There Is No Loss In Following Jesus

Devotion for Friday June 15, 2018

Sing SS&S 601

Topic: There Is No Loss In Following Jesus

Text: Luke 18:28 – 30                        

Most times, people assume that those who surrender their lives to Christ are at a loss because they will no longer “enjoy” the things of the world. This is a wrong notion. There is no loss in salvation or following Jesus. It was this notion that led Peter to ask Jesus what becomes their fate as His followers (Luke 18:28). The response of Jesus is in Luke 18:29 – 30. Jesus noted that those who had left all and followed Him are no losers; that is, in this world they shall receive manifold blessings in hundred-fold (Mark 10:30). Job lost all in order to prove to Satan about his faithfulness in serving God and at the end, God restored all he lost while he was still alive (Job 42:10) and I know that his faith will certainly take him to heaven. Is there any lesson for us here in this story of Job? Beloved, our God is faithful. 1Thessalonians 5:24 says, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” For this reason, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). People may have been taunting you concerning your faith in Christ Jesus and calling you names. Don’t mind them! There is a reward for you. The greatest reward we look forward to is the eternal life in the bliss of heaven. Are you looking forward to that city? Don’t allow the distractions of the world to keep you out of it.

Food for Thought: There is no loss for the sake of the gospel that is greater than the love God has for us.

Memory verse: Luke 18:30

Prayer: Lord God, as I have left all to follow you, may I not lose my reward in Jesus name.

The Example From Matthew

Devotion for Wednesday January 31, 2018

Topic: The Example From Matthew

Text: Matthew 9:9 – 13

Yesterday, we read about the terms and conditions Jesus Christ gave to those who would be His disciples. Today, we have an example from Matthew who became one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. Matthew was in a tax office when Jesus met him. He requested that Matthew should follow Him and immediately he left everything and followed Jesus. He didn’t wait to write a resignation letter. He didn’t wait to hand over, he left everything immediately as Peter and his fishermen colleagues did and followed Jesus. 

In the previous chapter of this gospel, Matthew 8:18 - 22, we have the story of a man desiring to follow Jesus. When Jesus mentioned the terms and conditions, he withdrew. Jesus told the second one to follow him and he gave excuses of going to bury his father. The two men were opposite of what we saw in Matthew. His action shows his love for God is far greater than his love for his job, family or any other worldly possessions. This is what God expects from us. Our love for Him must be greater that our love for our jobs, families or any other worldly possessions. 

Are you willing to follow Jesus Christ the way Peter, Matthew and other Apostles followed Him? What are the things hindering your commitments to God? The example Matthew gave to us is a challenging one. Take up that challenge and prove your love for God. Sing A&M 331; Abu 109

Food for Thought: Have you left all to follow Jesus?

Memory verse: Matthew 9:9

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord my God, to follow the example of Matthew in forsaking all to follow you in Jesus name. Amen. 

The Cost Of Following Jesus

Devotion for Tuesday January 30, 2018

Topic: The Cost Of Following Jesus

Text: Matthew 16:24 – 28

There are always terms and conditions which apply to any contract or agreement. In terms of our relationship with God, there are terms and conditions attached to it. Jesus came to establish the New Covenant. Our Catechism has it that Jesus commands us in the New Covenant to believe in Him and to keep His commandments with the promise to bring us into the Kingdom of God and give us life in its fullness. In our bible passage for the day, He states one of the conditions expected of would be disciples which is self- denial, taking up one’s cross and following Him. 

The words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:24 show us the 4 principles of the Christian life. 

1) He must have a sincere desire to belong to Christ - If any man desires to be my disciple. 

2) He should renounce self-dependence, and selfish pursuits – Let him deny himself. 

3) He should embrace the condition which God has appointed, and bear the troubles and difficulties he may meet with in walking the Christian road - Let him take up his cross. 

4) He should imitate Jesus by following Him even in suffering – Let him follow me. 

Everything in life has a cost attached to it. You cannot claim to be a disciple of Jesus without fulfilling these principles and conditions or else you will not be sincere in being His disciple. Have you met the terms and conditions of being a disciple? If not, there is still time for you to key into the conditions so as to benefit from His promises in the New Covenant. 

Sing SS&S 597; Abu 110

Food for Thought: A true disciple of Christ in all things denies his own will, however pleasing, and does the will of God, however painful.

Memory verse: Matthew 10:38

Prayer: Lord God, help me to deny myself, take up my cross and follow you all the days of my life in Jesus name. Amen

Count The Cost

Devotion for Friday January 5, 2018

Topic: Count The Cost

Text: Luke 14:25 – 33

Jesus Christ taught His disciples the cost of being a disciple and advised that anyone who desires to be His disciple must first sit down and count the cost so that he will not fall by the wayside and people will make mockery of him. Even common sense teaches men not to begin any costly work without first seeing that they have wherewithal to finish it. Anyone who does otherwise exposes himself to general ridicule. This advice Jesus Christ gave is very important in every endeavour or career we want to undertake in life. It will be proper to count the cost implications before we set out. What are your plans for this year? Have you counted the cost implications? Proverbs 24:27 admonishes that we shouldn’t do a work without planning towards it. This year, do nothing without a plan. The Living Bible has Proverbs 24:27 thus: Develop your business before building a house. This reason is to ensure that your business doesn’t suffer while you are building the house and perhaps you fail to complete the building and the business also collapses. Beloved, the message here is about prudence and wisdom in all we do. Never embark on anything without proper planning to avoid regret and exposure to ridicule. Plan well for the year and by December, you will not have any reason to regret and face ridicule of people. Be wise! Sing A&M 356; Abu 186

Food for Thought: Anyone who becomes a Christian, without considering the dangers and difficulties, the trials and troubles, the afflictions and temptations, which may accompany it, will never hold out in the spiritual warfare; for either he falls in it, or runs from it.

Memory verse: Luke 14:28

Prayer: God, as I have resolved to follow you, help me in my resolution to remain a faithful disciple all the days of my life in Jesus name. Amen.

ARE YOU FOLLOWING? Devotion for Monday November 16, 2015

ARE YOU FOLLOWING?                  Monday November 16, 2015

Text: John 10:22 – 30                     Memory verse: v 27

In our scriptural reading for the day, Jesus described the gracious disposition and happy state of His sheep; they heard and believed His word, followed Him as His faithful disciples, and none of them will perish. Jesus posited that He and the Father are one. Thus He is able to defend His sheep against all their enemies, which proves that He has divine power and perfection equally with the Father. The effect of His assertion of having divine power and perfection with the Father, led to the reaction of the people in John 10:31.

All sincere and faithful Christians are Christ's sheep, and He is their great and good shepherd. This relationship with Christ implies tender affection, powerful protection, and plentiful provision. Christ's sheep hear Christ's voice, and answer the call of their great Shepherd. They hear the voice of Christ speaking to them in the scriptures, in the ministry of the word, in their own conscience, in providences, etc and they respond by following the Shepherd. Have you responded to the call? Are you following the Great Shepherd or your own discretion? Have a great day.

Food for Thought: Evidence of true sheep is that it is loyal to the Shepherd. 

Prayer: As my Shepherd, may I keep following you, O Lord.