Love’s Article of Faith: Devotion for Saturday, February 15, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday, February 15, 2020

Topic: Love’s Article of Faith  

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7

Yesterday we talked about Love. In our bible reading for the day, Paul goes further to explain what Love really means which I have termed Love’s Article of faith or creed. Creed means set of principle. Because love is so important among the believers, Paul described love in detail. First of all, love is patient, the opposite of being short-tempered. Patience (sometimes translated “long-suffering” or “slow to anger”) is an attribute of God (see Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Romans 2:4; 1 Peter 3:20).

In many places, we are called upon to be patient (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:14). Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Real love bears with certain annoyances or inconveniences without complaint. It does not lose its temper when provoked. It steadily perseveres amidst trials.

Love is also kind. Kindness takes the initiative in responding generously to others’ needs. Because we have received kindness, we ought to act with kindness toward others too. Real love is considerate and helpful to others. Love is gentle and mild; always ready to show compassion, especially to those in need. Love is not jealous. A jealous person desires what another person has and it leads to envy. Love is not boastful or proud.

While some believers may have a problem with envy, those with the ‘greater’ gifts might have a problem with boasting or pride. Gifted believers who are caught up in pride and boasting over their gifts don’t serve well. Without love, they may feel that by using their gifts, they are doing someone a favor, that others should be grateful to them, and that they are far superior. It is this kind of love Paul described here that we need in our hearts to serve God and our neighbours.

Food for Thought: Do you have this real love in your heart?

Memory verse: 1 Peter 4:8

Prayer: God, sow in my heart genuine love for you and my neighbours.

Our Kindness Rebounds To Us

Devotion for Saturday February 24, 2018

Topic: Our Kindness Rebounds To Us

Text: 2 Samuel 9:1 – 7

Naturally, most kings will try to wipe out the families of their rivals to the throne in order to prevent any descendants from seeking that throne.  But the case of David was different as he showed kindness to Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. David was kind, partly because of his loyalty to God’s previously anointed king (see 1 Samuel 24:5-6) and mainly because of his vow to show kindness to all of Jonathan’s descendants (1 Samuel 20:14 – 17). David did not forget the love and sacrifice Jonathan showed him by willingly supporting his ascension to the throne of his father Saul. Do you forget the mercies God and people show you? In the midst of numerous affairs, cares and worries of life, we are apt to forget the gratitude we owe, and some engagements we have to undertake, not only to our friends, but to God Himself. Yet people who are really godly will have no rest until they have discharged their vows and attend to their engagements. David made inquiry because he knew he owed a great deal of responsibility to the family of Jonathan in particular. The kindness he showed David came back to his son. God is ever faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. We can show kindness for love we have received from God by being more dedicated and committed to His service and that of humanity. We should always pray for those who have shown us love. When we do this, God will bless them and us, the more. Sing SS&S 798; Abu 239

Food for Thought: Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together – Goethe.

Memory verse: 2 Samuel 9:1

Prayer: God, may I ever be grateful for the love I have received from you and from people.

Giving Is Source Of Abundance

Devotion for Saturday January 27, 2018

Topic: Giving Is Source Of Abundance

Text: Luke 6:30 – 38

Generosity in giving of material goods as well as love, compassion, and forgiveness of others will result in returned generosity from God and men to us in the same measure. Jesus wants us to be merciful and loving, not selfish or spiteful. He is against retaliation and the concept of an eye-for-an-eye recompense for wrongdoing. The illustration here is of blessings being returned in a bushel basket, filled to the brim, pressed down and shaken together to make room for more, then running over.

Jesus wants our measure of mercy and kindness to overflow. Those who give easily will find goodness coming back to them. Those who are stingy and reluctant givers will receive in the same way. Jesus assures that the recompense will be in good measure, pressed down shaken together and running over to accommodate more. Being liberal is the way to riches; giving is the best and surest way of thriving.

The woman of Zarephath gave her last and that opened doors of abundance for her. Beloved, if you want to live in abundance this year, plan and give; give to genuine needy people, widows, destitute, the Levites and others who will not return or recompense your good deeds. Surely, your reward will be great. Start today by giving what you have to that person that will ask for it.

Sing A&M 361; Abu 128

Food for Thought: God has given us two hands-one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing. – Billy Graham

Memory verse: Luke 6:38

Prayer: Lord, teach me how to give because it is a way to make me look like you, the giver of all things in Jesus name. Amen. 

The Severity and Goodness of God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday July 17, 2017

Topic: The Severity and Goodness of God

Text: Romans 11:22

Severity in this context means strictness or sternness. God in His powers and wisdom decided to put Israel aside for a time and offer salvation through faith to the world. This was a severe act but it was done in judgement to those that disobeyed (Romans 9:32 – 33). He has shown kindness to the Gentiles believers but Gentile believers must continue to trust in His kindness.

Trusting in His kindness refers to steadfast perseverance in faith. They should continually and penitently depend on Christ. Steadfastness is a proof of the reality of faith. If Gentile believers do not continue in perseverance in faith, they will be cut off, just as the natural branches (Israel) were cut off because of unbelief. God’s sternness (severity) was demonstrated to show us that faith was not automatic for the chosen people and His kindness was demonstrated in providing Gentiles with the opportunity for faith. This goes to show that we shouldn’t undermine what God can do.

As we are presently enjoying His grace, let us bear in mind that He is severe and can punish any act of disobedience and disloyalty. God is no respecter of any person. He is a consuming fire. When we fall on Him, we will be crushed and when He falls on us, there will be no remedy as we will grinded. Therefore, we should hold God in awe and obey His commands. That He is good does not mean that He can tolerate our disobedience and misconduct.

Food for Thought: Justice and mercy, goodness and severity are attributes or qualities eminently found in God

Memory verse: Romans 11:22

Prayer: God, grant me and all Christians the understanding that you are severe against disobedience and sin in Jesus name.

Do You Desire Favour?

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday June 12, 2017

Topic: Do You Desire Favour?

Text: Proverbs 11:27

Many people don’t know how to court God’s favour. Living Bible translated this verse thus: “If you search for good you find God’s favour; if you search for evil, you find His curse.” Searching for good is one of the ways to court God’s favour. Doing good to people especially the down trodden and less privileged ones are ways to procure God’s favour. Matthew Henry Commentary puts it thus: “Those that are industrious to do good in the world get themselves beloved both with God and man: He that rises early to that which is good, that seeks opportunities of serving his friends and relieving the poor, and lays out himself therein, procures favour.”

This is challenging for us in this era of greed and selfishness; where people are so concerned about self than for anything else. People who do good to others always have God's loving kindness surrounding them. The opposite of these is for men that seek evil. They are preparing ruin for themselves, who specialize in doing evil. It shall come upon them; when they will be paid in their own coin (see Esther 7:9 and 10).

Do you earnestly seek to do evil or good? They are many who do evil indirectly like Balak who called Balaam to assist him. Cain did his own openly by killing Abel and judgment came upon him. Evil hunts even after many years (Gen. 50:15). It pays to be kind and to be good to others.

Food for Thought: Little deeds of kindness, little words of love, help to make earth happy like the heaven above – Carney

Memory verse: Psalm 7:16

Prayer: God, remove evil from my heart and life. Grant me the spirit of kindness and grace to be kind to people in Jesus name, Amen.

The Implications Of Our Baptism

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday April 19, 2017

Topic: The Implications Of Our Baptism

Text: Romans 6:1 – 7

Misconception and misunderstanding of our basics of faith can affect our relationship with God badly and make the foundation of our faith shaky. Paul realized that his teaching in the previous chapter about God’s kindness to sinners could be interpreted to suggest that people ought to keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness. Hence the question Paul asked in Romans 6:1. He also answered by emphatically saying, “Certainly not!” Paul’s idea here is that the gospel of grace was not aimed at finding an excuse for sin, but to give freedom from sin. He clarified this with the following illustration that the believer has died to sin.

Using the burial of Christ as a reference point, Paul stated that our baptism implies we have died with Christ. Our baptism connotes death to sin and exchange of our sinful life for Christ’s resurrection life. Paul speaks of this death to sin as a fact and concludes, therefore, that believers cannot continue to live in it. This is what is expected of us in our baptism.

From this teaching of Paul, the usefulness of our baptism does not lie on the place or means by which we were baptised as some lay credence to immersion. What matters is the repentance from sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ Jesus. This was the point Peter raised in 1 Pet. 3:21. It is not just enough to be baptised, we should strive to live out the life required of us who have been baptised. It should be lives that are dead to sin and alive unto righteousness. Do you manifest a life that is dead to sin and alive unto righteousness?

Food for Thought: Are you living the life required of someone who has been baptised?

Memory verse: Colossians 2:12

Prayer: Lord God, cause me to die to sin and live unto righteousness as required of me in Jesus name. Amen.

God Doesn’t Forget His Kindness

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday January 23, 2017

Topic: God Doesn’t Forget His Kindness

Text: Ruth 2:18 – 23             

There are some lessons in our text for the day.

1. Ruth brought back to Naomi, food provided for her by Boaz. She didn’t keep it back for her later use but for her mother in law. We should be magnanimous to share our blessing with our loved ones in the family.

2. Though Naomi was bitter about events in Moab (1:20-21), but her faith in God was still alive, as she praised God for Boaz’s kindness to Ruth. She still trusted God. We may feel bitter about a situation, but we must never despair. Today is a new opportunity to experience God’s care and love.

3. Naomi asked Ruth how her day went and where she gleaned. Parents and guidance should examine their children, as Naomi did, not to frighten or discourage them but to commend them if they have done well, and with mildness to reprove and caution them if they haven’t done well.

4. Ruth went to glean, not knowing where to go and it just happened she went to the field owned by Boaz who just happened to be a close relative of her late husband. This was more than mere coincidence. It was God leading her.

Today, as you go about your daily tasks, God is working in your life in ways you may not even notice. We mustn’t close the door on what God can do. Events do not occur by luck or coincidence. We should have faith that God is directing our lives towards what He has purposed for us.

Food for Thought: Events we see as luck or coincidence are directed by God to fulfil His purposes in our life.

Memory verse: Ruth 2 verse 20 - And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, the man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen (ESV).

Prayer: Direct my steps O Lord my God to the place you have prepared to bless me this day in Jesus name.

Why Take Note Of Me?

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday January 20, 2017

Topic: Why Take Note Of Me?

Text: Ruth 2:10           

Ruth clearly overwhelmed by the gesture of kindness she had received from Boaz who do not know her before now, prostrated before Boaz and asks why he is being so kind to her, a foreigner (Ruth2:10). In the real sense, Ruth never expected such kindness, not too early because that was their first meeting and again she is a foreigner who ordinarily could have been rebuffed but it was not so.

Falling on her face was expression of reverence and gratitude common in Israel. Ruth’s life exhibited admirable qualities: She was hardworking, loving, kind, faithful, and brave. These qualities gained for her a good reputation, but only because she displayed them consistently in all areas of her life. Wherever Ruth went or whatever she did, her character remained the same. Your reputation is formed by the people who watch over you at work, in town, at home, in church. A good reputation comes by consistently living out the qualities you believe in, no matter what group of people or surroundings you are in.

Again, we should not give bad impression to visitors we meet because we don’t know what the future holds. If Boaz and Ruth didn’t treat themselves well, the events that unfolded wouldn’t have gone smoothly. Come to think of it, if Ruth had proved stubborn or Boaz maltreated her, what would have happened when Naomi suggested to Ruth what to do to gain inheritance in Israel? Treat everyone you meet well because you don’t know what tomorrow holds for you.

Food for Thought: Proverbs 3:3, 4

Memory verse: Ruth 2 verse 10

Prayer: Heavenly Father; may your favour and that of men follow me wherever I go in Jesus name.

There Was No Ulterior Motive

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL 

Devotion for Thursday January 19, 2017

Topic: There Was No Ulterior Motive

Text: Ruth 2:4 – 9  

Men and women can be used as reapers in the Near East. The binding of the sheaves was normally done by women, the handling of the sheaves by men. The rough male labourers in Israel could be as crude and insulting to young women. However, Boaz spared Ruth from insult and exhaustion by letting her glean right behind his women field workers.

He also provided water for Ruth by urging her to go to the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. These kind gestures by Boaz had no ulterior motives attached to them. He had heard about so much love, friendship and care Ruth had shown Naomi. These challenged Boaz because such love can hardly be seen between mother in laws and daughters in laws.

This type of kindness that Boaz showed Ruth is no longer or hardly in practice in our communities again. Most men help widows only on the condition that they play games with them. Some of the men would even go as far as withdrawing some of the rights of these women as a means of pressurizing them to yield to their demands. Unfortunately, some of these men are even in the church today as leaders and elders.

Do you attach ulterior motives in the help or charity you offer widows, pastors and the poor in the society? Do you give out your goods because of what you intend to gain? We shouldn’t attach motives to our good deeds. God recompenses and He will recompense us. Let our good deeds speak well of us and not bad of us. God bless you and have a great day.      

Food for Thought: What are the motives behind your alms and charity – to take advantage of people or on humanitarian grounds?

Memory verse: Ruth 2 verse 8 - Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.”

Prayer: Help me never to attach any ulterior motive to the alms and charity I give to people in Jesus name. Amen.

IT PAYS TO BE CHARITABLE (2): Devotion for Tuesday September 27, 2016

IT PAYS TO BE CHARITABLE (2): Devotion for Tuesday September 27, 2016

Text: 2 Samuel 19:31 – 39      Memory verse: 1 King 2:7

After David had installed Solomon as the King to take over from him, the words in 1 Kings 2:7 were part of his admonition to him. In that passage, he admonished or charged Solomon to show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who will eat at your table. He went further to give reason for this advice. He noted that they came to him when h fled from Absalom his brother during his mutiny.

Barzillai was friendly and hospitable to David while he was fleeing from Absalom who wanted to kill him so as to ascend the throne easily and quickly. He and some others mentioned in 2 Sam 17:27–29, brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. The bible stated that they gave reasons for bring those items when they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.” This act saved the life of David and the men with him who were desperately in need of food. This act of charity and love from Barzillai remained indelible in the heart of David that he remembered it at his deathbed.

Here, David asked Solomon to continue to provide them with what could be termed, a royal pension because of Barzillai’s act of charity and friendship. This shows that there is no act of hospitality and charity that has no reward. Yesterday we saw Dorcas, today we are reading about Barzillai. Will you be the one we will hear his/her story tomorrow? How much help do you render people in need? There were people who stood against David like Shemei, etc. Do act like them. It pays to be good, charitable and hospitable, and they all have their rewards now and in eternity. As you go out today, ensure you will extend charitable acts to someone.

Food for Thought: Being good and doing acts of charity pays to doer more than the receiver.  

Prayer: Almighty God and our Father in heaven, grant me the passion to be good to people especially those in need through charitable deeds in Jesus name. Amen.

THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST: Devotion for Tuesday June 14, 2016

     

Text: Galatians 5:24 – 26             Memory verse: v 24

The fruit of the Holy Spirit exemplifies us as Christians. Any professing Christian who doesn’t possess these virtues is mere compromiser and should not be taken seriously. How can a Christian lack love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? If any of these is lacking in your life, then you have either backslidden or you have been compromising. Those who have these are those who actually and really belong to Christ (5:24). Those who are Christ’s have crucified their flesh when they became Christians (Rom 6:3, 4), and it is done continuously (Rom 6:6) so that the Holy Spirit will be able to produce in them the fruits just listed (5:22, 23). It is by faith in Christ that a man becomes dead to a sinful life and rises to a new life of fellowship with Christ (Col. 3:3).

Brethren, if our inner life be in the Spirit; that is, received from the Spirit, sustained by Him, and conformed to Him in character then we should also walk in that Spirit (5:25). Our outward life also should be in the Spirit; in other words, let it be conformed to Christ in character, so that our inward principles and outward conduct shall be in harmony with each other. This, in Paul’s opinion is what it means to belong to Christ. Is your inward and outward life in harmony with that of Christ? Think about it.

Food for Thought: Do you truly belong to Christ in your character?

Prayer: Lord, help me to conform to the image of Christ in my inward and outward character in Jesus name.

USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR GOD: Devotion for Sunday May 29 , 2015

USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR GOD: Devotion for Sunday May 29, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:2 – 3        Memory verse: v 3

When Paul and Silas were jailed for preaching the gospel, they were not deterred. Right there inside the prison cell, they were singing to God, using the very opportunity they had to glorify God. The result was unprecedented as souls were won for Christ. In our text for today, we saw how this young girl, a captive from Israel, used the opportunity to tell her captors that there is a God in Israel who is Almighty, who can heal her master. She didn’t nurse grudges that she has been deprived of parental love and care by her captors. She was in a foreign land proclaiming God. This little maid, though only a girl, could give an account of the famous prophet the Israelites had among them. Children should be told early enough of the wondrous works of God, that, wherever they go, they may talk of them. How much do you tell your children about God?

Every day, we have opportunities to serve God and humanity, and to preach the gospel of repentance, peace and love to people. There are pulpits everywhere which we can use to teach the word of God. Daily we have opportunity to show kindness to people. How much do we utilise these opportunities in our schools, offices, business premises, as we commute, etc? God has sent you to that school, that office, that neighbourhood at a time like this for a purpose. God can use you to spread His word. Look for opportunities to tell others what God can do. There’s no telling who will hear your message and benefit! Do so because you will account for it someday.

Action: As you go out today, ensure you use the opportunity you have to show kindness, preach the word of God and encourage someone.

Prayer: Lord, may I use every opportunity I have to do good unto people and preach your gospel in Jesus name.            

WHEN GOD REMEMBERS YOU: Devotion for Tuesday January 26, 2016

WHEN GOD REMEMBERS YOU      Tuesday January 26, 2016

Text: 2 Samuel 9:9 – 13      Memory verse: v 9

When God remembers us, He restores all we have lost and add more blessings for us. This was the case of Mephibosheth here. God used David to remember him. As a cripple, he was not counted as anything. The worst was the fact that his father was no more, he was a cripple and his brother was not on the throne. Things may have been so hard for him. But God was somewhere watching and He decided to honour him. 

Are you crippled in any form either physically, financially or spiritually and you have nobody to help you? God will remember you as He did for Mephibosheth in Jesus name. David restored to him all that belong to his father (9:9) and also commanded Ziba to serve him so that there will be provisions for his family. Ordinarily, properties acquired by Kings are transferred to their successors and not to their sons. This was the reason these properties were in David’s hands (2 Sam 12:8). But he restored them to Mephibosheth.  

David’s kindness to Mephibosheth reminds us of the kindness and love of God our Saviour to fallen man, to whom He was under no obligation, as David was to Jonathan. Yet God came down looking for us as David went looking for Mephibosheth. This is love. We should emulate this kind of act as Christians. Till date Jesus Christ seeks this lost and ruined race, who sought not after Him that He might save them. Are you willing to let Him in (Rev 3:20)?     

Food for Thought: A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.

Prayer: Lord, do remember me and restore all that I have lost through the fall of man.

ACT OF LOVE IS NEVER IN VAIN: Devotion for Sunday January 24, 2016

WORK OF LOVE IS NEVER IN VAIN     Sunday January 24, 2016

Text: 2 Samuel 9:1 – 7      Memory verse: v 3

Naturally, most kings will try to wipe out the families of their rivals in order to prevent any descendants from seeking the throne. But David showed kindness to Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. David was kind, partly because of his loyalty to God’s previously anointed king (1 Sam 24:5-6) and mainly because of his vow to show kindness to all of Jonathan’s descendants (1 Sam 20:14–17). David did not forget the love and sacrifice Jonathan showed him. Do you forget the mercies God and people show you?

In the midst of numerous affairs, cares and worries of life, we are apt to forget the gratitude we owe, and some engagements we have to undertake, not only to our friends, but to God Himself. Yet people who are really godly will have no rest until they have discharged their vows and attend to their engagements. David made inquiry because he knew he owed a great deal of responsibility to the family of Jonathan in particular. Jonathan was David's sworn friend; therefore he shows kindness to his son Mephibosheth. 

God is ever faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. If Providence has raised us, and our friends and their families are brought low, we must look upon that as giving us the fairer opportunity of being kind to them. We can show kindness for love we have received from God by being more dedicated and committed to His service. And to those who have shown us love, we can pray for them always. When we do these, God will bless them and us, the more.

Food for Thought: “Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together” – Goethe.

Prayer: God, may I ever be grateful for love I have received from you and from people.