Pull Down Walls: Devotion for Tuesday August 4, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday August 4, 2020

Topic: Pull Down Walls                                  

Text: Ephesians 2:14 – 22                              

Jesus Christ made peace between God and us by the sacrifice of Himself on the Cross of Calvary. In every sense, Christ is our Peace, the author, centre, and substance of our being at peace with God and of our union with the Jewish believers in one church.

In the process of dying for us, Christ has destroyed the barriers people build 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 for our sins, we are 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). What a privilege and honour!

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, feeling superior because we have one gift or another, 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. We should be like Christ in reconciling people to God (2 Corinthians 5:18) instead of sending them away with our quirk character and perceived spiritual birth.  

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

Memory verse: Ephesians 2:14     

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

The Purpose of Animal Sacrifice: Devotion for Thursday June 25, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday June 25, 2020

Topic: The Purpose of Animal Sacrifice                      

Text: Leviticus 1:1 – 9                                  

God made it clear from the time of creation that sin separates people from Him, and that those who sin deserve to die. But because all have sinned (Romans 3:23), God, filled with love and mercy, designed sacrifice as a way to seek forgiveness and to restore a relationship with Him. He instructed people to kill animals as sacrifices for sin. That’s why when God taught His people to worship Him; He placed great emphasis on sacrifices (Leviticus 1:2). Sacrifices were God’s Old Testament way for people to ask forgiveness for their sins.

There are two purposes for animal sacrifice:

(1) The animal representatively took the sinner’s place and paid the penalty for sin; and

(2) The animal’s death represented one life given so that another life could be saved. This was a shadow of what Jesus later did for us on the Cross of Calvary. Then, it was effective in teaching and guiding the people and bringing them back to God.

In New Testament times, however, Christ’s death became the last sacrifice needed. He took the punishment once and for all for those who trust in him. Animal sacrifice is no longer required. Now, all people can be freed from the penalty of sin by turning away from their sin, trusting in Jesus, and accepting the forgiveness He offers.

Have you turned away from your sins and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? Note that modern day sacrifice in terms of tithe, offering, financial support towards God’s work are not enough to save us. They are majorly ways of attracting more blessings from God. See Psalm 51:16, 17

Food for Thought: Hosea 6:6 - For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.   

Memory verse: Leviticus 1:4                                                                    

Prayer: Help me Lord God to yield my life totally to you instead of depending on sacrifices which cannot save me.

It Shall Be Well With You: Devotion for Friday August 23, 2019

Devotion for Friday August 23, 2019

Topic: It Shall Be Well With You 

Text: Isaiah 3:1 - 11

At times there is the need for re-assurance from God in the course of our heavenly race. Most people used by God in the scriptures at one time or the other cried out to God for re-assurance. When Jesus Christ was in agony and pain on the Cross of Calvary, He cried out (Mathew 25:46). David also did it as we can see in Psalm 22:1. Paul did same as we have in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Have you asked God for re-assurance once? Share your experience if you are studying as a group.

This encouragement for the righteous was aimed at making them to trust Him, and for sinners to repent and return to Him. This is so because it was time for the Lord to show His might (Isaiah 3:1 – 9). It is an assurance to the godly that God will defend them in the midst of these troubles. “It shall be well with the righteous,” is in all ramifications of life; prosperity, adversity, sickness, health, death, judgement, and through eternity. In every case, occurrence and circumstances, the righteous shall eat of the fruit of his labours.

Beloved in Christ, I bring you re-assurance again that despite the problems of sickness, delayed conception, getting a spouse; a job, admission, any many other human needs we might be facing at this moment, God is saying today that your righteous life is not in vain (Hebrews 6:10). There is a reward for you and you will certainly eat the fruits of your labours and righteousness. Read Psalm 1:1 – 3

Food for Thought: Ecclesiastics 8:12

Memory verse: Isaiah 3:10

Prayer: Lord God, as I follow your ways in righteousness, grant that it shall be well with me in all I do in Jesus name.

Take a look at this

Give Jesus Christ The Best

Devotion for Monday In Holy Week March 26, 2018

Topic: Give Jesus Christ The Best             

Text: Mark 14:1 – 9                    

It takes someone who knows the value of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for humanity on the Cross of Calvary to give Him something freely and willingly. For example, most people who are faithful in their tithe and offering are people who have received the touch of God. Jesus first poured out Himself for mankind without reservations. It was a willingly offer made to save mankind (John 10:15, 17; 15:13 & Romans 5:7, 8). Mary had come to know Jesus Christ which made her to use a very costly oil to anoint Him. Jesus commended her pious offer to the notice of believers in all ages. Just that one offering immortalized her name. Jesus Christ will always honour those who honour Him (1 Samuel 2:30). He reprimanded the disciples, but comforted Mary. The expensive ointment poured on Jesus was a beautiful, acceptable, appealing act of love and sacrifice. Her act was a public declaration of her faith in Him as Messiah. Christ poured out His soul unto death for us, and shall we think anything too precious for Him? Do we give Him the precious ointment of our best affections by loving Him with all our hearts? At times, it is common for zeal and affection to be misunderstood and blamed but we should remember that charity to the poor will not excuse us from particular acts of piety to the Lord Jesus. Jesus’ words were valuable lessons to Judas and the disciples that devotion to Christ is worth more than money. How devoted are you to God?

Let us sing from SS&S 621, Abu 35

Food for Thought: What can you offer to God that is equal to salvation He gave you?

Memory verse: Mark 14:8

Prayer: Lord, help me to love you to the extent of offering you the best thing I have in Jesus name.

AT CALVARY: Devotion for Good Friday March 25, 2016

AT CALVARY: Devotion for Good Friday March 25, 2016

Text: Luke 23:32 – 49    Memory verse: v 33

Luke called the place where Jesus was crucified, Calvary while the other three evangelists called it, Place of Skull or Golgotha in Hebrew (Matt. 27:33; Mk. 15:22 & Jn. 19:17). Calvary is a hill just outside the city walls of Jerusalem where the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ took place. Why the choice of Calvary? The Chief Priest and Romans soldiers choose the place which was conspicuous so as to make mockery of Jesus but they never knew it was symbolic. See Heb. 13:11, 12 and compare it with these passages Ex. 29:14; Lev. 4:11–12, 21; 6:30; 9:11; 16:27; Num. 19:3. He was crucified there because bearing the sins of the world (just like the lamb in the Old Testament bearing sin) is burnt outside the camp.

The first thing Jesus did at Calvary was to plea for forgiveness of those who were crucifying Him, an evidence of His mission on earth. Another thing He did was to purchase and procure for us, forgiveness of sins. He also pardoned one of the criminals right there, a proof that true repentance is never late. But we should not procrastinate about it because we may not have the grace this criminal enjoyed. As the soldiers taunted Him, He was humble and didn’t retaliate (1 Pet 2:21–24). His death was recorded in 23:46 while the reaction of the Centurion to His death is in 23:47. Having died for us, we should seek to glorify God by true repentance and conversion; by a sober, righteous, and godly life; and by employing our talents in the service of Him who died for us and rose again.                 

Food for Thought: Christ became accursed for us upon the cross. What have you done to reciprocate this sacrifice?

Prayer: God may this ultimate sacrifice made for me not be in vain.

HE WILL SUSTAIN IT: Devotion for Monday February 22, 2016

HE WILL SUSTAIN IT               Monday February 22, 2016

Text: Psalm 55:16 – 23               Memory verse: v 22

David perseveres in his resolution to call upon God, being well assured that he should not seek him in vain (55:16). Being regular and constant in prayer are essentials to having peace of mind, and that joy in the Holy Ghost which is a safeguard and support in times of trouble. That is why David says his prayers morning, noon and evening. This is a challenge for us. How many times do we pray in a day? Having developed a relationship with God and having seen God’s faithfulness to His word, David encourages us saying, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Sustaining it as used in 55:22 means that God will bear us and our burden when we cast them upon Him. This is a glorious promise to anyone tempted and afflicted.

If God has assured us of bearing our burden (Matt. 11:28–30), then why give yourself unnecessary burden again? How can someone board a vehicle and still carry his luggage on his head? That is stupidity at the highest level. Unfortunately, most of us do same. We have entered into the New Covenant with God which guarantees salvation, peace, healing, deliverance, etc, but some of us can’t assess these blessings because we have refused to lay our problems at the foot of the Cross of Calvary where our salvation, peace and other things were bought with the blood of Jesus. Are you ready to cast your burden on Him today? Better do so for your own good.

Food for Thought: Psalm 37:5

Prayer: Lord God, I bring before you this day the burden in my heart (mention them by name). Sustain them O Lord according to your promises.         

HE WILL SUSTAIN IT: Devotion for Monday February 22, 2016

HE WILL SUSTAIN IT               Monday February 22, 2016

Text: Psalm 55:16 – 23               Memory verse: v 22

David perseveres in his resolution to call upon God, being well assured that he should not seek him in vain (55:16). Being regular and constant in prayer are essentials to having peace of mind, and that joy in the Holy Ghost which is a safeguard and support in times of trouble. That is why David says his prayers morning, noon and evening. This is a challenge for us. How many times do we pray in a day? Having developed a relationship with God and having seen God’s faithfulness to His word, David encourages us saying, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Sustaining it as used in 55:22 means that God will bear us and our burden when we cast them upon Him. This is a glorious promise to anyone tempted and afflicted.

If God has assured us of bearing our burden (Matt. 11:28–30), then why give yourself unnecessary burden again? How can someone board a vehicle and still carry his luggage on his head? That is stupidity at the highest level. Unfortunately, most of us do same. We have entered into the New Covenant with God which guarantees salvation, peace, healing, deliverance, etc, but some of us can’t assess these blessings because we have refused to lay our problems at the foot of the Cross of Calvary where our salvation, peace and other things were bought with the blood of Jesus. Are you ready to cast your burden on Him today? Better do so for your own good.

Food for Thought: Psalm 37:5

Prayer: Lord God, I bring before you this day the burden in my heart (mention them by name). Sustain them O Lord according to your promises.         

FAITH AND JUSTIFICATION: Devotion for Saturday January 10, 2016

FAITH AND JUSTIFICATION          Saturday January 9 2016

Text: Acts 13:38 – 41       Memory verse: v 39

Anyone who repents from sin always has the concern of justification. Such person will want to be sure of acquittal from all guilt, and accepted as righteous in God's sight. Here, Paul assures his listeners that it is only through Jesus Christ we can obtain a complete justification; for by Him a complete atonement was made for sin. There are two things we have to note in our text. 1. That through Christ, who died and rose again, is forgiveness of sins preached unto them. 2. It is only through Christ that those who believe in Him are justified from all things; from all the guilt and stain of sin, from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses.

Presently, many people still see justification as through personal efforts. It is not so! If we believe in Jesus as the Messiah; accept Him and His sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary by faith, He will do for us what the law could never do; justify us before God. It is by Jesus Christ we obtain a complete justification; for by Him a complete atonement was made for sin. Paul ended with a warning (13:40, 41). We should take this warning to heart because though they were meant to come upon impenitent sinners, they are designed to awaken us to beware lest it come upon us too. Have you accepted Jesus and His justification? 

Food for Thought: Our justification is based on the work of Christ at the Cross of Calvary. 

Prayer: Lord, as you have justified me, help me to remain same in Jesus name.  

JUST FOR YOUR SAKE: Devotion for Wednesday November 4, 2015

JUST FOR OUR SAKE                          Wednesday November 4, 2015

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16 – 21                     Memory verse: v 21

If we ever hope to know God and appreciate all He does for us, we should retrace our steps backwards to the events at the Cross of Calvary. This is one reason I so much love Easter Period. The readings of that season and all its teachings give me insight into the magnitude of God’s love for us. Paul tells the Corinthians that Jesus was made a sinner simply because He wants to secure for us our righteousness of God. Thus we learn that sin must have a sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22). God made Him to be a sin; that is, a sin-offering, or a sacrifice to atone for our sin. Under the law, the sacrifice was called sin, because the sin of the person was laid upon the sacrifice; there was a sort of a translation of the sin from the sinner to the sacrifice (Leviticus 4:4). 

We also learnt that Jesus Christ being made sin for us is the meritorious cause and means of our being made the righteousness of God in Him. We broke God’s righteous law. Christ kept it and fulfilled all righteousness. We sinned against mercy, Christ suffered without mercy. He did this for our sake. Have you accepted Jesus as Lord? This sacrifice must not be in vain.

Food for Thought: Galatians 3:13

Prayer: Help me O Lord to always acknowledge the sacrifice Jesus made for my sake, by becoming sin so that I will be righteous.