Best Ways To Bear Worthy Fruits

Devotion for Wednesday January 3, 2018

Topic: Best Ways To Bear Worthy Fruits

Text: Luke 3:10 – 14

The question the people of Jerusalem, all Judea, and the entire region around the Jordan asked John is what all meaningful Christians should ask God at the beginning of the year like this which is "what shall we do then?" The question they asked John is similar to what we have in Acts 2:37. John had to enumerate some of the areas people of diverse professions commit sin against God and humanity. He mentioned acts of charity (Kindness to the needy), honesty and sincerity among tax collectors in collecting taxes. He also charged soldiers to stop intimidating people or accusing them falsely, and to be contented with their wages. A closer look at John’s answers in Luke 3:11 – 14 gives a clear picture of our present day society. Can you do a comparison with your society? Some people have decided to be doing these and many other crimes despite the word of God they preach and hear. Their reasons are that a labourer deserves his wages and their salaries have not been paid. Beloved, you have no excuse to extort money from people or falsify scales to make gains. These are attributes of unbelievers. It should not be seen or heard among believers. If you had been in it, repent today. God expects us to bear good fruits for Him. We can only do it through righteousness and not through deceit if we hope to benefit from His blessings for us. Sing A&M 361; Abu 128

Food for Thought: One of the first demands of religion is to be good and it is the best way to show that our repentance is not feigned.

Memory verse: 1 John 3:17

Prayer: Lord God, grant that I will bear fruits worthy of my repentance in Jesus name. Amen

Mahlon And Chillion - Sickly And Dying

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday January 13, 2017

Topic: Mahlon And Chillion

Text: Ruth 1:2                  

Yesterday we read about the main theme behind the book Ruth which is famine. We also saw that Elimelech was not the first in the Scriptures to flee from the land afflicted by famine. Today, we have in our text the nativity of Elimelech and the names of members of his family. They are from Ephrathites-Bethlehem otherwise called Ephratha.

The name Elimelech means “My God is King,” while Naomi signifies
“My amiable, delight or pleasant one.” But the names of their children are worthy of note because it teaches us some lessons concerning the name we bear. Names are very significant in what we become or the way we behave in future.

Mahlon and Chillion signify “Sickness and consumption.” This shows that probably they were sickly children (sickle cell anaemia), and not likely to live long. They were seen as weak and infirm, fading and dying, and their parents gave them such names.

Most parents give names to their children as a reminder of what they have passed through before they were born. We can recall that of Jabez, Ichabod, etc. All these are not good names because they have ways of affecting the children in future. Some names can affect the way we live and behave just like Nabal (1 Sam 25:25) who acts foolishly because his name means foolishness.

Unfortunately, just as their names were, Mahlon and Chillion died in Moab without accomplishing anything simply because they were called sickly and dying, and it was eventually so. We should be mindful of the names we bear as it can make us or mar us. We shouldn’t bear names that will destroy our bright future. On the other hand, parents should give names that show faith, praise and joy of the Lord to their children. This will bring blessings upon our children more than the likes of Mahlon and Chillion.

Food for Thought: Your name affects what you eventually become in life either good or bad.

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 2 - And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chillion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Prayer: God, I dedicate my name to you that I will live it out to your praise and glory in Jesus name. Amen.

WEEP NOT: Devotion for Monday August 22, 2016

WEEP NOT: Devotion for Monday August 22, 2016

Text: Revelation 5 verses 1 – 5         

Memory verse: Revelation 5 verse 5

John the beloved saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, a scroll sealed with seven seals. This represented the secret purposes of God about to be revealed which no one could know except God, and those to whom He should reveal them. John wept because he knew that the unopened scroll would mean that the closing scene of history could not begin; thus, evil would continue unabated on the earth, and there would be no future for God’s people. However, one of the elders (Revelation 4 verses 4 and 10) told John not to weep any longer, because someone was worthy to open the scroll; the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.

The Messiah, Jesus Christ, has proved Himself worthy by living a perfect life of obedience and total submission to the will of God by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. Rising from the dead, He demonstrated His power and authority over evil and death. Only Christ conquered sin, death, hell, and Satan. So He is the only one that can open the scroll and break its seven seals, setting in motion the forces that will bring about the final destruction of all evil. Until the seals are broken and content of the scroll revealed, evil and death would not be destroyed. This means that evil and death will continue to dominate over man. This was the reason why Apostle John the beloved wept.

This story should be a source of consolation for us when we are faced with challenges and we weep because we feel there is no way out. We should remember that Jesus Christ has conquered and He alone is the one who can save us from all problems of life. Beloved, weep no more because of that problem, sickness, etc. There is hope because Christ has prevailed.

Food for Thought: Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. No matter the circumstances you pass through, have the hope and consolation that it is not forever. Deliverance, rescue, healing, favour and salvation will certainly come your way.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for conquering sin, death, Satan and hell, and you are able to solve my problems. Remember me at the point of my needs.

SHOWERS OF BLESSING

SHOWERS OF BLESSING        Thursday June 18, 2015

Text: Ezekiel 34:23 – 26               Memory verse: v 26

Rain is a covenant blessing (Leviticus 26:4; Deuteronomy 28:12). Rain seldom fell in Judea except at two seasons--the former rain at the end of autumn, the seed time; and the latter rain in spring, before the beginning of harvest (compare Jeremiah 5:24). Ezekiel affirms that the Jews and Zion, God’s hill (Psalms 2:6), were to be sources of blessing not only to themselves but to the surrounding heathen nations as well (Isaiah 19:24; 56:6, 7; 60:3; Micah 5:7; Zechariah 8:13). 

This promise shows God’s care; not only for the righteous but the unrighteous too (compare Matthew 5:45). The essence of this promise is in Ezekiel 34:27ff. This shows the kind of concern God has for us. It also confirms the words of Jeremiah 29:11. It was this text that was used to write Christian Life Hymnal 342 – There shall be showers of Blessings.

Beloved, God did not create us to abandon us. He knows our needs and ever willing to meet our needs. His desire is to give us the best that will make us serve Him better. Unfortunately, Satan has succeeded in making some of us feel that the best for us is in the world. Our best is not in this world because Satan has corrupted it and God is preparing a place for us. Are you ready to possess it? Showers of blessings God will pour on us are not only in rain but in all things lawful and needful. The only condition to receive them is by faith and obedience. Are you obedient enough and do you have the faith?

Food for Thought: Christian Life Hymnal 342 – There shall be showers of Blessing.

Prayer: Lord, release upon me showers of blessings as promised in Jesus name.