One of the Consequences of Idol Worship: Devotion for Monday June 15, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday June 15, 2020

Topic: One of the Consequences of Idol Worship      

Text: Judges 6:6                                    

The situation in the land of Israel at this time was embarrassing. It was the result of their disobedience and sin of Idol worship which God warned them earlier. Sin has it grievous consequences.

When the Israelites went out to war against Ai, they were humiliated (Joshua 7:1 – 5). We also know how the Israelites were humiliated in the days of Eli when the Ark of Covenant was seized by the Philistines and God had to fight for Himself (1 Samuel 4:1 – 11).

Sin stays the hand of God from fighting our battles; it stays the hand of God protecting us, from providing for us and from answering our prayers (Isaiah 59:1 – 2). The land of Israel was impoverished because of the siege from their surrounding neighbours. I can imagine the level of malnutrition in that land then.

Beloved, don’t undermine the consequences of sin especially idol worship. God detests idol worship and has vowed to punish people who are involved in it even to the fourth generation.

Many of us indulge in willful sin thinking we have time to repent. We should not forget Ananias and Sapphira. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31) because He is a consuming fire. He devours without mercy. It is now we can enjoy His mercy. Therefore, let us not abuse the privilege we have by living in sin especially modern day idol worship like money, wealth, property, etc.

Grow your business using Rewardical ECA. Find out in this link Just click on the wordlink

Food for Thought: Those that forsake the true God wander endlessly after false ones.

Memory verse: Judges 6:6

Prayer: God may I not forsake you and start wandering after idols.

Consequences Of Famine

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday May 26, 2017

Topic: Consequences Of Famine

Text: 2 Kings 6:29

In June 2016, I read a story of how a woman used her child as a surety to get garri (a staple food in Nigeria made from cassava) from a trader in Osun state, Nigeria because she is being owe 7 months’ salary. This is the level people can be desperate to get food in time of crises.

The famine that led to our text was the greatest and worst famine in the history of Israel. It was so severe that people were killing and eating their children. This came as a result of God’s judgment. When we deliberately commit sin, God punishes us and it is usually very severe. Many things can lead to famine – sin, disobedience, for divine purpose, natural disaster like drought and invasion of an area by locust, etc. From what happened in the following verses, it seems the famine was pronounced by Elisha (2 Kings 6:30 – 31).

When the famine came to the level of people eating their children, Elisha went to the Lord and He spoke to him (2 Kings 7:1ff). When we come to crossroad on issues that confuse us, we should go to God for He has solutions to our problems. Elisha knew God was the source of all solution that defies all human wisdom. What would have led to the agreement to kill their children? Indeed, Moses foretold that this very evil shall come upon them if they forsake God (Deut. 28:53 & 57). This evil also came upon them when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Israel (Ezek. 5:10). Killing and eating of fellow human being as one of the consequences of famine is inhuman and against God’s commandment. Let us avoid whatsoever will bring famine by carefully obeying God.     

Food for Thought: Sin and disobedience has grievous consequences

Memory verse: 2 Kings 6 verse 29

Prayer: God, remove anything that will bring famine and its consequences in my life and family.

Consequences Of Rejecting The Gospel

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday April 30, 2017

Topic: Consequences Of Rejecting The Gospel

Text: Luke 10:12 – 16

Most times some of us Christians fret and become angry when people reject us and our gospel message. It supposed not to be so. Why will you fret and become angry? You were not the one they rejected but the person who sent you. God is the owner of the field where we went to harvest. If people are not willing to accept your message, leave it at that because God is the one that will judge them at last. Here, Jesus posited that there are consequences of rejecting the gospel. Outside being rejected by God at last, their condition will be worse than that of Sodom, the evil city that was destroyed because they were evil; practising sodomy (Genesis 19).

Today, we use the name of the city to symbolize wickedness and immorality. As those who rejected the gospel will suffer on Judgment Day, it will be worse for cities which saw the Messiah and rejected Him. Jesus pronounced woe on Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for rejecting him and the gospel. You should not develop a shamed face when people reject you and your gospel.

When you have the understanding that it is the Lord who gives increase to our labour, who causes repentance, you will not become angry. Your duty is to go and as you go, leave the issue of harvesting with god. He knows when and how to cause repentance. As you go out on evangelism, have in your mind to preach the gospel. Any other thing that follows should be inconsequential to you. Leave everything for God.     

Food for Thought: Every action or inaction has its consequences.

Memory verse: Luke 10 verse 16

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to preach the gospel and never to fret or get angry when people refuse to accept my gospel message.

GOD IS NOT HANDICAPPED: Devotion for Wednesday August 24, 2016

GOD IS NOT HANDICAPPED: Devotion for Wednesday August 24, 2016

Text: Isaiah 59:1 – 8              Memory verse: Isaiah 59:1

It is erroneous to believe that God is handicapped and incapable to deliver, hear, heal, free and bless us. It is the belief of some many people that is why their miracles elude them. In 1 Sam. 5:1–5, is the story of how God proved that He is not handicapped. His Ark of Covenant was taken to the shrine of Philistine god, Dagon and He brought the statue down on two occasions. Unlike the Muslims who always take to arms when they perceive that Mohammed their prophet has been blasphemed as we have witnessed in this country and of recent was burning to death eight persons (students who are Christians) in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Our God fights for Himself. If we are not saved and our prayers are not answered, it is not because God is handicapped or incapacitated.

In our scriptural reading, we see sin and its consequences; exceedingly hurtful, separating us from God, and so separating us, not only from all good, but separating us to all evils. Yet there are many who derive joy in living in sin despite its consequences. This is very unfortunate! Such people are still under the influence and bondage of Satan.

Because God is holy, He cannot ignore, excuse, or tolerate sin as though it doesn’t matter. That is in the view and understanding of some men but not God. Sin cuts people off from God. It forms a wall that invariably isolates us from the people He loves. The long list of wretched sins the people of Israel and we by extension commit makes God angry and forces Him to look the other way. Anyone who dies in his/her life of sin separates himself or herself eternally from God.

Finally brethren, let us always search ourselves because if we haven’t received salvation it is not because God is handicapped but because of our sins. This is same to other blessings that come from God. Have you confessed your sin to God, allowing Him to remove it? He can save you if you turn to Him. You can do it now. There is no need to procrastinate.

Food for Thought: You can hinder your salvation and blessings because of sin and not because God is incapacitated.

Prayer: God, I repent of my sins today (mention them) because they are hindrance to my blessings in Jesus name.

CONSEQUENCES OF IDOL WORSHIP: Devotion for Sunday June 5, 2016

CONSEQUENCES OF IDOL WORSHIP: Devotion for Sunday June 5, 2016

Text: Judges 6:6     Memory verse: v 6

The situation in the land of Israel at this time was embarrassing. It was the result of their disobedience and sin of Idol worship which God warned them earlier. Sin has it grievous consequences. When the Israelis went out to war against Ai, they were humiliated (Josh.7:1–5). We also know how the Israelis were humiliated in the days of Eli when the Ark of Covenant was seized by the Philistines and God had to fight for Himself (1 Sam. 4:1–11). Sin stays the hand of God from fighting our battles; it stays the hand of God protecting us, from providing for us and from answering our prayers. The land of Israel was impoverished because of the siege from their surrounding neighbours. I can imagine the level of kwashiorkor in that land then.

Beloved, don’t undermine the consequences of sin especially idol worship. God detests idol worship and has vowed to punish people who are involved in it even to the fourth generation. Many of us indulge in willful sin thinking we have time to repent. We should not forget Ananias and Sapphira. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31) because He is a consuming fire. He devours without mercy. It is now we can enjoy His mercy. Therefore, let us not abuse the privilege we have.

Food for Thought: Those that forsake the true God wander endlessly after false ones.

Prayer: God, may I not forsake you and start wandering after idols.

CONSEQUENCES OF GREED: Devotion for Friday June 3, 2016

CONSEQUENCES OF GREED: Devotion for Friday June 3, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:20 – 27                  Memory verse: v 27

Naaman didn’t make the mistake of going back to Syria after his miraculous healing. He went back to Elisha as a mark of gratitude for what God of Israel had done for him. He came to offer Elisha his gifts instead of offering them to God. Elisha refused because it will amount to taking the glory of God. Most pastors would gladly hijack such offers and corner them for their personal use. They will easily quote 1 Tim 5:18. While Elisha was rejecting those offers from Naaman, Gehazi, his servant, out of greed, was lusting after those gifts. Thus he went after Naaman to ask for some of those gifts his master rejected. He even went ahead to tell lies in the name of his master. This made it double offence (5:22). Naaman gave him more than he requested for (5:23).

Gehazi never knew that his sins will find him out. Most times when we commit sin and tell lies about them, we easily forget that the Holy Spirit is here with us and can reveal anything we do because He sees us and all we do. Elisha opened his mouth; spoke the word of God and Gehazi became leprous as was Naaman. Compare this to Acts 5:1–5. Greed has grievous consequences. This story is a warning for those who are greedy, priests and their servants. Don’t have an eye on what God has rejected. Be contented with what God has given to you to avoid had I known at the end. What do you think would have been the reaction of Naaman if he hears this story? Your guess is as good as mine. Have a great day.             

Food for Thought: Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction” – Erich Fromm. 

Prayer: God, deliver me from any form of greed in my life in Jesus name. 

LEAVING ALL TO FOLLOW JESUS: Devotion for Saturday April 2, 2016

LEAVING ALL TO FOLLOW JESUS: Devotion for Saturday April 2, 2016

Text: Luke 14:25 – 35                     Memory verse: 26

Following Christ means total submission to Him above all other things of great value or intimacy to us and it has its consequences and costs. One of the costs of being a disciple is not placing your intimacy to your immediate family above that one you have for God. Lk. 14:26 is not a contradiction to the fifth commandment rather Jesus meant that we are to love them less than we love Him; we are to obey Christ rather than them; we should be willing to forsake them if He calls us to go and preach His gospel; and we are to submit, without a murmur, to Him when He takes them away from us. Have you forsaken all to follow Christ or you still have them as attachments to your body as you run this heavenly race?

Jesus emphasized on the need for feasibility study even in Christian race. He explained this by two similitudes; the former showing that we must consider the expenses of our religion; the latter, that we must consider the perils of it. We should count the cost of being a disciple; including the mortifying of sin, even the most beloved lusts. We as Christians should understand what Christianity is all about to enable us practice it to the letter. Jesus summed up His teaching here by telling the disciples what they ought to be in the society. He likened them to salt which is very expedient seasoning in any food. This means that we should also act as seasoning to our generation. Are you a seasoning?

Food for Thought: Have you really forsaken all for Christ?   

Prayer: My father in heaven, help me to remove whatever will endanger my relationship with you so I will be a faithful disciple in Jesus.        

JUST REWARD FOR SIN: Devotion for Tuesday March 29, 2016

JUST REWARD FOR SIN: Devotion for Tuesday March 29, 2016

Text: Romans 6:12 – 23              Memory verse: v 23

After the admonition to walk in newness of life by Paul as we read yesterday, he went further to speak about the just reward for sin. He started by saying, “Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (6:12). That was a conclusion of his exhortation in 6:1–11. He gave this charge because of the consequences and reward for sin. Most people play with sin as if it has no consequence. If we are dead to sin, how can sin still control us? Christians died to sin at repentance, but as long as they live in their mortal bodies, they will have the compulsion to sin. But only because we have died to sin do we have the power to no longer let it control us. Worthy of note is the question in 6:15. “To refuse obedience to the law, under pretence of Christian liberty; to sin because we are not under the law, but under grace; is a turning the grace of God into wantonness, and to use our Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh” according to William Burkett’s Note.

This result of sin is not just physical death; everyone dies physically, believers and nonbelievers alike. This refers to eternal separation from God. This is the wage that a person receives for his or her rebellion against God. But instead of wages, those who believe receive a free gift from God; the eternal life. Just as the labourer is worthy of his hire and feels it to be his due, so death is the due for sin, the wages the sinner has formed for himself. The good news is that God has offered us eternal life as a gift. Have you received yours?

Food for Thought: Are you working for wage or gift?

Prayer: God, your gift for me is eternal life. Grant that I will not miss out in Jesus name.