A Voice Crying In The Wilderness

Devotion for Monday August 14, 2017

Topic: A Voice Crying In The Wilderness

Text: Isaiah 40:3 – 8

Preparation matters so much in everything we do and hope to be successful therein; be it our personal businesses and endeavours or in the things of God. When we prepare ourselves before embarking on any project, it helps to avoid lapses, makes us more efficient and productive. This chapter of Isaiah is titled ‘Comfort for my people.’ It speaks about the set time to favour Zion which demands that the people of God must be prepared through repentance and faith. Our text is a call for preparation for what the Lord will do in Zion (Isaiah 40:4 and 5).

The way of the Lord is prepared through:

1) Repentance from sin; that was what John the Baptist preached to all Judah and Jerusalem (Matthew 3:1 – 6) and thereby made ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17).

2) Confidence in the word of the Lord and not in any creature. The mouth of the Lord has spoken it; the voice as this further to cry he that has ears to hear let him hears it. The word of our God shall stand forever (Isaiah 40:8, compare 1 Peter 1:25).

How are you preparing for the return of Jesus Christ? If there is a revival programme or crusade, how do you prepare for it? A prepared heart will always meet God’s blessings in any personal or church programme, crusade or revival services. Have you repented? Remember the warning of John the Baptist when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to him in Matthew 3:7 – 12. Do not be complacent that you were born into the church or you can read and preach the bible. It is better to search yourself today and start preparing now before it will be too late. Jesus Christ is coming very soon.

Food for thought: “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success” – Alexander Graham Bell.

Memory verse: Mark 1:3  

Prayer: Help me O Lord, my God to prepare the way for you to meet me always and for your return in Jesus name.

Why Are You Crying?

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday June 8, 2017                  

Topic: Why Are You Crying?                                                           

Text: John 20:15

When God does something for us, we should be grateful for such blessing, received. Mary Magdalene demonstrated such character. She ministered to Jesus Christ with her substance (Luke 8:3). Jesus casted out seven demons from her and as act of gratitude to her great Deliverer, she became His follower. She was committed to serving Christ with total sincerity of heart and it paid off for her. When other women left the tomb disappointed, she stayed back crying at the tomb perhaps waiting to get information on what had happened. Her staying back paid off as Jesus appeared and spoke to her (John 20: 15a).

The first question Jesus asked Mary was an expression of kindly sympathy. The second question seems to suggest that He knew the cause of her grief. This is the character of Jesus; not only sympathetic but also empathetic about our situations (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15 and 16). His appearance comforted Mary. God will comfort you also on that, which is the cause of your sorrow and grief at the moment.

You may be crying because of what you are presently passing through or people might have mocked or abused you. Maybe you have made frantic efforts to succeed in life and nothing seems to work for you. Maybe you are in the hospital and there is no headway about your healing and now you have resorted to crying. Never mind, it is not and never too late with Jesus, except you haven’t invited Him into the matter. He has solutions to your problems. He has answer for you. Just keep trusting Him.

Food for Thought: 2 Corinthians 1: 3 & 4

Memory verse: John 20 verse 15b

Prayer: Pray for God’s comfort concerning that protracted problem that makes you cry often and again.