Strength Comes from God: Devotion for Sunday May 24, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday May 24, 2020

Topic: Strength Comes From God                  

Text: 1 Samuel 30:1 – 6                               

It is not wise when we are under troubles to vent reproaches on others, or to give up in despair. Rather, we should rather confess and forsake our sins, seek help from God, and endeavour to learn and do His will. This is the best thing to do when we are in trouble or despair.

In Isaiah 40:31, the Bible gave us a clear example of what to do when we are in despair or trouble. It says “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” This was exactly what David did according to our text. When he was renewed, he and his men mounted wings ran and recovered all that were taken by Amalekites.

Our strength comes from God. For this reason Jesus warned that without Him, we cannot do anything meaningful (See John 15:5). Are you depending on your strength, it will fail. Are you depending on charms, they will fail. It is only when we depend on God that we are sure of succeeding in our endeavours.

David’s men, instead of planning a rescue looked for someone to blame. But David found his strength in God and began looking for a solution instead of a scapegoat. When facing problems, remember that it is useless to look for someone to blame or criticise for your problems, challenges, failures or inability to achieve your aims. Instead, consider how you can find a solution on how to come out of that problem. Let the example of David here be an encouragement for us in trouble times of life.

Food for Thought: Strengthening oneself in the Lord is a mark of dependence and confidence in God with whom all things are possible.

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 30:6

Prayer: Lord God, help me to always depend on you when I am in despair.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday May 22, 2017

Topic: Keep Your Eyes on Jesus                                         

Text: Hebrews 12:1 – 2

Apprentices or servants learn under their master or coach through observation. In such a way they will see how their master/coach does things and learn perfectly. This concept is what our text expresses. Jesus as the Leader and Instructor of our faith (Living Bible) is indispensible in our Christian lives and walk as Church militants. If we must succeed and live a meaningful life as Christians, we must as a matter of priority and not choice look up unto Him always for guidance and instruction. Living Bible translated Heb. 12:2 as “Keep your eyes on Jesus ...” This exhortation means two things for us here. 1. Looking unto Jesus means we (Christians) should place all our hope and confidence in Christ only, as the source of our help in our Christian race. 2. It implies that we (Christians) should consider Jesus as our leader and instructor, always following His example in all we do. In this heavenly race, keep your eyes on Jesus for He knows your tomorrow. When Jesus Christ called on Peter to walk up to him on top of water, all was well as long as he kept his eyes on Him. When he removed his eyes from Jesus Christ, he started seeing the waves which made him to start sinking (Matt 14:25–31). As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will not see the enemies around us. We will not see the arrows of the wicked ones neither can we see all the things that will frighten us. It is my earnest prayer that you will not remove your eyes from Jesus Christ, the author of your faith.

Food for Thought: We can’t run our race perfectly when we are not focused on Jesus Christ who is the author and initiator of the race.

Memory verse: Hebrews 12 verse 2

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to focus on Jesus for strength and grace in this heavenly race. 

Have Faith In God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday (Holy Week) April 11, 2017

Topic: Have Faith In God 

Text: Mark 11:20 – 26

The next morning, Tuesday of the Holy week, Jesus and His disciples passed by the same fig tree they had passed the previous day (Mark 11:13-14). Jesus had cursed the tree, saying that no one would ever eat from it. By the next day, in the morning light, they could see that the tree had withered. The sight of the withered fig tree was a surprise to the disciples and Peter was quick to point that to Jesus. In response, Jesus charged them to have faith in God.

The response of Jesus could be interpreted to mean the coming judgment on spiritual laxity in Israel and they could only be safe if they had faith in God. Their faith should not rest in a kingdom they hoped Jesus would set up, in obeying the Jewish laws, or in their position as Jesus’ disciples. Their faith should rest in God alone. Jesus then taught them a lesson about answers to prayer. He explained that they could ask anything of God and receive an answer. Jesus’ point was that in their petitions to God they must believe and not doubt (not wavering in their confidence in God).

The kind of prayer Jesus meant was the prayer that the disciples would need to endlessly pray as they faced mountains of opposition to their gospel message in the years to come. Such prayer for the advancement of God’s Kingdom would always be answered positively at God’s own time. Daily, we are faced with challenges that seem mountainous. We should have unwavering confidence in God if we hope to overcome them.   

Food for Thought: Do you have the confidence in God and strong faith which is able to accomplish things that are most difficult?

Memory verse: Mark 11 verse 22

Prayer: Grant me the confidence in you, O God, so I can accomplish difficult things with ease. 

God Blessed Him

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday February 19, 2017        

Topic: God Blessed Him

Text: Genesis 32:29 – 30

Welcome to another new day and new week. Yesterday we saw how Jacob prevailed and was blessed with a new name after an encounter with the angel of God. Today we shall see more of the blessings he received from God in after that encounter.

We observed that after the encounter, Jacob asked the angel his name. The name of God you know determines the blessing you enjoy from Him. The blessing of God is connected to His name. In your walk with God, has He revealed his name to you? He did it to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Saul, etc. Knowing God by His name is a great way of improving our faith and confidence in Him. To know him the more, you should always read His word and listen to messages, and testimonies of what He has done. 

Jacob’s request to know the name of the person he wrestled with was denied that he might not be too elated with his conquest. Again, it was denied so he will not think that he had obtained such advantage over the angel as to make him (the angel) do what he wanted. However, God still blessed him as he requested for. See how wonderfully God condescends to countenance and crown importunate prayer! Those that resolve to trust in God even when He slays them will at length be more than conquerors. This was the resolve of Jacob to keep trusting God when his hip went out of position. Don’t let the ‘displacement’ in your health, your marriage, career, etc; affect your grip on God for a blessing.

Do you desire for a blessing from God? Then don’t border asking for His name, just trust Him for the blessings and they will certainly come. All you have heard and read about Him is enough to increase your faith and confidence in Him. His deeds correspond with His name – Counsellor, Mighty, Healer, Provider, Everlasting, Peace and wonderful Isaiah 9:6. Believe in Him to receive your own blessings today.

Food for Thought: Judges 13:17 – 18

Memory verse: Genesis 32 verse 29 – Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about my name?” And he blessed him there (NKJV).  

Prayer: Blessed me, O Lord and turn me into a blessing in Jesus name. Amen.

WHEN ALL HOPE IS LOST

Devotion for Friday December 23, 2016

Topic: WHEN ALL HOPE IS LOST           

Text: Jonah 2:1 – 10                    

We know Jonah as one who ran away from his call but here is an important lesson Jonah learnt which he shared with us. The lesson is what we should do when we seem to have lost all hope. He tells us that when we are in despair and hopeless situations, there is a place to anchor our hope, trust and confidence. That place is in Christ Jesus (Hebrew 6:17–20). See Psalm 18:6, 118:5; 120:1 and 2 Samuel 22:7. Can you notice the similarities in all? They all cried and God heard them. Note that Jonah prayed when all hope was lost and God heard him.

Are you in distress and hopeless situation? Have all people you hoped on, disappointed you? Are you contemplating of quitting or committing suicide because you have not achieved what you thought you could achieve this year? My dear, you can still anchor your hope on Him that cannot fail; Christ who died that we might have life. The courage of Horatio G. Spafford, the writer of the hymn “It is well with my soul”, who lost his four daughters in a single day, with the wife escaping death by whiskers, should encourage you when you come to hopeless situation. Sing that Hymn “It is well with my soul” before prayer.

Food for Thought: Church Hymnal 363 – It is well with my soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
A song in the night, oh my soul! (Source - Wikepedia)

Memory verse: Jonah 2 verse 7

Prayer: Lord God, as I meet with hopeless situations in life, may I lift up my voice to you because you are the only hope I have.

YET, I WILL TRUST HIM: Devotion for Tuesday September 20, 2016

YET, I WILL TRUST HIM: Devotion for Tuesday September 20, 2016

Text: Job 13:13 – 23      Memory verse: Job 1 verse 15

Only those who are fools blame God for their woes and eventually turn their backs against Him. Luke 20:18, says "Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." This verse is true of what will be our portion if we break out of our relationship with God. He will crush us with His anger if we try to strive with Him (see Isaiah 49:5).

If we run from Him, we are in trouble. If He hides His face, we are also in trouble. Therefore, no matter the situation in life we should keep following and trusting Him for that is the best thing for us. Contending with your maker will only amount to more troubles and problems of life. This is the mind of Job here. Job and his friends thought that his problem was from God as an affliction for his sins. But Job resolved to cleave to the testimony his own conscience gave of his uprightness and also steadfastly trust God for salvation despite all he was going through. He relied on God for justification as he had been accused by his friends and salvation because it was only God who could deliver him from the problems facing him.

When we show great confidence in God in times of trials, temptations, troubles and problems we pass through, it will certainly turn out as our greatest safeguard in those times of trials, troubles, temptations and problems of life. Job sees God as his source of salvation (Job 13:16). He didn’t say there is no more God because of the problems of life he was passing through even when the wife pressured him into doing such. This is a great lesson for us. No matter the problems of life we may be going through, it shouldn’t lead us into turning our backs against God or else we will worsen our situations. We should keep on trusting Him. Job did and was rewarded at the end. If you do, you will certainly be rewarded.

Food for Thought: Psalm 23:4

Prayer: Grant me the grace, my Lord and my God, to trust and depend on you no matter the problems of life I may be passing through in Jesus name. Amen.

FAITH: KEY FOR VICTORY: Devotion for Monday August 15, 2016

FAITH: KEY FOR VICTORY: Devotion for Monday August 15, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 17:40 – 47           Memory verse:  v 45

David approached the Goliath with faith in Jesus and not sword which signifies the five stones he took. JESUS and FAITH are five letters each. These are what we need in our Christian race and endeavour. They are the most priceless things that can grant us victory, breakthrough, open doors, protection, healing, etc, we need in life on this earth.

When David appeared, Goliath looked at him with disdain and these were his word: "Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.” The security and presumption of fools destroy them because of their overconfidence in what they have or what they have achieved. They forget so easily that it is neither by power nor by might but the spirit of God.

David words to Goliath epitomize humility, faith, and goodness which should be seen in the words that come out of the mouth of a true Christian. His words expressed his assured hope of success which God gives to those who trust in Him. David did not glory in his small stature and no arms. The reason for this is that the victory he will get from the fight against Goliath might be ascribed to none other than the Lord God. How foolish Goliath acted because, he thought all his victories were of his gods but God brought him to Israel to humiliate him since he failed to acknowledge God as source of his victories.

The size and stature of Goliath could have deterred anyone but not David. He was optimistic that God will see him through even as God promised in Deuteronomy 20:1–4. His words were filled with humility, faith and confidence of success because he knows His God. The strength or power of man comes from his faith in things unseen. If you believe in the unseen power, you will be strong and excel but if you doubt the unseen, you are bound to be weak and fail. It often said that strong convictions precede great actions. This was true of David. He believed God and received strength with which he overcame Goliath. We also need faith to be strong as we face life’s challenges daily.

Food for Thought: “Faith, mighty faith the promise sees and rests on that alone; laughs at impossibilities, and says it shall be done” - Wesley

Prayer: Lord, as I meditate daily on your word, build my faith so that I will laugh at impossibilities, and say it shall be done in Jesus name.

WHERE LIES YOUR CONFIDENCE? Devotion for Sunday November 29, 2015

WHERE LIES YOUR CONFIDENCE?   Sunday November 29, 2015

Text: Isaiah 36:1 – 10              Memory verse: v 5

Hezekiah refused to serve the King of Assyria which made him to occupy the fortified cities of Judah. He sent Rabshakeh to meet with Hezekiah but Hezekiah sent his men to negotiation table. Rabshakeh tried to convince the Jews that it was to no purpose for them to refuse to serve the King of Assyria. He asked the Jews the kind of confidence they have. His speech showed a great deal of art but a great deal of pride, malice, falsehood, and blasphemy. Hezekiah's nobles held their peace. There is a time to keep silence, as well as a time to speak.

The Jews were calm because they know whom they trust. They were not perturbed by the threat and blasphemies because their God can defend Himself. When enemies throw their challenges, what do you do? Do you start fidgeting or you keep calm knowing whom you trust? Who do you confide in, in time of trouble? Hezekiah and his men trusted God and He fought for them.

Food for Thought: Enemies threat doesn’t move one who confides in God.

Prayer: God, may I confide in you so that I will not be moved by the threats of the enemies. 

OUR PRESENT HELP: Devotion for Wednesday September 23, 2015

OUR PRESENT HELP       Wednesday September 23, 2015

Text: Psalm 46:1 – 5          Memory verse: v 1

This Psalm encourages us to hope and trust in God; in His power and providence, and His gracious ever presence with His Church even when faced with troubles. God is our place of absolute security and safety from ills of any kind (Psalms 2:12). His strength is the confidence and source of strength for believers (Psalm 18:2). He is reliable in difficult circumstances. The presence and favour of God are at all times the security, support, and comfort of his people (46:5).

Do you see God as your refuge and strength; always near you (Deuteronomy 4:7)? He is and will continue to be our help because all other helps are disappointment. According to Matthew Henry Concise Commentary, “If God be in our hearts, by his word dwelling richly in us, we shall be established, we shall be helped; let us trust and not be afraid.” We should understand that our God is ever present in our trouble. He will always help us. Therefore, keep trusting Him.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 4:7

Prayer: Almighty God, make me conscious that you are my present help.