Inescapable Choice: Devotion for Thursday August 20, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday August 20, 2020

Topic: Inescapable Choice                             

Text: Matthew 6:24                                 

According to Catechism in Book of Common Prayer 2007:478, being created in the image of God “Means that we are free to make choices; to love, to create, to reason and to live in harmony with creation and with God.” One of the inescapable choices we make is that of whom to serve. We can choose to serve God the Creator or any of His creatures.

In our text, Jesus says we can have only one master and that it is not possible to have two masters at the same time because there is the tendency to love one more than the other.

Our world of today is a materialistic society where many people serve money and can do anything to get it including killing human being in the process. People’s desire for money and what it can buy far outweighs their commitment to God and spiritual matters. Whatever you store up, you will spend much of your time and energy thinking about.

Here in the text, Jesus contrasted heavenly values with earthly values when He explained that our first loyalty should be to those things that do not fade, cannot be stolen or used up, and never wear out. We should not be fascinated with our possessions, lest they possess us. This means we may have to do some cutting back if our possessions are becoming too important to us.

Jesus calls for a decision that allows us to live contentedly with whatever we have because we have chosen what is eternal and lasting. Don’t fall into the materialistic trap, because “the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Food for Thought: Can you honestly say that God, and not money or wealth is your master?

Memory verse: Matthew 6 v 24

Prayer: God, I have chosen you as my Lord and Saviour. Help me never to fall into materialistic trap that will take my heart away from you in Jesus name.

Making Wrong Choice in Marriage: Devotion for Sunday April 19, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday April 19, 2020

Text: Making Wrong Choice in Marriage                

Text: 1 Kings 11:1 – 8

Many of us spend so much time in prayer asking for God’s blessings upon our lives but I wonder if we actually ask God for wisdom in managing these blessings when He gives them to us. Inability to manage God’s blessings can mar us.  

The story of Solomon, a man of wisdom marrying 700 wives is an instance of depravity recorded in the Bible. The choice you make in life matters so much in what you finally become. Solomon made wrong choice in marriage simply because he felt he has fame and money therefore he can use them without discretion.

Biblical marriage is source of happiness in life and the neglect or violation of biblical marriage is a source of many of the most direful evils which most men are exposed to. Solomon was wrong by going for more than one wife, going to marry from other nations which God prohibited them from taking wives and adding 300 concubines.

This is how many people have made wrong choices in marriage by going for the hand of the women God didn’t keep for them. The strange women succeeded in introducing Solomon to their gods. These turned his heart from the Almighty God. Wrong choices in marriage can mar our relationship with God. Therefore, for those who are single, they should be careful on the decisions they make. Don’t go against God’s standard or else you will pay dearly for it.

Food for Thought: No man is wise enough by himself.

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 17:17

Prayer: Lord, grant unto the singles the wisdom to make right choices concerning their marriages in Jesus name.

You Must Make a Choice: Devotion for Thursday March 5, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday March 5, 2020

Topic: You Must Make a Choice                 

Text: Jeremiah 21:8 – 14   

According to Catechism in the Book of Common Prayers, being created in the image of God means freedom to make choices, etc. Every day, we are faced with options which necessitates making of choices. This is inevitable in our worship of God, relationship with others, food we eat, where to go and many other areas of our daily lives and living.

However, if the choice we make turns against the will of God, we will be accountable for it if not in immediate terms, then later. Joshua gave the people of Israel the option of choosing whom to serve (Joshua 24:15 – 24).

In our text, God told Israel to either choose the way of life or the way of death (Jeremiah 21v8). The reason for this option is in Jeremiah 21:9 & 10. This counsel from Jeremiah was very displeasing to those who were flattered by their false prophets into a desperate resolution to hold out to their ways. Unfortunately it didn’t work.

Most times, we make wrong choices because we are often led by the flesh and again God’s ways most times seem foolish in our eyes. Just like our memory verse, we have a choice to make now – heaven or hell. To choose heaven, you must repent of your sins and accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Choosing hell simply means refusal to repent. Have you made your choice?

Food for Thought: True religion is a matter of choice with all who heartily embrace it, and no man ever does or can serve God, in spirit and in truth, without choosing to do so

Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 30:15

Prayer: I choose life this day O Lord and may I not disappoint you at the end in Jesus name.

A Reward for Our Actions: Devotion for Sunday August 11, 2019

Devotion for Sunday August 11, 2019

Topic: A Reward for Our Actions

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:9 – 11

This world is a world of opposites; good or bad, man or woman, love or hatred, selfish or selfless, angry or happy and many more. God gave to man the will to makes choices at creation.

“Man’s power of choice enables him to think like an angel or a devil, a king or a slave. Whatever he chooses, mind will create,” so Frederick Bailes. The power to make choices given to man will be his greatest undoing if we misused it.

Paul charges us here to walk well in our Christian life so as to please God because we shall account of ourselves before the judgement seat of Christ, where He, whose religion we profess will judge us according to its precepts and the grace bestowed on us.

We need a conviction that we will stand at the judgement seat of Christ, and receive rewards according to the deeds done in the body, prudent and lead lives that will make us acceptable to Him and this is only possible with Christ-like life we are living here.

We note these facts from our scriptural reading.

1) The necessity of the judgement – We must, willing or unwilling

2) The universality of the judgement – We must all be judged

3) We will be judged by Christ – Whose image we ought to conform

4) It will be based on our person actions and inaction – The things done in the body

5) The reason for the judgement of God – Will you be punished or be rewarded according to our actions.

Beloved, how prepared are you for this soon coming judgement to reward or punish us?

Food for Thought: The rewards you will receive depend on the way you have lived now. Therefore make good use of your time, talent and treasure to the glory of God

Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5: 10

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to be conscious of the coming judgement so I will live well so as to receive a good reward in Jesus name.  

  

INESCAPABLE CHOICE: Devotion for Friday July 22, 2016

INESCAPABLE CHOICE: Devotion for Friday July 22, 2016

Text: Matthew 6:24                  

Memory verse: Matthew 6:24 - No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Catechism in Book of Common Prayer 2007:478, says that being created in the image of God “Means that we are free to make choices; to love, to create, to reason and to live in harmony with creation and with God.” One of the inescapable choices we will make in life is that of whom to serve. In our text, Jesus says we can have only one master and serve him well. If we have two masters at the same time, our devotion and commitment will be divided.

Our world of today is a materialistic society where many people serve money and can do anything to get it including looting public funds, backstabbing people to gain favour and approval, kidnapping, and killing. In our present society, people’s desire for money and what it can buy far outweighs their commitment to God and spiritual matters. Whatever you store up, you will spend much of your time and energy thinking about. No wonder Jesus made it clear that where our treasures are there will our hearts be.  

Here, Jesus contrasted heavenly values with earthly values when He explained that our first loyalty should be to those things that do not fade, cannot be stolen or used up, and never wear out. We shouldn’t be fascinated with our possessions, lest they possess us and we begin to give less attention to the things of God. This means we may have to do some cutting back if our possessions are becoming too important to us. Jesus calls for a decision that allows us to live contentedly with whatever we have because we have chosen what is eternal and lasting. Don’t fall into the materialistic trap, because “the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Food for Thought: Can you honestly say that God, and not money, is your master?

Prayer: God, I have chosen you as my Lord and Saviour. Help me never to fall into materialistic trap that will take my heart away from you in Jesus name. Grant me the grace to control my desire and the blessings you have bestowed upon me and not my blessings controlling me.

MAKING WRONG CHOICE IN MARRIAGE: Devotion for Friday April 15, 2016

MAKING WRONG CHOICE IN MARRIAGE: Devotion for Friday April 15, 2016

Text: 1 Kings 11:1 – 8     Memory verse: v 4

Many of us spend so much time in prayer asking for God’s blessings upon our lives but I wonder if we actually ask God for wisdom in managing these blessings when He releases them on us. This story of Solomon marrying 700 wives is an instance of depravity recorded in the Bible. The choice you make in life matters so much in what you finally become. Solomon made wrong choice in marriage simply because he felt he has fame and money therefore he can use them without discretion. According to Family Bible Notes, “The union for life of one man with one woman, according to the appointment of God, is essential to the highest excellence, usefulness, and happiness in life; and the neglect or violation of the original institution of marriage is a source of many of the most direful evils to which men on the earth are exposed.”

Solomon was wrong by going for more than one wife; going to marry from other nations which God prohibited the Israelites from taking wives and adding 300 concubines. This is how some people made wrong choices in marriage by going for the hand of the women God didn’t keep for them. The strange women succeeded in introducing Solomon to their gods. These turned his heart from God. Wrong choices in marriage can mar our relationship with God. Therefore, for those who are single, they should be careful on the decisions they make. Don’t go against God’s standard or else you will pay dearly for it.

Food for Thought: No man is wise enough by himself.

Prayer: Lord, grant unto the singles the wisdom to make right choices concerning their marriages in Jesus name.          

A CHOICE MUST BE MADE: Devotion for Sunday March 6, 2016

A CHOICE MUST BE MADE     Sunday March 6, 2016 

     

Text: Jeremiah 21:8 – 14     Memory Verse: v 8

According to Catechism in the Book of Common Prayers, man created in the image of God means having freedom to make choices, etc. Every day, we are faced with options which make choices inevitable in our worship of God, relationship with others, food we eat, where to go and many other areas of our daily lives and living. However, if the choice we make turns against the will of God, we will be accountable for it if not in immediate terms, it will be later. Joshua gave the people of Israel the option of choosing whom to serve (Josh. 24:15–24).

Family Bible Notes posited that “The only path of safety for nations or individuals lies in submission to God's declared will, however humbling it may be to their pride.” In our text, God told Israel to either choose the way of life and the way of death (21:8). The reason for this option is in 21:9 & 10. The counsel Jeremiah gave was very displeasing to those who were flattered by their false prophets into a desperate resolution to hold out to the last extremity. Unfortunately it didn’t work. Most times, we make wrong choices because we are often led by the flesh and again God’s ways most times seem foolish in our eyes. Just like our memory verse, we have a choice to make now – heaven or hell. To choose heaven, you have to accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Choosing hell simply means refusal to repent. Have you made your choice?

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 30:15

Prayer: I choose life this day, O Lord, and may I not disappoint you at the end in Jesus name.

HE MAKES THE CHOICE: Devotion for Monday October 19, 2015

HE MAKES THE CHOICE                     Monday October 19, 2015

Text: John 6:41 – 45                           Memory verse: v 44

Here are some truths in our bible reading for today.

1. That people don’t just come to Christ. They are drawn to Him.

2. That the drawing of sinful souls unto Jesus Christ is the special and peculiar work of God. This drawing is a powerful act, but not a compulsory act; God does not draw any against his or her will to Christ, but He inclines the wills of sinners to come unto him. He draws by effectual persuasion, and not by violent compulsion.

3. That all those who are drawn to Christ here, shall be raised up gloriously by Him hereafter (v 44). Such as are brought to Christ by the Father, Christ shall not abandon them, till He has raised them up at last, and presented them blameless and complete before His Father; where they shall ever be with Him.

God, drawing us to Himself starts with the knock at the door of our hearts (Revelation 3:20). It is only when we have responded to that knocking; He will draw us to Himself. Remember John 15:16. Has he drawn you to himself?

Food for Thought: John 6:65

Prayer: Lord, draw me to yourself and make me yours in Jesus name.