GOD EXALTED HIM: Devotion for Monday September 7, 2015

GOD EXALTED HIM       Monday September 7, 2015

Text: Acts 5:26 – 32                                       Memory verse: v 31    

The continued threat of imprisonment was restated (5:26 – 28) by the Jewish leaders. The disciples responded that they will rather obey God than men (5:29). At the heart of Peter’s response to the Jewish leaders, he notified them that Jesus has been exalted to God’s right hand, justifying their belief and witnesses (5:29 – 32; compare 2:33 – 35). The end of his response implied that the religious leaders were not obeying God because they did not believe in Jesus as Messiah (5:32).

Jesus suffered for us and was exalted. This implies that when we suffer with Him, we will also be exalted together. Again we should not be intimidated into denying our faith. We should be bold enough to speak out for Christ anywhere and anytime. We shouldn’t allow opposition to shut us up to compromise our faith. Be courageous for Christ. Note the warning in Matthew 16:24 – 28.

Action: Today, speak out for Jesus. Tell someone about the love of God today.

Prayer: God, grant me boldness to speak about the exalted Christ to others.

THEY MADE MOCKERY OF ME Sunday August 30, 2015

THEY MADE MOCKERY OF ME      Sunday August 30, 2015

Text: Psalm 22:7, 8                         Memory verse: v 7, 8

On Thursday, we saw how the Psalmist complained bitterly. Here we have more of his compliant about mockery. This Psalm alludes to Christ and all He suffered in the hands of Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers. The conduct of the Jews towards our Lord, when He hung upon the cross was here prophesied. But our scriptural reading is also true of the insults which David suffered from Shimei and others during the rebellion of Absalom. Whichever it may be, there is obvious fact that the righteous is always mocked by unbelievers.

A man asked for a lady’s hand in marriage but the lady chose to obey God. She had delayed conception and when the man saw her, he made mockery of her that nothing has happened after 10 years of marriage. But today, the lady is a proud mother of twins. This is God! Are people making mockery of your present situations and predicaments? Never mind them. Your God will arise for your sake in Jesus name. We look forward to your testimony.

Food for Thought: Mockery can challenge us into action (1 Samuel 1:1 – 11).  

Prayer: By your mercies O Lord, turn every mockery against me to blessing