Are You A Vessel For Honour: Devotion for Wednesday, March 18, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday March 18, 2020

Topic: Are You A Vessel For Honour?                   

Text: 2 Timothy 2:19 – 21

Vessel unto honour literally means a vessel that is useful in honourable way. When God used Assyrians to punish Israel, they were useful in the hands of God but not for honour because they were punished at the end too. God requires us to be vessels unto honour.

Paul admonishes us in our text to be mindful of how we live our lives because God knows those who are His (v19). Therefore everyone who is a Christian should depart from iniquity (v19). The reason for this advice is in verse 20. Read it. When we cleanse ourselves from all forms of defilement, we will become “vessels for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”

Have you cleansed yourself from all defilement or you are still defiled? As a Christian sister/brother who is single and engaged, what is your secret life with your fiancé/fiancée? We can’t serve God and be useful in His hands when we are living in sin and compromise.

To be a vessel unto honour we must avoid all form of defilement be it in words, thoughts, actions, reactions and deeds. Couples should be sincere in their relationships; we should love and be loveable, be at peace with all people and above all be sincere in our worship of God with faith in Christ Jesus.

Food for Thought: A sanctified life is pleasant to God and such is always a reliable instrument in His hands.

Memory verse: 2 Timothy 2 v 21

Prayer: God, may I be a vessel unto honour in your house now and forever.

Mutual Honour: Devotion for Friday February 28, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday February 28, 2020

Topic: Mutual Honour                     

Text: 1 Samuel 2:27 – 36

Here in our bible reading for the day, God spoke about Eli. The reason behind God’s word on mutual honour is in 1 Samuel 2:27 – 29. An example of the evil deeds of the sons of Eli is found in 1 Samuel 2:12 – 17. God had earlier made promises to Eli that was absolute (see 1 Sam 2:27 – 36). However we see that like all other apparently absolute promises of God, they are conditional. He posited that Eli has walked unworthy and the promise will be annulled and ordinance reversed. See Jeremiah 18:9, 10. Are there lessons for us here?

God is love and slow to anger. We all know this! He gave Eli and his sons enough time to repent but they abused the opportunity. The consequences are 1 Samuel 2:31 – 34. God removed the honour He had earlier placed on his family.

Beloved, has God been warning you and you are hardening your heart thinking that you have all the time on earth? Do not undermine God’s mercies. Whatever God has entrusted into your hands, you must endeavour to remain faithful and trustworthy. If He has honoured you with that position, use it well to glorify him. The honour you give to God with your blessings will determine the honour you will receive from Him. Read the sad story of Moses for dishonouring God in Numbers 20:12

Food for Thought: The way you honour God will determine the honour He will bestow on you

Memory verse: Psalm 91:14

Prayer: Help me O Lord my God, to honour you with my call and live well for you in Jesus name.

Are You A Vessel For Honour?

Devotion for Saturday June 16, 2018

Sing A&M 325; Abu 157

Topic: Are You A Vessel For Honour?

Text: 2 Timothy 2:19 – 21

Vessel unto honour literally means a vessel that is useful in honourable way. When God used Assyrians to punish Israel, they were useful in the hands of God but not for honour because they were punished at the end too. God requires us to be vessels unto honour for that was the reason behind our creation and call. In our text, Paul admonishes us to be mindful of how we live our lives because God knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore everyone who is a Christian should depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19). The reason for this advice is in 2 Timothy 2:20 so that we can become vessels unto honour. When we cleanse ourselves from all forms of defilement, we will become “vessels for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” Have you cleansed yourself from all defilement? As a Christian sister/brother who is single and engaged, what is your secret life with your fiancé/fiancée? We can’t serve God and be useful in His hands when we are living in sin and compromising our faith. To be a vessel unto honour we must avoid all form of defilement be it in words, actions, reactions and deeds. Couples should be sincere in their relationships; they should love and be loveable, be at peace with all people and above all be sincere in their worship of God with faith in Christ Jesus.

Food for Thought: A sanctified life is pleasant to God and such is always a reliable instrument in His hands.

Memory verse: 2 Timothy 2:21

Prayer: God may I be a vessel unto honour in your house now and forever.

Give Jesus Christ The Best

Devotion for Monday In Holy Week March 26, 2018

Topic: Give Jesus Christ The Best             

Text: Mark 14:1 – 9                    

It takes someone who knows the value of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for humanity on the Cross of Calvary to give Him something freely and willingly. For example, most people who are faithful in their tithe and offering are people who have received the touch of God. Jesus first poured out Himself for mankind without reservations. It was a willingly offer made to save mankind (John 10:15, 17; 15:13 & Romans 5:7, 8). Mary had come to know Jesus Christ which made her to use a very costly oil to anoint Him. Jesus commended her pious offer to the notice of believers in all ages. Just that one offering immortalized her name. Jesus Christ will always honour those who honour Him (1 Samuel 2:30). He reprimanded the disciples, but comforted Mary. The expensive ointment poured on Jesus was a beautiful, acceptable, appealing act of love and sacrifice. Her act was a public declaration of her faith in Him as Messiah. Christ poured out His soul unto death for us, and shall we think anything too precious for Him? Do we give Him the precious ointment of our best affections by loving Him with all our hearts? At times, it is common for zeal and affection to be misunderstood and blamed but we should remember that charity to the poor will not excuse us from particular acts of piety to the Lord Jesus. Jesus’ words were valuable lessons to Judas and the disciples that devotion to Christ is worth more than money. How devoted are you to God?

Let us sing from SS&S 621, Abu 35

Food for Thought: What can you offer to God that is equal to salvation He gave you?

Memory verse: Mark 14:8

Prayer: Lord, help me to love you to the extent of offering you the best thing I have in Jesus name.

What Is Your Servant?

Devotion for Sunday February 25, 2018

Topic: What Is Your Servant? 

Text: 2 Samuel 9:8                                  

Yesterday, we read how David sought for Mephibosheth and brought him to dine at his table just for the sake of Jonathan’s love for him. It was the conviction of unworthiness, and true gratitude for favours received led Mephibosheth to ask “what is your servant?” The way David treated him surprised him so much. David’s treatment of Mephibosheth shows his integrity as a leader who accepted his obligation to show love and mercy. His generous provision for Jonathan’s son goes beyond any political benefit he might have received. This should be a lesson for those in authority. What David did, humbled Mephibosheth. It is good to have a humble heart under undeserved Providences. This is applicable to our salvation too. We deserved death by virtue of our sins but God in His love and mercies came and died for us. This should make us humble in whatever position we find ourselves. This led to the statements Paul made in 1 Corinthians 15:9 and Ephesians 3:8. Mephibosheth used the phrase, a servant and dead dog not because he was crippled but because he saw himself as a despised person who is not worthy of such honour. Do you have a humbled heart? How do you feel about the gifts God has bestowed on you? A thankful heart is the greatest virtue. Develop yours.  Sing SS&S 1138; Abu 240

Food for Thought: The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart.

Memory verse: 2 Samuel 9:8

Prayer: Lord God, grant me a thankful heart to always appreciate my salvation and works of mercies you do in my life. 

Honour For Parents

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday May 27, 2017

Topic: Honour For Parents

Text: Exodus 20:12

Happy Children day to all our children! Honouring our parents is very important commandment that no one should despise. The reason is simple; it is one of the prerequisites for long life; the only commandment with a promise attached to it (Ex. 20:12b & Eph. 6:2). Parents as used here do not mean our biological parents only but all elders and people authority in the society and the church. By honour, it means we should esteem them both inwardly and outwardly. It demands that we should also fear (Lev. 19:3) and reverence them (Heb. 12:9). Above all it demands obedience to their lawful commands (Eph. 6:1 – 3).

The command to obey parents places a demand on children to come when they call them; go where they send them, do what they bid them and never do what they forbid them. Honour also involves submission to their rebukes, instructions and corrections, endeavouring in everything to make their old age easy for them; maintaining them if they are in need of your support. From the above we can deduce that children as used here do not necessarily mean infants but as many as have parents.

Children are commanded to obey their parents (Deut. 5:16 & Eph. 6:2). However, parents should also be models and good examples for their children to emulate. Do you live well as a parent? Children, do you honour your parents? Know that the long life you will enjoy depends on how much you honour your parents. Happy children’s day celebrations!

Food for Thought: Colossians 3:20

Memory verse: Exodus 20 verse 12

Prayer: Lord, help me to honour my parents and all in authority as expected.

ABOUT FIRST FRUIT HARVEST: Devotion for Sunday September 4, 2016

ABOUT FIRST FRUIT HARVEST: Devotion for Sunday September 4, 2016

Text: Deuteronomy 26:1 – 11    Memory verse: Deuteronomy 26:2

First fruit harvest is an injunction from God who ordered the Israelis to do it and by extension we the new Israel. God gave His people the injunction to present their first fruit of all their produce to Him (Deut. 26:2). From out text, it was obvious that this injunction from God to the Israelis is in order not to forget the source of their blessings. It is a way of showing gratitude to God from who all our blessings comes from. This injunction is from the covenant God made with Israel (Ex. 34:26, 27).

In Deut. 26:2–11 is the instructions on how to carry out our first fruit harvest. We are expected to pick some of all produce of our land, put them in a basket and take them to the church and offer them to the Lord. The Priest will receive them from our hands and bless us. It should not be taken to any other place.

There are lessons for us in this our scriptural reading for today. They are (a) God is the source of all we have and all we are. Our successes are not out of our strength, our business acumen, our intelligence, etc. If it were so, there wouldn’t have been poor people because majority of the poor in our society today labour for almost 24 hour of every day in the week. If not God’s grace and favour, what can we achieve? He blesses our little effort and turns it to become a mighty blessing. Yesterday’s devotion attests to this.  

(b) It is a sign of regard, honour for and obedience to God (Prov. 3:9). When we set aside our first fruit as God demands from us, we are honouring God and He in turn will honour us (1 Sam. 2:30).

(c) It teaches us that we have responsibilities towards God. It makes us responsible to God who made us, gave us those blessings and to the less privileged ones; the strangers, the priests, the widows, etc, that we have around us. It is also a way of sowing seeds for a better and a greater harvest. How are you doing these? Let it be with a cheerful heart and not grudgingly because God loves a cheerful giver. Happy first fruit harvest to those celebrating today!

Food for Thought: Proverbs 3:9

Prayer: My Lord and my Father, may I always honour you with my substances because they all come from you in Jesus name.

TO GAIN HONOUR OVER PHARAOH: Devotion for Thursday August 18, 2016

TO GAIN HONOUR OVER PHARAOH: Devotion for Thursday August 18, 2016

Text: Exodus 14:1 – 9                

Memory verse: Exodus 14 v 4

It is act of foolishness to use human reasoning to assess God. Such assessment is baseless. It will amount to failure because God is never programmed. He cannot be manipulated. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are higher than ours. He deserves our respect, honour and adoration.

There is this aphorism of my people which says that “He that the god will kill; first, will be made mad.” This was the case of Pharaoh. God hardened his heart so as to gain honour over him. Pharaoh thought that all Israel were entangled in the wilderness, and so would become an easy prey for him. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh. Of course we all are made for the honour of God, our Maker. If men would not have their hearts hardened, they must not continue knowingly to disobey God. If they thus disobey, all the blame will rest upon them (Rom. 1:24–26) if God decides to gain honour over them.

After relenting and giving them permission to depart with the greatest reason, Pharaoh now changes his mind and determines to prevent the Israelis from going. Without any farther restraining grace and delay, God permitted him to rush on and pursue the Israelis to his final ruin. This was the evidence that his cup of iniquity was now full. God judged him. This shows that there is a limit to which we can enjoy the grace of God. Never think that you have all the days and years to enjoy the grace of God. Are you living in sin and thinking that you can continue to live the way you like? Today may be your last day to commit that sin and God will expose you. Why not repent at this moment and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Tomorrow may be too late. Kindly do it now or God will gain honour over you by force?

Food for Thought: Exodus 9:16 - But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you, and that my name may be declared in all the earth.

Prayer: Almighty God and my Father in heaven, help me to live a life that will bring honour to you and not you, taking it by force.

FOR MY NAME SAKE: Devotion for Thursday June 9, 2016

FOR MY NAME SAKE: Devotion for Thursday June 9, 2016

Text: Ezekiel 35:21 – 24         Memory verse: v 22 

When God visits and revives his people after a season of declension, they should remember that He does this, 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 Rom 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 Num. 20:7–12. God answered Moses by letting water out of the rock to honour His name but that action was offensive against God (Num 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 (Lk. 13:25 – 28). Therefore, do not boast that God answers you and you perform miracles. Heed the warning in 1 Cor. 10:12.

Food for Thought: Psalm 106:8

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

ARE YOU A VESSEL FOR HONOUR? Devotion for Friday March 11, 2016

ARE YOU A VESSEL FOR HONOUR? Devotion for Friday March 11, 2016      

Text: 2 Timothy 2:19 – 21                Memory verse: v 21

The food for thought that ended our devotion for Wednesday is part of our text for today. Vessel unto honour literally means a vessel that is useful in honourable way. When God used Assyrians to punish Israel, they were useful in the hands of God but not for honour because they were punished at the end too. God requires us to be vessels unto honour for that was the reason behind our creation. Here, Paul admonishes us that we should be mindful of how we live our lives because God knows those who are His (2:19). Therefore everyone who is a Christian should depart from iniquity (2:19). The reason for this advice is in 2:20, so that we can become vessels unto honour. When we cleanse ourselves from all forms of defilement, we will become “Vessels for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”

Have you cleansed yourself from all defilement? As a single or engaged Christian sister/brother, what is your secret life with your fiancé/fiancée? We can’t serve God and be useful in His hands when we are living in sin and compromise. To be a vessel unto honour we must avoid all forms of defilement be it in words, actions, reactions and deeds. Couples should be sincere in their relationships; we should love and be loveable, be at peace with all people and above all be sincere in our worship of God with faith in Christ Jesus.

Food for Thought: A sanctified life is pleasant to God and such is always a reliable instrument in His hands.

Prayer: God may I be a vessel unto honour in your house now and forever.

USE YOUR GIFTS WELL: Devotion for Sunday October 11, 2015

USE THEM WELL        Sunday October 11, 2015

Text: Romans 12:6 – 8     Memory verse: v 6

Every Christian has one gift with which he/she can live well and make impact on the society (Matthew 25: 14, 15). It baffled me that some people seem not to know what they can do with their lives. Paul sees all the endowments on Christians as gifts. They come from God and when we understand this, it will prevent us from thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. Albert Barnes sagely said that “True honour consists not in splendid endowments, or great wealth and office. It consists in rightly discharging the duties which God requires of us in our appropriate sphere. If all men held their talents as the gift of God; if all would find and occupy in society the place for which God designed them, it would prevent no small part of the uneasiness, the restlessness, the ambition, and misery of the world.” This is a message for our generation.

As God has given us diverse gifts, and appointed us into one office or another, we should faithfully use them and keep within the limits of our calling so that we do not neglect our duties or invade into that of others.

Food for Thought: How are you discharging your duties as a Christian?

Prayer: Lord God, help me to faithfully use your gifts in me to honour you and fulfill your purposes for my life in Jesus name. Amen.

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.