MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday June 1, 2020   

Topic: Live Above Taunting         

Text: 1 Samuel 1:9 – 18                                 

Taunting can demoralize us for some time when we take it to heart but it should not deter us from living our lives and becoming what we dream of in life. The taunting from Peninnah made Hannah sad that she lost appetite but her husband consoled her and encouraged her to eat (1 Samuel 1:8). Thereafter, the taunting led her into prayer.

She went into prayers after she would have considered the taunting by asking, why should I be angry? Why will I fret over what Peninnah said? Does being angry bring any good to me? Instead of binding the burden upon myself, I had better easy off by praying and casting it upon the Lord. These motivated her into pray and thus she overcame the taunting from Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:10). Is there any lesson for us in the action Hannah took against Peninnah’s taunting? In the bitterness of her soul Hannah prayed and went ahead to back her request with a vow (1 Samuel 1:11). This may have challenged God to answer her speedily.

From the way Hannah treated the challenge and taunting from her mate there are lessons for us.

(1) We shouldn’t waste all our time that should be used for something meaningful in replying our critics and accusers. Rather we should use it to improve ourselves and thus put them to shame.

(2) The taunting and critics from our enemies should inspire us to draw closer to God the more. What Peninnah did made Hannah a prayer warrior. She had no time to reply her but she cast the problem to God because He is the one that solves all problem.

(3) We should occasionally make vows to back up our request as Hannah did.

(4) We should believe God for an answer after praying.

In this new month, as your set aside taunting from the enemies and undermine your critics to improve yourself, God will so bless you and surprise them in Jesus name. Have a fruitful and rewarding month!

Food for Thought: We are the ones that can make taunting relevant when we let it deny us living our lives as we ought to.

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 1:10   

Prayer: Lord, let not the taunting against my life deny me from becoming what you want me to be in Jesus name.

God Released Her by Grace: Devotion for Thursday January 2, 2020

Devotion for Thursday January 2, 2020 

                    

Topic: God Released Her by Grace               

Text: John 8:1 – 11

When Jesus invited someone without sin to throw the first stone on this woman, the leaders slipped away one by one, from oldest to youngest. “Evidently the older men were more aware of their sins than the younger. Age and experience often temper youthful self-righteousness. 

We all have a sinful nature and are desperately in need of forgiveness and transformation” so says Life Application Commentary. None of us would have been able to throw the first stone because we cannot claim that we have no sin. We would have also walked away. 

Actually no one could claim he or she is sinless so as to stone this woman. Jesus had exposed their hypocrisy and embarrassed them. 

They went back in shame to think of some other ways to trap Jesus. No one had accused the woman and Jesus kindly said to He would not condemn her either. 

Thus she was released from death by grace. She was not simply free to go her way. Jesus didn’t free her from the Pharisees, He want to free her from her sin, so he added, “Go and sin no more.” 

Jesus didn’t condemn her, but neither did he ignore or condone her behavior. Jesus told the woman to leave her life of sin. 

As we have been graciously brought into this New Year, we should not abuse the grace of God. He brought us into the New Year because He expects a change in us. Don’t think you deserve to be alive; it is by God’s grace. 

Live in gratitude like this woman having received God’s grace to enter into this year.

Food for Thought: How grateful are you to God for the grace to see this year?

Memory Verse: Ephesians 2:8

Prayer: Lord I am alive by your grace. Help me to live my life in gratitude for this singular honour.