For My Name Sake: Devotion for Wednesday July 1, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday July 1, 2020

Topic: For My Name Sake         

Text: Ezekiel 35:21 – 24                         

When God visits and revives his people after a season of declension, they should remember that He did such, not for their sake, but for the glory of His own name. They deserved only evil at God’s hand. He showed mercy upon them, because He will magnify Himself in their salvation. This is typical nature of God.

Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He did that for His own glory not that we actually deserved it. We have not repented when He died for us just like the Israelis did not repent but God chose to bring them back from exile for His name sake.     

There are so many things we do as Christians that we do not even deserve any mercy. There are so many prayers we say and God answers not because we are worthy or righteous to receive answers but because God just want to honour His name. An example is in Numbers 20:7 – 12. God answered Moses by letting water out of the rock to honour His name but that action was offensive against God (Numbers 20:12).

Jesus warned that God will reject some who will come with the claim that they did miracles in His name because they were workers of iniquity (Luke 13:25 – 28). Therefore, do not boast that God answers you and you perform miracles. Heed the warning in 1 Corinthians 10:12 because God’s dealing with us is just for His name sake.

Again in this new month, I prophesy to you that the Almighty God will do new things for you because of His name sake. Expect His irrevocable blessings in your life and in your family in Jesus name.

Food for Thought: Psalm 106:8

Memory verse: Ezekiel 35:22

Prayer: Lord God, I ask for your grace to remain under your will so that I will not lose my salvation in Jesus name.

The Imperative Of Inward Beauty

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 17, 2017 

Topic: The Imperative Of  Inward Beauty

Text: 1 Peter 3:4

God created us in His image. The beauty we portray shows how awesome our God is. He made us beautiful and handsome for His glory but these days, I wonder if being beautiful is a crime. The way most people use their beauty in wrong ways is a cause for concern. Most people spend time and enormous resources trying to beautiful themselves. All these are good only if they are targeted at glorifying God (1 Peter 3:4b).

Here, Peter challenged us especially women whose concern is always what to wear, style to sow, style of hair do, etc, to ensure that we are also “beautiful inside in our hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious to God” – Living Bible. John Wesley Notes gives insight into why this is precious in the sight of God when he said that “A meek spirit gives no trouble willingly to any: a quiet spirit bears all wrongs without being troubled.” Meekness is one virtue that is expected of us as Christian.

Do you attach the kind of importance, time and resources you give to your outward beauty to inward beauty? Beautifying our heart is through constant meditation on the word of God. This helps us overcome temptations and trial (Psalm 119:11), and also accommodate the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 3:16). How beautiful is your heart? Have you corrupted yours with malice, anger, bitterness, evil thoughts etc? If so, repent today. Let the beauty of your heart matter most to you than your outward beauty. 

Food for Thought: The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express. –Bacon

Memory verse: 1 Peter 3 verse 4

Prayer: God, make me beautiful within and help me to maintain inner beauty than my outward beauty in Jesus name.

The Glory To Be Revealed

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday May 16, 2017

Topic: The Glory To Be Revealed

Text: Romans 8:17 – 25

The rigorous training and exercise sports men and women go through to enable them perform well at their best/peak, and if possible to win the ultimate price is similar to what is expected of us in Christian race. This was the idea Paul expressed in 1 Cor. 9:24–27. He summed it up by saying: “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” He had a goal and a vision, and was focused. Thus he developed self-discipline, self-control and willpower to succeed. This trio was his guide in life and his drive in heavenly race. But there is something more glorious that God has kept for us that run this heavenly race to the end and according to specifications (1 Cor. 2:9 & Isa. 64:4). Do you desire to be part of God’s glorious kingdom? Yes of course you do! However, do you know there are things that can make you lose focus? Can you mention about five of them? How can you overcome them to make heaven at last? There are sacrifices which we must make and also trials which we are called to endure in this Christian life. All these things are light and momentary, compared with the blessings which God will bestow upon us when we get to heaven. What are the sacrifices you are making now because you want to please God? What are the temptations you are enduring now? You may be enduring some trials of your faith now. Never mind all these, your reward will be more glorious at the end. Your faith will not disappoint you. Just keep trusting Him.

Food for Thought: How prepared are you for these things God has kept for us?

Memory verse: Romans 8 verse 18

Prayer: Lord God, prepare me for heaven and grant that I will not lose out from the future glory reserved for your people.

The Hour Has Come

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Devotion for Wednesday (Holy Week) April 12, 2017

Topic: The Hour Has Come

Text: John 12:20 – 28

Beloved, what is your desire as a Christian? Is it to see Jesus and be part of His glory at the end of your life here on earth? This was the desire of these Greek who came to the disciples. When Philip and Andrew came and told Jesus, He made a startling revelation about His impending death. He painted a picture of the necessary sacrifice He was about to make. He asserts that unless a grain of wheat is planted in the soil, it will not become a blade of wheat producing many more seeds.

Jesus had to die to pay the penalty for our sin, and to show His power over death. His resurrection proves He has eternal life and can give it to us. The words of Jesus in John 12:26 suggest an answer to the inquiry of the Greeks or a charge He left with them. Jesus was troubled as He announced that the hour had come for His betrayal, crucifixion and death, and eventual resurrection. He prayed that God the Father should save Him but handed over everything to the will of God.

Here, Jesus threw a challenge to us. When we are suffering and going through problems of life, how do we take it? From the death and resurrection of Christ, it is obvious that most times we have to go through some problems of life for the glory of God to be revealed in us. My life was a clear testimony about this. Jesus requested God to glorify His name and a voice answered Him. We should always submit to God‘s will so He can glorify Himself in all we do.

Food for Thought: John 17:1

Memory verse: John 12 verse 23

Prayer: God, glorify yourself and perfect your will in my life in Jesus name. Amen.

WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER GOD: Devotion for Friday October 16, 2015

WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER GOD     Friday October 16, 2015               

Text: Isaiah 6:1 – 8         Memory verse: v 1

When we encounter the glory of God, many things follow. Moses Peter, Andrew, James and John encountered God and things changed. Paul also encountered that glory on his way to Damascus and he became a changed man. Isaiah encountered the glory of God here as we have in our text which some commentators see as his inauguration into office. Some also say that Isaiah was not born again before he started his ministry. This may not be correct as God used this revelation to show Isaiah His glory for some reasons.

This vision was quoted in John 12:41. He saw the Divine Presence seated on the mercy-seat, raised over the Ark of the Covenant, between the Cherubim and Seraphim, and the Divine glory filled the whole temple. This vision gave Isaiah a greater understanding of God and his ministry. He was cleansed of his sins and was commissioned. This vision also dealt with his fears about his call.

We are undone if there is not a Mediator between us and this holy God. A glimpse of heavenly glory is enough to convince us that all our righteousness are just like filthy rags. Have you encountered the glory of God? What impact has the glory on you? If you have not encountered God’s glory, you need to do something about it. It is the glory of God that will transform your life for good. Earnestly ask God to give you a glimpse of it.

Food for Thought: A glimpse of heavenly glory is enough to transform us from sinners to saints.

Prayer: God, reveal your glory to me so that my life and call will change.

HUMAN GLORY FADES: Devotion for Friday September 25, 2015

HUMAN GLORY FADES        Friday September 25, 2015

Text: 1 Peter 1:24 – 25             Memory verse: v 24

Peter quoting Isaiah 40:6 – 8, reminds Christians that everything in this life – possessions, accomplishments, people, etc, will eventually fade away and disappear. All are transient. As the grass and wildflowers bloom for a season then wither and fall, so all of this life is transitory in nature; it will pass away. Only the word of the Lord will last forever. He clearly stated that they would face suffering and persecution, but that would be only temporary. The word of the Lord was the Good News that had been preached to them and it is good for eternity.

Here is a big challenge and warning for us. Many of us work for human glory at the detriment of our salvation. We seem to loose focus on the fact that we are strangers and foreigners here. This truth should not elude us. In as much as we need some of these things to live well, they shouldn’t become barriers to our relationship with and worship of our God.

Food for Thought: Depending on life that is transitory is vanity 

Prayer: Lord, help me to see life on earth as transitory and never to rely on it