Are You Known For Integrity? Devotion for Sunday May 17, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday May 17, 2020

Topic: Are You Known For Integrity?          

Text: Matthew 7: 15 – 20                           

One thing that prevents men from choosing the strait and narrow way that leads to heaven is false doctrine that guarantees them freedom to do whatever they like and to live the carnal life. We have so many of them today who believe that the teachings of Paul, Peter, John, etc, against homosexuals were wrong. Some of these false prophets brought the gay movement into the Church of God and even teach that masturbation, sex toy and pre-marital sex is not a sin.

This false teaching is the reason behind the warning Jesus gave in Matthew 7:15. You will know these false teachers by the way they drift from one position to another on doctrinal issues and the effects of their doctrines on growth in morality.

We cannot know the nature of a man, but his fruits (his deeds) will express and expose that nature quite clearly for us to understand. Therefore, the way to detect false prophets is by their deeds. The person’s speech will not always correspond to his true nature, as it is implied in Matthew 7:21.

Good teachers consistently exhibit good behaviour, integrity and high moral character as they attempt to live out the truths of Scripture. Every one of us is subject to sin, and we must show the same mercy to others that we need for ourselves.

When Jesus spoke about bad trees, he meant teachers who deliberately teach false doctrine. We must examine the teachers’ motives, the direction they are taking, and the results they are seeking. Those who should not be teaching will be recognizable by their fruit.

As Christians, we are teachers of the Bible by our words and action. Do we show integrity in all we do? That will give credence to our confession of faith. Let us be known for integrity and not falsehood and deceits.

Food for Thought: Matthew 3:10

Memory verse: Matthew 7:20

Prayer: My God and my Father, help me to develop virtue of integrity in my words and action before you and men in Jesus name.

Our Integrity Gives Credence To Our Christianity

Devotion for Saturday May 19, 2018

Topic: Our Integrity Gives Credence To Our Christianity

Text: Matthew 7: 15 – 20 

One thing that prevents men from choosing the strait and narrow way that leads to heaven is false doctrine that guarantees them freedom to live the way they want so they can fulfill their lustful desires. Today, there are many people who believe that the teachings of Paul, Peter, John, and other parts of the bible against homosexuals were wrong. Some of these false prophets brought the gay movement into the Church of God. This is the reason behind the warning Jesus gave in Matthew 7:15. You will know these false teachers by the way they drift from one position to another on doctrinal issues and the effects of their doctrines on morality. We cannot know the nature of a man until his fruits (his deeds) starts manifesting. Therefore, the way to detect false prophets is by their deeds. A person’s speech will not always correspond to his true nature (Matthew 7:21). Good teachers consistently exhibit good behaviour, integrity and high moral character as they attempt to live out the truths of Scripture. When Jesus spoke about bad trees, he meant teachers who deliberately teach false doctrine. We must examine the teachers’ motives, the direction they are taking, and the results they are seeking. Those who should not be teaching will be recognizable by their fruits. As Christians, we are teachers of the Bible by our words and action. Do we show integrity in all we do? If we do, that will give credence to our confession of faith. Let us be known for integrity and not for falsehood and deceits.

Sing SS&S 601

Food for Thought: Matthew 3:10

Memory verse: Matthew 7:20

Prayer: My God and my Father, help me to develop virtue of integrity in my words and action before you and men 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. 

GOD REWARDS INTEGRITY

DEVOTION FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2016

Topic: GOD REWARDS INTEGRITY         

Text: Proverbs 20 verse 7

In our devotion for yesterday, we saw that God spelt out the terms and conditions of the covenant He made with us even before we of the present day generation, were born. We also saw that walking under these terms and conditions brings blessings and walking against them leads to curses. When we walk according to the will of God, there are rewards for us. God rewards us according to our deeds (Roman 2:6) be it good or bad deeds.

Here in our scriptural reading for the day is also a promise that God will reward our integrity. Integrity means the ‘quality of being honest and upright in character.’ This is one quality see among early Christians. Unfortunately, integrity and honesty is lacking in our present day churches. If this is not so, why all the evil, corruption, frame up and lies that are rampant in our society? However, when anyone singles himself out and stand out, God will surely reward such person.

Can you mention and write down the names of up to three men/women of integrity that lived in your neighbourhood – dead or alive? What can you say about their children today? Can you see the reward of God upon their families? Is there any truth about God’s word manifesting there? Now can you also list three men/women who were not upright in our neighbourhood too? What is the condition of their children today? Can we say that these words of our text are true or false? Any Christian without integrity is a disgrace to his family, the Church, God Almighty and the world. Regrettably, there are many in society today who lack integrity and our generation are hailing them as achievers.

Before writing this devotion, I read online how members of United Methodist Church in Lagos drove their Pastor away because he impregnated his house maid and sent his wife packing. A pastor will kill, tell lies to extort money from people and commit all manner of evil, how much more ordinary members of his Church. Think of traders, civil servants, teachers, students, bus conductors and their drivers, car/motorcycle owner and their operators, can we find integrity among them? The list is endless. We have the testimony of Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:12 which is a challenge for us; the present day Christians. What does the society know you for; a fraudster, cheat or honest man/woman? Joseph is an example of man of integrity. If you remain upright and honest, God will reward you and your posterity.

Food for Thought: “To be honest as this world goes is to be one man picked out of a thousand”-Shakespeare.

Memory verse: Proverbs 20 verse 7

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to walk in integrity and I bind every spirit of dishonesty in my life in Jesus name.

MAINTAIN YOUR INTEGRITY: Devotion for Saturday September 24, 2016

MAINTAIN YOUR INTEGRITY: Devotion for Saturday September 24, 2016
Text: Job 27:1 – 6                  Memory verse: v 5
It was David that said in the book of Psalm that he knows his sins and his sins are ever before him. If we say that we don’t know whether we are righteous or not we are only trying to deceive ourselves. You can’t be a sinner without knowing that you are a sinner. We can only pretend that we are not but deep down in our hearts we know what we are. However, in the case of righteousness, we can claim based on what we know of ourselves but it is God who has the final say about us. His verdict is what counts at the end.
Job's friends who came to see him provoked him to speak, and he proceeded in a grave and useful manner to defend his integrity. That was as much as he knows himself. He was specific here about his integrity. By not putting away his integrity, Job means that, as he was conscious of having led an upright life, and of being still determined to do so despite the affliction he was going through which the friends claimed came from God as a punishment for his sins. Plainly, Job asserted that he will never acknowledge the justice of the accusations which his friends brought against him. The consciousness of our integrity will give us confidence in God and support us under any kind of trial. This was the basis of strength and peace Job enjoyed during the trial period.
In the midst of all the accusations, Job was able to declare that his conscience was clear. Only God’s forgiveness and the determination to live right before God can bring a clear conscience. Have you received that forgiveness from God which brings clear conscience? Job had to bring his record to bear as he was being accused of having sinned against God. Just like Job did, we can’t claim sinless lives, but we can claim forgiven lives. When we confess our sins to God, He forgives us. Then we can live with clear consciences (1 Jn. 1:9). Maintaining your integrity as a Christian in time of trials shows that you bear the fruit of the Spirit – Self control (Galatians 5:23). Do you maintain your integrity in times of trials; no food, when you are alone, when you are engaged and not wedded, when you don’t have money in your house and you come across money somewhere? Job is a challenge for us.
Food for Thought: “Subtlety may deceive you; integrity never will” – Oliver Cromwell.
Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to develop the virtue of integrity in me.

PRICE OF GOD’S GIFTS AND INTEGRITY: Devotion for Thursday May 19, 2016

PRICE FOR GOD’S GIFTS AND INTEGRITY: Devotion for Thursday May 19, 2016

Text: Genesis 39:7 – 19    Memory verse: v 19

God has never made mistake in blessing us. The way some people abuse these blessings and gifts, gives me cause for concern. If we abuse our gifts, we will pay dearly for it. Our beauty, blessings and gifts are snare to us because they will either make us or mar us. It forbids pride in it, and requires constant watchfulness against the temptation that attends it. On the other hand, we should have full control over our eyes, lest they infect our hearts. Potiphar’s wife couldn’t set off her eyes from Joseph in her husband’s house, lusting after Joseph (39:7). Because Joseph a handsome young man of honesty and integrity, he became a snare to Potiphar’s wife but he refused to consent to her request, frame up against him. He was subsequently imprisoned.

The frame up and imprisonment was the price Joseph paid for the gift of God in him. Many people have paid similar prices. Some fell into the hands of the devil and his agents. Some after the fall could not even summon courage to rise again. There is nobody gifted by God in terms of beauty, being handsome, intelligent, talented, etc, that hasn’t been tempted or will not be tempted. What matters is what should be your stand when tempted. Will you yield to their temptation because you want to avoid going to prison, being punished, etc? There is somebody using this devotion, who out of fear of being punished, refused to speak the truth as Potiphar’s wife did and somebody is suffering today. God requires you to go and make necessary restitutions. Despite the price Joseph paid, God was with him and he was loved and privileged above all other prisoners.

Food for Thought: Every gift and blessings from God has a price tag.

Prayer: Grant me the grace I need, O God, never to abuse your gift upon my life or become a stumbling block to other people because of their gifts.       

BE KNOWN FOR INTEGRITY: Devotion for Sunday May 8, 2016

BE KNOWN FOR INTEGRITY: Devotion for Sunday May 8, 2016

Text: Matthew 7: 15 – 20     Memory verse: v 20

One thing that prevents men from choosing the strait and narrow way that leads to heaven is false doctrine that guarantees them freedom and living carnal lives. We have so many of them today who believe that the teachings of Paul, Peter, John, etc, against homosexuals were wrong. Some of these false prophets brought the gay movement into the Church of God. This is the reason behind the warning Jesus gave in 7:15. You will know these false teachers by the way they drift from one position to another on doctrinal issues and the effects of their doctrines on growth in morality. We cannot know the nature of a man, but his fruits (his deeds) will express and expose that nature. Therefore, the way to detect false prophets is by their deeds. A person’s speech will not always correspond to his true nature, as it is implied in 7:21.

Good teachers consistently exhibit good behaviour, integrity and high moral character as they attempt to live out the truths of Scripture. Every one of us is subject to sin, and we must show the same mercy to others that we need for ourselves. When Jesus spoke about bad trees, he meant teachers who deliberately teach false doctrine. We must examine the teachers’ motives, the direction they are taking, and the results they are seeking. As Christians, we are teachers of the Bible by our words and action. Do we show integrity in all we do? That will give credence to our confession of faith. Let us be known for integrity and not falsehood and deceits.

Food for Thought: Matthew 3:10

Prayer: My God and my Father, help me to develop virtue of integrity in my words and action before you and men in Jesus name.

Pray and celebrate with Prisca Chimdifu Uzoma today as she marks her birthday.

THE DAY OF MANY TROUBLES: Devotion for Monday March 14, 2016

THE DAY OF MANY TROUBLES: Devotion for Monday March 14, 2016

Text: Job 1:13 – 19    Memory verse: v 19

In 1 Samuel chapter 3 is the story of how the Ark of God was captured by the Philistines when Eli was the Chief Priest. He also died with his two sons the same day. What a trouble for that family! As a family, where will they start mourning – three persons on the same day? That was a great loss to Israel and the family. We have heard how families had perished in inferno, accident, etc without any survivor. Families dying together may seem better in the eyes of men than for a man to have laboured for years, gathered wealth, had a family and just lose everything in a day. Some may even commit suicide. On the day of trouble, Satan unleashed his anger against Job in order to make him turn against God. He lost all his wealth, his children and properties. This was not even enough for Satan as he came back in Job chapter 2 to fight the more. When Job was being attacked, he never knew that it was his uprightness and integrity that attracted those troubles.

Most times we tend to believe that when we pass through troubles of life, it means that we have fallen out of favour with God. It is not true. The troubles all came upon Job at once; while one messenger of evil tidings was speaking, another followed (1:15, 16, 17 & 19). His dearest and most valuable possessions were his ten children; news is brought him that they are killed. So many people would have concluded that such calamities can only come on sinners. We should understand that in this world we will have troubles but in all, we should be of good cheer (Jn. 16:33) bearing in mind that God will make a way of escape for us (1 Cor. 10:13).

Food for Thought: “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” – Job 14:1

Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace and enablement to endure the troubles of life knowing that better things await me in heaven.

GROW UP: Devotion for Tuesday December 8, 2015

GROW UP      Tuesday December 8, 2015

Text: Ephesians 4:11 – 16    Memory verse: v 15

We ended our devotion yesterday with the admonition to grow up which is our topic for today. This is necessary because it is expected that at a point, a child should grow. Paul exhorts the Ephesians to take advantage of the gifts God has bestowed on them (4:11, 12) aimed at “The unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” This will make them not to behave like babes without proper understanding rather they will grow up.

This admonition is good for Christians of today. Many Christians are still tossed, to and fro. They don’t know what salvation is all about. Today they believe this and tomorrow, they throw it aside. As Christians, we must be committed to the truth. Our words should be honest and our actions should reflect Christ’s integrity. Speaking the truth in love is not always easy, convenient, or pleasant, but it is necessary if we will do Christ’s work effectively. Stand by and for the truth now and always.

Food for Thought: Truth, honesty and integrity are essentials for spiritual growth.

Prayer: Lord, grant to me these essentials for growth in Jesus name.