BE CAREFUL HOW YOU BEHAVE: Devotion for Tuesday February 2, 2016

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU BEHAVE     Tuesday February 2, 2016

Text: 1 Peter 2:11 – 12                 Memory verse: v 12 

Our behaviour matters so much for so many reasons. It is the bible some people may have the only opportunity to read. It also speaks of the level of our Christianity. It can make or mar our Christianity too. For these reasons it is very important Christians should be mindful of their behaviour. 

Peter gives a reason why we ought to live holy, that is, because we are citizens of heaven. Therefore, we ought to live not according to the laws of this world, which is most corrupt, but of the heavenly city, although we are strangers here. Lust can be habitual or actual. By habitual lust, it means an aversion to everything that is good, and a proneness to all evil. By actual lust are those conversant about sensual and fleshly objects. Holiness is a necessity for our seeing God and should not be compromised because the city we are hoping for doesn’t accommodate lustful souls.

This admonition is very apt judging from the level of evil, vices, and corruption of our time. Behaviour is contagious and we are prone to easily copy evil more than good. Our conduct must be honest among Christians and also unbelievers (1 Pet 3:16). This is one way we can shine as light (Matt 5:16). Paul also gave similar exhortation in Phil 2:15. Here, our behaviour includes words of our mouth, thought of our hearts, our appearance and the way we react to people. What can you say about your behaviour? Is it Christ-like?

Food for Thought: Good manners are the art of making those people easy with whom we converse.

Prayer: Lord, make my conduct conformable to yours in Jesus name.

CAST OFF EVERY WEIGHT Thursday October 8, 2015

CAST OFF EVERY WEIGHT       Thursday October 8, 2015

Text: Hebrews 12:1 – 3                   Memory verse: v 1

There are some things that can hinder our progress in the way to heaven. According to William Burkett, by every weight, it is generally understood to mean “The world, its riches, honours, pleasures, preferment, which often times are a peculiar obstruction to steadiness and perseverance in the profession and practice of Christianity.” These weights must be laid aside, by mortifying our hearts and affections towards the world and all that are in it (1 John 2:15, 16), for it is unreasonable to love these things which give us their weight and burden. Excessive care for the present life, or fondness for it, is a weight that pulls us down when we should soar upwards, and pulls us back when we should press forward thus making our duties harder and heavier than they would be.

Some of the weights that hinder us summed up as love for the world may not necessarily be sin as our text suggests, rather they are some attachments that can make us lose focus and commitment. They could be a formed habit, association, some things that appeal so much to us, etc. Search yourself and know the weight you are carrying.

Food for Thought: Colossians 3:8

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to lay aside every weight that is hindering my commitment to and walk with you in Jesus name.