A Life Without Christ: Devotion for Monday August 3, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday August 3, 2020

Topic: A Life without Christ   

Text: Ephesians 2:11 – 13                       

A life without Christ is miserable. That is the worst life someone can think of. This was our case before Christ came and died for us. Jews considered all non-Jews (Gentiles) ceremonially unclean. They thought of themselves as pure and clean because of their national heritage and religious ceremonies. This was one reason Christ was rebuking them of their false claims and hypocrisy.

Apostle Paul pointed out that Jews and Gentiles alike are unclean before God and needed to be cleansed by Christ. In order to realize how great a gift of salvation is, we need to remember our former natural, unclean condition. This is what Paul posited in Ephesians 2:11, 12. See Romans 3:9, 23.

As Gentiles, we were living without any of the hopes and consolations which we now have, from having accepted and embraced Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Paul raised this to remind us of the deplorable condition in which we were by nature; and nothing would better express it than to say we were "without Christ," or that they had no knowledge of a Saviour. Therefore we shouldn’t allow this privilege to slip off our hands.

On the other hand, have you ever felt separate, excommunicated, excluded, and hopeless? These verses are for you. No one is alienated from Christ’s love or from the body of believers. You are Christ own forever if you continue to live in Him and by His Word

Food for Thought: Ephesians 4:17 – 19

Memory Verse: Ephesians 2:12                                                                               

Prayer: God, you have shown me your love through Christ Jesus. Help me never to live a life without Christ henceforth in Jesus name.

There Is Nothing Hidden From God

Devotion for Tuesday December 4, 2017

Topic: There Is Nothing Hidden From God

Text: Acts 15:18

The context of our bible reading today is from Jerusalem Council Meeting presided over by James, the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ over the issues of Gentiles becoming Christians, and what they need to do to be accepted. He stated that whatever was happening (Repentance among Gentiles) is known to God because it has been the plan of God from time immemorial (Genesis 3:15; 12:3). The argument of James according to Family Bible Note is that “The calling of the Gentiles into the church is in accordance with God’s purpose from the beginning. Why then throw hindrance in their way.”

Nothing comes to pass by chance, but only by God’s appointment. God knows all you are passing through now. There is nothing that comes to pass by chance without His knowledge. Many cry daily saying that God has forsaken them. Many cry asking if God is not aware of the trials and attacks of the enemies. All these are well known to God. The one that may come tomorrow is also known to Him (Luke 22:33). We should not fret when the enemies come around. They can only succeed when God gives approval. Remember the case of Job. As Jesus prayed for Peter when the devil came to ask for permission to sieve him, so He is praying and working in your favour

Food for Thought: Nothing happens to us except God permits it.

Memory verse: Acts 15:12

Prayer: Lord, you know everything about me. Work out your will concerning all the problems that confront me to you own glory in Jesus name. Amen

Hypocrisy Destroys The Church

Devotion for Saturday August 19, 2017

Topic: Hypocrisy Destroys The Church

Text: Galatians 2:11 – 18

Hypocrisy is a very dangerous character that can lead to betrayal, gossip, pretences, falsehood and many other evils. Anyone who is hypocritical can even kill. Hypocrites are deceivers and tempters (Mark 12:15). They are always deceptive in their words and actions. Beware of such people who are hypocrites in nature.

Paul, speaking in defence of Christians and circumcision gave instance of how Peter and some Jews played hypocrisy by refraining themselves from eating with the Gentiles when James sent some Jews from Jerusalem to Antioch. They separated from the converted Gentiles and acted to convince the Jews that they still believed the law to be of moral obligation. They followed Peter and disguised their sentiments. They knew that the Jewish ceremonial laws was done away by the gospel, and had practically acknowledged it by eating with the Gentiles, however, they were afraid to avow their true convictions. This was hypocrisy at the highest level and more worrisome is the fact that it came from Peter who was adjudged a leader of the church. This made Paul to challenge him (Galatians 2:14).

There are many ways people play hypocrisy in our present day Christianity. Some claim they are born again Christians but don’t trust God to protect and care for them. Thus they depend on other sources for their protection and providence. Some people are still living in obvious sins and deeply involved in church programmes and activities. They are hypocrites and in such cases, the spirit of God can hardly dwell in such a church where they claim to be worshipping. If you are not done with sin, why take a seat at the centre of church services and programmes? Why will a church leader see a member of his/her church living in obvious sin and keep mum? Such inaction destroys the church too. To enjoy the presence of God in our churches, we must do away with hypocrites.

Food for Thought: “Of all the things in the world that stink in the nostril of men, hypocrisy is the worst” – Charles Spurgeon.

Memory verse: Galatians 2:13

Prayer: God heal me of any spirit of hypocrisy in me through the mercies of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Severity and Goodness of God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday July 17, 2017

Topic: The Severity and Goodness of God

Text: Romans 11:22

Severity in this context means strictness or sternness. God in His powers and wisdom decided to put Israel aside for a time and offer salvation through faith to the world. This was a severe act but it was done in judgement to those that disobeyed (Romans 9:32 – 33). He has shown kindness to the Gentiles believers but Gentile believers must continue to trust in His kindness.

Trusting in His kindness refers to steadfast perseverance in faith. They should continually and penitently depend on Christ. Steadfastness is a proof of the reality of faith. If Gentile believers do not continue in perseverance in faith, they will be cut off, just as the natural branches (Israel) were cut off because of unbelief. God’s sternness (severity) was demonstrated to show us that faith was not automatic for the chosen people and His kindness was demonstrated in providing Gentiles with the opportunity for faith. This goes to show that we shouldn’t undermine what God can do.

As we are presently enjoying His grace, let us bear in mind that He is severe and can punish any act of disobedience and disloyalty. God is no respecter of any person. He is a consuming fire. When we fall on Him, we will be crushed and when He falls on us, there will be no remedy as we will grinded. Therefore, we should hold God in awe and obey His commands. That He is good does not mean that He can tolerate our disobedience and misconduct.

Food for Thought: Justice and mercy, goodness and severity are attributes or qualities eminently found in God

Memory verse: Romans 11:22

Prayer: God, grant me and all Christians the understanding that you are severe against disobedience and sin in Jesus name.

With God, No Favouritism

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday July 16, 2017

Topic: With God, No Favouritism

Text: Romans 11:16 – 21

God is no respecter of man. You may be His favourite today but if tomorrow you sin, He punishes you without looking at your face or blinking an eye. David’s case with Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah was a clear demonstration that God punishes even His favourite. Paul tells us that the reason why the Jews were broken off (Romans 11:20) was their unbelief. Again the only reason we (the Gentile) are still in place is because of our trust in God of the Jews. He thus warns us not to go the ways of the Jews God rejected or else He will not spare us. If God did not refrain from rejecting the Jews who became unbelievers assuredly He will not refrain from rejecting us in the same circumstance. Therefore, Paul advises us not to take God’s goodness and severity for granted (Romans 11:22 compare John 15:2; 1 Corinthians 15:2 and Hebrews 3:6, 14).

Beloved, with God there is no favouritism. God’s standard is the same whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, male or female, of black race or white, etc. As children of God, we should not be partial too. As Personnel Manager in your office, do you consider tribe, religion or relationship in offering employment to people? In the church, do you give your people certain position because they are your people? If we are called children of God, we must behave like God in all ramifications. God looks at the heart, no wonder He chose David instead of Eliab. Lastly, we should not think that as Christians today, we have made it to heaven. We should be mindful of what we do because any little slip or compromise can cause us our salvation. We must continue to take heed lest we fall off. God, help us to remain steadfast in Jesus name.

Food for Thought: It was possible that God could break off the Jews on the account of their unbelief. Certainly, He will not spare us if we follow suit.

Memory verse: Romans 11: 21

Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to remain steadfast in faith and not to be partial in my dealing with people.

Without Christ: Devotion for Wednesday July 6, 2016

WITHOUT CHRIST: Devotion for Wednesday July 6, 2016

Text: Ephesians 2:11 – 13        

Memory Verse: v 12 - That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

A life without Christ is miserable. Indeed, such life is dead while alive. That is the worst life someone can think of. This was our case before Christ came and died for us. Jews considered all non-Jews (Gentiles) ceremonially unclean. They thought of themselves as pure and clean because of their national heritage and religious ceremonies. This was a false conception and deceit; a consolation which blinded their eyes to the mysteries of God. This was one reason Christ was rebuking them of their false claims and hypocrisy.

Here, Apostle Paul pointed out that Jews and Gentiles alike were unclean before God and needed to be cleansed by Christ. In order to realize how great a gift of salvation is, we need to remember our former natural, unclean condition. This is what Paul posited in Ephesians 2:11, 12. See Romans 3:9, 23.

As Gentiles, we were living without any of the hopes and consolations which we now have, from having embraced Christ. Apostle Paul raised this issue to remind the Church at Ephesus and we by extension, of the deplorable condition in which we were by nature; and nothing would better express it than to say we were "without Christ," or that we had no knowledge of a Saviour. Therefore we shouldn’t allow this privilege to slip off our hands. On the other hand, have you ever felt separate, excommunicated, excluded, and hopeless? Don’t despair. These verses are for you. No one is alienated from Christ’s love or from the body of believers. If you have Christ, that is enough for you because He can do what no man can do for you. You are Christ own forever!

Food for Thought: Ephesians 4:17–19   

Prayer: God, you have shown me your love through Christ Jesus. Help me never to live a life without Christ henceforth in Jesus name. 

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THEY ARE NOT OF CHRIST: Devotion for Friday September 4, 2015

THEY ARE NOT OF CHRIST        Friday September 4, 2015

Text: Ephesians 4:17 – 24                 Memory verse: v 20

Paul charges us here as Christians that we should no longer behave as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections. They don’t know the saving knowledge. They preferred darkness and loved it rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life of holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live to Him, but which has some likeness to God Himself in His purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness. Behaving in the opposite way is evidence they are not of Christ because Christians are light (John 3:18 – 21).

There is no benefit in deceiving oneself. If you are of God let it be seen in your deed. We are called into life of truth and righteousness. Anything short is contrary to our call. We are of Christ when our lives are reflection of His person. Are you of Christ or you are one of the pretenders? Let the life of Jesus be seen in you as live in your work place, business arena and neighbourhood.

Food for Thought: Are you truly of Christ? Do you have the evidence?

Prayer: Almighty God, let the life of Jesus Christ be seen in me.

WE WISH TO SEE JESUS: Devotion for Wednesday September 2, 2015

WE WISH TO SEE JESUS     Wednesday September 2, 2015

Text: John 12:20 – 26             Memory verse: v 21

These Greek were either visitors from Greece or Greek-speaking Jews. They may be Jewish proselytes or simply God-fearing Gentiles. These Greeks probably selected Philip as their emissary to Jesus because, though Philip was a Jew, he had a Greek name. He was from Bethsaida, a town in Galilee near the Greek territory on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee called Decapolis. The city of Bethsaida itself had a large Greek population, and Philip may have been able to speak Greek. He hesitated for some time and went to Andrew, a close ally. Both went to Jesus.

The very inclusion of Greeks in the events of the final week has great significance. We Gentiles also ought to be grateful that Christ includes us in his offer of salvation. Are you willing to lead people to Jesus? There are many people who desire to see Jesus. The first Jesus they will see is you. Therefore, we should be mindful of how will live and associate with people or else our actions can deter them from coming to see Jesus. Let us shine as light (Matthew 5:13 – 16).

Food for Thought: Can unbelievers come to you to lead them to Jesus?

Prayer: Almighty God, make me a role model for unbelievers to emulate.

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN       Friday July 3, 2015

Text: John 3:1 – 10                  Memory verse: v 3  

That a person must be born again speaks of spiritual birth, but Nicodemus understood Jesus as referring to a physical rebirth. Nicodemus had no true understanding of the spiritual nature of the kingdom which Jesus had come to establish, nor of the spiritual character required for admission to it. He therefore met his difficulty by telling him that all men, be they Jews or Gentiles, must be made new in the inner man by a spiritual birth, before they can enter into his kingdom and enjoy its privileges. Jesus expected Nicodemus to know these (v 10).  Nobody qualifies for the Kingdom except he/she is born again (3:5).

Many people ask questions about born again; when and how can someone be born again. “The beginning of Christianity consists in this, that we know ourselves not only to be corrupt in part, but to be wholly dead in sin: so that our nature has need to be created anew, with regard to its qualities, which can be done by no other power, but by the divine and heavenly, by which we were first created” as Geneva Bible Notes. If you didn’t begin your Christianity by being born again, you need to go back and surrender to Jesus today or the Kingdom will elude you.

Food for Thought: What do you really understand by born again?

Prayer: Lord, Jesus Christ, I surrender my life to you. Create me anew in your own likeness so that I will be qualified to enter into your Kingdom.