TO GAIN HONOUR OVER PHARAOH: Devotion for Thursday August 18, 2016

TO GAIN HONOUR OVER PHARAOH: Devotion for Thursday August 18, 2016

Text: Exodus 14:1 – 9                

Memory verse: Exodus 14 v 4

It is act of foolishness to use human reasoning to assess God. Such assessment is baseless. It will amount to failure because God is never programmed. He cannot be manipulated. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are higher than ours. He deserves our respect, honour and adoration.

There is this aphorism of my people which says that “He that the god will kill; first, will be made mad.” This was the case of Pharaoh. God hardened his heart so as to gain honour over him. Pharaoh thought that all Israel were entangled in the wilderness, and so would become an easy prey for him. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh. Of course we all are made for the honour of God, our Maker. If men would not have their hearts hardened, they must not continue knowingly to disobey God. If they thus disobey, all the blame will rest upon them (Rom. 1:24–26) if God decides to gain honour over them.

After relenting and giving them permission to depart with the greatest reason, Pharaoh now changes his mind and determines to prevent the Israelis from going. Without any farther restraining grace and delay, God permitted him to rush on and pursue the Israelis to his final ruin. This was the evidence that his cup of iniquity was now full. God judged him. This shows that there is a limit to which we can enjoy the grace of God. Never think that you have all the days and years to enjoy the grace of God. Are you living in sin and thinking that you can continue to live the way you like? Today may be your last day to commit that sin and God will expose you. Why not repent at this moment and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Tomorrow may be too late. Kindly do it now or God will gain honour over you by force?

Food for Thought: Exodus 9:16 - But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you, and that my name may be declared in all the earth.

Prayer: Almighty God and my Father in heaven, help me to live a life that will bring honour to you and not you, taking it by force.

A DIMINISHED LOVE        Friday   June 5, 2015

Text: Revelation 2:1 – 7            Memory verse: v 4

Love binds a man and woman together in marriage. When the commitment to that love is misplaced, failure in vows made, infidelity, quarrels, etc will set in. If such is not tackled immediately it is noticed, the marriage may end up in divorce. 

Jesus is married to the church. He paid the price with His blood with the expectation that the Church should be faithful, submissive, obedient and loyal to Him. He noticed that the Church at Ephesus had left their first love for Him and He cautioned them in a bid to draw them back to Himself to avoid divorce. They have not maintained the ardor and devotion of the love of their earlier history. Nothing but the fervent love of the Bride can satisfy the Bridegroom. Jesus cautioned them to note where they had fallen (2:5).

What is the level of your love for Christ? Is it the same as at the time you accepted him as your Lord and Saviour? Know that Jesus sees and knows everything about us. He knows those who are sincere in their walk with him. Therefore, search yourself now to know if your love for Him has diminished. You can easily know based on your commitment to His service, prayer and study life

Food for Thought: Before God can deliver us from our sins; we must free ourselves from deception.

Prayer: Lord, rekindle my love for you and help me to be faithful, obedient and loyal to my commitment to you in Jesus name.