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.

If Only I Can Touch

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Wednesday March 8, 2017

Topic: If Only I Can Touch

Text: Matthew 9:20 – 22

As Jesus Christ left with Jairus, His disciples and the multitude followed Him and right there in the crowd pressing on Him was a desperate person in need of healing. This woman who had suffered haemorrhage for twelve years was desperately in need of healing as the bleeding she suffered was painful. She had been to many doctors, had spent all her money, but had received no cure (Mk. 5:26).

The bleeding caused the woman to be in a constant condition of ceremonial uncleanness (Lev. 15:25-33) which had denied her worship in the synagogue. It also barred her from having normal social relationships, for under Jewish law, anyone who touched her also became unclean. Thus, she had been treated as a leper.

When Jesus came her way she thought in her heart that if only she had the opportunity of just touching the helm of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. Not minding restrictions place on someone with such sickness, she worked her way through the crowd and came up behind Jesus. She may have feared that Jesus would not touch her if He knew her condition, that Jesus would not risk becoming unclean in order to heal her. She may have feared the crowd would be angry with her if they know about her condition, had touched her and become unclean unknowingly. The woman knew she could receive healing but she did it unobtrusively as possible.

Beloved, if only you can touch His garment today, you will certainly be made whole.

Food for Thought: What could be the restrictions to your salvation, healing or blessings from God?

Prayer: Lord, help me to overcome restrictions that hinder my healing, salvation and blessings in Jesus name

An Encouragement For Us

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday March 3, 2017 

Topic: An Encouragement For Us

Text: John 16:33

Jesus summarizes His teaching with an encouragement to His disciples by saying that they will enjoy peace through their union with Him because He would overcome the world by rising from the dead. The world and Satan are opposed to God and will definitely give Christians many trials and sorrows. But Jesus has defeated Satan, won the victory, and overcome the world. Jesus asserts that in the world His disciples will have problem but He also gave a remedy to the world’s problem which He says is peace in Him; the serenity of mind, a quiet and calm spirit within. This is the proffered solution to the troubles of the world. Jesus tied together themes from 14:27-29, 16:1-4, and 16:9-11.

With the words in John 16:33, He told His disciples to take courage because despite the inevitable resistance they would face, He would be with them. As the Father did not leave Him alone, so He will not abandon us to our struggles either. Christ's blood has purchased peace for us.

Many of us are currently facing diverse challenges which include sickness, imprisonment, marital problems, hunger, challenges from people of different faiths, etc. This was predicted long before now. All we can do is to have the assurance Jesus gave us in our text behind our minds. He will not forsake you. Allow the inner peace which comes from knowing that He is always there for us, fill your heart. That was what sustained me while I battled for life. God will do it for you too.

Food for Thought: I John 5:4

Memory verse: John 16 verse 33b

Prayer: Lord God, let your words of encouragement cheer me up in time of difficulties of life.

BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: Devotion for Thursday October 20, 2016

BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: Devotion for Thursday October 20, 2016

Text: 1 Corinthians 6: 12 – 20    Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 6 verse 20

Yesterday, we read how Paul asserted that people who say they are Christians but are still living in sin will not be part in the Kingdom of God. We summed up by saying that Christians must not willfully commit sin or condone it in any way. His stand according to yesterday’s devotion is that we cannot be selective about the sin we condemn or excuse. God expects His followers in any age to have high moral standards.  

In our bible reading for the day, the Apostle continues his admonition by stressing the importance of living a life of purity and righteousness. He gave instances of how we can defile ourselves especially through immorality. The reason he was so particular about immorality is in 1 Corinthians 6:18 and 19. Christians should take this admonition is very seriously because as they are no longer the owners of their bodies.

Now, our bodies belong to God and should be honoured and exclusively be used to glorify Him. We can do this by absolute obedience to God (1 Corinthians 6:19). Paul stressed this because we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). The price with which Jesus Christ bought us is stated in Matt 20:28; Galatians 3:13 and 1 Peter 18, 19. The precious blood of Jesus Christ is not what we should take for granted and abuse it. We should consider the sacrifice Jesus Christ made and take our call and faith seriously.

Beloved, since our bodies belong to God, it is our duty to glorify God with them. The fact that we are His, purchased and now belong to His spiritual temple makes our obligation to consecrate our spirit and body to His service imperative. Unfortunately, some Christians today who belong to the permissive group don’t see anything wrong in this. They hold the view that we can live in the world and do whatever we like in the name of freedom. It ought not to be so. We need the grace of God to fulfill our obligation of consecrating our lives to God and we can only succeed if we apply the counsel of Paul in Romans 12:1–2. To present the body to God as a living sacrifice is to consecrate it, with the living soul that inhibits it, to God's service.       

Food for Thought: Act 20:28

Prayer: God, grant me the understanding that I have been bought with a precious price so that I will live my life to conform to the standard expected of me in Jesus name. Amen.  

NO REMISSION WITHOUT BLOOD

NO REMISSION WITHOUT BLOOD     Saturday May 23, 2015

Text: Hebrews 9:18 – 22                 Memory verse: v 22

It is universally true that sin never has been, and never will be forgiven, except in connection with and in virtue of the shedding of blood. Salvation by the atonement is based on blood by which God bestows pardon on men. Blood from a sacrifice symbolized cleansing and forgiveness, thus nearly everything was purified by sprinkling with blood v 22a. Why does forgiveness require the shedding of blood? Blood is symbol of life and it keeps us alive. Jesus shed his blood; gave His life for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to experience spiritual death and eternal separation from God. Jesus is the source of life, not death. He gave his own life to pay the penalty for us to live.

It follows, therefore, 1) that no sinner can hope for forgiveness except through the blood of Christ. 2) If men are ever saved they must be willing to rely on the merits of that blood. 3) All men are on a level in regard to salvation, since all are to be saved in the same way. The blood was to save us from sin and death. Have you received cleansing from that blood? Will you allow such sacrifice to be in vain? Remember that there is no other sacrifice required of us than that which Jesus made. You should not take the atonement for granted by continuing in sin.

Food for Thought: If Jesus didn’t shed his blood for us, what would have been our condition as miserable sinners?

Prayer: Lord God may I never to take the atonement by Jesus for granted by continuing in sin. Cleanse me with that blood in Jesus name.