It Is A Gift, Use It Well

Devotion for Tuesday July 31, 2018

Sing A&M 300 – Be Thou, My Guardian And My Guide

Topic: It Is A Gift, Use It Well

Text: 1 Corinthians 4:7 – 13

Any sensible Christian has no reason to be proud; all we have, or are, or do, that is good, is owing to the free and rich grace of God. If really we understand that we are what we are just because of the grace God has bestowed on us, there is no reason to boast. Paul made it clear that the difference between Christians in terms talents and gifts we have received from God depends on the way we use them. In our text, Paul asked the rhetorical questions so they could see the silliness of their prideful positions against one another. Beloved, no one is better than anyone else. Everything we have; all we’ve accomplished and every gift we’ve received, all came from God. No one has any right to boast about anything. The problem of looking down on others stems from pride, arrogance and ignorance. Pride because you have some gifts others have. Arrogance because you thought it is by your own strength and ignorance because you don’t know that all you have are gifts from God. Whatever we are or have as at today, are all gifts from God – life, talent, wealth, good job, etc. Do not think that you deserved or worked harder for it. Just like salvation (Ephesians 2:8 & 9), it is a gift from God and we should be humble enough to appreciate this and not to pride yourself about what was given to us.

Food for Thought: John 3:27              

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 4:27

Prayer: God, may I not forget that what I am and have are gifts from you. Help me to use them judiciously to your praise and glory in Jesus name.

Be A Faithful Steward

Devotion for Monday July 30, 2018

Sing A&M 304; Abu 233 – Fight the good fight with all thy might

Topic: Be A Faithful Steward

Text: 1 Corinthians 4:1 – 6

Our bible reading for the day as Paul presented it was prompted by evaluation of humans by the Corinthians. Although the term ‘servants’ (1 Corinthians 4:1) denotes subordination, “stewards” (1 Corinthians 4:2) emphasizes privilege and responsibility. The call to leadership is a call to a pure and trustworthy character (1 Corinthians 4:2).

The Corinthians acted as if they were the judges at the last day, but they had judged much too early (1 Corinthians 4:5 - “before the Lord returns”). Their judgments of Christians were not for edification, but to put a final tag of good or bad, in or out, on the ones they judged. It was a non-ministry judgment that had its source in pride. This is very common even among present day Christians.

According to Family Bible Notes, “Fidelity to God and to the souls of men, in rightly dispensing the truths of the gospel, and in enforcing them by a uniformly holy and consistent example, is required of all ministers of Christ.” This is the emphasis of Paul in verse 2. “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare, poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well’” so says Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr.

It is appropriate to evaluate our calls as servants of whatever category we may be. How faithful are you in your job? Do you do it well as Martin Luther Jnr. suggested? We should remember that our call is to be faithful first to God and then to our employer. May God, grant us that grace in Jesus name. Sing A&M 304; Abu 233

Food for Thought: The supreme quality required in a steward is fidelity to his trust.

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 4:2 - Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Prayer: Lord God, help me never to betray the trust you have reposed on me.

A Perfect And Undefiled Religion

Devotion for Sunday July 29, 2018

Sing A&M 328 – A Charge To Keep I Have

Topic: A Perfect And Undefiled Religion

Text: James 1:27

Caring for the needy, the poor, the less privilege the destitute and the dejected is one of the duties expected of us who are Christians. In the present day church, we have a lot of these set of people and some of them even summon courage to share their challenges with us. Apostle James enjoined us to pay more attention to their need as believers. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case; instead of attending to the needy in the present day church, most Christians help only the rich because they are the ones that can pay them back or also help them when they are in need too, leaving the needy to their faith.

How do we respond to the needy among us? How do we treat the widows, orphans and the destitute among us today? Is serving God through humanity our religion today? Is it the religion of the best dress and cliques of personalities in same class? By not helping the needy in the church, we are directly or indirectly telling them “go the Lord will help you.” James’ opinion is that if we claim to be religious but fail in caring for the needy among us; we are just hypocrites who wash outside of a cup but inside is very dirty.

The religion some of us practice today is that of rich sharing with the wealthy while the poor Christians continue in their pains. Whenever we practice the principle of welfare, we are showing and practicing the “pure religion” James posited (James 1:27). Our Lord Jesus Christ noted that “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Jesus Christ made it a priority (a must do) for all believers to care for the needy and that He will base His judgment on how well you care for the less privileged people among you (Matthew 25:31-46).

Food for Thought: we were created to do good works that includes taking care of the needy and the poor among us.

Memory verse: Mathew 25:40

Prayer point: Grant me the grace, O Lord my God to help the needy who come to me and direct me to as many who desire my comfort.

A Useless Religion?

Devotion for Saturday July 28, 2018

Sing A&M 330 (Abu 112) – Thine Forever! God of Love

Topic: A Useless Religion?

Text: James 1:26 - If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

The tongue is a very powerful tool in the life of man; it can bring blessing as well as curse upon a man. A relationship built for years could be destroyed within seconds by the tongue. Marriages have been destroyed because of the use of uncontrolled tongue; families which use to be the envy of others have been shattered by the words of the month.

James said that bridling of tongue is part of our righteous act, and any believer who could not bring restraint to his/her tongue and speech is a deceit. Without control over your words, your religious act is worthless and hypocritical. If Jesus Christ is Lord over our lives He should also be the Lord also over our tongue. Contrary to that, then, there is deception.

For a Christian to maintain his stand with God and man, he should be able to bridle his tongue. A Christian’s use of tongue must be a matter of careful forethought and discipline. Psalm39:1 talked about one being able to restrain one’s tongue before wicked people because all they are after is to get you ensnared in your own words. Christians should not use the tongue with which they bless, to curse.

How do we view gossip, backbiting and slander in the house of God today? St Paul in his letter to the Church in Rome posited that gossip, slanderers and bad-mouths commit the same sin as murders, sexual perverts, and haters of God. He further stated that such sins are worthy of death (Romans 1:28-32). Many Christians have experienced problems and misfortune, or fail to get answers to their prayers, because of the words of their mouth. Above all Christian who wants to enjoy long and blessed life should keep their tongue from evil.

Food for Thought: Psalm 34:12-13                

Memory Verse: Prov. 21:23 - Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

Prayer Point: Help me, O Lord, to keep check on my tongue; help me to have control over the words of mouth so that I will not be ensnared by the words that I speak in Jesus name.

Lord Speak To Me That I May Speak

Devotion for Friday July 27, 2018

Sing SS&S 786 (Abu 129) – Lord Speak To Me That I May Speak

Topic: Be Doers Of The Word

Text: James 1:22 – 25

I remember when I was living in a school hostel and seemed very fanatical about the bible. Each time I made a mistake or by any of my group (fellowship members), a particular student would use the statement to scold us. And when she does that, I would feel pain as if I was whipped. It is not just enough to go to church daily, bible study and hold night vigil through the week yet your life speaks the opposite of what you profess. Non-Christians expect us to live like Christ. We know from the bible that Christ our Lord is good; His works are good, His life speaks well and utterances radiate good and there is no wickedness found in Him. The early disciple radiated same charisma and that was why they were called Christians in Antioch.

To be a Christian means to live like Christ so that when you present the Word to unbelievers they will not reject it. We should note that James wrote this to Christians who attend church and hears the word of God regularly not pagans who don’t go to church nor hear the word of God. His intent was to caution those in the church who hears the word of God regularly for them to know that to hearing without doing what they heard is self-deception while the hearers and doers of the word of God are blessed.

How do we take the word we hear? Do you see the word preached as the right message for you or just meant for Mary or John? A woman who has been an old member of a church shook hands with a pastor after service one Sunday morning and said “that was a wonderful sermon, just wonderful! Everything you said applies to someone I know.” James doesn’t want us to apply the word to someone else but to apply it to ourselves. If you want blessing in your life then apply the word of God you hear or read daily into your life.

Food for Thought: Mere hearers of the word of God are self-deceivers; and self-deceit will be found to be the worst deceit at last.

Memory verse: James 1:22

Prayer Point: Help me oh Lord, to do all I hear and to learn from you total obedience to your word in Jesus name.

Lay Aside Evil

Devotion for Thursday July 26, 2018

Sing A&M 304 (Abu 233) - Fight The Good Fight With All Thy Might

Topic: Lay Aside Evil

Text: James 1:21 – “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Evil is everywhere as well as good, it is but a matter of choice to cling to any of them. One can choose to live a good life while another person could settle for evil and whichever a person chooses there is always an end result. One thing is sure you cannot carry evil and good at the same time. A Christian whose fruit still show that of wickedness should as a matter of urgency repent and make amend. James admonished Christians to lay aside every form of evil and all kind of wrong because it will be a barrier to maintaining a cordial relationship with Jesus Christ. Christians must walk like children of light living in the Spirit, it is not possible for a Christian to be living in the spirit of God and still live in sin. 1Thess.5: 22 say we should flee from all appearance of evil. How do we know appearances of evil? We know them through 1) Unfruitful work of darkness (Ephesians 5:11) 2) Works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) and 3) Walking in the counsel of the ungodly (Psalm 1:1-2). Though as believers in Jesus Christ we have freedom to do various things as guided by the Holy Spirit yet not everything is good for us. We should be salt and light to non-Christians. We are enjoined to flee from sin and temptation (2 Timothy 2:22); this will help us to stay holy and focused; we should be living in a manner worthy of God not according to the pattern of the world. In a nutshell we should be a good example of a follower of Christ in our speeches and actions.

Food for Thought: Evil may look very attractive but its end result is destruction, therefore flee from evil.

Memory Verse: James 1:21  

Prayer: God, help me to discern evil and flee from it when I sight it.

Be Swift To Hear But Slow To Speak

Devotion for Wednesday July 25, 2018

Sing A&M 194 (Abu 177) – Jesus Meek And Gentle

Topic: Be Swift To Hear But Slow To Speak

Text: James 1:19 – 20

According to Rick Warren “God gave you two ears and one mouth. He wants you to listen twice as much as you speak. But we get in a hurry. What you need to do is try to understand the perspective of other people. Don’t just look at the situation from your point of view”. St. Francis of Assisi also said that “people should seek to understand before seeking to be understood.” James enjoined believers to cultivate the habit of thinking before acting and not just responding to situations emotionally or impulsively. In life it has been observed that nothing done in anger has ever given a good result and so it is always not pleasant at the end when you respond to a situation without giving a serious thought to it. One thing God require from those who profess Christ is self-control and it is one of the fruit of the spirit. I once read a story about a man who at point of stoning his wife hit his only son which rendered the innocent boy permanently brain damaged and the family living in perpetually sorrow because of that. Anger doesn’t solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything. All of us can be angry and sometimes have been. It can come when things don’t turn out the way we want. It might be a reaction to something which is said of us or to us. We may experience it when people don’t behave the way we want them to behave. Perhaps it comes when we have to wait for something longer than we expected. We might feel angry when others can’t see things from our perspective. There seem to be countless possible reasons for anger. Ephesians 4:26 charges us to be angry but do not sin. It means we should have self-control. By that we will not sin against God or offend man because of our anger.

Food for Thought: He who angers you conquers you so choose not to be conquered, choose not to be angered – Elizabeth Kenny.

Memory Verse: James 1:19

Prayer: O God, my heavenly father, help me to develop self-control in every situation no matter how devastating it may seem.

What Entices You Comes With Temptation

Devotion for Tuesday July 24, 2018

Sing A&M 300 – Be Thou My Guardian And My Guide

Topic: What Entices You Comes With Temptation

Text: James 1:13 – 18

This text draws our attention to the fact that God cannot tempt us rather it comes through the desire of our heart. James had his eye on whatever there was in trial of any kind to induce us to commit sin - whether by complaining, by murmuring, by apostasy, or by yielding to sin. So far as that was concerned, no one should charge it on God. Indeed James enjoined us to strive to overcome trials and temptation but that does not suggest that God will bring the temptation to us so that we can overcome and become perfect; temptations and trial come through the things we see and wish for. Satan thought to take advantage of Christ's humanity by urging Him to submit by obeying his tricks. Satan can solicit us to sin but he cannot compel us to do it. He said to Jesus, "Throw yourself down," knowing that he could not throw Him down; for God would intervene to deliver Him. Nor could Satan force Jesus to throw Himself down. Unless Christ should consent to such temptation coming your way, it could not overcome Him. Not all the power of earth or hell could force Him in the slightest degree to depart from the will of His Father. The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before Satan can exercise his power upon us. But every sinful desire we cherish affords him a foothold in our lives. Every point in which we fail in meeting the divine standard is an open door by which he can enter to tempt and destroy us. And every failure or defeat on our part gives occasion for him to reproach Christ. Therefore, let us live our lives as Christians, allowing our will to be lost in His; then we will overcome every trial and temptation that the enemies will bring our way.

Food for Thought: Enticement and temptation are meant to draw you away from God, stay focused and never give in.

Prayer: O God, give me the grace to live above sin and temptation

A Reward For Our Love For God

Devotion for Monday July 23, 2018

Sing A&M 235 (Abu 183)

Topic: A Reward For Our Love For God

Text: James 1:12

It is disheartening to see brethren turn away from faith as a result of troubles of life they had gone through or they are going through. Christianity is a call to persevere and the very moment one resolves to follow the way of Christ, the devil marks him for trouble. We’ve seen a non-Christian do so many treacherous things yet life seems to smile at him and the man who resolves to do things the right ways goes home heartbroken.

There are temptations all around a believer; the actual inducements to sin which surround us and lie in wait for us, and fall upon us to hurt us in the course of our lives. There may be enticements to that which is sinful, as, for instance, when we are tempted in business to be dishonest, or when in association with others, we are tempted to lie, to hold malice, and engage in unrighteous conduct of any kind.

On the other hand, the temptations may arise from what is in itself innocent, but which becomes sinful from an improper use of it. Just as the worth of a sailor is tested by the length and the roughness of the voyage, so is every one of us put to the test by the ordinary circumstances of life according to the stuff that we show ourselves to be made of and that determines our worth and reward.

Trial and temptations show whether or not we love God and can be true to our call. If we conquer them, they become instruments for bracing us up and making us stronger than before. At the end we will have the privilege to be with our God in heaven where we will be rewarded with crown of life. We will be blessed if we can prayerfully persevere and overcome this world and become gloriously ready for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Food for Thought: Rewards are given to the winners and they are those who endured in a challenge and end so well; chose to end well today.

Memory Verse: James 1:12

Prayer: Oh Lord, give me the grace to joyfully follow you to the end.

Life and Position Are Transient

Devotion for Sunday July 22, 2018

Sing SS&S 661 (Abu 327) – My Times Are In Thy Hand

Topic: Life and Position Are Transient

Text: James 1:9 – 11

In the beginning of this chapter, James the apostle enjoined us to be happy in the face of trial. When we face trials, it is tempting to look around at others and to compare our trials with theirs. Sometimes when we face difficulties too we are tempted to believe that some people don't face difficulties and that their lives are so easy. This is especially true when dealing with rich and poor.

The poor look at those who are rich and believe that they are getting off easy. They told themselves life is much better when one is rich; most times they wish they were same as the rich believing that riches could be the source of happiness; but James tells the lowly Christian to "boast in his exaltation."

Humanly thinking, one will wonder if the poor man ever thought he had anything to boast of; what exaltation could there be in poverty? However, in this text, the scripture is referring back to being "perfect and complete, lacking nothing in Him who has called us (Jesus Christ)." There is hope for the poor Christian who totally depends on the riches of God’s glory. Someday, that Christian who is lowly at the riches of this world now will be brought up, exalted, to a place of completion and fullness. He looks forward to the future, he does not boast in the present, but in what God is going to do. Certainly, there is no position that is permanent. All will one day pass away whether rich or poor. Therefore, let us learn contentment.

Food For Thought: To be rich is not to have all that the world can provide but to have a life that God and man are pleased with.

Memory Verse: James 1:9 – 10

Prayer Point: Oh God, in whom the lowly is complete; give me the grace to appreciate in every situation I found myself.