When God Emphasizes A Words: Devotion for Monday July 6, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday July 6, 2020

Topic: When God Emphasizes A Words       

Text: Joshua 1:1 – 9                                   

In our text, God used the phrase “Be strong and of good courage,” 3 times in verses 6, 7 and 9. God used this phrase 3 times here because that was the area of Joshua’s strength but he seems not to have understood that. He wants Joshua to understand that He is with him and has empowered him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Joshua, though a person of great courage and resolution, had severally proved that he was, yet he needs these exhortations. The reason is that his work was great, and difficult, and long, and in a great measure new. Again he needed the exhortation because he had a very mean opinion of himself, especially if compared with Moses; and remembering how perverse and ungovernable that people were, even under Moses, he might very well suspect the burden of ruling them would be too heavy for his shoulders.

Most times it is in the area of our strength that devil brings fear to intimidate us. Joshua knew that he has the charisma, character and ability to lead the people yet, he was reluctant and unwilling. In the days of Gideon, he was afraid of the Midianites even when he has the power already. It was the power in him that made the angel of the Lord to urge him to go in that strength.

What are the areas of your strength? Are you using them to their full potential or you are waiting for God to emphasize on it before you realize that you have such strength?

Food for Thought: Most times devil intimidates or tempts us based on our strength.

Memory verse: Joshua 1:9 

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to recognize my strength and use it for your glory.

Be Strong and Courageous: Devotion for Friday January 3, 2020

Devotion for Friday January 3, 2020

                   

Topic: Be Strong and Courageous            

Text: Joshua 1:1 – 7                                           

Leadership demands courage because you are faced with numerous responsibilities. These responsibilities need wisdom and not only knowledge to handle. That is why you see a degree holder failing in leadership while a graduate of Secondary school performs better. It depends on the level of wisdom in that person which comes from God (Proverbs 2:6). Knowledge is only an added advantage in leadership and not the basic necessity.

Joshua had assumed the leadership of Israel and now has the mandate to lead them into the Promised Land (1:1, 2). God gave him all the assurances he needed and some strategies to lead well and prosper. He said that to succeed Joshua must (1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy, (2) obey God’s law, and (3) constantly read and study the Book of the Law – The Bible.

If we intend to be successful in our endeavours this year, we should also follow God’s words for Joshua. You should be strong in faith and be courageous in following God and facing trials and temptation. You may not succeed by the world’s standards, but you will be a success in God’s eyes—and His opinion lasts forever. Follow God courageously and He will take you to your Promised Land.

Food for Thought: The highest and noblest courage is shown by the most faithful discharge of duty.  

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 29:9

Prayer: Lord God, make me strong and grant me the courage to faithfully follow your strategies for success this year in Jesus name.

Be Strong and Courageous

My Daily Covenant with God Devotional

Devotion for Sunday January 20, 2019

Topic: Be Strong and Courageous

Text: Joshua 1:1 – 9

In our bible reading for the day, God used the phrase “Be strong and of good courage,” 3 times in verses 6, 7 and 9. God used this phrase because that was the area of Joshua’s strength but he seems not to have understood that hence the emphasis from God on the phrase. God wanted Joshua to understand that He is with him and has empowered him to lead Israel into the Promised Land.

Joshua, though a person of great courage and resolution, had severally proved that he was, yet needs these exhortations. The reason is that his work was great, difficult, and in a great measure new to him. Again he needed the exhortation because he had a very mean opinion of himself, especially in comparison with Moses; and remembering how perverse and ungovernable that people were, even under Moses, he might very well suspect the burden of ruling them would be too heavy for him.

Most times it is in the area of our strength that devil brings fear to intimidate us. Joshua knew that he has the charisma, character and ability to lead the people yet, he was reluctant and unwilling. In the days of Gideon, he was afraid of the people of Medians even when he had the power already; that made the angel of the Lord to urge him to go in that strength. What are the areas of your strength? Are you using them to its full potential or you are waiting for God to emphasis on them? Now is the opportunity you have to use it and to use it well. Do not procrastinate about it nor undermine the power God has bestowed upon you.

Food for Thought: Most times devil intimidates or tempts us based on our strength.

Memory verse: Joshua 1:9 

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to recognise my strength and use it for your glory in Jesus name. Amen.

Be Courageous In A Time Like This

Devotion for Thursday January 18, 2018

Topic: Be Courageous In A Time Like This           

Text: Joshua 1:1 – 7                                            

Living a righteous life in a society that has so many challenges demand courage and implicit trust in God. Our society today is faced with challenges of poor economy, the issue of herdsmen killing people, corruption, and armed robbery, Boko Haram, Badoo, Insurgency and many others. To live amidst these challenges need courage and grace of God.

Joshua had assumed the leadership of Israel and now has the mandate to lead them into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:1, 2). God gave him all the assurances he needed and some strategies to lead well and prosper.

Here are some of them. He said that to succeed Joshua must (1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy, (2) obey God’s law, and (3) constantly read and study the Book of the Law – The Bible.

If we intend to be successful in our endeavours and live well despite the challenges confronting our nation, we should follow God’s instruction to Joshua. We need to be strong in faith and be courageous in following God. Do not despair. You can live well amidst these challenges if you trust God. He is the one that can make all things possible. As you live for Him, He will surely protect, provide and make you a success in your endeavours.

Sing Hymn: COURAGE, BROTHER! DO NOT STUMBLE (Tune Stuggart) Abu 215

1) Courage, brother! do not stumble    2) Though the road be rough and dreary,

Though thy path be dark as night;               And its end far out of sight;

There’s a star to guide the humble:            Foot it bravely; strong or weary, 

“Trust in God, and do the right.”                 “Trust in God, and do the right.” 

3) Perish policy and cunning,            4) Some will hate thee, some will love thee,  

Perish all that fears the light!                Some will flatter, some will slight;

Whether losing, whether winning,       Cease from man, and look above thee:

“Trust in God, and do the right.”          “Trust in God, and do the right.”

5) Simple rule, and safest guiding,         6) Courage, brother! do not stumble,

Inward peace and inward might,                Though thy path be dark as night;

Star upon our path abiding,                         There’s a star to guide the humble:

“Trust in God, and do the right.”                 “Trust in God, and do the right.”

Food for Thought: Despairing about challenges doesn’t remove them. It takes courage to face them and to overcome.

Memory verse: Joshua 1:7  

Prayer: Lord God, make me strong and grant me the courage to faithfully follow you courageously in a time like this in Jesus name. Amen.

He Keeps Us On Our Way

My Daily Covenant with God (2017 Edition) January 1, 2017                    

Topic: He Keeps Us On Our Way   

Text: Exodus 23:20 – 31         

Happy New Year and welcome to 2017! In today’s text is a promise directly from God that He will send His angel to guide His people, Israel through the wilderness to the Promised Land with a condition of obedience attached to it (Exodus 23:21 and 22). How possible would it have been for Israelites to walk through to the Promised Land without God guiding them? That would have been a mission impossible. But God who called them and initiated the movement knew the task ahead and decided to lead them through. They needed courage to continue the journey. God made three promises in 23:20; to send his Angel, to guide His people in the wilderness and to bring them into the Promised Land. 

These are the three promises God has for you as you start this year that He will send His Angel to go before you throughout the year, to guide and guard you and to bring you promises of good health, peace, progress and all the heavenly blessings. God has made these promises; the fulfilment depends on your ability to keep to the conditions attached to them. Just like He told Joshua, so He is telling you today to “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Let this assurance from Josh. 1:9 be your courage this year and beyond.

Food for Thought: "The Lord is my Shepherd," not was, not maybe, not will be. "The Lord is my Shepherd" – is on Sunday, is on Monday, and is through every day of the week; is in January, is in December, and every month of the year; is at home, and is in China; is in peace, and is in war; in abundance and in poverty – Taylor (PowerBible CD)

Memory verse: Exodus 23 verse 20 

Prayer: Pray for the year 2017 and ask for God’s grace, favour, peace and blessings in your life, family and career.