PULL DOWN WALLS: Devotion for Thursday July 7, 2016

PULL DOWN WALLS: Devotion for Thursday July 7, 2016

Text: Ephesians 2:14 – 22       

Memory verse: v 14 – For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation. 

Jesus Christ made peace by the sacrifice of Himself; in every sense Christ was the Peace of the Gentiles, the author, centre, and substance of their being at peace with God and of their union with the Jewish believers in one church. It was never so before His coming into the world. Jews hate Gentiles including their close neighbours and ‘relations,’ Samaritans. Christ also has destroyed the barriers people built between themselves. Because these walls have been removed, we can have real unity with people who are not like us. This is true reconciliation.

Because of Christ’s death, we are now all one (Ephesians 2:14); our hostility against each other has been put to death (Ephesians 2:16); we can all have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18); we are no longer strangers or foreigners to God (Ephesians 2:19); and we are all being built into a holy temple with Christ as our Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20, 21).

The middle wall of separation alludes to the wall in the Jewish temple that separated the court of the Gentiles from the holy place occupied by the Jews. A Gentile who was caught going beyond this wall was killed (see Acts 21:28, 29). Today most of us Christians are still building walls that Christ pulled down through segregation, despising others, not reaching the unreached with the gospel of Christ, placing does and don’t which has resulted in people neglecting one another in the church, etc. Can you mention some other ways we still build walls? Instead of building bridges to link one another, we are building wall and barriers. With walls the gospel cannot reach the unreached. We should be like Christ in reconciling people to God (2 Corinthians 5:18) instead of sending them away with our quirk character.   

Food for Thought: In what ways are people building walls against fellow Christians and unbelievers?

Prayer: Lord God, I repent of my actions which are barriers to people who want to repent and come to you.

NB: Do you have question about our Christian faith? Is there anything about Christianity bordering you? Why not ask your question? We offer counseling and answer questions online. You can also reach us on our Facebook page (My Daily Covenant with God devotional) and we will arrange a chat with you.

HE IS RISEN: Devotion for Easter Day Sunday March 27, 2016

HE IS RISEN: Devotion for Easter Day Sunday March 27, 2016

Text: Matthew 28:1 – 10     Memory verse: v 7

Beloved, Happy Easter! Today, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Severally, He foretold about this day (Matt. 12:40; 17:9, 23) outside the prediction of the prophets. Mary Magdalene and her colleague came to the tomb with the mind to anoint the body (Lk. 24:1) but they met empty tomb.

The angel who announced the good news of the Resurrection to the women gave them four messages: (1) don’t be afraid. The reality of the resurrection brings joy, not fear. When you are afraid, remember the empty tomb. (2) He isn’t here. Jesus is not dead and is not to be looked for among the dead. He is alive, with His people. (3) Come, see. The women could check the evidence themselves. The tomb was empty then, and it is empty today. The resurrection is a historical fact. (4) Go quickly and tell. They were to spread the joy of the Resurrection. We, too, are to spread the great news about Jesus’ resurrection.

Resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity. If Christ didn’t rise from death, there wouldn’t have been any gospel today. Our gospel is simple; Jesus died for our sins, rose and will come again; so if we believe in Him, we will have eternal life. One of the messages the angel gave was go quickly and tell them. This was also the injunction Jesus gave as He resurrected. How far are you telling others about this Good News? If we are not doing that, it means that we are ashamed of Him and He will deny us at the end (Mk. 8:38).     

Food for Thought: If Jesus didn’t resurrect, what would have been our position today?

Prayer: May I never be ashamed of telling people about you, O Lord.

FROM NOBODY TO SOMEBODY: Devotion for Monday February 1, 2016

FROM NOBODY TO SOMEBODY     Monday February 1, 2016

Text: 1 Peter 2:7 – 10                Memory verse: v 10

Jesus Christ is indeed precious – highly valued or esteemed. Not only is Christ precious to the Father (2:4), He is also precious to believers (2:7). Quoting from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 8:14), Peter explained that not only were the builders who rejected the stone humiliated but it later became the cornerstone; they also had stumbled and fallen over it. Stumbled means tripping and falling, or it can mean taking offense at or rejecting something or someone. 2:9 contrasts our privilege and destiny with that of unbelievers (described in 2:8). We are a chosen people, a distinct group from the rest of the world, unified by the Holy Spirit. We are also a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation (Ex 19:6). Being part of ‘priesthood’ is a high honour which made us somebody from nobody.

Think of it, if not for Christ, what would have been your condition today? Christians at one time had been rejected by God without any hope of mercy, but we are now people of God because He has chosen us (2:9) and we have received His mercy. ‘Mercy’ means God’s compassionate treatment of us even though we deserve the full measure of His justice. On the other hand, it is God that can turn our situations for good. He did it in life of Abraham, Jabez, David, etc; He will do it for you. You have worth because of what God does, not because of what you do. He will still do something that will single you out as indispensable in Jesus name. Live in this month and beyond with this honour. Happy New month!

Food for Thought: Do you know your worth as a Christian?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for making me somebody in your eyes no matter what the world thinks about me.