Job Did Not Disappoint God: Devotion for Tuesday, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday March 24, 2020

Topic: Job Did Not Disappoint God         

Text: Job 1:20 – 22    

Most times, we are fond of asking God why He allowed problems and troubles of life to come our way just like we have COVID-19 now. Many of us believe that no evil, sickness or problems of life should come our way. We all know that Christ’s suffering was His path to glory and severally in the scriptures, He intimated us that if He suffered, we shouldn’t expect anything less.

In our text, Job did not hide his overwhelming grief but he didn’t lose his faith in God; instead, his emotions showed that he was human and that he loved his family. Upon all these calamities, He did not charge God with acting unkindly towards him by asking God, Why me? Rather, he accepted all with faith. If Job had used hasty words against God (see Proverbs 8:36), he would have sinned and incurred the wrath of God and Satan would have seen reason to say that he was right. 

God created our emotions, and it is not sinful or inappropriate to express them as Job did. If you have experienced a deep loss, a disappointment, or heartbreak, admit your feelings to yourself and others, and grieve. Thereafter, pick yourself up and begin life again. God boasted about Job and despite the quick succession of calamities that came his way, he did not disappoint God.

Beloved, how do you handle the problems of life that confronts you? Do you accept everything because you wanted solution to your problem? Do you lose your faith simply because you are in another environment? Do you speak harshly and thereafter, you begin to regret? We should show maturity of faith when passing through trials of life. That is evidence of true Christianity.  

Food for Thought: We know true Christians during trials and temptation.

Memory verse: Job 1:22 

Prayer: Help me never to disappoint you O Lord when I am faced with temptation.

The Day of Many Troubles: Devotion for Monday March 23, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday March 23, 2020

Topic: The Day of Many Troubles                     

Text: Job 1:13 – 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. On that day he died with his two sons. What a trouble for that family! That was a day of many troubles for the family. Some people may opt for suicide on a day of many troubles.

On a day of many troubles, Satan unleashed his anger against Job in order to make him turn against God. He lost all his wealth, his children, investments and properties. All these was the result of God vouching for Job.

This was not even enough for Satan as he came back in 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 always true! The troubles all came upon Job at once; while one messenger of evil tidings was speaking, another followed (v15, 16, 17 and 19). His dearest and most valuable possessions were his ten children and they were killed.

Obviously, some people 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 (John 16:33) bearing in mind that God will make a way of escape for us (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Probably those troubles you have been passing through is the result of God vouching for you. Do not lose your faith in times of many trouble because God who allowed them will definitely grant you the grace to overcome all the troubles.         

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

Memory verse: v 19  

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

Can God Vouch for You? Devotion for Saturday March 21, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday March 21, 2020

Topic: Can God Vouch for You?                                  

Text: Job 1:6 – 12

If you are a Christian and God cannot be vouched for you, then your Christianity is a deceit. Before God can vouch for you as His child, you must have a constant fellowship with Him. He must see a desire for holiness and righteousness in your life.

We have in our text the story of how Satan came into the gathering of believers. His aim and target was Job. God knew him and all his thoughts and was quick to point it out to him. What does this Omniscience nature of God teach us about the ability of God to meet our needs?

Satan asserted that the blessings of God and hedge around Job are the reasons Job was serving Him (v10 & 11). Again God was quick to vouch for Job as we have in verse 8 and gave Satan the permission to touch his properties and not his soul (v12).     

God confidently pointed out the allegiance of his servant Job to Him. Satan’s response to God shows that he had scrutinised Job carefully. Do you know that Satan watches every moment of your life to find fault on how to accuse or attack you? Satan watches every Christian in order to find their weaknesses and turn them against God. However, can God vouch for you that you are not compromising, pretending, going to church but still loves sin and living in it, pompous and proud? Search yourself now!

Food for Thought: What can God say today about your Christianity?

Memory verse: v 8

Prayer: Make me faithful servant that you can vouch for, O Lord my God.

The Day Of Many Troubles

Devotion for Sunday April 8, 2018

Topic: The Day Of Many Troubles       

Text: Job 1:13 – 19 

After God had given Satan permission to tempt Job, he went and planned a serial attack on Job’s properties and family to happen in one day which would definitely bring Job to his knees and make him discredit God.  On that appointed day of trouble for Job, Satan unleashed his anger against him to make him turn against God and curse Him. 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 always true. The troubles came upon Job at once; while one messenger of evil tidings was speaking, another followed (Job 1:15, 16, 17 and 19). His dearest and most valuable possessions were his ten children; news came to Job in that same day that they had all been killed. So many people will conclude that such calamities can only come on sinners. This world offers nothing better than troubles, heartache and pain. But in all, we should be of good cheer (John 16:33) bearing in mind that God will make a way of escape for us (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Sing the hymn: When peace like a river attendeth my way - SS&S 901 Abu 191        

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

Memory verse: Job 1:19

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

Excuses Don’t Move God

Devotion for Thursday March 15, 2018

Topic: Excuses Don’t Move God

Text: Exodus 3:7 – 15                                 

Don’t you just hate it when people make excuses? Most of us do. Excuses mean that somebody is trying to avoid responsibility, some job or task that rightly belongs to that person but which he or she considers too inconvenient to do. On the surface the excuse may look right, but closer examination can reveal major flaws in the argument just as we have in the case of Moses in today’s bible reading.

Moses made excuses because he felt inadequate for the job that God asked him to do (Exodus 3:10ff). It was natural for him to feel that way, because he was inadequate all by himself. But God wasn’t asking Moses to work alone. He offered other resources to help (God himself, Aaron, and the ability to do miracles). God often calls us to perform tasks that seem too difficult, but He doesn’t ask us to do them alone. God offers us His resources, just as He did to Moses.

We should not hide behind our inadequacies, as Moses did, but look beyond ourselves to God’s great available resources. Then we can allow him to empower our unique contributions. What has God asked you to do? What excuses are you using to avoid this responsibility and work? Obey God by stepping out in faith. He will give you the resources to do His work.

Sing SS&S 601

Food for Thought: Do you hide behind your inadequacies to give excuses on why you shouldn’t do what God is asking you to do?

Memory verse: Exodus 3:11

Prayer: My God, make my inadequacies adequate for your services in Jesus name. Amen.

God Frustrates The Devices Of The Crafty

Topic: God Frustrates The Devices Of The Crafty

Text: Job 5:6 – 16

Crafty means using or involving cunning or trickery to deceive other people. What our topic for the day connotes is that no matter how much art and subtlety wicked men may lay their plots and ill designs, God does disappoints and baffles them, making them vain and of no effect. He exposes their designs in various ways and shows that He is the friend of the sincere and the honest; showing that He is worthy confidant of the His people. The hands of the enemy around your life will not carry out their plans because God will show up with His finger on your behalf (Exodus 8:19).

Eliphaz, Job’s friend had seen instances where the plans of the crafty, designing and artful people had been defeated, and where the straightforward had prospered and honoured. Thus he asserts it here in our text. Such cases led him to believe that God is the friend of virtuous and worthy to confide in. God works for the good of those who trust and obey Him and counter working the plots of the wicked.

You may have been asking when God will frustrate the plans of the enemies against your life. God is not asleep. He waits for His appointed time to act. The devices of the wicked men shall luckily meet with disappointment, just at the very time when they are ripe and ready for execution. It is not appropriate to ask God how He will frustrate the enemies; He knows best when to do it. Rather, we should trust Him to do it at His own time. It is my prayer that God will frustrate the plans of your enemies in Jesus name.

Food for Thought: Isaiah 8:10

Memory verse: Job 5:12

Prayer: Lord, frustrate every plan of the enemies against my life, my family and your church, in Jesus name.

Yes My Redeemer Lives

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday July 14, 2017

Topic: Yes My Redeemer Lives

Text: Job 19:25

If we ever hope to reap from God’s goodness and mercies, we must have a good knowledge of Him. Here in our text is Job’s creed or confession of faith - his belief in God the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and the principles of natural religion, had often professed. Job believed in a living Redeemer and looked for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Job made his confession of faith in steadfastness of his belief in God.

What do you confess in times of trouble? Do not forget that what you confess matters a lot because life and death are in the power of tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Even when you are questioned about what you confess, don’t stop saying it. It will produce result for you, so long as it is the promise of God.

Jesus Christ our near kinsman has redeemed us after our heavenly inheritance was mortgaged by sin. He has paid our debt, satisfied God’s justice for sin, and so has taken off the mortgage and made a new settlement of our inheritance. Jesus Christ is our living Redeemer. Though He died on the Cross, He rose again. Although Job had lost all his wealth and friends, he was not separated from Christ. He trusted God and spoke prophetically about the Redeemer and resurrection.

In that your sickbed, that problem or trouble, what is your relationship with Christ? Do you still see Him as your Redeemer? Do you serve God only when things are good and you back out on Him when trouble comes your way? What is your take about Jesus? Is He your Redeemer?

Food for Thought: Strong confidence in God supports the soul in the deepest afflictions and causes it to rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Memory verse: Job 19:25

Prayer: Lord, even when the world turns against me, help me to understand that you are there for me as my living Redeemer.       

Price of Godliness (Sickness)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday April 5, 2017

Topic: Price of Godliness (Sickness)

Text: Job 2:7 – 10

Yesterday we saw how Job lost all his possessions because Satan was not happy that God had blessed him because he was a godly man; blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. Today we have the story of how Satan came back to afflict him with a sickness doctors can’t describe. What was his sin for this affliction? He refused to give up his godly life. He refused to curse God.

Some people would have concluded that he was not really a godly man if not why will these serial attacks come upon him. The comment of his friends who came to him proves this. Some people said such about me when within a period of 4 years; I underwent kidney transplant operation two times and a heart operation also. If not that we are reading the story of Job, we wouldn’t have known what transpired between God and Satan before the problem started.

If living a godly life can attract such persecution and trials, do we avoid godliness? No! What we stand to gain far more outweigh the immediate pains (2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18). Our body may wear away but our soul which will return to God is what matters. Job understood this too well when he said that he knows his Redeemer lives and that he shall see God even after his skin has been destroyed (Job 19:25 – 27). What an expression of faith! Job was a man of faith who confessed the resurrection of the dead. If we have such understanding as Job had, we will not fear sickness and death; rather sickness and fear of death will draw us closer to God.

Food for Thought: Job 19:25 – 27

Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 4:17

Prayer: Grant me the grace I need, O Lord, never to deny you in time of sickness in Jesus name.

Price Of Godliness (Loss Of Possessions)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday April 4, 2017

Topic: Price Of Godliness (Loss Of Possessions)

Text: Job 1:13 – 22       

Job 1:1 gives us a description of Job. He was a godly man; blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. For this reason, God made a hedge round him and all he had. This didn’t go down well with Satan who appeared in the presence of God to accuse Him for blessing Job. This conversation between God and Satan teaches us an important fact about God. He is aware of every attempt by Satan to bring suffering and difficulty upon us.

God knew Job and what Job can do. God vouched for him and when Satan was not satisfied, He permitted Satan to tempt Job but not to take his soul. The first series of attack was loss of his possessions including his children simply because God had blessed him and he was godly man; blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.

While God may allow us to suffer for a reason beyond our understanding, He is always compassionate with us. Job had lost his possessions and family in this first of Satan’s tests, but he reacted rightly toward God by acknowledging God’s sovereign authority over everything God had given him. Satan lost this first round. Job passed the test and proved that people can love God for who He is, not for what He gives to them.

Have you taken time to analyze that problem you are going through; that loss of job, loss of your benefactor, loss of car, etc? It may be a test of your faith and commitment towards God. It may be that Satan wants to use it to distract you. Never give up. Loss of possessions shouldn’t distract our focus on God.

Food for Thought: Love and passion for possession can make us deny God if they are destroyed as a trial of our faith.

Memory verse: Job 1 verse 21

Prayer: Lord God, may I not love possessions more than you in Jesus name. 

Don’t Give Up Until It Is Over

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday March 1, 2017

Topic: Don’t Give Up Until It Is Over

Text: Job 14:14

I watched a penalty shoot-out between two football teams. The last player in team B, came kicked the ball and it hit at the cross bar, went up and fell inside the 18 yards box. The boy who played the penalty held his head mourning. The goalkeeper of the team A left the post; ran to his teammates and they were rejoicing. The referee kept calm watching the ball as it was bouncing and rolling inside and 18yards box.

After about a minute, the ball rolled into the net and the referee blew his whistle to the astonishment of both teams. The boy that played the ball had thought it was over and the keeper also thought it was over but they were all surprised because it was not over.

Job was prophetic when he said he will wait till change will come. Though he had lost all, he was still hopeful for a change. He was full of assurance that God will restore him and God did at the end (Job 42:10 – 12).

Many people have lost opportunities to mount the rostrum for recognition because they gave up at the time they would have been recognised. Some abandoned their studies because they thought they can’t make it; some their businesses, craft, calling, etc. It is not over with you. Therefore don’t give up. We have heard stories of women giving birth for the first time at over fifty years. Why give up trial and believing God for your own child? Why give up in that third attempt to secure admission into the university? As you keep on believing God in this new month, I assure you of your breakthrough in this new month. Happy New Month!

Food for Thought: Don’t give up now. You are closer to success, fulfilment and recognition. Just take the next step or make another effort.

Memory verse: Job 14 verse 14 

Forget Your Misery

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday February 15, 2017

Topic: Forget Your Misery

Text: Job 11:16

You can’t do anything about the past, but you can do something about your future. All you need to do is to forget your misery and look up to God for intervention. Job's misery was extreme, and it seemed as if he could never forget it. He never did forget the fact of it, but he did forget the pain of it. There is nothing better that can happen to our misery than forgetting it in the sense referred to here in our text.

When we are in pain of body or depression of spirit, we imagine that we never shall forget such misery as we are enduring. But when God turns towards us with mercy and we are restored to health or uplifted from depression of spirit, we no longer remember, except as a thing that has passed and gone, to be recollected with gratitude. These words of Zophar in our text were prophetic. It later came to pass when God restored all that Job lost. There is also consolation from the future just as Hebrews 12:11 truly say.

Our text can be fulfilled in our lives by the lapse of time. Time is a wonderful healer. Remember how Job forgot his misery when, in a short time, he had double as much of all that he possessed (Job 42:10). When the Lord turns your captivity, you will be like them that dream. They woke up; their dream is all gone, they have completely forgotten it. So it will be with your misery. It will be gone and gone forever as God will remember you this season.

Food for Thought: Dwelling on the past denies us the opportunity of making progress into the future.

Memory verse: Job 11 verse 16 - You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.

Prayer: Intervene in my life, O Lord, that I may forget my pain and misery.

Do Your Best All The Time For Someone Is Watching

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - Do Your Best All The Time For Someone Is Watching

Dear friends, as you start this working week, never think in your mind that you are only doing well to your employer by being dedicated and committed to duty. In fact, you are doing yourself more good than your employer when you are dedicated to duty. Unfortunately, many people do have such understanding. When we have the understanding, we will realise that they are much advantages in it more than what we think we would lose by being committed and dedicated to duty.    

Sometime ago, a prospective couple came to me for pre-marital counselling. The man Awele was a young entrepreneur while the lady, Ngozi was a banker. When I asked how they met and what attracted them to one another, the man was the first to speak and he said, "Each time I come into the banking hall, her commitment and dedication toward her job were outstanding. She takes her work as if it is her personal business. After I had observed her for some time, it dawn on me that she is a responsible woman that can be a wife and make a good home. I book a date with her and from there it all started."

When that lady was busy in her job, she never knew that somebody was watching her. All she had in mind was how to be her best in her job and find satisfaction in it. At the end, she found more than satisfaction. She found love, a good home and a lovely husband.

There is another story I shared in my book MY DRIVE TO LEGENDARY STATUS. It was the story of a woman, Chioma who works in CITY DELIGHT CENTRE, a place where they sale drinks, roasted meat (suya), sharwama, and pepper soup. Any time she is on duty, the centre makes more money because of the way she welcomes and attends to customers. Most of the customers noticed her dedication to duty; her commitment, her services and ways of attending to customers and some approached her with the request to withdraw her from there to their businesses with double salary of what she was receiving but severally she refused and for five consecutive years, the CITY DELIGHT CENTRE kept increasing her salary to ward off offers from other places. To her, it was not the salary that kept her there but the privilege to mentor people and make friends.      

Dear brothers and sisters, as you start this week, give yourself more to your work. Don't think that the work you are employed to do belong to someone else and therefore you can behave the way you like. The best way to find joy and peace in your work is to see that job/business as your job or business. Until you begin to see the job you do as your personal job, you won't give yourself more to it and you can never find satisfaction in it.

The Chioma I mentioned earlier, saw the CITY DELIGHT CENTRE as her personal business and she benefitted so much from the goodwill of people towards her more than the salary she receives (You need to read that book – MY DRIVE TO LEGENDARY STATUS. Use your job as a teacher, lecturer, doctor, nurse, waiter, pastor, sales representative, etc to mentor people. Make positive impact on them and you will never regret it.

As you go out to your personal business or job as an employee, ensure you do your best all the time because someone is watching you. You may not immediately reap the benefits of your commitment and dedication to duty but certainly, a day of reckoning is at hand. God will remember and reward you accordingly. ALWAYS BE THE BEST YOU CAN THIS WEEK AND THE DAYS AHEAD.

Have a great week!

Your Friend,

Tabugbo      

Reasons Behind Trials

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday January 29, 2017

Topic: Reasons Behind Trials

Text: Deuteronomy 8:1 – 3  

There are reasons God allows us to pass through tests and trials. We don’t go through them without a purpose. In the book of Job, we saw that all the problems, losses and sickness that came upon Job were to test his fidelity unto God because He had boasted to Satan that Job was ever faithful to Him. When Job was going through them, he never knew that what came upon him were tests. He endured them to the shame of Satan, thereby proving God faithful. Thereafter, God restored all that he lost.

The trial of Job is an eye opener for us never to become unfaithful to God when we are in problem. We should remain focused because God may have allowed that problem; death of a benefactor, sickness, gang up against you in the office, etc, as a way of trying our faith.

In our text, Moses told the Israelites that they should remain faithful and obedient to God because when He took them through the wilderness, it was aimed at humbling them so as to know what was in their hearts, whether they would keep His commandments or not. In the process of humbling them, He allowed them to go hungry, and fed them with manna which they didn’t know nor did their fathers know. This issue of manna was to make them know that man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Remember the case of Paul in 2 Corinthians 12: 7 – 9. That problem made Paul not to exalt himself above measure. All we pass through in life are for lessons and experiences; go through them faithful and God will certainly reward you at the end.

Food for Thought: God permits tribulations to come upon us which He turns to our advantage and to the glory of His name.

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 8 verse 3 - And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Prayer: God, turn tribulations I am facing to my advantage and to your praise, and glory in Jesus name. Amen.

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.

BE THE SPOUSE IN NEED: Devotion Friday September 23, 2016

BE THE SPOUSE IN NEED: Devotion Friday September 23, 2016

Text: Job 2:9 – 10              Memory verse: v 10

As I was writing yesterday’s devotion, God ministered to me about the reaction of Job’s wife here by referring me to what happened between Jesus and Peter in Matt 16:21–23, the late opposed the former after announcing that He will be crucified, buried and after three days, resurrect. When Satan and his agents want to tempt someone, they usually use a close friend or ally. This was the reason he used Judas, a disciple of Jesus Christ to betray his Master. If it were any of His accusers like the Pharisees or Sadducees, it would have been hard to get Him. Watch out because it is always the rat in house that tells the one outside where there is fish in the house. This should be a lesson for us that not all who oppose us actually hate us.

Satan was actually bent on destroying Job. After he had tried every other means at his disposal and could not succeed in getting Job to discredit and curse God, he decided to go through his wife. His thought was that his wife could easily make him angry. His aim was to use his wife to achieve what he could not achieve. This incident between Job and the wife is a lesson for us that sometimes Satan is a lesson that when suddenly someone in love with us suddenly changes and attacks us, we should know that Satan is at work to separate two of you.  

The area of concentration in this devotion is our attitude to our spouses in time of need. The mention of Job’s wife was in the chapter two. Nothing was said about her again. Probably, she left Job in his distress but we weren’t told he remarried.  

During matrimony, spouses made vows like this:  “I take you to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death according to God’s holy law. This is my solemn vow.” Why do some bolt out of it when problem arises? Do you belong to the group that will want to bolt away from your marital vows? Think twice. God hates divorce. You should be with your spouse in time of need too because that is the vow you have made. Breaking it is a sin against God.

Food for Thought: Are you a spouse or friend in need and indeed?

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep to the vows I have made in my relationship so I will become a spouse/friend in need and indeed.

SATAN IS NEVER SATISFIED: Devotion for Thursday September 22, 2016

SATAN IS NEVER SATISFIED: Devotion for Thursday September 22, 2016

Text: Job 2:7 – 8                   Memory verse: Job 2 verse 7

The story in Job chapters 1 and 2 shows that Satan is never satisfied with tempting us especially when we remain resolute and unyielding to his trials and temptations. He afflicted Job and then tempted to make a bad use of his affliction but God restrained him. Satan can only tempt a child of God but can never bring him to a total ruin. The affliction on Job was so severe that Satan thought Job will curse God as he used his wife to say so. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t know that severity of affliction cannot change the views and understanding of a true Christian about God.

Satan’s aim in all these trials, temptations and affliction is to make Job never to worship God again. This is usually the primary aim of Satan in tempting us. He attacks us so we can discredit God. But a true Christian cannot do that just as Job didn’t succumb to Satan’s attack. In all that Job went through, he humbled himself under the mighty hand of God, and brought His mind to his condition. This is an example and challenge for us. We should not be so troubled by the problems and afflictions of life that we forget God.

Beloved, the words of Christ in John 15:19–21 and John 16:33 about temptations and trials are true. As long as we remain in this world, Satan will always attack us. We can’t be immune from his attacks and temptations. No wonder the words in Rev. 12:12. He has now increased the tempo of his attacks because time is short for him. According to Family Bible Notes, “His (Job) disease is generally regarded to have been a malignant and painful species of leprosy.” This was to make people steer clear of him but despite all these, Job was not moved. This is a big challenge for us. We should not be moved by the intensity of trials because there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Food for Thought: The aim of Satan’s attack on us is for us to discredit God. Therefore, do not give in to his attacks.  

Prayer: As I have resolved to serve you, O Lord my God, make me resolute in that resolution no matter the temptations of the enemies in Jesus name.

AN EXCUSE TO ATTACK: Devotion for Wednesday September 21, 2016

AN EXCUSE TO ATTACK: Devotion for Wednesday September 21, 2016

Text: Job 2:1 – 6                Memory verse: Job 2 verse 4

Despite the calamities that befell Job in Job chapter one, he still persevered in yielding unreserved and faithful obedience to God. That is what sincere Christianity is all about. A true is never disheartened and discouraged by trials and temptations. Rather he uses the opportunity to draw closer to God and to draw from Him more grace and mercies.

True Christianity has been proved a thousand times to be genuine among so many Christians, yet Satan and his agents still insist that it is all hypocrisy and selfishness. This was how they also accused us in my village of playing hypocrisy and falsehood in our Evangelical Fellowship in Anglican Communion (EFAC). They claimed that we wanted to secede and to build a church for ourselves.

To show and prove that these are all but falsehood, God sometimes allows Satan to attack us with calamities, while He sustains us with His grace. The essence of this is to silence the objections of Satan and foolish men who take joy in ridiculing Christianity and our faith. Have you been challenged once? How did God confront them to silence them? Share your testimony if you are studying as a group.  

Here, Satan here renews his accusation of selfishness against Job. He submitted that health was of greater importance to man than wealth and thus when Job’s health is at stake, he will deny God. .  It is true he has lost his property and his children, but his person yet remains unharmed. For this reason, Satan came again insisting that should God touch his skin and health, he will renounce his allegiance to God, and blaspheme his name. Unfortunately he was also proven wrong.

Satan has one excuse/accusation or another why he attacks a child of God. These excuses are purely God’s blessings and talents in us. It may be your money/wealth, knowledge, beauty, position in office, your children, your health, etc. We should understand that when the blessings of God are upon us, it will always attract temptations and trials from Satan and his agents. We should not be deterred by the temptations of the devil to the extent that we curse God and deny Him. These trials and temptations are for some time. They will soon end. We should be resolute in our Christianity and faith when trials come our ways (James 1:12).

Food for Thought: Matthew 10:22

Prayer: God, as Satan and men envy your blessings upon my life and thus plan evil against me, may I not yield to their trials to turn against you.

YET, I WILL TRUST HIM: Devotion for Tuesday September 20, 2016

YET, I WILL TRUST HIM: Devotion for Tuesday September 20, 2016

Text: Job 13:13 – 23      Memory verse: Job 1 verse 15

Only those who are fools blame God for their woes and eventually turn their backs against Him. Luke 20:18, says "Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder." This verse is true of what will be our portion if we break out of our relationship with God. He will crush us with His anger if we try to strive with Him (see Isaiah 49:5).

If we run from Him, we are in trouble. If He hides His face, we are also in trouble. Therefore, no matter the situation in life we should keep following and trusting Him for that is the best thing for us. Contending with your maker will only amount to more troubles and problems of life. This is the mind of Job here. Job and his friends thought that his problem was from God as an affliction for his sins. But Job resolved to cleave to the testimony his own conscience gave of his uprightness and also steadfastly trust God for salvation despite all he was going through. He relied on God for justification as he had been accused by his friends and salvation because it was only God who could deliver him from the problems facing him.

When we show great confidence in God in times of trials, temptations, troubles and problems we pass through, it will certainly turn out as our greatest safeguard in those times of trials, troubles, temptations and problems of life. Job sees God as his source of salvation (Job 13:16). He didn’t say there is no more God because of the problems of life he was passing through even when the wife pressured him into doing such. This is a great lesson for us. No matter the problems of life we may be going through, it shouldn’t lead us into turning our backs against God or else we will worsen our situations. We should keep on trusting Him. Job did and was rewarded at the end. If you do, you will certainly be rewarded.

Food for Thought: Psalm 23:4

Prayer: Grant me the grace, my Lord and my God, to trust and depend on you no matter the problems of life I may be passing through in Jesus name. Amen.

THERE IS ALWAYS JOY AFTER WEEPING: Devotion for Sunday September 18, 2016

THERE IS ALWAYS JOY AFTER WEEPING: Devotion for Sunday September 18, 2016

Text: Psalm 30:1 – 5           Memory verse: v 5

When a doctor gives you a shot (injection) in the hospital during treatment, it is always painful but thereafter, those shots will be a great source of relief. Likewise a woman who is in labour, she will almost cry out her eyes and writhe in pain as if that is the end of life for her (John 16:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Revelation 12:2). But when that child comes out, she will become happy on seeing her baby. These are some of the ways to explain Psalm 30:5.

God is always gracious to us. His providence is seen in our daily lives. For this reason, these graces and providences we enjoy on daily basis should endear us to Him to always show our gratitude (Psalm 30:1–4) for all we receive. David alludes in this Psalm 30:5 that dispensations of God's chastisement ordered against his children are but short judgments. They don’t last forever or for a long time as God removed them when we show real repentance and ask for pardon.

We saw in that past few days how Job was afflicted. His case was not chastisement but a trial and test of faithfulness towards God. With the ways those serial attacks came upon him, no one expected him to last longer than he did. We know what became of him at the end. This is a great lesson for us. David used this Psalm as he dedicates his house to testify and encourage us to realise that there is no problem that lasts forever, and that when we call upon God, He will answer us.

Beloved brothers and sisters, I don’t know what you maybe going through at this moment. Maybe you are passing through problems like sickness, no job, problem in your marriage, chastisement, loss as a result of current economic crises, problem in your office, imprisonment, etc; I want you to know that there is no problem without an end or a solution. There is always a change when we allow God to come in and when He does, it ends with joy. As you invite him to come into your problem, that problem plaguing you for some time now will lead to joy in Jesus name. Keep believing in Him for your breakthrough, healing, favour, promotion, etc.

Food for Thought: Isaiah 54:7 and 8

Prayer: Use 2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18 to pray

STORMS OF LIFE: Devotion for Friday September 16, 2016

STORMS OF LIFE: Devotion for Friday September 16, 2016

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

Storm when used as a noun or verb is always in the negative. It means violent weather, outburst of feelings, attack vehemently, etc. From creation, Man had experienced all forms of storm of life. Because it is always in the negative, people use the term to express problems of life. These include sickness, death, frustration, abuse, effects of war, famine, lack, delayed conception, failure in examination, collapse of business, etc.

From the time of Adam through Abraham our father in faith, Job, Ruth, Hannah, Zachariah and Elizabeth down to the Apostles, Paul and to the present day Christians, we have records of people going through the storms of life. I have had my own share of storms of life. I captioned my own share of the storms of life, THE BATTLE FOR LIFE.

Here is a record of what came to Job in a single day. Go through verses 13 to 19 and count what he lost in a day. All his life time labours vanished instantly. He lost his children, possessions, houses, etc. It takes a real man of faith to bear this. Job endured this because he knew God he serves who could not suffer His children to pass through what they cannot bear. I know of a priest whose child died and he locked up the corpse at home and went to church. It was after service he informed his members about the death of his son.

Satan is the architect of all storms of life. God may allow them as trial of our faith. There are some things storms of life can do in our lives. It is either for or against us. It helps us to draw closer to God (Job 13:15) and it makes us to depend on Him. Storms of life can be against us because they can weaken our faith; making us doubt God, or distract us from the right track. What storms are you passing though? Know that it is part of what we will pass through in life. Therefore, pass through without losing your faith in God.

Food for Thought: There is no son of God without trials and there is no trial we overcome that does not have crown.

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to endure temptation because it will bring crown of life for me at the end in Jesus name (James 1:12).