An Example for You: Devotion for Maundy Thursday April 9, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Maundy Thursday April 9, 2020

Topic: An Example for You                                

Text: John 13:1 – 17

Feet were usually washed before the meals according to the custom of the people in the East. But Jesus waited till the time of supper (John 13:2) to make the act stand out as noteworthy. Jesus knew that he could take a servant’s role without losing anything (John 13:3).

The purpose of this action was to fix in the minds of His disciples at the nature of true greatness. This could be traced to the event in Luke 22:24 – 30 when the disciples were in dispute over who was going to be the greatest in the Kingdom. Jesus had taught them that greatness in the kingdom comes through serving others (Matthew 20:26-27), but they had not learned the lesson. Thus, He gave them this unforgettable illustration.

According to Brunner, “When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need.” Have you realized this truth that serving others is also serving God?

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At first, Peter rejected Jesus’ foot washing (13:6-11), which pointed toward Jesus’ cleansing work on the cross. But when Peter saw that this foot washing was symbolic of cleansing from sin, he requested to be washed from head to feet. He misunderstood Jesus the Messiah’s servant role and therefore his own role as disciple.

In John 13:10 Jesus came back to the literal point. The spiritual point had already been understood. They were already clean. Jesus was also showing His disciples what it meant to serve; what it meant to be great in the kingdom of God. The challenge in John 13:15 is for us today. Are you serving God in others?

Food for Thought: “When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need.”

Memory verse: John 17:15

Prayer: God teach me humility and service for humanity in Jesus name.

She Gave Out Her Best: Devotion for Monday in Holy Week April 6, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday in Holy Week April 6, 2020

Topic: She Gave Out Her Best                               

Text: Mark 14:1 – 9

It takes someone who knows the value of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the Cross of Calvary to give freely and willingly. Jesus first poured out Himself for mankind. He did that without reservations. He did it voluntarily and no one pressured Him into doing it. It was a willingly offering of Himself (John 10:15, 17; 15:13 & Romans 5:7, 8). Most people who are faithful in their tithe and offering are people who have received the touch of God.

Jesus Christ commended this woman's pious attention to the notice of believers in all ages. Those who honour Christ He will honour (1 Samuel 2:30). Jesus reprimanded the disciples, but comforted Mary. The expensive ointment poured on Jesus was a good thing to do for Him; a beautiful, acceptable, appealing act of love and sacrifice and Jesus declared it to be so. Her act was a public declaration of her faith in Him as Messiah.

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Christ poured out His soul unto death for us, and is there anything too precious to give Him? Do we give Him the precious ointment of our best affections? We should love Him with all our hearts. At times, it is common for zeal and affection to be misunderstood and blamed but we should remember that charity to the poor will not excuse us from particular acts of piety to the Lord Jesus. Jesus’ words were valuable lessons to Judas and the disciples that devotion to Christ is worth more than money. How devoted are you to God?

Food for Thought: What can you offer to God that is equal to salvation He gave you?

Memory verse: Mark 14:8

Prayer: Lord, help me to love you to the extent of offering you the best thing I have in Jesus name.

Do As I Have Done To You

Devotion for Maundy Thursday March 29, 2018

Topic: Do As I Have Done To You  

Text: John 13:1 – 17  

Feet were usually washed before the meal but Jesus waited until during the supper (John 13:2) to make the act of feet washing stand out and to be noted. He took the role of a servant without losing anything (John 13:3). The purpose of this action was to fix in their minds the nature of true greatness. This could be traced to the event in Luke 22:24 – 30 when the disciples were in dispute over who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus had taught them that greatness in the kingdom comes through serving others (Matthew 20:26-27), but they had not learned the lesson. Thus, He gave them this unforgettable illustration. According to Brunner, “When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need.” Have you realised this truth? At first Peter refused to allow Jesus wash his feet (John 13:6 - 11), which pointed toward Jesus’ cleansing work on the cross. But when Peter saw that this foot washing was symbolic of cleansing from sin, he requested to be washed from head to foot. He misunderstood Jesus the Messiah’s servant role and therefore his own role as disciple. In John 13:10 Jesus came back to the literal point. The spiritual point had already been understood. They were already clean. Jesus was also showing His disciples what it meant to serve and what it meant to be great in the kingdom of God. His challenge in John 13:15 is for us today. Are you serving God in others? Sing A&M 108; Abu 31

Food for Thought: “When a man turns to God desiring to serve Him, God directs his attention to the world and its need” – Brunner.

Memory verse: John 13:15

Prayer: God teach me humility and service for humanity in Jesus name.

Lay Your Trophies At His Feet: Devotion for Wednesday August 17, 2016

Lay Your Trophies At His Feet: Devotion for Wednesday August 17, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 17:54                  Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17:54

There are many reasons David won the heart of God. One of them is what he did in our text. 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. This is a warning for as many as would want to please and gain His favour and approval. We should not arrogate the glory of God to ourselves because He can share His glory with us and we can’t even achieve anything without Him.

If some of us were David, we would have erected a 20 meter  by 30 meter sign post or billboard 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. 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 never to take the glory of what God had done with and through 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? Do we automatically begin to answer names like Demon Bulldozer, Apostle of Fire, By Fire by Force, etc? 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 them to Paul and Barnabas 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.

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