Why Some People Don’t Help The Needy: Devotion for Sunday May 3, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday May 3, 2020

Topic: Why Some People Don’t Help The Needy       

Text: Acts 9:10 – 18                                     

There are so many people who are suffering today just because their appointed helpers have refused to help. They will always have one reason or another why they won’t help people who come to them for help or they come across. One of the reason people don’t help is poor understanding of how their wealth came about (see yesterday’s devotion).

They will question; where were you when they were making their money? This is sheer arrogance. Another reason is in our memory verse – our past or history. Some will recount what happened in the days of your forefathers and because of that they will not help anyone from your family.

In our text, Ananias initially refused to help Saul because of his past. He told God what he knew and heard about Saul. However, God insisted that he was the one chosen for the task. It was that insistence from God that made Ananias to help Saul. May God, in His mercies insists that your helpers will come your way in Jesus name. The excuse of Ananias is contrary to the bible teaching concerning our relationship with our enemies – “Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you” (see Matt 5:44; Luke 6:27, 35; Romans 12:14, 20; 1 Peter 2:23; 3:9).

As Christians, we should not fail to help people by recounting what happened in the past or any reason at all. We should behave like our Father in heaven as we have in Matthew 5:45.

Action: As you go out today, ensure you do good to someone who actually needs help without counting the cost.

Memory verse: Act 9:13

Prayer: God, help me to love my enemies and to do good to them because it is the best way to sow your love in their hearts.

A Chosen Vessel of God: Devotion for Monday March 9, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday March 9, 2020

Topic: A Chosen Vessel for God               

Text: Acts 9:10 – 15

One proverbial saying of my people states that “When a thief has stolen to an extent, the custody of the house will be handed over to him.” Paul intensively persecuted the Church (Acts 9:1 & 2) and God decided to use him to build the church he persecuted so much. From his testimonies later, he did those things out of zeal for God (Philippians 3:6) and in ignorance. Zeal without knowledge is catastrophic (Romans 10:2).

The statement of Paul in Acts 9:6a was a mark of surrender to God. This made God to mandate Ananias to go and help him out. Devil had used Paul so much so as to harden his heart but his experience on the road to Damascus was irresistible. He couldn’t withstand the power of God. When God was speaking with Ananias, He affirmed that Paul was a chosen instrument (vessel) He will use. We know how much God used him later. He was selected from that moment to preach the gospel of salvation by grace to the Jews and Gentiles alike (Galatians 1:15 - 17). He fulfilled that commission entrusted to him.

As Christians, God has chosen us as vessels unto righteousness to proclaim His praise (1 Peter 1:9). How are you fulfilling this task? Paul persecuted the Church with zeal and God saw how useful that zeal will be in the propagation of the gospel by choosing him. Paul didn’t disappoint.

God wants to use His gift in you and that is the reason He has chosen you as a Christian. How do you intend to be useful to God and humanity with that your gift? God didn’t choose you to become a liability to Him. He has invested in you. Therefore be a vessel unto honour.

Food for Thought: 2 Timothy 2:21

Memory verse: Acts 9:15

Prayer: Make me O Lord, a vessel unto honour in your hand in Jesus name.

WHY SOME PEOPLE DON’T HELP: Devotion for TuesdayMay

WHY SOME PEOPLE DON’T HELP: Devotion for Tuesday May 3, 2016     

Text: Acts 9:10 – 18      Memory verse: v 13

There are so many people who are suffering today just because their appointed helpers have refused to help. They will always have one reason or another why they won’t help people who come to them for help or they come across. One of the reasons people don’t help is poor understanding of how their wealth came about (see yesterday’s devotion). They will question; where were you when I was making my money? This is sheer arrogance. Another reason is in 9:13 – our past or history. Some will recount what happened in the days of your forefathers and because of that they will not help anyone from your family.

Ananias initially refused to help Saul because of his past. He told God what he knew or heard about Saul. However, God insisted that he was the one chosen for the task. It was that insistence from God that made Ananias to help Saul. My prayer is that God in His mercies will insist that your helpers will come your way in Jesus name. The excuse of Ananias is contrary to the bible teaching concerning our relationship with our enemies – Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you (Matt 5:44; Lk. 6:27, 35; Rom. 12:14, 20; 1 Pet. 2:23; 3:9). As Christians, we should not fail to help people by recounting what happened in the past or any reason at all. We should behave like our Father in heaven as we have in Matt. 5:45.

Action: As you go out today, ensure you do good to someone who actually needs help without counting the cost.

Prayer: God, help me to love my enemies and to do good to them because it is the best way to sow your love in their hearts.