The Cost of being a Disciple: Devotion for Saturday April 4, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday April 4, 2020

Topic: The Cost of being a Disciple                           

Text: Luke 14:25 – 35

Following Christ means total submission to Him above all other things of great value or intimacy to us. It has its consequences and costs. One of the costs of being a disciple is not allowing your intimacy on your immediate family to be far above your intimacy with God.

What Luke 14:26 says is not a contradiction to the fifth commandment rather Jesus Christ meant that we are to love them less than we love Him; we are to obey Him more rather than them especially in the things spiritual. Again, we should be willing to forsake them if He calls us to go and preach His gospel; and we are to submit, without a murmur, to Him when He takes them away from us.

Jesus Christ emphasized on the need for feasibility study even in Christianity. He explained this by two similitudes; the former showing that we must consider the expenses of our religion; the latter, that we must consider the perils of it. We should count the cost of being a disciple which include mortifying of sin in our body and even the most beloved things we lust after.

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Jesus summed up His teaching here by telling the disciples what they ought to be in the society. He likened them to salt which is very expedient seasoning in any food. This means that we should also act as seasoning to our generation. Are you a seasoning?

Food for Thought: Have you really forsaken all for Christ?  

Memory verse: Luke 14:26

Prayer: My Father in heaven, help me to remove whatever will endanger my relationship with you so I will be a faithful disciple in Jesus.

Don’t Postpone Your Salvation

Devotion for Saturday June 9, 2018

Sing SS&S 1165; Abu 263

Topic: Don’t Postpone Your Salvation

Text: Matthew 8:18 – 22

The scribe mentioned in Matthew 8:19 was too hasty in promising to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. He seems to be very resolute. Unfortunately many resolutions for Christ like this are produced by sudden conviction, and taken up without due consideration and its consequences. They eventually come to nothing at the end. His resolve seems to have been from a worldly, covetous principle; but Christ had not a place to lay His head on, and if he follows him, he must not expect anything better than what Christ had. The other person volunteered to follow Christ only after he had buried the father, Jesus requested that he shouldn’t postpone his salvation. Delay in doing the will of God is as bad on the one hand, as hastiness in resolving is on the other. He asked for leave to attend his father to his grave, and then he would be at Christ's service. This seemed reasonable, yet it was not right. He had not true zeal for the work. This is how some people keep postponing their salvation. I will repent after New Year. I will repent after graduation, etc. Why postpone your salvation. The Bible warns us that now is the time of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). A young man went to a crusade with his girlfriend. After hearing the word of God, had wanted to give his life to Christ but his girlfriend stood against that decision. They left the crusade ground and as they were crossing the road, a vehicle knocked down the man and he died on the spot. He could no longer repent again. Beloved, don’t postpone your salvation. Repent now before it will be too late.

Food for Thought: Have you actually repented? If not, do it right now.

Memory verse: Matthew 8:21

Prayer: O Lord, may I not postpone any act that will make me part of your kingdom at the end of my life here on earth in Jesus name. Amen

Forsake All And Follow Jesus

Devotion for Monday March 12, 2018

Topic: Forsake All And Follow Jesus

Text: Luke 14:25 – 35

Following Christ means being His disciple. It involves total submission to Him above all other things of great value or intimacy to us. It has its consequences and costs. It can involve pain, persecution, diverse temptations and trials, pain, losses, hatred among others. 

In our bible reading for the day, is one of the costs of being a disciple. Jesus said that anyone who wants to be His disciple should not love his or her family and life above Him. Have you forsaken all to follow Christ or you still have them as attachments to your body as you run this heavenly race? Jesus emphasized on the need for feasibility study of anything we want to undertake even repentance. He explained this by two similitude; the former showing that we must consider the expenses of our religion; the latter, that we must consider the perils of it. 

In considering the cost of being a disciple, we should note that it involves mortifying of sin, even the most beloved lusts. It involves self-denial and submitting to will of God no matter how painful it may be while at the same time denying your own will no matter how good they may be. Jesus summed up His teaching here by telling the disciples what they ought to be in the society. He likened them to salt which is very expedient seasoning in any food. This means that we should also act as seasoning to our generation. Are you a seasoning to your family and the society? 

Sing A&M 333; Abu 212

Food for Thought: Have you really forsaken all for Christ?  

Memory verse: Luke 14:26

Prayer: My father in heaven, remove whatever will endanger my relationship with you so I will be a faithful disciple in Jesus name. Amen

I AM WITH YOU: Devotion for Friday January 1, 2016

I AM WITH YOU          Friday January 1, 2016

Text: Matthew 28:16 – 20        Memory verse: v 20

Welcome to the year 2016! We thank God for making us part of this year. We have in our text the parting words of Jesus Christ with His disciples on His ascension. He told them about the authorities bestowed on Him by virtue of His death and resurrection (28:18). Solemnly, He commissioned the Apostles and other disciples to go forth among all nations preaching the gospel. They were to preach a common salvation message; whoever wills, let him come, and take the benefit; as all people from every race are welcome to Christ Jesus (28:19, 20a). While concluding their commissioning, He assured them that He is with them till the end of age.

The assurance of Christ being with us is very necessary for us at the start of a new year. We are all faced with uncertainties of what the year holds for us. Some are very anxious because they have spent themselves up at the end of last year and are now faced with bills to pay. Some are curious about their chances of survival in this New Year. However, every Christian should approach each year with faith in God (Mk 11:22) and optimism. God has given us His words about the New Year here. All God requires of us is to trust Him and He will continue to lead (Prov. 6:22), guide (Ps 32: 8; Isa. 58:11; Jn. 16:13), guard (Isa. 58:8), protect, defend (Ps 5:11) and bless us this year. Happy New Year!

Action: Write down the things you can do this year for God to be with you always.

Prayer: Almighty God, may your hands uphold me every hour and all days of this year. Be with me and bless me according to your promises.