A MISTAKE: Devotion for Monday May 30, 2016

A MISTAKE: Devotion for Monday May 30, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:4 – 6 Memory verse: v 6

Naaman set out for Samaria, carrying with him some luxurious gifts; ten changes of raiment, splendid robes and outer garments for special days and occasions, “festal” gowns (RSV, JB). To this day Damascus is known for its beautiful brocade cloth. To own a garment made of such material would indeed have been a status symbol, and highly valued. A talent of silver contained three thousand shekels. According to Living bible translation, “Naaman started our taking gifts of US$20,000 worth of silver and US$60,000 worth of gold,” (5:5). This calculation gives us a clear view of the kind of luxury gifts Naaman took to Israel. Unfortunately, all those gifts and the letter to King of Israel were mistakes on the part of Naaman because he can’t buy the blessings of God with money.

This is how some of us make grievous mistakes in worshipping God with our wealth and talent. Our gifts are not bribe to God. Salvation and blessings of God are gifts. Some sow seed with the mind of reaping more. It doesn’t work like that because you can’t bribe God with your money, your tithe or your talent. You should give, out of love for God. Naaman and his master wrote to the King of Israel as if the girl told them of a king who heals. Their action and letter show their arrogance. Instead of appealing to the king to urge the prophet in his domain to help, they were compelling the king.

Food for Thought: Our gifts and sacrifices are not bribe to win God’s favour and blessings.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to understand the best way to approach you and to use my gifts in worshipping you.

YOU SHALL EAT OF YOUR LABOUR: Devotion for Saturday August 29, 2015

YOU SHALL EAT OF YOUR LABOUR      Saturday August 29, 2015

Text: Isaiah 3:9 – 15       Memory verse: v 10

Ecclesiastics 6:2 say something that should make us pray about God’s blessings upon our lives. There is abundant encouragement to the righteous to trust in God, and for sinners to repent and return to Him. In today’s world, sinful living often appears glamorous, exciting, and clever. But sin is wrong, regardless of how society perceives it, and, in the long run, sin will make us miserable and destroy us. God tries to protect us by warning us about the harm we will cause ourselves by sinning. However, to the righteous, there is the promise that all will be well, they shall eat of their labour.

Eventually the righteous will receive God’s reward, and the wicked will receive their punishment. It is disheartening to see the wicked prosper, while we (Christians) struggle to obey God and follow his plan. However, let us keep holding on to God’s truth and take heart! God will bring about justice in the end, and He will reward those who have been faithful. Beloved, be faithful to the end.

Food for Thought: Are you still faithful to Him?

Prayer: Lord, make me faithful to you and grant that I will eat of my labour.

WASTED EFFORT?

WASTED EFFORT?              Saturday June 27, 2015

Text: Isaiah 48:9 – 15              Memory verse: v 10

Refining brings out the best of any product. Gold comes out better when refined in fire. Crude oil will remain irrelevant until it is refined and products like gas, petrol, diesel, engine oil, kerosene, etc, come forth. However, it will be a wasted effort if you refine crude oil and these products didn’t come out. God laments efforts He made refining His people which didn’t yield any fruit. He proposed to deliver and restore them for His name sake (Isaiah 48:9, 11). They chose to worship idol. This is robbing Peter to pay Paul. God gave them life and instead of appreciating that, they were enticed by the idolatrous life of their neighbours. God had to test them by allowing their neighbours to take them as captives. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. We do same at times by refusing God’s grace.      

The Israelites sinned and refused to repent. We may not have sinned but God allows us to pass through some refining. Do we easily complain when our lives become complicated or difficult: why would a loving God allow all kinds of unpleasant experiences to come to us? God tests us in the ‘furnace of suffering.’ Instead of complaining, we should turn to Him in faith for the strength to endure and rejoice in our sufferings (see Romans 5:3; James 1:2- 4). For without the testing, we would never know what we are capable of doing and will not grow to become like Christ.

Food for Thought: It is when grapes are crushed they give out red wine.

Prayer: Lord, as you refine me, let it not be a wasted effort rather help me to pass through it and come out a better Christian in Jesus name.