Whatever He Says To You, Do It

Devotion for Wednesday May 30, 2018

Topic: Whatever He Says To You, Do It

Text: John 2:1 – 11

It is evident from John 2:4 that Jesus’ mother did not understand what He had said as a harsh reproof and repulse, but as an indication of His willingness at the proper time to provide wine, hence her statement in John 2:5. From our bible passage, it shows that Mary had known the power in Jesus and His willingness to solve people’s problems which led her to speak to the servants. There are some lessons for us in this text. 1) There is a time for everything on earth. Jesus didn’t act immediately the mother made the request but waited for the appropriate time. This shows that there is time for God to answer us. He may not answer us immediately we make our request but obviously, He will answer. 2) What Jesus says to us is what we should do so as to attract His blessings upon our lives. We find it so difficult to do God’s bidding most times. Unfortunately, obedience to God’s word no matter how difficult or painful it may be is the way to test our faithfulness and love for God. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments” – John 14:15. Until we do that, we cannot claim that we love God. 3) We should not question God’s instructions to us. The servants didn’t question Mary’s or Jesus’ instructions. They obeyed to the letter and that produced the miracle. Can you imagine the instruction of Jesus telling the servants to take water they just poured into the jar and serve as wine? Yet they didn’t question but acted and there was a miracle. As we obey God without questioning, we will be reaping our miracles.

Sing A&M 202; Abu 202

Food for Thought: “Let the ground of all religious actions be obedience; examine not why it is commanded, but observe it because it is commanded. True obedience neither procrastinates nor questions. -Quarles

Memory verse: John 2:5

Prayer: Lord God, grant me an obedient spirit in all you command me to do in Jesus name.

TOILING IN VAIN?

DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016

Topic: TOILING IN VAIN?                   

Text: Luke 5:1 – 11                            

Teaching is very important in pastoral ministry and when you have the word of God, people will come to wherever you are to hear the word. A good teacher of the gospel uses every opportunity to teach is disciples or members. He doesn’t wait till they gather in the church. This was the characteristic of Jesus’ earthly ministry. People came to Him to hear the word of God and He taught them. A friend complaining about the preaching of his pastor said, “We come to church because of the word and not story telling.”

Jesus understood this and used Peter’s boat to preach from the Sea of Galilee (Lake of Gennesaret). After preaching, he told Peter to cast down his net for a catch. Though they had taken nothing, yet Christ told them to let down their nets again. When Jesus met them at the sea, they were washing their nets apparently on the basis that the day’s business was over. They’ve called it a day. We must not abruptly quit our callings because we have not succeeded as we desired. Though they have toiled without success, Peter was willing to still try because Jesus has commanded. At last, there was a haul of fish. Jesus was true to His words. He showed His supremacy over creatures and laws of nature. 

As Christians, we are called to preach the gospel. We should not be discouraged when we have preached and laboured long without apparent successes; but according to Christ's directions, we should continue to labour in humble dependence on Him, and with believing expectations that in His own time and way He will give us success. On the other hand, have you been toiling in vain in your trade, craft, office, business, marriage, studies, etc? God is saying cast your net for a catch. All you need is simple obedience and things will begin to work. You may not need to change your business but patiently ask God to direct you on what to do that you have not been doing. God will certainly surprise you.   

Food for Thought: Obedience is the key to successes and miracles.

Memory verse: Luke 5 verse 5

Prayer: Lord, grant me a willing and obedient heart to trust and obey your commands in 
Jesus name.