Be Like Your Father: Be Like Your Father

 

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Be Like Your Father

Topic: Be Like Your Father   

Text: Ephesians 5:1 – 2                        

Here in our scriptural reading for the day, Paul reminds us that our perfect example is God. We haven’t see God the Father or God the Holy Spirit. It is God the Son that we have heard about Him in the Scriptures. When Paul said that we should imitate God, he was talking about Christ. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus said, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” This is what our call as Christians demand.

In being like our father in heaven, we should imitate;

1) His acts of mercy (Luke 6:36).

2) His compassionate life (Mark 1:41; Luke 7:11 – 15). We should also show compassion to people especially those in need.

3) We should love as He loves us (John 3:16; 13:34; 15:12.)

4) We shouldn’t condemn people (John 3:17; 8:10, 11).

5) We should be like Him in obedience (Philippians 2:5 – 11).

6) We should be just and maintain justice too (Isaiah 30:18).   

Just as children imitate their parents, we should follow God’s example. His great love for us led Him to sacrifice Himself so that we might live. Our love for others should be of the same kind; a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service. We have reason for everlasting gratitude to God that He has given us a perfect example; and it should be our great object perfectly to imitate it.   

Food for Thought: Matthew 5:48

Memory verse: Ephesians 5 v 1

Prayer: God, make me perfect as you are as I imitate you daily through godly living in Jesus name.

Divine Compassion: Devotion for Sunday August 23, 2020

 

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday August 23, 2020

Topic: Divine Compassion                  

Text: Mark 1:40 – 45                    

The real value of a person is inside, not outside. Although a person’s body may be diseased or deformed but the real person inside is valuable to God. No person is too disgusting for God’s touch. This was the reason Jesus despised the law to give this leper a divine touch.

In keeping with the law in Leviticus 13 and 14, it is the Jewish leaders that declare people with leprosy unclean. This meant that lepers were unfit to participate in any religious or social activity. According to laws about leprosy in Leviticus 13 and 14, when a leper was cured, he or she had to go to a priest to be examined. Then the leper will give a Thanks offering at the Temple. Jesus adhered to these laws by sending the man to the priest, demonstrating Jesus’ complete regard for God’s law.

In a sense, we are all people with “leprosy” because we have all been deformed by the ugliness of sin. By sending His Son, Jesus, God has touched us, giving us the opportunity to be healed. Have you received that Divine touch? Divine touch is not only for healing of leprosy. It brings salvation, peace, breakthrough, favour, promotion, business opportunities, etc. All that is expected of you is to apply to the Saviour with great humility, and with full submission to His will. I assure you that He will stretch out His hands upon you now for the Divine touch you need to have a turn around.

Food for Thought: Jesus’ compassion for us undermines the law and protocols 

Memory verse: Mark 1 v 41

Prayer: Lord God, break every protocol and law to touch me at the point of my need in Jesus name.

 

Lend to God: Devotion for Sunday March 8, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday March 8, 2016

Topic: Lend To God                                                         

Text: Proverbs 19:17  

Our text for the day is a very interesting one because many people are confused about it and they have kept acting ignorantly. A friend gave me this request: “My Pastor, please help me in prayer. I am going through terrible bad times. I am so badly indebted. Nothing is moving around me and I have been seeking God’s face to help me. The more I am sowing the seed, the more things are getting worse. Cash, my electronics, my jeep car, all I have given with hope to be better but the opposite is what I get. I am so much indebted. Please pray for me.”

What led this friend into debt is ignorance and lack of basic foundation of Christian faith. Lending to God must not be with conditions or with intent to receive more. God is not a lottery. It must come from a heart of love for God and the recipient.

Our text says that the best investment of our property is in deeds of charity. Compassion is the inward principle of charity in the heart and it is to have pity on the poor. You may not have a kobo for the poor, yet you can have pity for them, a charitable concern and sympathy bearing in mind what Paul sail in 1 Corinthians 13:3. See also Isaiah 58:10.

Lending to the Lord or seed sowing should not be a priority due to desire to have more rather due to love for God and humanity. Anything outside of this will amount to regret of your charitable deeds and seed sowing. Let the love for God propel us in giving to God and fellow human beings in need.

Food for Thought: Isaiah 58:10

Memory verse: Proverbs 28:27         

Prayer: Lord God, may love for you propel me into charitable deeds and seed sowing.

It Renews Our Hope: Devotion for Monday January 27, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday January 27, 2020

Topic: It Renews Our Hope           

Text: Lamentations 3:21 – 36            

Having stated his distress and temptations (Lamentation 3:1ff), Jeremiah shows what gave him courage and hope to stand firm in our bible reading for today. Bad as things are, it is owing to the mercy of God that they are not worse. No wonder the admonition to give glorify God in all situations (1 Thessalonians 5:8) should observe what makes for us, as well as what is against us.

God's compassion fail not; of this we have fresh instances every morning. Jeremiah affirmed that he had hope because God is his portion. God being his portion encouraged him in affliction, distress and temptation because the portion is forever. Affliction has made many humble and serious, and has weaned them from the world; otherwise, they would have been proud and unruly.

There are many things that can renew our hopes today as we pass through afflictions, distresses and temptations of life. These are the word of God (Bible), testimonies of people, direct revelation from God as we pray, etc. It is our duty, and will be our comfort and satisfaction, to hope and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord. David did it and admonished us to do same (Psalm 42:5; 43:5; 78:7; 115:11).

You may be going through afflictions, troubles, trials or temptations now. Just be of good cheer and put all your hope on him. The Lord is your strengthen and you will come out a better Christian in Jesus name.

Food for thought: Lamentation 3:24

Memory verse: Malachi 3:6

Prayer: Lord may I continue to hope on you no matter the severity of temptations, trials or trouble I am passing through.

Recall God’s Love To Renews Your Hope

Devotion for Sunday March 4, 2018

Topic: Recall God’s Love To Renews Your Hope

Text: Lamentations 3:21 – 36            

Having stated his distress and temptations (3:1ff), Jeremiah shows what gave him courage and hope to stand firm in our bible reading for today. Bad as things are, it is owing to the mercy of God that they are not worse. No wonder the admonition to give glorify God in all situations (1 Thessalonians 5:8). God's compassion do not fail; of this we have fresh instances every morning.

Jeremiah affirmed that he had hope because God is his portion. God being his portion encouraged him in affliction, distress and temptation. Affliction has made many humble and serious with God, and has weaned them from the world, which otherwise, would have been proud and unruly. There are many things that can renew our hopes today as we pass through afflictions, distresses and temptations of life. They are the word of God (Bible), testimonies of people, direct revelation from God as we pray and favours from people.

It is our duty, and will be our comfort and satisfaction, to hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. David did it and admonished us to do same (Psalm 42:5; 43:5; 78:7; 115:11). You may be going through afflictions, troubles, trials or temptations now. Be of good cheer and put all your hope on him. The Lord is your strength and you will come out a better Christian in Jesus name. Amen

Sing A&M 290; Abu 326

Food for thought: Lamentation 3:24   

Memory verse: Lamentation 3:21

Prayer: Lord God, may I continue to hope on you no matter the severity of temptations, trials or trouble I am passing through.

A Compassionate God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday July 20, 2017

Topic: A Compassionate God

Text: Luke 7:11 – 17

The city of Nain was about twenty five miles from Capernaum and Jesus travelled that long distance to bring comfort to sorrowing widow. Distance is not a barrier to Jesus in terms of solving problems. Jesus and the crowd following Him met the widow and her crowd as she was going to bury her only child. The Author of life (Acts 3:15) will meet with your dead situation in Jesus name.

Jesus’ compassion for the widow shows His soft spot and care for widows, the needy, the down trodden and people who are hurt. God is the father of the fatherless and the defender of widows who trust in Him. They are under His special care and protection (Exodus 22:22 – 23; Deuteronomy 10:18 and Psalm 149:9). When Jesus saw the widow following her dead son to the grave site, He had compassion on her and restored the dead son back to life.

Christ has concern for the mourners and the miserable that put their trust in Him and often provides them with the blessings of His goodness. Love made Him to undertake the work of our redemption (Isa 63:9). What a pleasing idea it gives us of the compassion of the Lord Jesus and His tender mercies. That is His nature. Adam and Eve sinned and went for leaves of fig tree but in His nature, He made clothes with Goat skin for them. They didn’t request for it. He knew what they needed and the ones that were best for them. So He knows what the best things for you. By virtue of His compassion He will remember and provide for you. Just be patient with God.

Food for Thought: God’s bosom is filled with pity and He pours it into a wounded spirit to console it, causing it to sing for joy.

Memory verse: Luke 7:13

Prayer: Lord, meet me at the point of my need with your comfort and mercies.   

CHRIST’S COMPASSION: Devotion for Wednesday November 23, 2016

CHRIST’S COMPASSION: Devotion for Wednesday November 23, 2016

Text: John 6:1 – 13        Memory verse: John 6 verse 5

For the devotion today and tomorrow, we shall be looking at two characters of Jesus Christ worthy of emulation. Today’s devotion centers on Jesus Christ’s compassion spirit. Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:35; 8:2 Luke 9:12 all speak about the compassion Jesus Christ had on the multitude that came to Him. In the bible story in Mark 8:1–9 Jesus Christ openly confessed His compassion for the multitude (Mark 8:2 & 3). Even though that crowd came on their own accord to hear Him, He didn’t leave them to go without food.

Jesus knows the need of the people and He shows concern. The curious throng was not that easily dissuaded, for they followed Him even to His secluded hideaway (John 6:5). Instead of repelling the people angrily for their invasion of His privacy, Jesus Christ first healed the sick among them as the version of this story in Matthew 14:13, 14 have it. Thereafter, He turned to Philip with the compassionate words, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?”

What Jesus Christ did here is a great lesson for pastors and ministers of the gospel. Occasionally, we should look out for some of our parishioners that lack some basic necessities of life and see how we can help out. It may be through getting other wealthy members to help out as Jesus Christ did by using what belongs to the young boy to meet the needs of the multitude.

What problem are you passing through in a time like this? You may have been sick for years like that man at pool of Bethesda, imprisoned for years without cause and abandoned, living without food, lacks some basic necessities of life, etc. You may be thinking that God is not aware of your problems.  Do you ever feel that God is so busy with important concerns that He can’t possibly be aware of your needs? Just as Jesus was concerned about these people’s need for food, so He is concerned about our daily needs – food, clothing, housing, money, etc. Jesus knows and cares. Remember that He warned us in Matthew 6:31 and 32 that we shouldn’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing because our heavenly Father already knows all our needs. Go to Him today and certainly, He will meet your needs.    

Food for Thought: Without a compassionate heart you can never be a true Christian.

Prayer: Grant me your kind of compassionate heart, O Lord, so I will live out my life as a true Christian in Jesus name.

DIVINE COMPASSION: Devotion for Monday July 25, 2016

DIVINE COMPASSION: Devotion for Monday July 25, 2016

Text: Mark 1:40 – 45                    

Memory verse: Mark 1:41 - Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."

The real value of a person is inside, not outside. Although a person’s body may be diseased or deformed but the real person inside is valuable to God. No person is too disgusting for God’s touch. This was the reason Jesus despised the law to give this leper a divine touch. In keeping with the law in Lev. 13 and 14, it is the Jewish leaders that declare people with leprosy unclean. This meant that lepers were unfit to participate in any religious or social activity. According to laws about leprosy in Lev. 13 and 14, when a leper was cured, he or she had to go to a priest to be examined. Then the leper will give a thanks offering at the Temple. Jesus adhered to these laws by sending the man to the priest, demonstrating Jesus’ complete regard for God’s law.

In a sense, we are all people with leprosy because we have all been deformed by the ugliness of sin. By sending His Son, Jesus, God has touched us, giving us the opportunity to be healed. Have you received that Divine touch? Divine touch is not only for healing of leprosy. It brings salvation, peace, breakthrough, favour, promotion, business opportunities, etc. All that is expected of you is to apply to the Saviour with great humility, and with full submission to His will. I assure you that He will stretch out His hands upon you now for the Divine touch you need for a turn around.

Food for Thought: Jesus’ compassion undermines protocols. 

Prayer: Lord God, break every protocol and law to touch me at the point of my need in Jesus name.

LEND TO GOD: Devotion for Tuesday March 8, 2016

LEND TO GOD: Devotion for  Tuesday March 8, 2016

Text: Proverbs 19:17      Memory verse: v 17

Our text for the day is a very interesting one because many people are confused about it and they have kept acting ignorantly. A friend gave me this request: “My Pastor, please help me in prayer. I am going through terrible bad times. I am so badly indebted. Nothing is moving around me and I have been seeking God’s face to help me. The more I am sowing the seed, the more things are getting worse. Cash, my electronics, my jeep car, all I have given with hope to be better but the opposite is what I get. I am running from my shop now because of debt. Please pray for me.” What led this friend into this is ignorance and lack of basic foundation of Christian faith. In 1 Cor. 13:3, Paul said, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” From this passage it is worthy to note that lending to God must not be with conditions. It must come from a heart of love for God and the recipient. See Matt 6:1–2.

Our text says that the best investment of our property is in deeds of charity. Compassion is the inward principle of charity in the heart and it is to have pity on the poor. You may not have a kobo for the poor, yet you may have pity for them, a charitable concern and sympathy bearing in mind what Paul said in 1 Cor. 13:3. See also Isa. 58:10. Lending to the Lord or seed sowing shouldn’t be a priority due to desire to have more rather due to love for God and humanity. Anything outside of this will amount to regret of your charitable deeds and seed sowing. Let the love for God propel us in giving to God and fellow human beings in need.

Food for Thought: Isaiah 58:10

Prayer: Lord God, may love for you propel me in charitable deeds and seed sowing.              

THE WILLINGNESS OF GOD: Devotion for Saturday November 7, 2015

THE WILLINGNESS OF GOD    Saturday November 7, 2015

Text: Mark 1:40 – 45     Memory verse: v 41

Today’s bible reading teaches that we should always apply to our Saviour with great humility, and with full submission to His will, by saying, "Lord, if you will," without doubting His readiness to help us. Again whatever we expect from Christ; will be according to our faith. The poor leper said, “If you will.” Christ readily wills favours to those who refer themselves to His will. The touch of Jesus, therefore, gave the leper a new conception of divine compassion.

This divine compassion is still at our disposal if only we can appeal to the will of God which is our well-being (3 John 1:3). Are you troubled, sick, worried, facing challenges of life, etc? You should appeal to the will of Jesus just as this leper did and He will readily attend to you because He is ever willing to help us.

Food for Thought: Whatever we believe of the power of Christ we should apply to our peculiar cases.

Prayer: God, help me to submit myself always to your will in Jesus name.