ARE YOU IN DOUBT? Devotion for Thursday October 13, 2016

ARE YOU IN DOUBT? Devotion for Thursday October 13, 2016

Text: Jeremiah 33:1 – 9       Memory verse: Jeremiah 33 verse 3

There are many things that can challenge our faith and make us question if the promises of God are real. It can only take a man of faith to endure the hardship, trials and even imprisonment without questioning God. An average Christian in a prison (33:1) for a long time simply because of his faith and commitment to God will surely ask if God and all His promises are real. The person will question the love God promised, the protection and deliverance He assured us.

This happens when we come to a cross road and are perplexed. When there seems to be no way out of seemly difficult problem and having fasted, and prayed without an answer, we will act like John the Baptist (Matt 11:2, 3). Before his imprisonment, he announced that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God and the Messiah (John 1:29–36). Unfortunately, while in prison, he questioned the truth that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and had to send his disciples to inquire from Jesus Christ if He is the Messiah. What he saw and passed through led into such doubt. Again, he had a wrong understanding of Messiahship of Jesus Christ. However, in all our doubts, fears and apprehensions, God understands our plight when we come to crossroads.

God saw the ordeal Jeremiah was into and asked the prophet to call upon Him so He might clarify every fears, doubt and apprehensions, and reveal secret things to him. Are you in doubt if indeed God called you as a Christian, a missionary, a Pastor, etc? Are you in doubt if God was the one that gave you that spouse, job, sent you to that mission field, etc? Are you in doubt if your Christianity is real as things are not moving on well with you despite your commitment? It is time to call on God and He will answer and make it clear to you on why you are facing hard times in your call and ministry, and what you will gain by passing through it faithfully. He has reasons for everything happening to you.

Food for Thought: “Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt” – William Shakespeare 

Prayer: Almighty God and my Father solve every problem that led me into doubting your love and reveal hidden things to me in Jesus name. Amen.

OBEDIENCE LEADS TO MIRACLES: Devotion for Thursday June 2, 2016

OBEDIENCE LEADS TO MIRACLES: Devotion for Thursday June 2, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:13 – 19      Memory verse: v 14

Now Naaman calmed down after his attendant had persuaded him to try the method Elisha offered. He did it and was cured. In some cases, servants are sometimes wiser and better than their masters, and they give better advice, which when followed will be well for them. What Elisha commanded was not cumbersome. It was a simply command that seem foolish in Naaman’s eyes (1 Cor. 2:14; 3:19). Things of God and his commands are always too simple that most people do not take it seriously. Mere words from Angel Gabriel was all Zachariah needed to have a child. He doubted God and was punished because God had determined to do it. If not, he would have missed that opportunity. In Gen. 26:1–6, 12–14 we have the story of how Isaac obeyed God and God blessed him to the extent that the Philistines began to envy him.

The level of your obedience determines the level of your blessings and miracles. When Naaman obeyed and washed, he had a testimony – I was once a leper. Today, many of us miss out from God’s package of blessings for us due to the ways we undermine God’s instructions in the bible. We take it lightly and certainly we will pay dearly for it. Lot’s wife did it and we know her story. God cannot be mocked.            

Food for Thought: It takes a humble heart to obey God’s command.

Prayer: God, answer my prayers and bless me as I obey your commandments.

DON’T DOUBT GOD’S WORD: Devotion for Friday April 29, 2016

DON’T DOUBT GOD’S WORD: Devotion for Friday April 29, 2016

Text: Luke 1:5 – 25       Memory verse: v 20

Doubting God’s word is a way of blatantly saying that God is unable to perform what He said and a way of undermining His sovereignty, and supremacy. It is a way of saying that God is a liar. People God used, as we have in the scriptures never doubted Him. Rather they keyed into God’s promises and kept believing until those promises came to pass. Think of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Peter, Paul, Mary, etc, none of them and many other Bible personalities were punished before their promises came to pass except Zachariah. Do you doubt God’s ability to give you that which He promised; His ability to set you free from bondage of sin and death? Our God is able and ever willing to do more than we ask. May that God, remember you in this season in Jesus name.

Our bible reading reveals how God sent Angel Gabriel to announce the birth of John the Baptist. Zachariah doubted the fulfillment of the message. The case of Zachariah attracted punishment because God expected him as a priest to believe the faith he preaches. He was slow to believe the strange message and he demanded a sign from the angel as assurance that the message will be fulfilled. Note that the word of God in the mouth of His messengers is God's own word, and as such should be received and believed. Disbelief of God’s word exposes us to His righteous displeasure, and deprives us of rich blessings which we might otherwise enjoy.             

Food for Thought: Doubting God’s word, belittles His power and sovereignty.

Prayer: Remove every doubt of your word from my heart O Lord, so I will not be denied the rich benefits in your blessings in Jesus name.   

TRUST HIM ALWAYS: Devotion for Friday February 5, 2016

TRUST HIM ALWAYS     Friday February 5, 2016 

Text: Psalm 62:8 – 12    Memory verse: v 8

There are times we falter in faith despite the level of our knowledge of God and spirituality. It happened to Abraham when he hearkened to the voice of his wife by going into her maid. It also happened to John the Baptist while he was in prison. He sent message to confirm from Jesus Christ if He was the Messiah or not (Matt 11:2–6) despite revealing to his disciples that Jesus is the Messiah (Jn. 1:29–36). This has happened to some other men and women of God as we have it all over the scriptures. Life usually presents its curves, bumps and pot holes on our life’s journeys. All these are aimed at slowing us down and at times we begin to doubt God and His faithfulness.

In our scriptural reading of the day, the Psalmist who had experienced God’s faithfulness urges us to trust God for some reasons. He is our refuge (62:8), all power belongs to Him (62:11) and He is merciful (62:12). Thus we should trust God to guide us when in doubt, to protect us when in danger, to supply for us, when in want and to strengthen us for every good word, and work. We should trust when we can see, as well as when we are utterly in the dark. As you go out today, trust God to meet that pressing need of yours. Trust him to bring more customers to your business and to grant you favour as you go for that contract and business opportunities. The Lord, be with you.

Food for thought: Proverbs 3:5, 6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Prayer: Lord, grant me stronger faith to trust you always as I go through curves of life in Jesus name.