As Constant Reminders: Devotion for Friday March 6, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday March 6, 2020

Topic:  As Constant Reminders                     

Text: Isaiah 49:13 – 17

I learnt from my mentor, Robin Sharma to write inspiring quotations and paste them on conspicuous position so that my eyes can easily go there as to read it often and again. According to him, it will be a kind of reminder which will motivate me to apply the message to life. This is exactly what God means here in our memory verse for the day.

Our text started with words of encouragement (v13) that comfort has come for Israel because they thought that God had forsaken them in Babylon; but Isaiah pointed out that God would never forget them, as a loving mother would not forget her little child.

Are you in despair, discouraged, feeling lonely or abandoned? God is saying that your comfort has come. That you may be suffering today doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. Why complain (v14)? God went ahead to give the Israelites the assurance that He has not forgotten them (v15 – 17). He did so by inscribing or engraving them on His palms so as to be a reminder to Him about their welfare, comfort, blessings, protection, etc.

Are you in doubt about God’s concern for your welfare and blessings? Are you questioning God’s faithfulness to His promises concerning you? God says that He has not forgotten you. When we feel that God has forsaken us, we must ask if we are the ones that have forsaken and forgotten God (Deut. 31:6). He doesn’t forsake His people.

Action: Write down what can keep you continuously in the palms of God and paste in on a conspicuous position in your room so you will be doing them always.

Memory verse: Isaiah 49:16

Prayer: My Father in heaven, keep me continuously your palm so that you will always remember my blessings and welfare in Jesus name.

My Blood Of The New Covenant

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Maundy Thursday April 13, 2017

Topic: My Blood Of The New Covenant                  

Text: Matthew 26: 20 – 30            

At the Last Supper and institution of the Holy Eucharist, Jesus stated that His blood is the blood of the new covenant.  Blood was needed for atonement by the people under the old covenant (those who lived before Jesus). Then they could only approach God through a priest with an animal for sacrifice. But the New Covenant requires all people to come directly to God through faith because Jesus’ death has made us acceptable in God’s eyes (Rom. 3:21-24). His blood atoned for our sins once and for all (Rom. 6:10).

The old covenant was a shadow of the new (Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:1), pointing forward to the day when Jesus Himself would be the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. The implication of the blood of Jesus is that we no longer need an unblemished lamb slain on the altar because the perfect Lamb of God was slain on the cross, a sinless sacrifice, so that our sins could be forgiven once and for all. All those who believe in Christ receive that forgiveness.

The names we use for this sacrament instituted by Christ, gives us different understanding of its significance. As the Lord’s Supper we use it to commemorate the Passover meal Jesus ate with His disciples. When we call it the Eucharist (thanksgiving), it signifies our thanking to God for Christ’s work for us. Again, when we call it Holy Communion, it means that we commune with God and other believers which are essential for unity and love. When we come to partake in the Lord’s Supper, we should quietly reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for us with a heart of gratitude.

Food for Thought: What are the benefits we derive from the Holy Communion?

Memory verse: Matthew 26 verse 28 - For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Prayer: Lord God, as I partake in the Holy Eucharist, grant me the heart of gratitude for the ultimate price you paid for me.

Examine Yourself

My Daily Covenant 2017 Edition – Monday January 2, 2017

Topic: Examine Yourself

Text: 2 Corinthians 13:5               

The type of examination we are looking at here is a sort of appraisal of our walk with God last year. By this time last year, some of us made series of resolutions to serve God, walk with Him and be more committed. How did you perform in your resolutions? How did you keep to your promises to serve God better? In all your struggles of last year, are you sure you didn’t offend God? Did you ask for forgiveness of sins? Jesus and His parents went to Jerusalem and after worship, He stayed behind and the parents left thinking that Jesus was in their midst. They never knew that Jesus was not with them (Luke 2:42-46) just like some people who abandoned Jesus and took to pleasures of life during this Yuletide. 

Paul called on Corinthian Christians to examine and test their lives to see if they were still in faith. Just as we get physical checkups, Paul urges us to give ourselves spiritual checkups. This is very much necessary at the beginning of the year like this so as to enable us redirect our steps if we have been on the wrong track of our Christian race. We should look for a growing awareness of Christ’s presence and power in our lives. That is the evidence to show that we are true Christians or merely impostors. If we’re not actively seeking to grow closer to God, we are drawing farther away from Him. Are you truly still in faith?

Food for Thought: 1 Cor. 9:27

Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 13 verse 5

Prayer: Lord God, help me to always examine myself to avoid running this heavenly race in a wrong track in Jesus name. Amen.