Awake From Sleep: Devotion for Friday October 9, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday October 9, 2020

Topic: Awake From Sleep                               

Text: Ephesians 5:12 – 20                         

As Christians, we should stand for the truth; we shouldn’t get caught up in gossip about the shameful actions of sinful people (Ephesians 5:12). We should not promote or dignify sin by even so much as discussing it. What the ungodly people do in secret becomes clear for how evil it is as light shines on them. Nothing can hide from the light piercing through darkness. Believers are the “rays” of that light. By our actions (Ephesians 5:8 – 12), we become instruments of light, exposing the dark acts of sin.

Apostle Paul instructs us to expose these deeds, because our silence may be interpreted as approval. God needs people who will take a stand for what is right. Christians must lovingly speak out for what is true and right. This is not optional.

It is for this reason the Apostle calls on compromising Christians to wake up from sleep (Ephesians 5:14) and begin to live for Christ. What Paul was stressing here is that the Ephesians should wake up and realize the dangerous condition into which some of them had been slipping into. Are such things not seen in our present day Christendom where we pretend and are nonchalant to our call to rebuke evil and sin? Are we not unperturbed and senseless in the darkness, and pollution of sin, and sometimes rename sin so as to cover our unrighteousness?

We should wake from death in sin to a sense of our guilty, lost condition, and look to Him who died for us, and He will make us light. We should redeem the time we have lost while asleep by being active for God. God is waiting for you to act. Start now (Isaiah 60:1)!   

Food for Thought: Romans 13:11 & 12

Memory verse: Ephesians 5 v 14

Prayer: Almighty God, give us grace to cast way the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility so that on the last day, when He shall come again in His glorious majesty: to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through Him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever (Collect for Advent Sunday). 

As Befits the Saints: Devotion for Wednesday October 7, 2020

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Devotion for Wednesday October 7, 2020

Topic: As Befits the Saints                              

Text: Ephesians 5:3 – 5                              

There are things that befit Christians and there are things that shouldn’t be associated with Christians and Christianity. In our text for the day, Paul is saying to us that filthy lusts must be rooted out of our lives. These immoral sins mentioned in Ephesians 5:3 – 6 must be dreaded and detested by Christians. Most of us find pleasure in obscene stories and coarse jokes that we begin to take them for granted.

However, Paul cautions that outside immorality Ephesians 5:3, improper language should have no place in the Christian’s conversation because it does not reflect God’s gracious presence in us (Ephesians 5:4). How can we praise God and remind others of His goodness when we are speaking coarsely? These shouldn’t be associated with us who are Christians because by our call, we are made holy unto God and such acts of immorality defiles us.

Our society today is a liberal one. People do what pleases them. Sexual immorality includes any kind of sexual perversion and many people have claimed some bible passages to back up their sexual immoralities. Sexual immorality was tolerated in the pagan Roman society (see Romans 1:24 – 32), but it should not exist in the Christian community especially our own. Neither should there be any impurity amongst us. No matter the name some Christians call sin to cover their evil, true Christians should be different. We must hate sin because God does so.

Food for Thought: Ephesians 4:17 – 19

Memory verse: Ephesians v 3

Prayer: Help me to mortify, O Lord, every immoral desire in my life in Jesus name.

Be Like Your Father: Be Like Your Father

 

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Be Like Your Father

Topic: Be Like Your Father   

Text: Ephesians 5:1 – 2                        

Here in our scriptural reading for the day, Paul reminds us that our perfect example is God. We haven’t see God the Father or God the Holy Spirit. It is God the Son that we have heard about Him in the Scriptures. When Paul said that we should imitate God, he was talking about Christ. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus said, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” This is what our call as Christians demand.

In being like our father in heaven, we should imitate;

1) His acts of mercy (Luke 6:36).

2) His compassionate life (Mark 1:41; Luke 7:11 – 15). We should also show compassion to people especially those in need.

3) We should love as He loves us (John 3:16; 13:34; 15:12.)

4) We shouldn’t condemn people (John 3:17; 8:10, 11).

5) We should be like Him in obedience (Philippians 2:5 – 11).

6) We should be just and maintain justice too (Isaiah 30:18).   

Just as children imitate their parents, we should follow God’s example. His great love for us led Him to sacrifice Himself so that we might live. Our love for others should be of the same kind; a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service. We have reason for everlasting gratitude to God that He has given us a perfect example; and it should be our great object perfectly to imitate it.   

Food for Thought: Matthew 5:48

Memory verse: Ephesians 5 v 1

Prayer: God, make me perfect as you are as I imitate you daily through godly living in Jesus name.

No Intercessor: Devotion for Sunday October 4, 2020

 

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Devotion for Sunday October 4, 2020

Topic: No Intercessor                                    

Text: Isaiah 59:16 – 21                              

This passage is connected with the following chapters. It is generally thought to describe the coming of the Messiah, as the Avenger and Deliverer of His church. There was none to intercede with God to turn away His wrath; none to interpose for the support of justice and truth. Yet He engaged His own strength and righteousness for His people.

Isaiah 62:6 & 7, say, “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” This passage explains the importance of intercessors. Unfortunately, God sought for the intercessors but found none as we have in our bible reading for the day. Maybe that informed the decision in Isaiah 62:6 and 7.

There was no man to intercede for the course of truth and equity. Despite no intercessors, God saved His people for His own glory because by His righteousness He is bound to maintain the cause of truth.

Beloved, God has called us as watchmen not only to our immediate family alone but to the society where we live. How much are we interceding for them? As watchmen and watchwomen, how serious do we take this call God has placed on us? We should note that our call as Christians is not just to enjoy our relationship with God alone but to help others through preaching and intercession. We should not fail in intercession.

In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus Christ taught us, He used plural form and not singular – Our father, forgive us, give us, etc. We should make it a priority to pray for salvation and deliverance of people because we are product of other people’s intercession too.

Food for Thought: When last did you intercede for sinners especially that person in your neighbourhood, office or business arena?

Memory verse: Isaiah 59 v 16

Prayer: Lord, lay the burden of intercession in my heart in Jesus name.

Intercessors, Lord’s prayer, Watchmen, Prayer, Jerusalem, Messiah, Devotion,

They Drove Away Justice: Devotion for Saturday October 3, 2020

 

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Devotion for Friday October 2, 2020

Topic: They Drove Away Justice

Text: Isaiah 59:9 – 15                                

According to Matthew Henry Concise Commentary, “If we shut our eyes against the light of Divine truth, it is just with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to our peace.” No wonder the bible says that “There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked" (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). A situation where the sins of those who profess themselves as God's people, are worse than the sins of others is very unfortunate.

Here in our bible reading for the day, the Prophet Isaiah decries the sad state of the nation where justice and righteousness are absent in the courts of law (Zechariah 8:16), and in social matters in general. All over the scriptures, God is always against injustice. He upholds justices and righteousness and He expects nothing less from us. But sad to say that He got the least from His people and was displeased about it.

What can we say of our present day religious and political leaders in this generation especially in our nation, Nigeria? Are they upholding justice? What of our judges? Have they not turned back justice by declaring the guilty, innocent and the innocent, guilty? Compare Amos 5:12 and 6:12.

Beloved, God is never happy when we pervert justice. It is a wicked and sinful person that does so (Proverbs 7:23). When we witness in any case, we should also not testify to pervert justice (Exodus 23:2). That should be the mark of true Christianity we confess.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 16:19

Memory verse: Isaiah 59 v 14

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord to always stand for justice no matter the circumstances in Jesus name.

Our God Is Not Handicapped: Devotion for Friday October 2, 2020

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Devotion for Friday October 2, 2020

Topic: Our God Is Not Handicapped                 

Text: Isaiah 59:1 – 8                                

It is erroneous to believe that God is handicapped. It is the belief of some many people that is why their miracles elude them and that is the reason some give up the faith and drop their bibles.

In 1 Samuel 5:1 – 5, is the story of how God proved that He is not handicapped and can fight for Himself. His Ark of Covenant was taken to the shrine of Philistine god, Dagon and He brought the statue down on two occasions. Unlike the Muslims who always take to arms when they perceive that Mohammed their prophet has been blasphemed. Our God fights for Himself. If we are not saved and our prayers are not answered, it is not because God is handicapped or incapacitated.

Here we see sin in its consequences; exceedingly hurtful, separating from God, and so separating us, not only from all good, but to all evil and their consequences. Yet there are many who derive joy in living in sin. This is very unfortunate!

Because God is holy, He cannot ignore, excuse, or tolerate sin as though it didn’t matter. Sin cuts people off from Him, forming a wall to isolate God from the people He loves. No wonder this long list of wretched sins makes God angry and forces Him to look the other way. People, who die with their life of sin, separate themselves eternally from God.

Finally, let us always search ourselves because our salvation is not because God is handicapped but because of our sins. Have you confessed to God and repented of them, allowing Him to remove it? The Lord can save you if you turn to Him. Maximize this opportunity because He is ever willing to save you if you can repent.   

Food for Thought: You can hinder your salvation and blessings not because God is incapacitated.

Memory verse: Isaiah 59 v 1

Prayer: God, I repent of my sins today (mention them) because they are hindrance to my blessings in Jesus name.

Believe To See: Devotion for Tuesday September 22, 2020

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Devotion for Tuesday September 22, 2020

Topic: Believe To See                                          

Text: Exodus 14:10 – 14                             

In John 20:29, Jesus said, "Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Thomas wanted to see the wound inflicted on Jesus before he could believe that Jesus had risen. But Jesus told him to believe before seeing for their lies the blessings of God.

When Israel came to Pi Hahiroth as God directed them in Exodus 14:2, they camped there and Pharaoh with his men came pursing. There was no way open to Israel but upward, and thence their deliverance came. In their front was the Red Sea; behind them were Pharaoh and his men while their sides are hills. Thus it was hard for them to escape. The fearful cried out to Moses out of fear while the faithful looked through the only way opened to them which is heaven.

They quarrel with Moses for bringing them out of Egypt; and were also angry with God for the greatest kindness ever done them; thus gross are the absurdities of unbelief. Our fears should quicken our prayers and endeavours, but not silence our faith and hope. So Moses told them to be still, to believe and see what God will do for them (Exodus 14:13 and 14). What these two verses imply is that it is only when they believe that they will see miracles and if they don’t, the problem will consume them.

Beloved, are you afraid because the enemies have surrounded you and you don’t have the way of escape? Let not your heart be troubled (John 14:1). Just believe God miraculous intervention because you will no longer see those enemies again. Be still! The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.     

Food for Thought: A man lives by believing something: not by debating and arguing about many things.

Memory verse: Exodus 14 v 13

Prayer: Give me the heart to believe your words, O Lord, that I might see your miracles and blessings upon my life in Jesus name.

Lay Your Trophies at His Feet: Devotion for Saturday September 19, 2020

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Devotion for Saturday September 19, 2020

Topic: Lay Your Trophies at His Feet    

Text: 1 Samuel 17:54                           

There are many reasons David won the heart of God. One of them is what he did in our text. He surrendered insignia of his exploit in that battle to God. A youth like that was so humble that he didn’t want a show off rather, he laid that “trophy” at God’s feet. Great exploits God uses us to perform or miracles God did for us can be a source of temptation to arrogate the glory to ourselves, making our heads swell.

If some of us were David, we would have erected a 20m by 15m sign post showing us and Goliath requesting that people should come and see the man who killed the giant. Our houses would have turn into tourist centres and we will request that people should pay money before they can see David and shake his hand. In this our clime, everything is now money.

However, it was not so with David. He took the sword to God’s house and went home. He did not allow that exploit to enter his head. He laid the trophy at God‘s feet. He dedicated the sword of Goliath as a votive offering to the Lord. 1 Samuel 21:9 confirms that David kept Goliath’s sword at the tent that houses the Ark of the Covenant. A lesson and challenge for us.

When God uses us to perform miracles or to do exploits, how do we react? Does it enter our heads as if there is none like us? In Acts 14:8ff, Paul healed a crippled man who hasn’t walked since birth in Lystra. They termed him Hermes and Barnabas was called Zeus. The priest in charge of that temple of Zeus in Lystra brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes (Acts 14:13). But Paul resisted them (Acts 14:14).

We shouldn’t take the glory that belongs to God. When we are used by God, we should appreciate Him in humility and return all the glory to Him.

Food for Thought: Humble disposition is the best way to honour God for what He has made us.

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17 v 54

Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace never to take the glory that belongs to you.

Faith: Key For Victory: Devotion for Thursday September 17, 2020

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Devotion for Thursday September 17, 2020

Topic: Faith: Key For Victory                         

Text: 1 Samuel 17:40 – 47                        

David approached the Goliath with faith in Jesus and not sword which signifies the five stones he took. JESUS and FAITH are five letters each.

When David appeared, Goliath looked at him with disdain and these were his word: "Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.” Matthew Henry summed up our text thus: “The security and presumption of fools destroy them. Nothing can excel the humility, faith, and piety which appear in David's words. He expressed his assured expectation of success; he gloried in his mean appearance and arms, that the victory might be ascribed to the Lord alone.” How foolish Goliath acted because, he thought all his victories were of his gods but God brought him to Israel to humiliate him since he failed to acknowledge God as source of his victories.

The size and stature of Goliath could have deterred anyone but not David. He was optimistic that God will see him through even as God promised in Deuteronomy 20:1 – 4. His words were filled with humility, faith and confidence of success because he knows His God. “All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen. He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions” as Adam Clarke posited. This was true of David.

We also need faith to be strong as we face life’s challenges daily. Keep focused and trust Him to see you through your day’s appointments and schedules; trust Him to fight your battles and trust him to provide for your needs.

Food for Thought: “Faith, mighty faith the promise sees and rests on that alone; laughs at impossibilities, and says it shall be done” – Wesley

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17 v 45

Prayer: Lord, as I meditate daily on your word, build my faith so that I will laugh at impossibilities, and say it shall be done in Jesus name.

Just Mere Intimidation: Devotion for Saturday September 5, 2020

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Devotion for Saturday September 5, 2020

Topic: Just Mere Intimidation      

Text: 1 Samuel 17:1 – 11                                

I once read a story of a young Christian in the United States of American army who was always preaching the word of God to fellow soldiers. He never hid his faith. This did not go down with his captain in the military who always challenge him that there is no God.

One day, this captain wanting to make mockery of this young Christian gave him key to a car without engine and asked him to go and start the car. Initially, he protested that he can’t drive. Unknown to the young man that there was no engine, he prayed fixed the key into the ignition and started the car. From that day, the Captain came to acknowledge that indeed there is God. If the young soldier had taken to heart the intimidation of his Captain.

Philistines used their giant Goliath to intimidate Israelites. Not only did he intimidate the people, he also defied the God of Israel. This was insult on the God we serve. Unfortunately, Saul and his soldiers did not see it as intimidation and defilement of their God. It took David a boy to see it so. Thank God for David who rebuked him and killed him in disgraceful way.

There are many ways the enemies intimidate us; by instilling fear in us, making mockery of our faith as the Captain we mentioned earlier, demanding that we do some things that are beyond reasoning, by proclaiming sanctions and fines against us, etc. We have a clear example in Daniel 3:8 – 12 and 6:4, 5. These young Jews held on to their faith and God honoured them.

Are you being intimidated in your school, office, neighbourhood, home, etc., because of your faith? Never mind their intimidation. Hold on to God. He will not disappoint you. He did not disappoint Daniel and his compatriots and He will not disappoint you. 

Food for Thought: Intimidation is devil’s weapon to weaken our faith.

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17 v 10

Prayer: My Father in heaven, make my faith stronger amidst all forms of intimidation of the enemies in Jesus name.

Sanctification and Its Effect: Devotion for Friday September 4, 2020

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Devotion for Friday September 4, 2020

Topic: Sanctification and Its Effect           

Text: Ezekiel 36: 25 - 38                           

God promised to restore Israel not only physically but spiritually. To accomplish this, He promised to give them a new heart for following Him and put His Spirit within them (Ezekiel 11:19 – 20; Psalms 51:7 – 11) aimed at transforming them and empowering them to do His will. This is the effect of sanctification of His people.

God said his people should be ashamed of their sins (Ezekiel 36:31). The people had become so callous that they had lost all sensitivity to sin. First they had to “remember” their sins; be ashamed of them, and finally repent of them (James 4:8 – 9). If we examine our lives, we may find that we, too, have lost our sensitivity to certain sins. To regain our sensitivity to sin we must recognize our sin for what it is, be sorry for displeasing God, and ask for His forgiveness.

You may have been living in sin and highly polluted. God offers you a fresh start today. You can have your sins washed away, receive a new heart for God, and have His Spirit within you, if you accept His promise. This will be the beginning of a life of righteousness; a life that hearkens to God's law, trembling at His threats, moulded to comply with His whole will. Why try to patch up your old life when you can have a new one?   

Food for Thought: Is your heart right with God?

Memory verse: Ezekiel 36 v 26

Prayer: God, grant me the heart that obeys your law and comply with your will in Jesus name. 

A Day of Reckoning: Devotion for Thursday September 3, 2020

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Devotion for Thursday September 3, 2020

Topic: A Day of Reckoning                    

Text: Malachi 3: 13 – 18                          

Few days before I wrote this devotion, I read a story of a transgender who said that God is daft and senseless. My comment was that she/he was digging her grave. If in this present age of knowledge, she doesn’t know that there is a day of reckoning then she is a serious mistake to the society. The act of this transgender turned lady now is similar to what we have in Malachi 3:13 and 14.

In 2014, there was a couple that publicly burnt their Bible in Bonsac area of Asaba because God didn’t give them a child. Their action was reciting the words in Malachi 3:14 that it is useless to serve God. There is a challenge for us in Malachi 3:16 about encouraging one another especially in a society as bad as ours today. Family Bible Notes puts it thus: “When infidelity and wickedness most abound in the community, then is the time for those who fear God to be most diligent in speaking often one to another, and encouraging each other in his service.”  

These people saw no need of serving God because He does not notice and reward their empty and heartless forms of religion. God cannot be mocked. You can only reap what you sow as seed. For now, it may seem as if God put no difference between the righteous and the wicked. However, He will one day make an everlasting separation between them, such as all beings in heaven and hell shall well understand. This is the day of reckoning. Where do you think you belong in this two – hell or heaven?

Food for Thought: How prepared are you towards the day of reckoning?

Memory verse: Malachi 3 v 18

Prayer: Make me your jewel O Lord, as I prepare for the day of reckoning so that my name will be in the book of remembrance in Jesus name.

God’s Messenger: Devotion for Monday August 31, 2020

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Devotion for Tuesday September 1, 2020

Topic:  God’s Messenger                         

Text: Malachi 3:1 - 6                      

The first few words of this chapter seem an answer to the scoffers of those days. It may not be unconnected with the last verse of chapter 2. Here is a prophecy of the appearing of John the Baptist. He is Christ's harbinger or forerunner. He shall prepare the way before him, by calling men to repentance.

The “messenger” (Malachi 3:1) was identified by Jesus as John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10, 14), who served as Christ’s forerunner, inviting people to repent and believe in Him. The work of the messenger here was to preach the gospel. John fulfilled his calling with simply message: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2)!" His diligence and commitment to his call won him many disciples and moved the most hardened set of people then; the Pharisees and Sadducees to come for his baptism (Matthew 3:7).

Today, we are God’s messengers and forerunners of second coming of Christ. We have been mandated to go into the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15 – 18). Christ has also empowered us to do this. How are you preaching the gospel of salvation Jesus Christ has offered humanity?

Do you fear faces? John the Baptist didn’t fear faces. He rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees. He rebuked Herod. He was fearless. What is your excuse for not preaching the gospel? Remember, we will give account of how we used our gifts and talent God has bestowed on us.

Welcome to the month of September 2020!

Action: Write down 3 ways you can disseminate the gospel to people.

Memory verse: Malachi 3 v 3  

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to be a committed messenger of the gospel in Jesus name.

Virtues That Promote Brotherliness: Devotion for Monday August 31, 2020

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Devotion for Monday August 31, 2020

Topic:  Virtues That Promote Brotherliness          

Text: Colossians 3:12 – 17                  

In our text for today, Paul continued to reveal what a new man in Christ should be and the things that will promote brotherliness among Christians and how to live for God. All the virtues that Paul encourages us to develop (to put on) are perfectly bound together by love.

As we clothe ourselves with these virtues, the last garment we are to put on is love, which holds all of the others in place. To practice any list of virtues without practicing love will lead to distortion, fragmentation, and stagnation (1 Corinthians 13:3).

He also offers a strategy to help us live for God day by day. They are (1) Imitate Christ’s compassionate, forgiving attitude (Colossians 3:12 – 13); (2) let love guide your life (Colossians 3:14); (3) let the peace of Christ rule in your heart (Colossians 3:15); (4) always be thankful (3:15); (5) keep God’s Word in you at all times (Colossians 3:16); (6) live as Jesus Christ’s representative (Colossians 3:17). These are ways to live well and for God. Love binds together all the other graces into one whole and thus making the Christian character complete.

Are these virtues evident in your life? If not, how do you intend to inculcate them into your life so that Christ will be seen in you?

Food for Thought: All the Christian graces are bound together in love. It is the source of them all.

Memory verse: Colossians 3 v 14

Prayer: Almighty God, sow in my heart the virtue of love for you and humanity which is the root for all other Christian virtues.

Before God Will Reveal Himself: Devotion for Sunday August 30, 2020

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Devotion for Sunday August 30, 2020

Topic: Before God Will Reveal Himself      

Text: John 20:11 – 18                             

Mary Magdalene came to the tomb of Jesus, saw that it was empty and went to inform Peter and other disciples. They all came to the tomb, saw it as Mary reported and left. When they, Mary stayed back alone, still crying, still hoping that somehow she could discover where Jesus’ body had been taken to, but fearing the worst. It was that desire to get someone to speak to here that kept here there.

This moved God to send two angels to attend to her. Her motive was pure and undiluted unlike many in the church today who go there with wrong motives like mundane things. Her motive was to see the dead body of Christ. That was her bargain but God gave her more than a dead Jesus but a living Jesus. Hallelujah!         

Beloved, for God to reveal Himself to you, you must show a strong commitment to His course. You should have shown yourself as one who loves God without reservations. Seeing God does not come through a mere wish but through love for God, dedication to His course and unwavering commitment.

How much do you love God? Mary Magdalene showed her commitment to God by coming very early to the tomb, going to inform Peter and other disciples what she saw, and coming back again to the tomb. She sat there weeping in anticipation for news.

Do you take the pain to seek for God in things that bother you? Seek him sincerely and you shall find (Matthew 7:7).

Food for Thought: It takes good motives to attract God’s attention.

Memory Verse: John 20 v 11     

Prayer: As I seek you O Lord, grant me right motives that will attract you to reveal yourself to me in Jesus name.

Ways to Redirect Your Focus 2: Devotion for Saturday August 29, 2020

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Devotion for Saturday August 29, 2020

Topic: Ways to Redirect Your Focus 2      

Text: Colossians 3:8 – 11                       

There is one striking point to note in the ways to redirect our focus on Christ in our bible reading of yesterday and today. It is the point that you are the one to put them to death/put off and not any other person.

In our bible reading of the day, Paul was emphatic. He said, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these …” These things are part of our old nature which sure raises their heads in us. That is why our text called them our members.

Though these sins mentioned in Colossians 3:8 are of less infamy (minorisinfamia) and reproach before men, yet they are of greater guilt (majorisreatus) in the sight of God. Thus any sincere Christian who desire to please God will not hesitate in putting off these sins so as to have a clear focus on Christ.

The five sins of speech/action here are anger, wrath (rage), malicious behaviour, slander (blasphemy) and dirty language. When these are manifest in our lives, they offend the Spirit of God in us. Paul concluded by calling on us to put on the new man after putting off the five sins mentioned above.

Putting on new man means that our conduct should match our faith. If you are a Christian, you should act like a Christian. To be a Christian means more than just making good resolutions and having good intentions; it means taking the right actions.

Food for thought: Have you put off anger, wrath, malicious behaviour, slander and dirty language from your life.     

Memory verse: Colossians 3 v 8

Prayer: God, help me to put off old nature and to put on the new man that reveals Christ in me.

Ways to Redirect Your Focus 1: Devotion for Friday August 28, 2020

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Devotion for Friday August 28, 2020

Topic: Ways to Redirect Your Focus 1     

Text: Colossians 3:5 – 7                       

Yesterday, we read Paul’s call on us to redirect our focus from worldly things to heavenly. Today and tomorrow, we shall be considering ways to redirect our focus on things eternal instead of the things worldly.

Paul noted in this epistle that if the Colossian believers were to live as examples of Christ, they had to put to death certain aspects of the sinful earthly things lurking within them, the sinful nature; the old self.

Two sets of sins are listed by Apostle Paul, which he advised that they should put to death or mortify. The first five refer to sexual sin; the second five to sins of speech/action. We’ll discuss sins of speech/action tomorrow. The first five relates to the cultural background of the Colossians and were particularly deadly to the life of the church: Sexual sin, impurity, lust, shameful desires and greed for good things of life which he called idolatry. These five sins mentioned here directly affect our spirituality and they attract God’s anger too. Every true Christian should be cautious so as not to fall prey of these sexual sins.

It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us. Although Paul told them in Colossians 3:3, that they were dead to sin, yet here, in Colossians 3:5, he charged them to mortify sin; intimating, that the work of mortification, at the best, is but imperfect, and must be carried on daily and progressively.

How are you mortifying your body so that you could be focused on Christ and heavenly things? Note that mortification is not a thing of once and for all.

Food for Thought: What are the ways you can mortify sin in your life?

Memory verse: Colossians 3 v 5      

Prayer: Grant me the grace O Lord to put to death all sinful desire in me in Jesus name. 

Redirect Your Focus: Devotion for Thursday August 27, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday August 27, 2020

Topic: Redirect Your Focus                 

Text: Colossians 3:1 – 4                  

The essence of going to learn in a school is for us to improve and to make us have better understanding of ourselves and our society. If after you have studied in the school and there is no improvement in your understanding, it means your efforts in school were wasted. Likewise, when someone repents and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, it is expected that such should have a better understanding of how best to serve God.

It is on this premise that Paul started this chapter by saying, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your eyes on the realities of heaven …” (New Living Translation). This means that before their repentance, their focus were on worldly things. Now it shouldn’t be so.

Because they had been raised, they had a clear responsibility to Christ, who had raised them. They must set their sights on the realities of heaven. The Greek word for “set” means to seek something out with a desire to possess it. The believers must take their focus off the world and turn it to Christ, who sits at God’s right hand in the place of honour and power. They should concentrate on the eternal rather than the temporal, letting their thoughts dwell in the realm of Christ. They were to focus on the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

Thoughts can influence actions, so if the believers would place their thoughts above and not only here on earth, their actions would please God. Are your thoughts focused on Christ now as a Christian or you are still concerned about worldly affairs?

Food for Thought: Philippians 4:8

Memory verse: Colossians 3 v 2             

Prayer: Lord God, redirect my focus from the things worldly to the things eternal in Jesus name.

Not the Special Type: Devotion for Wednesday August 26, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday August 26, 2020

Topic: Not the Special Type              

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:25 – 31       

Our text is one of the passages in the bible that clearly show us that God is not respecter of human reason. What we value here doesn’t even concern God. It is for this reason the bible says that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thought (see Isaiah 55:8 & 9).

Who would have believed that Jesus Christ would bypass all the intellectual Pharisees, Scribes and Lawyers of His days to pick mere fishermen as disciples?

This is the reason Paul wrote here in our bible passage for the day that God doesn’t prefer the special type as Living Bible puts it in 1 Corinthians 1 v 261:26. Paul tells the Corinthians that they should know the general character and condition of those who are Christians among them that they have not been generally taken from the wise, the rich, and the learned, but from humble life. The design of the apostle here is to show that the gospel did not depend for its success on human wisdom.

Beloved, if being a Christian is based on social status, will you have been considered to be a Christian how much more being a preacher of the gospel? People like me won’t have become priest because I don’t have human qualification for that. But God doesn’t apply human rule.

What this implies is that we who are privileged to be called, should serve God in humility and appreciation. When you are tempted to become proud on what God is using you to do, always remember that God called you not according to human standards, not because you were wise, powerful, or noble (well-born) but just by His grace.

Food for Thought: Ephesians 2:8 & 9

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 1 v 26

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for picking me out of the miry clay and made me what I am today. Keep me faithful till the end in Jesus name.

Extraordinary Love: Devotion for Tuesday August 25, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday August 25, 2020

Topic: Extraordinary Love               

Text: Luke 15:11 – 32                    

The parable of the prodigal son shows what is expected of us in repentance, and the Lord's readiness to welcome and bless all who return to Him. It fully sets forth the riches of gospel of grace – the extraordinary love of God.

This young man took a decision to go back to the father and acted on it. “But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” – Luke 15:20b.

The father immediately restored this destitute and humbled young man as his son. “This represents the readiness with which God receives returning sinners. To be saved, men must not only resolve, but they must return to God; taking all the blame and shame of their departure to themselves, and ascribing righteousness to Him, they must surrender all their interests for time and eternity to his care, guidance, and disposal” as Family Bible Note opined. 

The sheep was lost because it may have foolishly wandered away (Luke 15:4); the coin was lost through no fault of its own (Luke 15:8); and the son left out of selfishness (Luke 15:12). God’s great love reaches out and finds sinners no matter why or how they got lost.

Beloved, have you ever wondered why God has showed so much love to you despite your weaknesses? What steps do you take or should you take to reciprocate this extraordinary love of God for you? It will be great injustice if we neglect and fail to appreciate the love of God for us.

Food for Thought: Job 7:17 and Psalm 8:4

Memory verse: Luke 15 v 24

Prayer: God, may I never fail to reciprocate your love for me. Help me to serve you out of love and gratitude for loving me despite my sins.