Ways to Redirect Your Focus 2: Devotion for Saturday August 29, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday August 29, 2020

Topic: Ways to Redirect Your Focus 2      

Text: Colossians 3:8 – 11                       

There is one striking point to note in the ways to redirect our focus on Christ in our bible reading of yesterday and today. It is the point that you are the one to put them to death/put off and not any other person.

In our bible reading of the day, Paul was emphatic. He said, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these …” These things are part of our old nature which sure raises their heads in us. That is why our text called them our members.

Though these sins mentioned in Colossians 3:8 are of less infamy (minorisinfamia) and reproach before men, yet they are of greater guilt (majorisreatus) in the sight of God. Thus any sincere Christian who desire to please God will not hesitate in putting off these sins so as to have a clear focus on Christ.

The five sins of speech/action here are anger, wrath (rage), malicious behaviour, slander (blasphemy) and dirty language. When these are manifest in our lives, they offend the Spirit of God in us. Paul concluded by calling on us to put on the new man after putting off the five sins mentioned above.

Putting on new man means that our conduct should match our faith. If you are a Christian, you should act like a Christian. To be a Christian means more than just making good resolutions and having good intentions; it means taking the right actions.

Food for thought: Have you put off anger, wrath, malicious behaviour, slander and dirty language from your life.     

Memory verse: Colossians 3 v 8

Prayer: God, help me to put off old nature and to put on the new man that reveals Christ in me.

Ways to Redirect Your Focus 1: Devotion for Friday August 28, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday August 28, 2020

Topic: Ways to Redirect Your Focus 1     

Text: Colossians 3:5 – 7                       

Yesterday, we read Paul’s call on us to redirect our focus from worldly things to heavenly. Today and tomorrow, we shall be considering ways to redirect our focus on things eternal instead of the things worldly.

Paul noted in this epistle that if the Colossian believers were to live as examples of Christ, they had to put to death certain aspects of the sinful earthly things lurking within them, the sinful nature; the old self.

Two sets of sins are listed by Apostle Paul, which he advised that they should put to death or mortify. The first five refer to sexual sin; the second five to sins of speech/action. We’ll discuss sins of speech/action tomorrow. The first five relates to the cultural background of the Colossians and were particularly deadly to the life of the church: Sexual sin, impurity, lust, shameful desires and greed for good things of life which he called idolatry. These five sins mentioned here directly affect our spirituality and they attract God’s anger too. Every true Christian should be cautious so as not to fall prey of these sexual sins.

It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us. Although Paul told them in Colossians 3:3, that they were dead to sin, yet here, in Colossians 3:5, he charged them to mortify sin; intimating, that the work of mortification, at the best, is but imperfect, and must be carried on daily and progressively.

How are you mortifying your body so that you could be focused on Christ and heavenly things? Note that mortification is not a thing of once and for all.

Food for Thought: What are the ways you can mortify sin in your life?

Memory verse: Colossians 3 v 5      

Prayer: Grant me the grace O Lord to put to death all sinful desire in me in Jesus name. 

Redirect Your Focus: Devotion for Thursday August 27, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday August 27, 2020

Topic: Redirect Your Focus                 

Text: Colossians 3:1 – 4                  

The essence of going to learn in a school is for us to improve and to make us have better understanding of ourselves and our society. If after you have studied in the school and there is no improvement in your understanding, it means your efforts in school were wasted. Likewise, when someone repents and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, it is expected that such should have a better understanding of how best to serve God.

It is on this premise that Paul started this chapter by saying, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your eyes on the realities of heaven …” (New Living Translation). This means that before their repentance, their focus were on worldly things. Now it shouldn’t be so.

Because they had been raised, they had a clear responsibility to Christ, who had raised them. They must set their sights on the realities of heaven. The Greek word for “set” means to seek something out with a desire to possess it. The believers must take their focus off the world and turn it to Christ, who sits at God’s right hand in the place of honour and power. They should concentrate on the eternal rather than the temporal, letting their thoughts dwell in the realm of Christ. They were to focus on the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

Thoughts can influence actions, so if the believers would place their thoughts above and not only here on earth, their actions would please God. Are your thoughts focused on Christ now as a Christian or you are still concerned about worldly affairs?

Food for Thought: Philippians 4:8

Memory verse: Colossians 3 v 2             

Prayer: Lord God, redirect my focus from the things worldly to the things eternal in Jesus name.

Meditation: Be Focused on your Goals for 2019

TOPIC: BE FOCUSED ON YOUR 2019 GOALS

TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24 – 27

Welcome to another period of 21 days of fasting and praying in preparation for 2019. We thank God for the past one week that we have been coming into His presence for prayers. Our theme for this year is Divine Restoration. It means that whatever restoration or achievement we are hoping for this year, can only come from God. But in believing and hoping for a restoration, we have a duty to perform. We are expected to be focused and not to be distracted by pleasures and worries of life. To receive divine restoration demands being consecrated and being dedicated to God’s course.

Paul talks about self-discipline in our text which is a great tool that will make someone focused on his or her goals in life. What are your goals for this year as a Christian? How are you working to achieve them? Paul asserts that we should see Christianity as a race in which only one person wins the prize which is perishable. Furthermore, he charged us to be the one person that will win the race. He gave example of himself; how he runs his race: “not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” His focus was on heaven; to please his Master, to do according to specifications and to win the ultimate prize which is being with his Master. All other things about life like food, clothing, house, etc., were secondary. This position of Paul confirms what Jesus Christ told us in Matthew 6:33.

Beloved, where is your focus in 2019? What are your prayer points for this 21 days programme? Are they frivolous things or the things that will improve your relationship with God and take you to heaven at last? Are your prayer points based on the will of God for you? Your prayer points should focus on things that will improve your life. God will take care of other things about you and your family but that does not mean that you should wait for God indoors to come and feed you. Remember that God gives food to the birds of the earth but He doesn’t throw it into their nest. 

For you to be focused, you have to set out your goals. These set goals and aims are what will determine your actions and propel you to perform. Your set goals as a Christian should be in two aspects – The spiritual and your vocation. This 21 days programme is not only meant to prepare us spiritually but to also prepare us for our vocations where we get our means of livelihood. Many Christians today are poor because they are not focused on how best to make a living. That Jesus taught us one day at a time does not mean that we should ignore basics of having a good life. You must be focused on your vocation, making every effort to become somebody in this life. Don’t just depend on your salary. Invest your time and money somewhere. Lay good foundation for yourself.

Some of us may argue that many things can distract us from being focused – family, work, business, etc. These things can only distract us when we do not have set goals and objectives. Setting your goals demands also that you state some ways you intend to accomplish them without which, it will be impossible to achieve because there must be distractions.

God expects us to live well here and make heaven at last. You must therefore be disciplined and have self-control over your thought; your actions and your words. It is proper at the beginning of the year like this to do a detox of your life to eliminate what distracts you and take away your joy, whether they are friends, your passions or your likes. Refuse to be distracted on achieving your goals this year. Press on and push yourself even to the extreme. I assure you that you will have reasons to smile at the end of the year.

I wish you a fruitful and rewarding year!

Tabugbo Uzoma

Focus On Christ And Not Problem

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Friday January 27, 2017

Topic: Focus On Christ And Not Problem

Text: Matthew 14:28 – 33    

The author of Hebrews advised us to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Have you ever thought of living a good Christian life without Christ? Do you think it is possible?

Looking unto Jesus is very expedient because we will fail woefully if we undertake anything without the help of God. He is our help, our source of strength, our anchor, etc. He doesn’t fail. He has passed through this road and He alone is able to keep us through. Just keep trusting Him in all situations, no matter how severe or terrible the case may be.

The disciples doubted if the person walking on the sea and talking to them was Jesus Christ. This prompted Peter to make the request in Matthew 14:28. Jesus granted his request and he walked on the sea to meet Jesus. All was well as long as he focused on Jesus Christ but when he removed his eyes from Him, he saw the wave and his faith faltered. He started sinking but had to shout out to Jesus for help.

Most times we focus on our problems instead of focusing on the solution to the problem. Jesus is able to solve our problems. His verdict is what matters and He can overrule what the doctor has said or what Satan had decree. Therefore we shouldn’t be so upset when we face challenges. We should look up to Christ for help. He will always answer us.

Food for Thought: Hebrew 12:1

Memory verse: Matthew 14 verse 30 - But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Prayer: God, I stretch out my hands to you this day. Help me out of all troubles aiming to swallow me up in Jesus name. Amen.

WAYS TO REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS 2: Devotion for Sunday July 31, 2016

WAYS TO REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS 2: Devotion for Sunday July 31, 2016

Text: Colossians 3:8 – 11                       

Memory verse: Colossians 3:8 - But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

There is one striking point to note in the ways to redirect our focus on Christ in our bible reading of yesterday and today. It is the point that you are the one to put them to death/put off and not any other person. In our bible reading of the day, Apostle Paul was emphatic about this. He said, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these …” These things are part of our old nature which sure raises their heads in us. That is why our text called them our members.

Though these sins mentioned in Colossians 3:8 are of less infamy (minoris infamia) and reproach before men, yet they are of greater guilt (majoris reatus) in the sight of God. Thus any sincere Christian who desire to please God will not hesitate in putting off these sins so as to have a clear focus on Christ. As long as they are part of us, they will keep on pulling us down.  

The five sins of speech/action here are anger, wrath (rage), malicious behaviour, slander (blasphemy) and dirty language. When these are manifest in our lives, they offend the spirit of God in us. Paul concluded by calling on us to put on the new man after putting off the five sins mentioned above. Putting on new man means that our conduct should match our faith. If you are a Christian, you should act like it. To be a Christian means more than just making good resolutions and having good intentions; it means taking the right actions.

Food for Thought: Have you put off anger, wrath, malicious behaviour, slander and dirty language from your life?

Prayer: God, help me to put off old nature and to put on the new man that reveals Christ in me.

WAYS TO REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS 1: Devotion for Saturday July 30, 2016

WAYS TO REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS 1: Devotion for Saturday July 30, 2016

Text: Colossians 3:5 – 7                        Memory verse: v 5

Yesterday, we read Paul’s call on us to redirect our focus. Today and tomorrow, we shall be considering ways to redirect our focus on things eternal instead of the things, worldly. Paul noted that if the Colossian believers were to live as examples of Christ, they had to put to death certain aspects of the sinful earthly things lurking within them, the sinful nature; the old self. Two sets of sins are listed by Paul, which he advised that they should put to death or mortify. The first five refer to sexual sin; the second five are sins of speech/action. We’ll discuss that tomorrow. These first five relates to the cultural background of the Colossians and were particularly deadly to the life of the church: Sexual sin, impurity, lust, shameful desires and greed for good things of life which he called idolatry. These five sins mentioned here directly affect our spirituality and they attract God’s anger too.

It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us. Although Paul told them in 3:3, that they were dead to sin, yet here, in 3:5, he charged them to mortify sin; intimating, that the work of mortification, at the best, is but imperfect, and must be carried on daily basis and progressively. How can you mortify your body so that you could be focused on Christ and heavenly things? Note that mortification is not a thing of once and for all.

Food for Thought: What are the ways you can mortify sin in your life?

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord, to put to death all sinful desire in me.

REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS: Devotion for Friday July 29, 2016

REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS: Devotion for Friday July 29, 2016

Text: Colossians 3:1 – 4             

Memory verse: Colossians 3:2 - Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

The essence of going to learn in a school is to improve ourselves and to make us have better understanding of ourselves, and our society. If after leaving school there is no improvement in your understanding of yourself and your environment, it means your efforts in school were wasted. Likewise, when someone repents and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, it is expected that such should have a better understanding of how best to serve God. It is on this premise that Paul started in this chapter by saying, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your eyes on the realities of heaven …” (New Living Translation). This means that before their repentance, their focus were on worldly things. Now it shouldn’t be so. They should begin to focus on Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2).

Because Christians had been raised from sin into life of righteousness, they had a clear responsibility to Christ, who had raised them. They must set their sights on the realities of heaven so as to avoid the distractions of the world. The Greek word for “set” means to seek something out with a desire to possess it. The believers must take their focus off the world and turn it to Christ, who sits at God’s right hand in the place of honour and power. They should concentrate on the things eternal rather than the things temporal, letting their thoughts dwell in the realm of Christ. They were to focus on the Lord Jesus. Thoughts can influence actions, so if the believers would place their thoughts above and not only here on earth, their actions would please God. Are your thoughts focused on Christ now as a Christian or you are still concerned about worldly affairs?

Food for Thought: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

Prayer: Lord God, redirect my focus from the things worldly to the things eternal. Help me to live  in Jesus name.