Deception Can Kill

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday (Holy Week) April 10, 2017

Topic: Deception Can Kill 

Text: Mark 11:12 – 14              

Some of the gospels recorded that Jesus drove away merchants from the temple on His arrival during triumphal entry into Jerusalem but Mark recorded it as an event that took place a day after the triumphal entry. The temple which ought to be a place of prayer had been turn into a place of merchandise thus deceiving people who sees it from outside.

Our bible passage for today is a related incident to the clearing of the Temple. Jesus had to curse the fig tree because of its deceptive posture. The Temple was supposed to be a place of worship, but true worship had disappeared. The fig tree showed promise of fruit, but it produced none.

In these two acts of cursing the fig tree and clearing of the temple, Jesus was showing His anger at religious life without substance. He denounced a confession that does not correspond with profession. God expects us to live out what we confess. If you claim to have faith without putting it to work in your life, you are like the barren fig tree.

The deceptive posture of the fig tree led to the curse. This shows that when we have a form of godliness but denying the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:16), we are invariably procuring God’s anger upon ourselves. Do you have a deceptive look where people see you as a Christian but inwardly you are not? God hates deception. Repent of your deception and hypocrisy now before your sins will find you out.

Food for Thought: Do you have a deceptive look which doesn’t correspond with what you are inside? Beware because deception kills.

Memory verse: Mark 11 verse 14

Prayer: Lord God, remove any form of deception me and help me to live the life expected of me as a Christian. 

Outward Appearance Deceives

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday February 14, 2017       

Topic: Outward Appearance Deceives

Text: 2 Corinthians 10:7

Outward appearance can be deceptive. Most times it doesn’t show the real person inside. A pastor sent to a very big church disguised himself as homeless beggar on the first day he went there to be introduced to the congregation. He came very early and he was begging. Over 95% despised him. When he entered the church, he was driven from the front seats and kept at the main entrance to the church. When it was time to introduce him, the chief warden of the church called his name. All eyes were looking out to see their pastor, gorgeously dressed but it turned out to be the man they turned back and looked down on. He was the pastor they were waiting for. He took the microphone and rebuked their hypocrisy, calling them to repentance. O, how often we do this too!

Our perspective of others matters because outward appearance deceives. Based on this, Paul urged the Corinthians to adjust their perspective. They had been making their decisions on the basis of appearance. They were listening intently to the false teachers who were boasting of their own authority (2 Corinthians 10:12-13), their perfect Hebrew heritage (2 Corinthians 11:21-22), and their visionary experiences (2 Corinthians 12:11-12). All of their loud boasts and extravagant displays of power had dazzled the Corinthians so much that they had become blind to the simplicity of the gospel message that Paul had preached to them in the first place (1 Corinthians 2:1-3). We should be very careful not to be deceived by appearances, display of powers, confessions and testimonies. All may not be real. Ask God to grant you discerning spirit.

Food for Thought: “Do not judge from mere appearance; for the light laughter that bubbles on the lip often mantles over the depths of sadness, and the serious look may be the sober veil that covers a divine peace and joy” – Chapin.  

Memory verse: John 7:24 - Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (ESV).

Prayer: Almighty God, help me never to judge people on their appearance only.

DON’T BE DECEIVED: Devotion for Wednesday October 19, 2016

DON’T BE DECEIVED: Devotion for Wednesday October 19, 2016

Text: 1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11    Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 6 verse 9

The Christian life starts when we realise that we have been living in sin and decides to change. The person accepts the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on then Cross of Calvary making Him Lord and Saviour. Such experience is being born again. Such person is expected to severe his or her life from sin. The desire and appetite to sin should die in that person. Such deviation from sin distinguishes such as a Christian. If such person continues to romance sin, his or salvation becomes doubtful and if it continues, it becomes certain that such person is not a true believer.

Here in our scriptural reading, Paul describes the characteristics of unbelievers and asserts that people still living in sin cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Christians came out of all kinds of different backgrounds, including those mentioned in Ephesians 6:9 and 10. They may still struggle with evil desires, but they should not continue in these practices doing it willfully. Any Christian who says he is a follower of Jesus Christ but allows every kind of evil to permeate his lives is not a worthy Christian. People in that category will not share in the Kingdom because they persisted in their evil practices with no sign of remorse. Such people, if they think they are believers, need to reevaluate their lives to see if they truly believe in Christ. They shouldn’t be deceived by thinking that they will be saved because they attend church services, programmes and activities.

Our society today is a permissive type where some Pastors and Christians overlook or tolerate some immoral behaviour (greed, drunkenness, etc.) while remaining outraged at others (homosexuality, thievery, etc.). Christians must not participate in sin or condone it in any way; we cannot be selective about the sin we condemn or excuse. God expects His followers in any age to have high moral standards. What is your moral standard? We shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that any unrighteous man shall inherit the Kingdom of God. Don’t flatter yourself by thinking God will compromise His standard. He is a just God.

Food for Thought: Ephesians 5:3–5

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to steer clear of all unrighteousness so I will be an inheritor of your kingdom in Jesus name. 

YOU CAN DECEIVE MAN BUT NOT GOD: Devotion for Sunday September 6, 2015

YOU CAN DECEIVE MAN BUT NOT GOD    Sunday September 6, 2015

Text: 1 Samuel 18:17 – 19                      Memory verse: v 17b

When God’s hand and anointing is upon your life, every plan of the enemies against you will never succeed. Saul made David a captain so that it will be an opportunity for the Philistines to kill him (18:13, 17). Very unfortunate! What some people will not do directly, they often attempt to do indirectly, and thus try to cast the responsibility of their evil actions on others. This was the case of Saul here but he cannot deceive God. God is the owner and sustainer of our lives and this world.

Beloved, every evil plan against your life will not see the light of the day. God will frustrate them. Immediately after my birth, the enemies came after me. I was about 2 years old, a woman poured pepper and set fire on the faeces I passed at the back of the family house just to eliminate me. God of miracle sent rain immediately amidst sunshine and put off the fire. There are many other attempts even of recent where people confessed to being responsible for all the problems I have been through. Here I am today doing what God has called me into. The gang up against you will not succeed in Jesus name (Isaiah 54:17). They will reap the fruits of their labour.

Food for Thought: Why didn’t God approve Saul’s plan against David?

Prayer: Lord, frustrate all plans of the enemies against me in Jesus name.