Understanding the Basics of Our Faith: Devotion for Friday May 8, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday May 8, 2020

Topic: Understanding the Basics of Our Faith                              

Text: 2 Peter 1:1 – 11

Winners in all sports never forget the basics in their sport and they build their game upon them like a house on a foundation. Here in our bible reading for the day, Peter as an elder in the Church, does not want Christians to forget the basics of their faith, so he reviews them here as a way or reminder.

Peter had concern about his readers’ faith surviving over the long run. Because he knew that his death is near, he reviewed the basics of the faith urging Christians to etch them into their memory (2 Peter 1:12 – 15). He wanted his readers to firmly grasp the gospel’s basic message, a goal that would take repetition to achieve.

Apostle Peter want them to hear it often and again that Jesus had come to die for their sins, had risen on the third day, had given them eternal life, and would one day return to judge the earth. Knowing and believing those simple basics would uphold their faith and keep them strong.

From time to time, it is good to review the basics of our faith in Christ. Doing this will refresh our memory, strengthen our faith, and dispel any spiritual falsehoods we may have begun to believe. Do you know the basics of our faith? Reviewing the Gospels and Epistles regularly will help us to stay spiritually focus and sharp.

Food for Thought: Constant review of our basics of faith keeps us focused on Christ and heaven.

Memory verse: 2 Peter 1:8

Prayer: Keep me focused on what constitutes my faith in you, O Lord.

An Example for You: Devotion for Maundy Thursday April 9, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Maundy Thursday April 9, 2020

Topic: An Example for You                                

Text: John 13:1 – 17

Feet were usually washed before the meals according to the custom of the people in the East. But Jesus waited till the time of supper (John 13:2) to make the act stand out as noteworthy. Jesus knew that he could take a servant’s role without losing anything (John 13:3).

The purpose of this action was to fix in the minds of His disciples at the nature of true greatness. This could be traced to the event in Luke 22:24 – 30 when the disciples were in dispute over who was going to be the greatest in the Kingdom. Jesus had taught them that greatness in the kingdom comes through serving others (Matthew 20:26-27), but they had not learned the lesson. Thus, He gave them this unforgettable illustration.

According to Brunner, “When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need.” Have you realized this truth that serving others is also serving God?

Grow a second income

At first, Peter rejected Jesus’ foot washing (13:6-11), which pointed toward Jesus’ cleansing work on the cross. But when Peter saw that this foot washing was symbolic of cleansing from sin, he requested to be washed from head to feet. He misunderstood Jesus the Messiah’s servant role and therefore his own role as disciple.

In John 13:10 Jesus came back to the literal point. The spiritual point had already been understood. They were already clean. Jesus was also showing His disciples what it meant to serve; what it meant to be great in the kingdom of God. The challenge in John 13:15 is for us today. Are you serving God in others?

Food for Thought: “When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need.”

Memory verse: John 17:15

Prayer: God teach me humility and service for humanity in Jesus name.

Grow in Grace: Devotion for Monday February 17, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday February 17, 2020

Topic: Grow in Grace                                     

Text: 1 Peter 3:14 – 18

In our scriptural reading for the day, Apostle Peter counsels us as an elder and someone who had a very close intimacy with Christ. In verse 14, he urged us to look forward to the things mentioned in verse 13. What are those things mentioned? Read verse 13. He charged us to do it diligently.

“The new heaven and the new earth promised by God is a state of perfect holiness and bliss into which after judgement God will receive His people; and for which the highest holiness and bliss on earth are but a preparation and a foretaste” according to Family Bible Notes . How are you preparing for this new heaven and new earth?

To grow in grace (1 Peter 3:18) means that we should increase in knowledge of Christ and in His likeness. Safeguard against seductions of error and the way to increase in holiness is increasing in knowledge of Jesus Christ through the study of the word of God. Grace is obtained through studying the word of God in Bible Studies, Fellowship and prayers meetings, and more other ways were we can read and study the bible. This will help us to strive daily to be like Him. Remember that we are called to conform to His image. Grow in grace and strive to be like Jesus Christ.    

Action: Write down in your Bible Study Notebook what you can do to grow in grace.

Memory verse: 1 Peter 2:2

Prayer: God, may I grow in your grace and likeness from this day onward till eternity in Jesus name.

Qualities of a Good Servant: Devotion for Tuesday January 4, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday February 4, 2020
Topic: Qualities of a True Servant
Text: 1 Peter 2:18 – 25
Servants in the bible days generally were slaves, and had heathen masters, who often used them cruelly; yet Apostle Peter directs them to be subject to the masters placed over them by Providence, with fear so that they will not dishonor or offend God. And not only to those pleased with their reasonable service, but to the severe, and those angry without cause. This may seem a hard teaching but that is what God requires of us. It is said that two wrongs cannot make a right. The sinful misconduct of one relation, does not justify sinful behaviour in the other just to retaliate. For this reason, a servant is bound to his duty, though the master may be sinfully froward and perverse.
Christians are servants to God and in some other places, servants to men in the case of our offices, as apprentice or in business. We owe it a duty to serve God diligently there whether it is convenient for us or not. Our masters where we work may be froward – difficult to deal with and at times make life miserable for us. However, no matter how difficult they may be to us we owe it a duty to serve well because our service is not only to our earthly masters but to our God in heaven. Paul also gave similar advice in Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; 1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:9. How effectively are you serving as a civil servant, public servants, apprentice, shop keeper, etc.? How faithful are you in that house as a maid, nanny or house help? God demands absolute obedience and nothing less.
Food for Thought: Loyalty and perseverance even in the face of unjust treatment singles us out as true Christians.
Memory verse: 1 Peter 2:18
Prayer: Lord God, make me a faithful and obedient servant in the place where I work in Jesus name.

Do As I Have Done To You

Devotion for Maundy Thursday March 29, 2018

Topic: Do As I Have Done To You  

Text: John 13:1 – 17  

Feet were usually washed before the meal but Jesus waited until during the supper (John 13:2) to make the act of feet washing stand out and to be noted. He took the role of a servant without losing anything (John 13:3). The purpose of this action was to fix in their minds the nature of true greatness. This could be traced to the event in Luke 22:24 – 30 when the disciples were in dispute over who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus had taught them that greatness in the kingdom comes through serving others (Matthew 20:26-27), but they had not learned the lesson. Thus, He gave them this unforgettable illustration. According to Brunner, “When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need.” Have you realised this truth? At first Peter refused to allow Jesus wash his feet (John 13:6 - 11), which pointed toward Jesus’ cleansing work on the cross. But when Peter saw that this foot washing was symbolic of cleansing from sin, he requested to be washed from head to foot. He misunderstood Jesus the Messiah’s servant role and therefore his own role as disciple. In John 13:10 Jesus came back to the literal point. The spiritual point had already been understood. They were already clean. Jesus was also showing His disciples what it meant to serve and what it meant to be great in the kingdom of God. His challenge in John 13:15 is for us today. Are you serving God in others? Sing A&M 108; Abu 31

Food for Thought: “When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need” – Brunner.

Memory verse: John 13:15

Prayer: God teach me humility and service for humanity in Jesus name.

Sermon Note on The Christian Virtue of Humility

THE CHRISTIAN VIRTUE OF HUMILITY     Text: Matthew 18:1 – 4; 1 Peter 5:5 – 7

Introduction: Humility is modest or unassuming in attitude and behaviour. It is feeling or showing respect and deference to other people. In Bible Online, Sockman posited that “True humility is intelligent self-respect that keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us mindful of the nobility God meant us to have. Yet it makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.” Humility is what will tell the world about our Christianity outside love.  

Development: The disciples of Jesus came to Him and asked, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" This question may have arisen from the prediction Jesus gave in Matt. 17:22, 23. To answer their question, Jesus called a small child over to him. The disciples had become preoccupied with the organization of an earthly kingdom and were seeking positions of advantage. Jesus used a child to help His self-centred disciples get the point. The disciples needed to become as little children. Jesus wanted them to change their attitude toward greatness.

They were to have servant attitudes (diaconate spirit), not being “childish” (arguing over petty issues) but “childlike,” with humble and sincere hearts. God’s people are called to humility and unconcern for social status. Unfortunately, that has become one of the greatest problems of the church today. People want to prefix something to their name. The desperate one will pay huge sums of money to the church so they will be made knights or Ezinne. Some, on their own will begin to prefix Evang. Some have even made themselves Pastors and Apostles.

Those who persist in pride and “ladder climbing” for the sake of status in this world will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. By contrast, those who, in humility, realize their need of a Saviour, accept Him, and move into the world to serve, not only enter the Kingdom but will be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. True humility means to deny oneself, to accept a position of servant hood, and to completely follow the Master. This informs the admonition of Peter on church relationship in 1 Peter 5:5 – 7. He noted that all the believers had a responsibility in the congregation to serve each other in humility. Humility means being able to put others’ needs and desires ahead of one’s own (see Philippians 2:3-4).  

Application: Today, our world in general and the church in particular are in dire need of this Christian virtue of humility. We need men/women who will serve without asking for a price. The Church needs people who will carry the virtue of humility to their offices, neighbourhood, business premises, schools, etc. Humility should be seen in our actions, reactions, responses, word, etc. We should be humble enough to accept our mistakes, confess our sins and repent of them. It takes a humble heart to repent of sins.

Conclusion: Have you ever thought of what the Church of God would look like if all of us had developed the kind of servant hood or diaconate spirit found in Christ (Philippians 2:3 – 11)? The virtue of humility will help us to crucify self, put on compassionate spirit and live out the life of Christ. It will make us less worldly and more heavenly. Just like our collect for the day, we should ask God to humble us in every aspect of our lives for that is what the world will see in us and acknowledge that we are indeed Christ-like.

Let us pray

AN ELDER INDEED: Devotion for Friday April 8, 2016

AN ELDER INDEED: Devotion for Friday April 8, 2016        

Text: 2 Peter 1:12 – 18    Memory verse: v 12

Our society (African context) is one that loves titles and human recognition. This is very common in the church of today. Some Pastors have even gone to acquire awards from fake institutions so as to be addressed Rev Dr. or Bishop (Dr) … Presently people are made Elders in the church so as to have a Christian title without having necessary requirements for that position. An elder lives by example. He cares for the flock of Christ. He constantly reminds the flock about the expectations of God from them. He is very careful to take care of the flock and to bring them to Christ at the end. This was the concern of Peter in our bible passage for the day. He kept reminding Christians as an Elder, about what they saw and heard from Jesus Christ (1:16–18). The reason for this was to build their faith on solid foundation and guide them jealously against false teachers and teachings.

Elders in the present day church are not only people with the title Elders but as many as are in leadership position in the church and all her organizations. How much do we care about the flock? Many of them are prone to attacks of the enemies and are also vulnerable to false teachings of our time especially in social media and internet. What are you doing to safeguard them? Be a true elder who should guide his flock jealously.

Food for Thought: Words of our elders are words of wisdom

Prayer: Help me to always take to heart all the counsels and wisdom from the bible.  

             

A TRUE SERVANT: Devotion for Thursday February 4, 2016

A TRUE SERVANT     Thursday February 4, 2016

Text: 1 Peter 2:18 – 25     Memory verse: v 18

Servants in those days generally were slaves, and had heathen masters, who often used them cruelly; yet Apostle Peter directs them to be subject to the masters placed over them by Providence, with a fear not to dishonour or offend God. And not only to those pleased with reasonable service, but to the severe, and those angry without cause. This may seem a hard teaching but that is what God requires of us. It is said that two wrongs cannot make a right. The sinful misconduct of one relation, does not justify sinful behaviour in the other. For this reason, a servant is bound to his duty, though the master may be sinfully froward and perverse.

Virtually all of us Christians are servants to God and in some other places, servants to men. We owe it a duty to serve God diligently whether it is convenient for us or not. Again, we have masters where we work for or under. They may be froward – difficult to deal with and at times make life miserable for us. However, no matter how difficult they may be to us we owe it a duty to serve well because our service is not only to our earthly masters but to our God in heaven. Paul also gave similar advice in Eph 6:5; Col 3:22; 1 Tim 6:1 and Tit 2:9. How effectively are you serving as a civil servant, public servants, apprentice, shop keeper, etc? How faithful are you in that house as a maid, nanny or house help? God demands absolute obedience and nothing less.

Food for Thought: Loyalty and perseverance even in the face of unjust treatment singles us out as true Christians.

Prayer: Lord God, make me a faithful and obedient servant in the place I work in Jesus name.