A True Elder Indeed: Devotion for Sunday May 10, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday May 10, 2020

Topic: A True Elder Indeed                                      

Text: 2 Peter 1:12 – 18

Our society (African context) loves titles and human recognition. This is even common in the church of today. Some Pastors have even gone to acquire awards from fake institutions so as to be addressed Rev Dr. or Bishop (Dr) … Presently, people are made Elders in the church so as to have a Christian title without having necessary requirements for that position.

An elder lives by example. He cares for the flock of Christ and constantly reminds them about the expectations of God from them. This was the concern of Peter in our bible passage for the day. He kept reminding Christians as an Elder, about what they saw and heard from Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:16–18). The reason for this is to build their faith on solid foundation and guide them jealously against false teachers.

Elders as we have in the present day church are not just people with the title Elders but as many as are in leadership position in the church and all her organizations. How do we care about the flock in our charge? Our flocks are prone to attacks of the enemies and are also vulnerable to false teachings of our time especially in social media and internet. As an elder, what are you doing to safeguard them? As an elder in your church, please guard them jealously and don’t allow evil and false teachers to take them away.

Food for Thought: Words of our elders are words of wisdom

Memory verse: 2 Peter 1:12

Prayer: Lord God, help me to always take to heart all the counsels and wisdom from the bible.

Understanding the Basics of Our Faith: Devotion for Friday May 8, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday May 8, 2020

Topic: Understanding the Basics of Our Faith                              

Text: 2 Peter 1:1 – 11

Winners in all sports never forget the basics in their sport and they build their game upon them like a house on a foundation. Here in our bible reading for the day, Peter as an elder in the Church, does not want Christians to forget the basics of their faith, so he reviews them here as a way or reminder.

Peter had concern about his readers’ faith surviving over the long run. Because he knew that his death is near, he reviewed the basics of the faith urging Christians to etch them into their memory (2 Peter 1:12 – 15). He wanted his readers to firmly grasp the gospel’s basic message, a goal that would take repetition to achieve.

Apostle Peter want them to hear it often and again that Jesus had come to die for their sins, had risen on the third day, had given them eternal life, and would one day return to judge the earth. Knowing and believing those simple basics would uphold their faith and keep them strong.

From time to time, it is good to review the basics of our faith in Christ. Doing this will refresh our memory, strengthen our faith, and dispel any spiritual falsehoods we may have begun to believe. Do you know the basics of our faith? Reviewing the Gospels and Epistles regularly will help us to stay spiritually focus and sharp.

Food for Thought: Constant review of our basics of faith keeps us focused on Christ and heaven.

Memory verse: 2 Peter 1:8

Prayer: Keep me focused on what constitutes my faith in you, O Lord.

WEEP NOT: Devotion for Monday August 22, 2016

WEEP NOT: Devotion for Monday August 22, 2016

Text: Revelation 5 verses 1 – 5         

Memory verse: Revelation 5 verse 5

John the beloved saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, a scroll sealed with seven seals. This represented the secret purposes of God about to be revealed which no one could know except God, and those to whom He should reveal them. John wept because he knew that the unopened scroll would mean that the closing scene of history could not begin; thus, evil would continue unabated on the earth, and there would be no future for God’s people. However, one of the elders (Revelation 4 verses 4 and 10) told John not to weep any longer, because someone was worthy to open the scroll; the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.

The Messiah, Jesus Christ, has proved Himself worthy by living a perfect life of obedience and total submission to the will of God by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. Rising from the dead, He demonstrated His power and authority over evil and death. Only Christ conquered sin, death, hell, and Satan. So He is the only one that can open the scroll and break its seven seals, setting in motion the forces that will bring about the final destruction of all evil. Until the seals are broken and content of the scroll revealed, evil and death would not be destroyed. This means that evil and death will continue to dominate over man. This was the reason why Apostle John the beloved wept.

This story should be a source of consolation for us when we are faced with challenges and we weep because we feel there is no way out. We should remember that Jesus Christ has conquered and He alone is the one who can save us from all problems of life. Beloved, weep no more because of that problem, sickness, etc. There is hope because Christ has prevailed.

Food for Thought: Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. No matter the circumstances you pass through, have the hope and consolation that it is not forever. Deliverance, rescue, healing, favour and salvation will certainly come your way.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for conquering sin, death, Satan and hell, and you are able to solve my problems. Remember me at the point of my needs.

AN ELDER INDEED: Devotion for Friday April 8, 2016

AN ELDER INDEED: Devotion for Friday April 8, 2016        

Text: 2 Peter 1:12 – 18    Memory verse: v 12

Our society (African context) is one that loves titles and human recognition. This is very common in the church of today. Some Pastors have even gone to acquire awards from fake institutions so as to be addressed Rev Dr. or Bishop (Dr) … Presently people are made Elders in the church so as to have a Christian title without having necessary requirements for that position. An elder lives by example. He cares for the flock of Christ. He constantly reminds the flock about the expectations of God from them. He is very careful to take care of the flock and to bring them to Christ at the end. This was the concern of Peter in our bible passage for the day. He kept reminding Christians as an Elder, about what they saw and heard from Jesus Christ (1:16–18). The reason for this was to build their faith on solid foundation and guide them jealously against false teachers and teachings.

Elders in the present day church are not only people with the title Elders but as many as are in leadership position in the church and all her organizations. How much do we care about the flock? Many of them are prone to attacks of the enemies and are also vulnerable to false teachings of our time especially in social media and internet. What are you doing to safeguard them? Be a true elder who should guide his flock jealously.

Food for Thought: Words of our elders are words of wisdom

Prayer: Help me to always take to heart all the counsels and wisdom from the bible.