Devotion for Wednesday February 28, 2018

Topic: He Will Sustain Your Burden

Text: Psalm 55:16 – 23

David resolved to call upon God, being well assured that no one seeks Him in vain (Psalm 55:16). If we desire to have peace of mind, and that joy in the Holy Ghost which is a safeguard and support in times of trouble we should be regular and constant in prayer. That is the reason David prays morning, noon and evening. This is a challenge for us. How many times do we pray in a day? Having developed a relationship with God and having seen God’s faithfulness to His word, David encourages us to “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” To sustain our burden as used in Psalm 55:22 means that God will bear our burden and answer us accordingly. This is a glorious promise to anyone tempted and afflicted to run to God. If God has assured us of bearing our burdens (Matthew 11:28 – 30), why do you despair? Unfortunately, most of us despair over common things of life. We have entered into the New Covenant with God as Christians which guarantees salvation, peace, healing, deliverance among other blessings, but can’t assess these blessings because we have refused to lay our problems at the foot of the Cross of Calvary where our salvation, peace and others things were bought with the blood of Jesus. Are you ready to cast your burden on the Lord? Better do so for your own good.

Sing SS&S 319; Abu 249 – What a friend we have in Jesus

Food for Thought: Psalm 37:5              

Memory verse: 1 Peter 5:7

Prayer: Lord God, I bring before you this day the burden in my heart. Sustain them O Lord according to your promises in Jesus name. Amen.

GOD LOVES THE RIGHTEOUS

DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016

Topic: GOD LOVES THE RIGHTEOUS 

Text: Psalm 146:5 – 10                      

God created us in His image (Genesis 1:28) and one of the characteristics or nature of God is righteousness. We that He created in His image ought to have that nature or characteristics in us. For this reason God love the righteous man because he has His nature.

The bible says that the righteous man lives by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) and without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Our bible passage for the day says that, “God loves the righteous”. Why is it, that God loves the righteous? God loves the righteous because they please Him (Hebrews 11:6). The gospel message states that righteousness is determined by faith and not by law. The Old Testament speaks of the law which the New Testament speaks on grace that comes through our faith in Christ Jesus.

Here are some qualities that distinguish a righteous man. Use them to assess yourself to know if you are one the righteous or not.

a) Total faith in God (Psalm 31:14) – A righteous man has total and implicit faith in God. He is not moved by situation or circumstances.

b) Bears fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22 & 23) – This is another nature or a righteous man. He bears fruits that glorify God.  

c) His actions are guided by faith (Habakkuk. 2:4)

d) He fears God and respects man (Matthew 10:28)

e) He obeys the word of God (Acts 5:29). You can add more to this. 

Note the concern God has for those who are down with burden. Are you down in your spiritual life, academics, business, marriage, career, etc? God has promised to lift you up and He will do it. For those who are righteous and are enjoying the love of God, take this advice. As someone who enjoys the inestimable privilege of His love, you should always endeavor to magnify His name with enthusiastic delight. One good area in Church’s worship where we can serve God well and magnify His name is in the choir. You must never be absent from the choir. You must never pause from His praise whose infinite love has made you what you are. Do you make out time praise God? Praises is what we can offer Him.

Food for Thought: Jesus is our burden bearer (1 Peter 5:7).

Memory verse: Psalm 146 verse 8

Prayer Points: God, help me to please you through a righteous living.

HE MOURNED AND WEPT: Devotion for Saturday July 2, 2016

HE MOURNED AND WEPT: Devotion for Saturday July 2, 2016 

  

Text: 2 Samuel 1:11 – 12              

Memory verse: v 12 -And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

In the token of anguish, David tore his clothes. This is a common practice in Israel (Gen. 37:29, 34; 43:13; Josh. 7:6; 2 Kings 19:1; Matt. 26:65; Acts 22:23). David was sincere in his mourning for Saul, Jonathan and the fallen heroes of Israel; and all with him humbled themselves under the hand of God too. David wept, mourned and fasted because of Saul, Jonathan and other Israelis that lost their lives. For a man of his calibre to weep openly does not mean he is weak. Such expression at times is needed for some reasons. It eases stress and burden of the heart, and it is used to pass message of love and empathy. Jesus did it at the tomb of Lazarus in John 11:35

David act was a clear testimony of his righteousness. “A good man will not desire the death even of his bitterest enemy, though it would open the way to his own elevation, influence, and honour” according to Family Bible Notes. This was the case of David. The emotional expression showed by David clearly underscores his previous acts of saving Saul when he had the opportunity to have killed him as one who fears God. It takes the fear of God to live righteously in our present day society filled with bitterness, envy, anger and greed.

Are you heavily burdened? Are you mourning the death of loved ones? You should not restrict yourself from expressing your emotion even in the public. Jesus did it. One way to ease our burdened heart especially that of bereavement is by weeping. It is not a mark of weakness. It helps us to ease off and be revived. The act of David here should be a challenge for us. We should not gloat over the downfall of our enemies just as we read yesterday, rather we should show love for them and even when death or evil befalls them, we shouldn’t gloat over them.  

Food for Thought: A good man will not desire the death even of his bitterest enemy, though it would open the way to his own elevation, influence, and honour.

Prayer: God, give me heart of love for those who despise and hate me.

HE WILL SUSTAIN IT: Devotion for Monday February 22, 2016

HE WILL SUSTAIN IT               Monday February 22, 2016

Text: Psalm 55:16 – 23               Memory verse: v 22

David perseveres in his resolution to call upon God, being well assured that he should not seek him in vain (55:16). Being regular and constant in prayer are essentials to having peace of mind, and that joy in the Holy Ghost which is a safeguard and support in times of trouble. That is why David says his prayers morning, noon and evening. This is a challenge for us. How many times do we pray in a day? Having developed a relationship with God and having seen God’s faithfulness to His word, David encourages us saying, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Sustaining it as used in 55:22 means that God will bear us and our burden when we cast them upon Him. This is a glorious promise to anyone tempted and afflicted.

If God has assured us of bearing our burden (Matt. 11:28–30), then why give yourself unnecessary burden again? How can someone board a vehicle and still carry his luggage on his head? That is stupidity at the highest level. Unfortunately, most of us do same. We have entered into the New Covenant with God which guarantees salvation, peace, healing, deliverance, etc, but some of us can’t assess these blessings because we have refused to lay our problems at the foot of the Cross of Calvary where our salvation, peace and other things were bought with the blood of Jesus. Are you ready to cast your burden on Him today? Better do so for your own good.

Food for Thought: Psalm 37:5

Prayer: Lord God, I bring before you this day the burden in my heart (mention them by name). Sustain them O Lord according to your promises.         

HE WILL SUSTAIN IT: Devotion for Monday February 22, 2016

HE WILL SUSTAIN IT               Monday February 22, 2016

Text: Psalm 55:16 – 23               Memory verse: v 22

David perseveres in his resolution to call upon God, being well assured that he should not seek him in vain (55:16). Being regular and constant in prayer are essentials to having peace of mind, and that joy in the Holy Ghost which is a safeguard and support in times of trouble. That is why David says his prayers morning, noon and evening. This is a challenge for us. How many times do we pray in a day? Having developed a relationship with God and having seen God’s faithfulness to His word, David encourages us saying, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Sustaining it as used in 55:22 means that God will bear us and our burden when we cast them upon Him. This is a glorious promise to anyone tempted and afflicted.

If God has assured us of bearing our burden (Matt. 11:28–30), then why give yourself unnecessary burden again? How can someone board a vehicle and still carry his luggage on his head? That is stupidity at the highest level. Unfortunately, most of us do same. We have entered into the New Covenant with God which guarantees salvation, peace, healing, deliverance, etc, but some of us can’t assess these blessings because we have refused to lay our problems at the foot of the Cross of Calvary where our salvation, peace and other things were bought with the blood of Jesus. Are you ready to cast your burden on Him today? Better do so for your own good.

Food for Thought: Psalm 37:5

Prayer: Lord God, I bring before you this day the burden in my heart (mention them by name). Sustain them O Lord according to your promises.         

CAST OFF EVERY WEIGHT Thursday October 8, 2015

CAST OFF EVERY WEIGHT       Thursday October 8, 2015

Text: Hebrews 12:1 – 3                   Memory verse: v 1

There are some things that can hinder our progress in the way to heaven. According to William Burkett, by every weight, it is generally understood to mean “The world, its riches, honours, pleasures, preferment, which often times are a peculiar obstruction to steadiness and perseverance in the profession and practice of Christianity.” These weights must be laid aside, by mortifying our hearts and affections towards the world and all that are in it (1 John 2:15, 16), for it is unreasonable to love these things which give us their weight and burden. Excessive care for the present life, or fondness for it, is a weight that pulls us down when we should soar upwards, and pulls us back when we should press forward thus making our duties harder and heavier than they would be.

Some of the weights that hinder us summed up as love for the world may not necessarily be sin as our text suggests, rather they are some attachments that can make us lose focus and commitment. They could be a formed habit, association, some things that appeal so much to us, etc. Search yourself and know the weight you are carrying.

Food for Thought: Colossians 3:8

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to lay aside every weight that is hindering my commitment to and walk with you in Jesus name.