing new life into dead churches. On the other hand, your spiritual life; your business, your marriage or other aspects of your life, may be as dry as bones and there seem to be no more life in them. Never mind, God is able to turn it around. Go to Him in prayer today.

Sing A&M 362, Abu 86

Food for Thought: God has answers to dryness in our physical and spiritual lives.

Memory verse: Ezekiel 37:7

Prayer: God, cause life into any dryness in my physical and spiritual life. 2. God revive everything in your church especially where I worship.

God Rescues Us From Evil

Devotion for Thursday May 24, 2018

Topic: God Rescues Us From Evil

Text: Psalm 107:10 – 16 

Never undermine what God can do. Sin has so much consequences and the bible says that the soul that sins shall die. Our text started with the level of affliction meted out on the Israel (Psalm 107:10, 12) because they sinned against God (Psalm 107:11). In most cases sin is the major cause of troubles and problems of life we pass through in life. Most times God allow some of these afflictions to come upon us so we can redress our steps and seek His face in repentance. This was the case as Israel sought the Lord in their trouble and He heard them and delivered them out of their troubles. Most times we don’t turn to God when we run into trouble. We try so many avenues for solution before we remember that God is there for us. God speedily answered His people when they repent. The Israelites took much time before they cried to God, but He was not long before He saved. They had sought for help everywhere else before they came to Him, but when they returned to Him, He welcomed them at once. This is the God we serve. Remember the story of Prodigal Son. Are you in trouble? Call upon God. You should not let your sin pose as a barrier to what God wants to do in your life because He is ever willing to forgive you if you can repent. Call upon Him today and do not delay.

Sing SS&S 1165, Abu 263       

Food for Thought: Psalm 50:15     

Memory verse: Psalm 107:13

Prayer: Lord, deliver me from all troubles of life I am passing through in Jesus name.

God Satisfies The Longing Soul

Devotion for Wednesday May 23, 2018

Topic: God Satisfies The Longing Soul

Text: Psalm 107:1 – 9 

Those the Lord has redeemed and those that have benefitted from God’s benevolence should speak out and tell the world about God’s goodness (Psalm 107: 1 and 2). Indeed, God has done so much for us, and we have so much for which to thank Him (see Psalms 103:1 – 5). He wants us to tell everyone all that He has done. These verses are not so much a mandate to witness but as act of appreciation to God. There is no affliction no matter how grievous our God cannot deliver us from. Thus the Psalmist exhorts us who are delivered to be mindful of so great a benefit (Psalm 107: 5 and 6). As for thirst, He gives satisfaction, so for hunger He supplies filling. Lost, hungry, thirsty, and exhausted as used in our text, are wanderers, example of Israelites in exile. They also typify anyone who has not found the satisfaction that comes from knowing God. Anyone who recognizes he or she is lost can receive the offer of Jesus to satisfy these needs. Jesus is the way (John 14:6), the bread from heaven (John 6:33, 35), the living water (John 4:10-14), and the giver of rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Have you received His life-giving offers? Jesus charged us on what to thirst after (Matthew 5:6). He then encouraged us in Matthew 6:33 and 34 to seek righteousness and all other things will be added unto us. What are the things you hunger and thirst after? God will satisfy your hunger and thirst especially if it is that which focuses on the spiritual; for that is what God delights in doing for us. 

Sing A&M 314; Abu 194

Food for Thought: Psalm 34:10        

Memory verse: Psalm 107:9

Prayer: God, satisfy my longing soul for your righteousness in Jesus name.

Obey, Even When It Hurts

Devotion for Tuesday May 22, 2018

Topic: Obey, Even When It Hurts

Text: Genesis 22:1 – 14    

Abraham, through the years, learned many tough lessons about the importance of obeying God. These were when he was called out of Ur, when he went to Egypt, and when he had to wait for Isaac’s birth. Initially, Abraham did not always show that he trusted or believed God; but through each test, he saw God’s willingness and ability to keep His promises. That is why God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2) at an altar as a burnt sacrifice. That is the greatest gift one can offer. God did not want Isaac to die, but he wanted Abraham to sacrifice Isaac in his heart so that he could learn to trust God completely (see Hebrews 11:19). Imagine what Abraham must have felt as he walked with Isaac up the mountain, each step being torturous and leading him painfully closer to unspeakable grief. However Abraham obeyed, giving his son at his own hurt and God honoured his faith. Obeying God may often be a struggle because it may mean giving up something that we truly want. We should not expect our obedience to God to be easy or to come naturally. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances. When tested, we can complain or we can obey, trusting God as we try to see what He is teaching us. Trust and Obey is the best way to be happy. Is God testing your faith? Then sing SS&S 642

Action: As you go out, be determined to obey God even if it will hurt you.

Memory verse: Genesis 22:9 

Prayer: God, grant me the grant me the grace to obey you in everything even when it hurts because there is a reward at the end.

Most Monuments We Build Are For Spotlight

Devotion for Monday May 21, 2018

Topic: Most Monuments We Build Are For Spotlight

Text: Genesis 11:1 – 9

Most times, we build monuments to mark/celebrate great moments and people. However, monuments are more than just memory aids. In building them we want, above all, to glorify something; we use them to honour a person or idealize an event. After the Flood, God made a covenant with Noah and his descendants which included dispersing to other parts of the earth. But the people forgot God; His goodness, His deliverance, His judgment, and His promise soon after that. They became impressed with themselves, so much so that they decided to erect a monument for themselves. They built their tower to glorify their greatness; it became, instead, a memorial to their greatest foolishness and human arrogance. We can learn from this passage: (1) God is good and merciful to us. (2) God is greater than we are. (3) All humans are connected by sin. The people in this story built the Tower of Babel for the whole world to see (Genesis 11:3-4). Today, people may not build statues, temples, or pyramids, but they still erect monuments in achievements, expensive clothes, big houses, fancy cars, important jobs to call attention to them. When these are used as means to give us personal identity and self-worth, these otherwise worthy pursuits take God’s place. God gives us freedom to develop in many areas, but not the freedom to replace Him. What monument have you built for yourself?

Sing A&M 361; Abu 128

Food for Thought: What monuments are you erecting to give yourself personal identity instead of glorifying God?

Memory verse: Genesis 11:4  

Prayer: Help me, Lord God, not to attach self-worth to the blessings you have given to me. Rather, grant that I will use them to your praise and glory.

Topic: Deviants From The Truth

Devotion for Sunday May 20, 2018

Topic: Deviants From The Truth

Text: Romans 1: 19 – 32   

In the context of our devotion, deviants are people who deviate from the truth. Yesterday, we read the warning of Jesus Christ concerning false prophets. An Egyptian Professor some time ago posited that Jews lied about their history. That there was never a time they lived in Egypt. These are attempts by people to change the truth. Paul asserts that no one has excuse for not believing God. This is his argument here because God has revealed what He is like in and through His creation (Romans 1:19ff). Unfortunately, many have deviated from the truth about God and creation while some others have refused to accept Him, choosing to worship the creature instead of the Creator (Romans 1:22 – 25). For this reason God has given up on them (Romans 1:26) and will not spare them at judgment. Deviants from the truth are rampant in our days. They have given up the worship of God to worshipping of Pastors, General Overseers, Bishops, Archbishops, Priests, etc. They do this by accepting what these people say as standard instead of what the Bible say. Recently, I read how a pastor asked the female members not to put on underwear as they come to church so that it will be easier for the Holy Spirit to enter into them. Abomination you will say! I don’t blame them as much as those who give ear to them. Can you mention some other acts of deviants from the truth? Do you belong to these deviants – the gay people, modern idol worshippers in the church and compromisers or are you one of their supporters (Romans 1:32)? Repent now before it will be too late. God, forgive our foolish ways as we sing from A&M 184

Food for Thought: God cannot trade His glory with any creature

Memory verse: Romans 1:25

Prayer: God, help me not to deviate from the faith I received from you.

Our Integrity Gives Credence To Our Christianity

Devotion for Saturday May 19, 2018

Topic: Our Integrity Gives Credence To Our Christianity

Text: Matthew 7: 15 – 20 

One thing that prevents men from choosing the strait and narrow way that leads to heaven is false doctrine that guarantees them freedom to live the way they want so they can fulfill their lustful desires. Today, there are many people who believe that the teachings of Paul, Peter, John, and other parts of the bible against homosexuals were wrong. Some of these false prophets brought the gay movement into the Church of God. This is the reason behind the warning Jesus gave in Matthew 7:15. You will know these false teachers by the way they drift from one position to another on doctrinal issues and the effects of their doctrines on morality. We cannot know the nature of a man until his fruits (his deeds) starts manifesting. Therefore, the way to detect false prophets is by their deeds. A person’s speech will not always correspond to his true nature (Matthew 7:21). Good teachers consistently exhibit good behaviour, integrity and high moral character as they attempt to live out the truths of Scripture. When Jesus spoke about bad trees, he meant teachers who deliberately teach false doctrine. We must examine the teachers’ motives, the direction they are taking, and the results they are seeking. Those who should not be teaching will be recognizable by their fruits. As Christians, we are teachers of the Bible by our words and action. Do we show integrity in all we do? If we do, that will give credence to our confession of faith. Let us be known for integrity and not for falsehood and deceits.

Sing SS&S 601

Food for Thought: Matthew 3:10

Memory verse: Matthew 7:20

Prayer: My God and my Father, help me to develop virtue of integrity in my words and action before you and men in Jesus name.

Some Things That Provoke God

Devotion for Friday May 18, 2018

Topic: Some Things That Provoke God

Text: Ezekiel 36:16 – 20

One characteristics or nature of God is that He doesn’t punish and restore us without telling us our wrongs. Most cases He sets before us the wrong and its consequences, and the right and its blessings (Leviticus 24 and Deuteronomy 28). The scripture has the story of how God spoke about the impending danger on the house of Eli but he did not heed the warning (1 Samuel 2:27 – 34). In our text for the day, God told Ezekiel what made Him to drive away the Israelites from their land into exile. This was God’s reason: “When the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity” (Ezekiel 36:17). These actions of the Israelites were contrary to the covenant they made with God in Mount Sinai when they came out of Egypt. They chose their ways rather than the ways of God. This was the thing that provoked God’s anger. By virtue of our new birth and as Christians, we entered into a covenant with God called the New Covenant. In that New Covenant, Jesus Christ commands us to believe in Him and keep His commandment. It was for this reason He gave us the New Commandment that we should love one another as He loved us. Do we keep the commandments as required of us? Do we love one another as He loved us? Failure means that we have chosen our own way as against the ways of God as the Israelites did. By that action, we have severed ourselves from God’s kingdom except we repent. Let’s join H. Bonar to sing A&M 356, Abu 186.

Food for Thought: Obedience to God is required from us if we hope to have a place in His kingdom.

Memory verse: Ezekiel 36:17

Prayer: Grant me the grace I need O Lord to always do things according to your will and not mine in Jesus name.

Why Do We Suffer If God Is With Us?

Devotion for Thursday May 17, 2018

Topic: Why Do We Suffer If God Is With Us?

Text: Judges 6:11 – 18

Most Christians believe that they can’t suffer if God is with them. But this is not the true case. God was with Joseph even in the prison (Genesis 39:23). He was there in the prison with Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25ff). The presence of these men in prison turned out to glorify God and grant them favour as in the case of Joseph. This is what we should understand that suffering, sickness, temptation and trials are never signs that God has forgotten us or is no more with us. When we have this understanding, it will help us to go through all storms of life in faith and optimism that our God will bring us out of them at last. Gideon queried the angel of the Lord when the angel greeted him saying, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour!” (Judges 6:12b). The reaction of Gideon to this greeting did not come from distrust, but from weakness of faith. This is how we falter most times: yet the children of God have a true and not perfect faith, by which they are justified. Some of us react the same way too when we hear some preaching about God’s faithfulness while we are suffering from lack, sickness, bondage of Satan, etc. We easily rebuff the message that God cannot be with us and the devil will be dealing with us mercilessly. But we should always remember that God is not unmindful of what we suffer (compare Psalm 111:5). Charlotte Elliott who became invalid at about 30 years old wrote A&M 357, Abu 193 on a wheel chair. Let’s sing to get her message for us in that hymn.

Food for Thought: Do not make your life miserable by complaining because God promise us life free from suffering.

Memory verse: Judges 6:13

Prayer: Lord, grant me proper understanding of your will for me so that I will not complain over things I pass through in life.