They Were Unperturbed

Devotion for Tuesday September 19, 2017

Topic: They Were Unperturbed

Text: Daniel 3:8: – 18

There are kinds of faith that God cannot ignore or overlook especially when it will glorify Him. When Esther did the unusual because the lives of God’s people were at stake, she got God’s approval and the favour she sought from the king. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego made up their minds to refuse the worship demanded of them, despite the increase fire temperature, and they knew that arguing the matter would do no good (Daniel 3:16), they persisted in their decision. To them, casting them into the furnace; the terror of it has no effect on their minds to induce them to alter the resolution they had taken. Their faith was in the fact that they serve a God who is able to deliver them. Should He not deliver them, they were equally determined and satisfied that in one way or another, He will deliver them out of the fire. That was a resolute faith

There are two reasons for their resolutions: first was on the power and providence of God, and secondly, their cause, which was God’s glory, and the testifying of the true religion. And so they make open confession that they will not so much as outwardly consent to idolatry.

Here is a challenge for us, the present day Christians who delight to fight enemies. When confronted with issues that will not glorify God in our offices, villages, towns and wherever we may find ourselves, what will you do? Do you resist even to the point of shading your blood? These young Hebrews men were resolute and God honoured them. Honour God by standing up for Him and obviously, He will honour you too

Food for Thought: Do you have the kind of faith that God cannot overlook?

Memory verse: Daniel 3 verse 17

Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant me such undaunted faith to stand out and glorify you no matter the kind of challenge that may confront me in Jesus name.

WHAT IS YOUR TESTIMONY? Devotion for Monday September 12, 2016

WHAT IS YOUR TESTIMONY? Devotion for Monday September 12, 2016

Text: Job 1:1 – 3       Memory verse: v 1

On 2nd October, 2014, the Women Fellowship of Cathedral Church of St. Peter Asaba invited me to speak on the topic, ‘Living above storm.’ The topic was so challenging and inspiring that it opened my eyes to so many things we pass through in life especially if we want to please God and live righteously. When I go home that evening I decided to start writing devotions on the lessons I learnt from the topic I spoke on. That evening and the following day, I wrote the devotion for the next 13 days based on the inspiration for that message. The message was indeed inspiring and challenging. I hope you will learn a lot from our devotion for the next 13 days. Welcome!

In our bible reading today, is the introduction of the person, Job. This is a man with a challenging testimony. A man whose character and commitment to God is a challenge to our present generation where people’s faith and believe is on good and nothing but good. A generation that is ready to praise God only when success comes their way. But here is the testimony about Job which says that he was “Blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” He was also blessed with 10 children and was indeed rich with great possession of livestock (1:2, 3). Job’s habit was to fear God and obey all His commandments. Like Zachariah and Elizabeth, he was "Righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless" (Luke 1:6). What a testimony!

Beloved, what is your testimony? It was not Job that wrote this. It was written by someone else hence the use of the phrase; were born to him and not born to me. What can people say about you? Do you desire to do the will of God and walk in His statues? You should be exact and consistent in all your dealings with men; someone who has no blame in your transaction with men. God demands us to be godly in all we do.

Action: As you go out today, be determined to live an upright life in all your transactions with people.

Prayer: My God and my Father in heaven, help me to live a life that is pleasing to you always and a blameless life in Jesus name.

TITHING (THE COVENANT TO RECEIVE MORE): Devotion for Sunday August 7, 2016

TITHING (THE COVENANT TO RECEIVE MORE): Devotion for Sunday August 7, 2016

Text: Malachi 3:10b – And try me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.                    

Memory verse: v 10b

Outside provision of food for the house of God (the storehouse as we read on Thursday), provision of food/assistance for the less privileged (as we read on Friday) and insurance (as we read on Saturday), another reason why we have to pay tithe is because it is a covenant to receive more from God. He specifically challenged us to try Him about tithe payment. What this implies is that God assures us that He cannot lie (Titus 1:2) nor fail to fulfill what He has said. This is a challenge for us to try God and see if He can fail.

A story was shared by a Pastor of how a man started business with N100, 000:00 (One hundred thousand naira only) and in five years, the business grew to N1trn (One trillion naira). When he was asked about the secret of his sudden transformation and large business empire, he said that since he stated the business, he has been paying 90% gain as his tithe instead of 10% requested by God. And for this, God enlarged his coast and his business became an empire.

The above story confirms our bible reading for today. The above story is not a fable or fiction. God is God of multiplication. He assured us of plenty and increase when we pay our tithe (Prov. 3:10). Family Bible Note opined that “The reason why they (God’s people) so often walk mournfully before Him for a long time and receive no answer, is, that they have, like Ananias and Sapphira, kept back part of the price.” When we meet God with our tithes, He meets us with blessings by giving us more. When we are faithful in doing so, God will be faithful in performing all that He has promised us. My beloved in Christ, please give this a consideration if you have not been doing it and see if God can lie.

Food for Thought: Are you willing to try God by being faithful in your tithe?

Prayer Point: Teach me, O God, to know that all I have are gifts from you and inspire me to use them rightly in Jesus name.