Good Influence of Godly Citizens

Devotion for Monday January 15, 2018

Topic: Good influence Of Godly Citizens

Text: Proverbs 11:11 (The Living Bible)

This passage of the scripture has a very important message for today’s Christians in our country. Many Christians of our time are not what they actually confess to be. I have continued to wonder whether we have the understanding of what our social responsibilities are. Our text speaks about the goodly influence expected of us as citizens of this country. The Living Bible translates this verse thus: “The good influence of godly citizens causes a city to prosper but the moral decay of the wicked drives it downhill.” The good influence of godly citizen comes in form of praying for the city, living by example and speaking against evil. Before 1980s, when neighbour sees your child misbehave in the public, he will punish the child and immediately and comes back to report to you. You will even commend him for such kindness toward your family. However, it is no longer obtainable in our society. When you try such, the kind of abuse and condemnation you will receive will drive cold into your marrow. Today, our society has become worse because there is no influence of the godly citizens. There are so many ills ravaging the society and check the names of people involved, you will see Christians among them. Who are the people that cheat; throw their bins into gutters, hide people’s files in offices, give and take bribes and many other evils of our time? Where is your influence as a Christian? What kind of words comes out of your mouth about this country? Do you spread hates and bitterness instead of love, peace and unity? Sing A&M 349; Abu 170

Food for Thought: What influence has your Christianity on your neighbours and neighbourhood?

Memory verse: Proverbs 11:11

Prayer: God make my Christianity influential on my neighbourhood in Jesus name. Amen.

No Excuse (I)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Sunday March 12, 2017

Topic: No Excuse (I)

Text: Revelation 2:1 – 7             

Today and in the next six days, we shall be looking at letters to the seven churches in Asia as we have in the book Revelation. This church at Ephesus had steadfastly refused to tolerate sin among its members. This was not easy in a city noted for immoral sexual practices associated with the worship of Artemis. God noted their patience, not bearing those who were evil and how they tested those who say they were apostles but were not. They were liars (Revelation 2:2).

He acknowledged them for their perseverance and not being wearied in their labours for Him (Revelation 2:3). Yet, He had something against them: They had left their first love for Him (Revelation 2:4). This was a church Paul once praised for their love for God and others (Ephesians 1:15). After the death of foundering members, the next-generation believers lost their zeal for God. They became a busy church to benefit themselves and the community, acting out of the wrong motives. The work for God motivated by love, last long.

We are also living in times of prevalent sin and sexual immorality. In our time, some people are open-minded to sin and calling them personal choices or alternative life-styles. Such societal influence should not be an excuse to join them. However, when the church begins to tolerate sin, it is lowering and compromising the standards set by Christ. Today, we have become too busy to attend church programmes and activities. This is evidence, that we, like the Ephesians, have lost our first love. The moral decadence in our society should not be an excuse to turn against God. That everybody is doing it doesn’t mean you should. Romans 2 verse 1 warns us.

Food for Thought: Have you lost your first love for God as a result of societal influence?

Memory verse: Revelation 2 verse 4

Prayer: Restore me to my first love for you, O God, and help me to reorder my motives in your service in Jesus name. Amen