God’s Special People

Devotion for Tuesday March 6, 2018

Topic: God’s Special People

Text: 1 Peter 2:7 – 10                             

Jesus Christ is indeed precious – highly valued or esteemed. Not only is Christ precious to the Father (1 Peter 2:4), He is also precious to Christians (1 Peter 2:7). Quoting from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 8:14), Peter explained that not only were the builders who rejected the stone humiliated but it later became the cornerstone; they also had stumbled and fallen over it. Stumble means tripping and falling, or it can mean taking offense at or rejecting something or someone.

1 Peter 2:9 contrasts our privilege and destiny with that of unbelievers (described in 1 Peter 2:8). We are a chosen people, a distinct group from the rest of the world, unified by the Holy Spirit. We are also a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation (Exodus 19:6). Being part of ‘priesthood’ is a high honour for us. This honour has made us special people of God who were nobody before now. Think of it, if not for Christianity, what would have been your condition today? Before the coming of Christ, Gentiles were rejected by God without any hope of mercy, but today, they are people of God because He has chosen them (1 Peter 2:9) and they have received His mercy.

‘Mercy’ means God’s compassionate treatment of us even though we deserve the full measure of His justice. On the other hand, it is God that can turn our situations for. He did it in life of Abraham, Jabez, David and others; He will do it for you. You have worth because of what Christ did, not because of what you did. Live your life to glorify Him.

Sing A&M 295; Abu 206

Food for Thought: Do you actually know your worth as a Christian?

Memory verse: 1 Peter 2:9

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for making me somebody in your eyes no matter what the world thinks about me.

What Is Acceptable To God

Devotion for Wednesday November 1, 2017

Topic: What Is Acceptable To God

Text: Romans 12:1

It is not everything we do that God approves and accepts. He accepted the sacrifice of Abel and showed disdain to that of Cain. Also He does not accept the act of not entirely depending on Him (Isaiah 31:1). God does not accept sacrifice that is not holy or anything not pleasing to Him. In this our text for the day, Paul exhorts us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. This means that we should dedicate and devote our souls and bodies to the service of God and His glory. Christians should offer up their lives unto God as a whole burnt offering. This must be voluntary as you are expected to do it (present yourself). It must be a living sacrifice; a holy sacrifice, a reasonable sacrifice, otherwise God will not accept it.

Have you offered yourself as a sacrifice that is acceptable to God? Your commitment should be reasonable and not offensive to God. A life that has been sacrificed to God as a living, holy and reasonable sacrifice is seen in its dependence of God for direction and instruction in everything. The person lives according to detects of God. Christians shouldn’t invent services, or make trials, or seek persecutions or provoke opposition so as to be seen as serving and suffering for Christ’s sake. They should do just what God requires of them, and that will be acceptable to Him.

When what we do is acceptable to God that will be the greatest recompense we can get because not everybody will have the privilege to serve God. If He approves what we do, what men think of us doesn’t matter. Therefore, to please Him should be our highest aim in this new month and we will certainly reap the benefits. Happy New Month!

Food for Thought: God’s priority and what He accepts matters. Is this your guiding principle in this heavenly race?

Memory verse: Romans 12:1

Prayer: Grant me, O Lord, the understanding of what you accept so that I can make them my priority in this heavenly race in Jesus name Amen.

GOD IS NOT HANDICAPPED: Devotion for Wednesday August 24, 2016

GOD IS NOT HANDICAPPED: Devotion for Wednesday August 24, 2016

Text: Isaiah 59:1 – 8              Memory verse: Isaiah 59:1

It is erroneous to believe that God is handicapped and incapable to deliver, hear, heal, free and bless us. It is the belief of some many people that is why their miracles elude them. In 1 Sam. 5:1–5, is the story of how God proved that He is not handicapped. His Ark of Covenant was taken to the shrine of Philistine god, Dagon and He brought the statue down on two occasions. Unlike the Muslims who always take to arms when they perceive that Mohammed their prophet has been blasphemed as we have witnessed in this country and of recent was burning to death eight persons (students who are Christians) in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Our God fights for Himself. If we are not saved and our prayers are not answered, it is not because God is handicapped or incapacitated.

In our scriptural reading, we see sin and its consequences; exceedingly hurtful, separating us from God, and so separating us, not only from all good, but separating us to all evils. Yet there are many who derive joy in living in sin despite its consequences. This is very unfortunate! Such people are still under the influence and bondage of Satan.

Because God is holy, He cannot ignore, excuse, or tolerate sin as though it doesn’t matter. That is in the view and understanding of some men but not God. Sin cuts people off from God. It forms a wall that invariably isolates us from the people He loves. The long list of wretched sins the people of Israel and we by extension commit makes God angry and forces Him to look the other way. Anyone who dies in his/her life of sin separates himself or herself eternally from God.

Finally brethren, let us always search ourselves because if we haven’t received salvation it is not because God is handicapped but because of our sins. This is same to other blessings that come from God. Have you confessed your sin to God, allowing Him to remove it? He can save you if you turn to Him. You can do it now. There is no need to procrastinate.

Food for Thought: You can hinder your salvation and blessings because of sin and not because God is incapacitated.

Prayer: God, I repent of my sins today (mention them) because they are hindrance to my blessings in Jesus name.

God's Chosen: Devotion for Thursday February 18, 2016

GOD’S CHOSEN    Thursday February 18, 2016

Text: Ephesians 1:3 – 6     Memory verse: v 3

Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; when we have them, our lives can’t be miserable, and when we don’t have them, we will be so miserable. Here, Paul tells the Ephesians that the consequence of their election in Christ is that they should be made holy by separation from sin, being set apart to God, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, which was, the choice Christ made before the foundation of the world. Paul’s use of the phrase “God chose us” was to emphasize that salvation depends totally on God. We are not saved because we deserve it but because God is gracious and He freely saves us. We did not influence God’s decision to save us; He saved us according to His plan. Thus, there is no way to take credit for our salvation or to allow room for pride.

Beloved, God chose us, and when we belong to Him through Jesus Christ, God looks at us as if we had never sinned. All we can do about our salvation is to express our thanks for His wonderful love for us. Have you ever wondered why God chose you as a Christian despite your past and family background? Have you ever wondered why you are in that position where you are today? It is not out of sheer hard work but by His love and grace for you. Therefore, you have to be grateful that God chose you and favoured you just because He loves you. Our appropriate responses for His love towards us are love for Him, worship, and service in thankfulness for His wonderful grace. We must never take our privileged status as a license for sin or abuse it in any way.   

Food for Thought: Why did God choose you to become a Christian?

Prayer: God, as you have chosen me, may I live a life of gratitude for this honour in Jesus name.