Pride Goes Before A Fall: Devotion for Friday March 27, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday March 27, 2020

Topic: Pride Goes Before A Fall                                   

Text: Esther 5:9 – 14

Self-admirers and self-flatterers are really self-deceivers. The worst thing that can happen to a man/woman is having a bad friend and spouse. When your spouse/friends are God-fearing and truthful, you can hardly run into problem.

Haman came home rejoicing for the honour of being invited to a dinner with the king and queen. However, to him, his joy was not complete with Mordecai being at the king’s gate. Thus Haman sought the consent of his wife, Zeresh and friends. They suggested gallows to hang Mordecai after seeking for permission from the king (v13). This was pleasing to Haman (v14). Unfortunately, it backfired on him.

Haman’s family members and friends, who were as arrogant as he, suggested that the gallows be 75 feet high. They wanted to make sure that all the people of the city saw Mordecai’s death and would be reminded of the consequences of disobeying Haman. Ironically, these high gallows allowed everyone to see Haman’s death.

Pride leads to destruction. It was pride that destroyed Belshazzar. Beware how you live your life because pride is what has killed most people.

Food for Thought: “A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honour” – Proverbs 29:23.

Memory verse: Matthew 23:12

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me humble spirit and remove every spirit of pride in me which leads to destruction.  

What Is Your Request? Devotion for Thursday March 26, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday March 26, 2020

Topic: What Is Your Request?                             

Text: Esther 5: 1 – 8

Esther’s courageous act is a model for us to follow in approaching a difficult or dangerous task. Like Esther, we can: (1) calculate the cost: Esther realized her life was at stake when she said “If perish, I perish” Esther 4:16. (2) Set priorities: She believed that the safety of the Jewish race was more important than her life. (3) Prepare: She gathered support and fasted. (4) Determine a course of action and move ahead boldly: She didn’t think too long about it, allowing the interlude to lessen her commitment to what she had to do.

Do you have to face a hostile audience, confront a friend on a delicate subject, or talk to your family about changes to be made? Rather than dreading difficult situations or putting them off, take action with confidence by following Esther’s inspiring example.

It was Esther’s courageous move that led to the question which is our topic for the day. The king noticed that something led Esther to risk her life and thus he raised the question and she demanded a dinner with the king and Haman. If God can grant Esther such favour before men how much more when He is involved (compare Matthew 7:11)?

Beloved, what is your request? Is it money for rents and bills? Is it fruit of the womb? Is it a job? Just follow Esther’s model and God will move in your favour.

Food for Thought: God issued us a blank cheque in Matthew 7:7. How do you make good use of it?

Memory verse: Esther 5:3

Prayer: Make your request known to God bearing in mind Numbers 14:28 and Matthew 7:7

Our Deeds Are Never Forgotten

My Daily Covenant with God Devotional

Devotion for Saturday January 12 2019

Topic: Our Deeds Are Never Forgotten

Text: Esther 6:1 – 11

I have once shared a story how a man came to show gratitude for what my dad did for him when he was in Primary School. This was after over 45 years. That singular effect has strengthened my belief that labours of love are never wasted. The recipient may not be the one to payback but certainly God will use someone to pay us back. Therefore, we should not give up in our labours of love. When we receive one form of kindness or another, we don’t forget easily. We may not go to show gratitude as this man did for my dad, but we will always remember and will continue to ask for God’s blessings upon them.

Mordecai revealed the planned assassination being muted against the king by some disgruntle people in his service - Bigthana and Teresh, and that was how the king’s life was saved. There was no immediate recognition and honour bestowed on Mordecai and he didn’t reveal the secret because he actually wanted honour. If that was his reason, he would have resigned when he was not recognised. He did it on humanitarian basis. However, at the right time when the honour will be useful, God remembered him.

The king could not sleep and he requested for “the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king” –Esther 6:1. Such a request is a rare thing to make when someone cannot sleep. He would have requested of a soothing music - a serenade but it was not so. Eventually, Mordecai was honoured and in a big way. His enemy at that time was mandated to carry out the honour on him. Your enemies will honour you this season in Jesus name.

The ground of our acts of charity should not be for recognition. We should do things to please God. As a civil/public servant or whatever profession you are into, let your actions be guided by desire to serve and please God. Let it not be based on gratification. At the right time, the best gratification will come from God and no man can stand against it.

Food for Thought: “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” -Cicero

Memory verse: Esther 6:2

Prayer: Almighty God, help me to serve you and humanity willingly and may my gratification come from you in Jesus name.

What Do You Wish?

Devotion for Sunday June 17, 2018

Sing A&M 319; Abu 247.

Topic: What Do You Wish?

Text: Esther 5: 1 – 8 

The story of Esther and Mordecai teaches us that we can gain power and favour from fasting and prayers when our lives are pleasing to God. Esther risked her life by coming before the king which was against the law. Her courageous act is a model for us to follow, in approaching a difficult or dangerous task. Like Esther, we can (1) calculate the cost: Esther realized her life was at stake. (2) Set priorities: She believed that the safety of the Jewish race was more important than her life. (3) Prepare: She gathered support and fasted. (4) Determine a course of action and move ahead boldly: She didn’t think too long about it, allowing the interlude to lessen her commitment to what she had to do. Do you have to face a hostile audience, confront a friend on a delicate subject, or talk to your family about changes to be made? Rather than dreading difficult situations or putting them off, take action with confidence by following Esther’s inspiring example. It was Esther’s courageous move that led to the question which is our topic for the day. The king noticed that something led Esther to risk her life and thus he raised the question and she demanded a dinner with the king and Haman. If God can grant Esther such favour before men how much more when He is involved (Matthew 7:11)? Beloved, what is your wish? Is it money for rents and bills? Is it fruit of the womb? Is it a job? If you follow Esther’s model, God will certainly move in your favour (Luke 18:1ff).

Food for Thought: How do you make good use of the blank cheque God issued to us in Matthew 7:7?

Memory verse: Esther 5:3

Prayer: Make your request known to God bearing in mind Numbers 14:28 and Matthew 7:7 

WHAT IS YOUR REQUEST? Devotion for Thursday March 17, 2016

WHAT IS YOUR REQUEST? Devotion for Thursday March 17, 2016

Text: Esther 5: 1 – 8    Memory verse: v 3

The story of Esther and Mordecai in this book teaches us that we can gain power and favour from fasting and prayers. Esther risked her life by coming before the king which was against the law. Her courageous act is a model for us to follow in approaching a difficult or dangerous task. Like Esther, we can: (1) Count the cost. Esther realized her life was at stake. (2) Set priorities. She believed that the safety of the Jewish race was more important than her life. (3) Prepare. She gathered support and fasted. (4) Determine a course of action and move ahead boldly. She didn’t think too long about it, allowing the interlude to lessen her commitment to what she had to do. Do you have to face a hostile audience, confront a friend on a delicate subject, or talk to your family about changes to be made? Rather than dreading difficult situations or putting them off, take action with confidence by following Esther’s inspiring example.

It was Esther’s courageous move that led to the question which is our topic for the day. The king noticed that something led Esther to risk her life and thus he raised the question and she demanded a dinner with the king and Haman. If God can grant Esther such favour before men how much more when He is involved (Matt 7:11)? Beloved, what is your request? Is it money for bills? Is it fruit of the womb? Is it a job? If you follow Esther’s model, God will certainly move in your favour.

Food for Thought: God issued us a blank cheque in Matt 7:7. How do you make good use of it?

Prayer: Make your request known to God bearing in mind Num 14:28 and Matt 7:7