Where Are The Nine? Devotion for Sunday June 28, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday June 28, 2020

Topic: Where Are The Nine?                                   

Text: Luke 17:11 – 17                           

People who had leprosy were required to try to stay away from other people and to announce their presence if they had to come near the place where normal people are living (Leviticus 13:46; Numbers 5:2, 3). It was for this reason, these lepers were in village in between Samaria and Galilee (Luke 17:11) as we have in our bible passage for the day. These lepers might have heard about Jesus which made them to stand afar off and with a loud voice shouted "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

Sometimes leprosy went into remission. If a leper thought his leprosy had gone away, he was supposed to present himself to a priest, who could declare him clean (Leviticus 14). Jesus sent the 10 lepers to the priest before they were healed and they went! They responded in faith, and Jesus healed them on the way. Is your trust in God so strong that you act on what He says even before you see evidence that it will work?

Of the ten lepers, it was a Samaritan (Luke 17:16) that came back to thank Jesus for the mercies of healing received. This prompted Jesus to ask the question in 17:17, 18. Jesus had been distressed many times with his own people’s lack of acceptance and faith (Luke 7:9; 8:25; 12:28). This time was no different.

Familiarity breeds contempt. Ten men had been healed, but only one, the foreigner (referring to the man from Samaria), came back to give glory to God. Jesus was not so much concerned about being thanked as he was about the men’s understanding of what had happened. The other nine went off, free from leprosy but not necessarily free from sin through the salvation Jesus could offer.

What is usually your attitude when God does something for you? Do you return to thank Him or you behave like the nine?

Food for Thought: “A man’s indebtedness is not virtue; his repayment is. Virtue begins when he dedicates himself actively to the job of gratitude” – Ruth Benedict

Memory verse: Luke 17 v 17 

Prayer: Grant unto me O Lord, the heart of gratitude for everything you do for me.

An Incomplete Testimony: Devotion for Saturday June 6, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday June 6, 2020

Topic: An Incomplete Testimony                                 

Text: 2 Kings 5:1                                   

Here is a great testimony of Naaman, the commander of the army of Syria. He was described as a mighty man of valour, a great man in battle, used by God to wrought victories for Syria but he was a leper. What a testimony of a great man!

However, the ‘but’ has a great question mark on his life. This shows that despite all his exploits in life, the leprosy has restricted him in so many ways because no honours or successes can secure men from trouble.

Matthew Henry puts it this way, “No man's greatness, or honour, can place him out of the reach of the sorest calamities of human life: there is many a sickly, crazy body under rich and gay clothing.” This shows that any man living has some troubles of life to contend with. Naaman took the advice of the young captive girl from Israel and he was healed as we shall read in the days ahead.

In life, many of us have one “but” or another tormenting us which invariably has dented our testimonies. It may be pride, unfaithfulness, lies, anger, malice, little sins, gossip, immorality, stealing, etc. Whatever may be the “but,” it is important you realise that it has dented your testimony and do something about it now. You can’t say you are a Christian but you are still living a life of lies, deceit, anger, etc. That is not a good testimony. It is better to do something now or it will deny you a place in the Kingdom of heaven.

Food for Thought: Every man has one negative ‘but’ or another which blemishes and diminishes him.                         

Memory verse: 2 Kings 5: 1b

Prayer: My God and my Father, remove every negative ‘but’ in my life the way you healed Naaman of his leprosy in Jesus name.

DIVINE COMPASSION: Devotion for Monday July 25, 2016

DIVINE COMPASSION: Devotion for Monday July 25, 2016

Text: Mark 1:40 – 45                    

Memory verse: Mark 1:41 - Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."

The real value of a person is inside, not outside. Although a person’s body may be diseased or deformed but the real person inside is valuable to God. No person is too disgusting for God’s touch. This was the reason Jesus despised the law to give this leper a divine touch. In keeping with the law in Lev. 13 and 14, it is the Jewish leaders that declare people with leprosy unclean. This meant that lepers were unfit to participate in any religious or social activity. According to laws about leprosy in Lev. 13 and 14, when a leper was cured, he or she had to go to a priest to be examined. Then the leper will give a thanks offering at the Temple. Jesus adhered to these laws by sending the man to the priest, demonstrating Jesus’ complete regard for God’s law.

In a sense, we are all people with leprosy because we have all been deformed by the ugliness of sin. By sending His Son, Jesus, God has touched us, giving us the opportunity to be healed. Have you received that Divine touch? Divine touch is not only for healing of leprosy. It brings salvation, peace, breakthrough, favour, promotion, business opportunities, etc. All that is expected of you is to apply to the Saviour with great humility, and with full submission to His will. I assure you that He will stretch out His hands upon you now for the Divine touch you need for a turn around.

Food for Thought: Jesus’ compassion undermines protocols. 

Prayer: Lord God, break every protocol and law to touch me at the point of my need in Jesus name.

WHERE ARE THE NINE? Devotion for Sunday June 19, 2016

WHERE ARE THE NINE? Devotion for Sunday June 19, 2016 

      

Text: Luke 17:11 – 17      Memory verse: v 17

People who had leprosy were required to try to stay away from other people and to announce their presence if they had to come near (Leviticus 13:46; Numbers 5:2, 3). It was for this reason, these lepers were in village in between Samaria and Galilee (Luke 17:11). These lepers might have heard about Jesus which made them to stand afar off and with a loud voice shouted "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" Sometimes, leprosy goes into remission. If a leper thought his leprosy had gone away, he was supposed to present himself to a priest, who could declare him clean (Leviticus 14). Jesus sent the 10 lepers to the priest before they were healed and they went! They responded in faith, and Jesus healed them on the way. Is your trust in God so strong that you act on what He says even before you see evidence that it will work?

Of the ten lepers, it was a Samaritan (Luke 17:16) that came back to thank Jesus for the mercies of healing received. This prompted Jesus to ask the question in 17:17, 18. Jesus had been distressed many times with His own people’s lack of acceptance and faith (Luke 7:9; 8:25; 12:28). This time was no different. Familiarity breeds contempt. Ten men had been healed, but only one, the foreigner (referring to the man from Samaria), came back to give glory to God. Jesus was not so much concerned about being thanked as He was about the men’s understanding of what had happened. The other nine went off, free from leprosy but not necessarily free from sin through the salvation Jesus could offer. What is usually your attitude when God does something for you? Do you return to thank Him or you behave like the nine?

Food for Thought: “A man’s indebtedness is not virtue; his repayment is. Virtue begins when he dedicates himself actively to the job of gratitude” – Ruth Benedict.

Prayer: Grant unto me O God, a heart of gratitude for everything you do for me.