Stand Out From The Crowd

Devotion for Monday December 4, 2017

Topic: Stand Out From The Crowd

Text: Revelation 1:1 – 6

In this message God sent to the church at Sardis, He noted that despite the depraved nature of the city, there were still some who did not defile their garments. They stood out from the crowd. Ephesians 5:27 speak about the spotlessness of the Church when she shall be presented to Christ; while Revelation 19:18 also say that the “fine linen, clean and white are the righteousness of the saints,” in which it shall be arrayed for the “marriage supper.” The garment of Christian profession is white. At baptism, candidates are arrayed in white, the symbol of holiness and righteousness.

It gladdens the heart to know that even in a place so depraved and where religion had so much declined, there were few persons who had kept themselves free from the general contamination. In most cases, where error and sin prevail, there may be found a few who are worthy of the Divine commendation; a few who show that true religion may exist even when the mass are evil. Can such be said about you? They will be rewarded with a walk with Jesus. 

Do you compromise your faith and allow corruption just because it is in vogue or that is what people want? Are you standing for righteousness and people are making mockery of you as old fashion or old school? Don’t be disheartened; stand out from the crowd for God knows His people.

Food for Thought: There is always danger in mixed multitude

Memory verse: Revelation 1:4

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to stand out from the crowd and never to compromise my faith in this present generation in Jesus name. 

If Only I Can Touch

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Wednesday March 8, 2017

Topic: If Only I Can Touch

Text: Matthew 9:20 – 22

As Jesus Christ left with Jairus, His disciples and the multitude followed Him and right there in the crowd pressing on Him was a desperate person in need of healing. This woman who had suffered haemorrhage for twelve years was desperately in need of healing as the bleeding she suffered was painful. She had been to many doctors, had spent all her money, but had received no cure (Mk. 5:26).

The bleeding caused the woman to be in a constant condition of ceremonial uncleanness (Lev. 15:25-33) which had denied her worship in the synagogue. It also barred her from having normal social relationships, for under Jewish law, anyone who touched her also became unclean. Thus, she had been treated as a leper.

When Jesus came her way she thought in her heart that if only she had the opportunity of just touching the helm of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. Not minding restrictions place on someone with such sickness, she worked her way through the crowd and came up behind Jesus. She may have feared that Jesus would not touch her if He knew her condition, that Jesus would not risk becoming unclean in order to heal her. She may have feared the crowd would be angry with her if they know about her condition, had touched her and become unclean unknowingly. The woman knew she could receive healing but she did it unobtrusively as possible.

Beloved, if only you can touch His garment today, you will certainly be made whole.

Food for Thought: What could be the restrictions to your salvation, healing or blessings from God?

Prayer: Lord, help me to overcome restrictions that hinder my healing, salvation and blessings in Jesus name

Beware Of The Crowd

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday March 4, 2017

Topic: Beware Of The Crowd

Text: Exodus 23:1 – 3

Heavenly race is a singular race. It is never done a race of multitude. This is the reason Jesus said that the road that leads to heaven is strait and narrow. The Hebrew word “mybr rabbim, is translated multitude (crowd). It signifies the great, chiefs, or mighty one. Some scholars see the usage in our text as meaning the rich.

Perversion of justice is often in favour of the rich. For this reason, Moses warns Israelites against twisting justice. It should be impartial. The rich and poor should be treated in the same way and with the same yardstick. When we give special privileges to either rich or poor, it makes justice for all and sundry more doubtful. Let the fairness God shows to each of us guide your judgment.

Most times the crowd (the multitude or the rich) pressurizes on us to pervert justice or do the opposite of what God demands from us. This makes some greedy judges to become easily vulnerable to their trap. Sometimes, there are pressures from the crowd to sway our decision about a person or any case we are handling. This has become more worrisome with the advent of social media and Pentecostalism.

In all these challenges from the crowd, we must inquire from God what we ought to do, not what most people do or want us to do. This is so because we must be judged by our Master, not our fellow servants. Ending up in hell because of the crowd will be the most miserable thing that can happen to us. It is my prayer that ending up in hell will never be our portion in Jesus name.

Food for Thought: Proverbs 1:10 – 16

Memory verse: Exodus 23 verse 2 - You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice (ESV).

Prayer: God, grant me the wisdom to always inquire from you what I ought to do and not what most people do or want in Jesus name.