Mysteries about Life: Devotion for Friday August 14, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday August 14, 2020

Topic: Mysteries about Life                                    

Text: Ecclesiastes 10:4 – 11                  

In our bible reading for today, Solomon cautions that we shouldn’t to seek redress neither in a hasty manner nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit your post of duty; wait awhile, and you will find that yielding pacifies great offences (Ecclesiastes 10:4).

He also posited that men are not preferred according to their merit (Ecclesiastes 10:5 – 7). These verses show that life is full of mysteries. The error (Ecclesiastes 10:5) consists in exalting the mean and unworthy into offices. Do we have such in our present day political, religious and traditional offices?

Family Bible Notes noted that “The elevation of unworthy men to offices of power and trust is a heavy calamity to the people. Whether it proceeds from their rulers, or, as in the case of free governments, from themselves, the result will be corruption, misrule, and misery.” This quotation is very true of our present day society especially in our clime.

Naturally, riding on horses belongs to the princes and not servants. When it is the opposite, it becomes a mystery. We have seen these things happen. One easily recalls the case of Mordecai and Haman. Mordecai was a war captive and mere gateman while Haman was a very high profiled personal assistant or adviser to the king. It was God who humbled Haman. Who would have believed that Haman would ever guide Mordecai on top of a horse?

The lesson for us here is that no condition is permanent in life. Life is full of mysteries and challenges. Therefore, do not boast about your present position/situation. We should know and note that wisdom is profitable in all things. The challenges, dangers and difficulties of life are many; but with wisdom we shall overcome.         

Foods for Thought: No condition is permanent in life. Therefore be humble wherever you may find yourself.

Memory verse: Ecclesiastes 10 v 7

Prayer: God, grant me understanding that life is full of mysteries and that there is no condition that is permanent.

Those Who Belong to Christ: Devotion for Wednesday June 24, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday June 24, 2020

Topic: Those Who Belong To Christ                      

Text: Galatians 5:24 – 26                          

There are things that exemplify a Christian and make such fellow peculiar or distinct. They are the fruit of the Holy Spirit we read about yesterday. Any professing Christian who doesn’t possess these virtues is mere compromising and should not be taken seriously.

How can a Christian lack love, joy, peace, long-suffering, 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 according to Paul in Galatians 5:24.

Those who are Christ’s have crucified their flesh when they became Christians (Romans 6:3, 4), and it is done continuously (Romans 6:6) so that the Holy Spirit will be able to produce in them the fruits just listed (Galatians 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 (Colossians 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 (Galatians 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?                                             

Memory verse: Galatians 5:24                                                                             

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

God’s Word Gives Life: Devotion for Wednesday May 20, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 20, 2020

Topic: God’s Word Gives Life                               

Text: Ezekiel 37:1 – 14                               

Many lessons are in this biblical passage especially when we feel discouraged in life. It shows us the power of God over hopeless situations. It also reveals the power in God’s word and inabilities in man. God alone is the one whose word stands.

The bible says in Lamentation 3:37, “Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it?” God used this revelation to illustrate how He will restore Israel from their hopeless situation in captivity to glory in their land (37:12 – 14). God likened the spiritual dead situation of Israel at that time to dry bones.

Your church may seem like a heap of dry bones to you, spiritually dead with no hope of vitality. But just as God promised to restore His nation Israel, He can restore any church, no matter how dry or dead it may be. Rather than give up, pray for revival and renewal, for God can restore it to life. The hope and prayer of every church should be that God will put His Spirit into it (37:14). In fact, God is at work calling his people back to Himself, bringing new life into dead churches.

On the other hand, your spiritual life; you business, your marriage, etc, may be as dry as bones and there seem to be no more lives in them. Never mind, God is able to turn it around. Go to Him in prayer today and He will send revival and renewal.

Food for Thought: God has answers to dryness in our physical and spiritual lives.

Memory verse: Ezekiel 37:7

Prayer:

1. Lord God, cause life into any dryness in my physical and spiritual life.        

2. God revive everything in your church especially where I worship.

Walk In Newness of Life: Devotion for Monday April 13, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL     

Devotion for Monday April 13, 2020

Topic: Walk In Newness of Life                               

Text: Romans 6:1 – 11

Yesterday was Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from death which gave us hope of eternal life. Paul talks about new creation in our bible reading for today (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). The newness of life starts at repentance. It is expected that believers must die to sin, and live to God (6:1, 2). Dying to sin is likened to death of Christ and living to God is likened to the resurrection of Christ.

Our baptism teaches the necessity of dying to sin, and being as it were buried from all ungodly and unholy pursuits, and of rising to walk with God in newness of life. Those who believe in Christ are baptized into him and baptized into his death; in other words, they are baptized to become one with Christ Jesus. As Christ died, we have die to our old, sinful lifestyle, and a new life begins. Is that true about you?

If we believe that our old, sinful lives are dead and buried, we will have a powerful motive to resist sin. We can consciously choose to treat the desires and temptations of the old nature as if they were dead. Then we can continue to enjoy our wonderful new life with Jesus (see also Galatians 3:27; Colossians 3:1-4).

Are you still under the influence of old life? Is sin still having upper hand in your life? Then you are not walking in newness of life.

Food for Thought: Our death with Christ to sin implies our resurrection with Christ to God, which is to us a new life of holiness. Is that true about you?

Memory verse: Galatians 6:15

Prayer: Lord, help me to walk in newness of life as one who has resurrected with Christ through my baptism.

What do you confess in times of trouble?

My Daily Covenant with God Devotional

Devotion for Monday January 14, 2019

Topic: What Do You Confess In Times Of Trouble

Text: Proverbs 18:21

Most times, we are very careless or carefree with our tongues. We say so many things without recourse and thereafter, we begin to regret our utterances. This is not a good attribute or character of a true Christian. Any Christian who cannot tame his/her tongue and moderate his/her actions is not worthy to answer a Christian. Jesus Christ showed us examples to follow. When He was accused falsely, He didn’t open His mouth. This should be the character of a Christian. We should emulate that. It is my prayer that God will help us in that area in Jesus name.

Our text says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. That means we can speak something to life and command something to die. It also holds that what we confess at any given time invariably affect us. Unfortunately, when some people are in distress, trouble or sick, they tend to forget the power of God and they begin to confess negatively. This also goes a long way to affecting their spiritual and physical life.

Our confession in time of trouble, sickness or crises should be to speak about what God can do and not to speak fear, danger or regret. I have acted like that severally. After the heart operation and second kidney transplant surgery, I came back, hard at hearing. This affected my ministry that I started questioning why I was still alive but today, I have so many reasons to be alive. Our God is a God of all possibilities. He can still use you despite our weaknesses. Remember the case of Paul and his eye problem. He can do far above what we can imagine. Please keep trusting Him in that trouble you are currently going through and certainly, you will come out with testimony.

Food for Thought: Proverbs 4 v 23  

Memory Verse: Matthew 12 v 37

Prayer: Help me O Lord to moderate my thought and words in Jesus name. Amen.

Life and Position Are Transient

Devotion for Sunday July 22, 2018

Sing SS&S 661 (Abu 327) – My Times Are In Thy Hand

Topic: Life and Position Are Transient

Text: James 1:9 – 11

In the beginning of this chapter, James the apostle enjoined us to be happy in the face of trial. When we face trials, it is tempting to look around at others and to compare our trials with theirs. Sometimes when we face difficulties too we are tempted to believe that some people don't face difficulties and that their lives are so easy. This is especially true when dealing with rich and poor.

The poor look at those who are rich and believe that they are getting off easy. They told themselves life is much better when one is rich; most times they wish they were same as the rich believing that riches could be the source of happiness; but James tells the lowly Christian to "boast in his exaltation."

Humanly thinking, one will wonder if the poor man ever thought he had anything to boast of; what exaltation could there be in poverty? However, in this text, the scripture is referring back to being "perfect and complete, lacking nothing in Him who has called us (Jesus Christ)." There is hope for the poor Christian who totally depends on the riches of God’s glory. Someday, that Christian who is lowly at the riches of this world now will be brought up, exalted, to a place of completion and fullness. He looks forward to the future, he does not boast in the present, but in what God is going to do. Certainly, there is no position that is permanent. All will one day pass away whether rich or poor. Therefore, let us learn contentment.

Food For Thought: To be rich is not to have all that the world can provide but to have a life that God and man are pleased with.

Memory Verse: James 1:9 – 10

Prayer Point: Oh God, in whom the lowly is complete; give me the grace to appreciate in every situation I found myself.

The Word Of God Gives Life

Devotion for Friday May 25, 2018

Topic: The Word Of God Gives Life

Text: Ezekiel 37:1 – 14

There are many lessons in our bible reading for the day especially when we feel discouraged in life. It shows us the power of God over hopeless situations. It also reveals the power in God’s word and inabilities in man. God alone is the one whose word stands. The bible says in Lamentation 3:37, “Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it?” God used this revelation to illustrate how He will restore Israel from their hopeless situation in captivity to glory in their land (Ezekiel 37:12 – 14). God likened the spiritually dead situation of Israel at that time to dry bones. Your church may seem like a heap of dry bones to you; spiritually dead with no hope of vitality. But just as God promised to restore His nation, He can restore any church, no matter how dry or dead it may be. Rather than giving up, pray for renewal and for God can restore it to life. The hope and prayer of every church should be that God will put His Spirit into it (Ezekiel 37:14). In fact, God is at work calling his people back to Himself, bringing new life into dead churches. On the other hand, your spiritual life; your business, your marriage or other aspects of your life, may be as dry as bones and there seem to be no more life in them. Never mind, God is able to turn it around. Go to Him in prayer today.

Sing A&M 362, Abu 86

Food for Thought: God has answers to dryness in our physical and spiritual lives.

Memory verse: Ezekiel 37:7

Prayer: God, cause life into any dryness in my physical and spiritual life. 2. God revive everything in your church especially where I worship.

Add Flavour To Lives

Devotion for Friday April 6, 2018

Topic: Add Flavour To Lives

Text: Matthew 5:13 

Salt is a very common flavour that makes food tasty. This shows the importance of salt in seasoning foods. Jesus used the importance of salt in foods to teach us the importance of Christians in any society. Salt has multi functions. It adds flavour to food and is used as preservatives. By salt of the earth, Jesus posited that Christians are means of earth’s preservation through our prayers and exemplary Christian lifestyle.

Jesus compared Christians to salt because it is the nature of salt to preserve things from corruption and putrefaction, and to render them savoury and pleasant. In this respect, Christianity by the purity of its doctrine, should sweeten and purify sinners that they may become savoury to God and Man; and may be kept from being contaminated with errors and false doctrine. Again according to William Burkett, “Salt has a piercing power in it, which subdues the whole lump, and turns it into its own nature: such a piercing power is there in the ministry of the word, that it subdues the whole man to the obedience of itself.” In acting like salt, we are expected to add flavour to the lives of people around us.

Outside application of holy doctrine to preserve lives, we should let the world know the true essence of life and living. Some Christians live in such a way that unbelievers will never be motivated to go to church. We should let the world see peace, joy, happiness in our lives no matter the level of worldly afflictions and pains we may be going through. When we radiate life, it will make unbelievers to understand the true meaning of Christianity. Sing the hymn SS&S 798; Abu 239

Food for Thought: Are you adding flavour to the lives in your family and the society?

Memory verse: v 13

Prayer: Lord, may my life add flavour to people I meet daily in Jesus name

He Revitalizes Our Mortal Body

Devotion for Wednesday April 4, 2018

Topic: He Revitalizes Our Mortal Body

Text: Romans 8:10 – 17

If the Holy Spirit be in us, invariably Christ is in us. He dwells in the heart of believers by faith. Christ’s Spirit lives within our human spirits. The presence of Christ in us will automatically make our bodies to resist and reject sin (Romans 8:10). Any Christian who receives the grace and Spirit of Christ, and continues to live under its influence a life of obedience to the Divine will, shall have a resurrection to eternal life (Romans 8:11).

The point Paul made here is that we are promised the physical resurrection of our bodies into eternal life. The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to us. So there is wonderful hope even for our prone-to-decay bodies. In another dimension, the presence of Holy Spirit resuscitates our physical bodies too and makes it alive. When the Spirit of God dwells in you, Satan and sickness will not have upper hand in your body.

Are you sick in the body and desire healing from God? Then you need to invite the Spirit of God into your life. You can start with praises for God dwells in the praises of His people. His presence will bring life to that withered hand and crippled legs in Jesus name.

Though you may be sick but as you are reading this devotion, God is saying to you, give me chance to come in now and you will see the difference. Give Him the opportunity to come into your life and revitalize everything that is dead.

Sing SS&S 89; Abu 253

Food for Thought: Life comes from the Spirit of God (Ezekiel 37:10)

Memory verse: Romans 8:11

Prayer: Release upon me O Lord, your Spirit to revive my dying body again in Jesus name.

Walk In Newness Of Life

Devotion for Monday April 2, 2018

Topic: Walk In Newness Of Life

Text: Romans 6:1 – 11

Yesterday was Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from death which gave us hope for eternal life. This is the reason Paul said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” – 2 Corinthians 5:17. That new creation is the life that he talks about here in our bible reading for today. The newness of life starts at repentance. It is expected that believers must die to sin, and live to God (Romans 6:1, 2). Dying to sin is likened to death of Christ and living to God is likened to the resurrection of Christ. Our baptism teaches the necessity of dying to sin, and being as it were buried from all ungodly and unholy pursuits, and of rising to walk with God in newness of life. Those who believe in Christ are baptized into Him and into His death. In other words, they are baptized to become one with Christ Jesus. As he died, we die to our old, sinful lifestyle, and a new life begins. If we believe that our old, sinful lives are dead and buried, we should develop the motive to resist sin. We can consciously choose to treat the desires and temptations of the old nature as if they were dead. Then we can continue to enjoy our wonderful new life with Jesus (see also Galatians 3:27; Colossians 3:1-4). Are you still under the influence of the old nature? Is sin still having upper hand in your life? Then you are not walking in newness of life. Sing A&M 169; Abu 9

Food for Thought: Are you living a new life of holiness as a Christian?

Memory verse: Romans 6:4

Prayer: Lord God, help me to walk in newness of life as one who has resurrected with Christ through my baptism.

Trust In Him Always

Devotion for Monday March 19, 2018

Topic: Trust In Him Always

Text: Psalm 62:8 – 12 

There are times we falter in faith despite the level of our knowledge of God and spirituality. It happened to Abraham when he harkened to the voice of his wife by going into her maid. It also happened to John the Baptist while he was in prison. He sent message to confirm from Jesus Christ if He was the Messiah or not (Matthew 11:2 – 6) despite revealing to his disciples that Jesus is the Messiah (John 1:29 – 36). This has happened to some other men and women of God as we have then all over the scriptures. 

Life usually presents its curves, bumps and pot holes on our life’s journeys. It doesn’t spare anyone though the spate and degree varies. All these are aimed at slowing us down or divert our faith and at times we begin to doubt God and His faithfulness. In our bible reading of the day, the Psalmist who had experienced God’s faithfulness urges us to trust God for some reasons. He is our refuge (v8, see Psalm 18:2), all power belongs to Him (v11, see Revelation 19:1) and He is merciful (v12, see Psalm 103:8). Thus we should trust Him to guide us when we are in doubt, to protect us when we are in danger, to supply all we need when in want and to strengthen us for every good word, and work. We should trust when we can see, as well as when we are utterly in the dark. 

As you go out today, trust God to meet that pressing need of yours. Trust him to bring more customers to your business and to grant you favour as you go for that contract and business opportunities. Also trust Him to grant you peaceful working environment with that your froward boss. The Lord, be with you!

Sing SS&S 804; Abu 238

Food for thought: Proverbs 3:5, 6          

Memory verse: Psalm 62:8

Prayer: Lord, grant me stronger faith to trust you always as I go through curves of life in Jesus name.

The Cost Of Following Jesus

Devotion for Tuesday January 30, 2018

Topic: The Cost Of Following Jesus

Text: Matthew 16:24 – 28

There are always terms and conditions which apply to any contract or agreement. In terms of our relationship with God, there are terms and conditions attached to it. Jesus came to establish the New Covenant. Our Catechism has it that Jesus commands us in the New Covenant to believe in Him and to keep His commandments with the promise to bring us into the Kingdom of God and give us life in its fullness. In our bible passage for the day, He states one of the conditions expected of would be disciples which is self- denial, taking up one’s cross and following Him. 

The words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:24 show us the 4 principles of the Christian life. 

1) He must have a sincere desire to belong to Christ - If any man desires to be my disciple. 

2) He should renounce self-dependence, and selfish pursuits – Let him deny himself. 

3) He should embrace the condition which God has appointed, and bear the troubles and difficulties he may meet with in walking the Christian road - Let him take up his cross. 

4) He should imitate Jesus by following Him even in suffering – Let him follow me. 

Everything in life has a cost attached to it. You cannot claim to be a disciple of Jesus without fulfilling these principles and conditions or else you will not be sincere in being His disciple. Have you met the terms and conditions of being a disciple? If not, there is still time for you to key into the conditions so as to benefit from His promises in the New Covenant. 

Sing SS&S 597; Abu 110

Food for Thought: A true disciple of Christ in all things denies his own will, however pleasing, and does the will of God, however painful.

Memory verse: Matthew 10:38

Prayer: Lord God, help me to deny myself, take up my cross and follow you all the days of my life in Jesus name. Amen

I Will Go With You

Devotion for Monday January 29, 2018

Topic: I Will Go With You    

Text: Genesis 46:4

Life we live goes with different challenges. The challenges of life come to our ways in order to make us fearful and unwilling to attempt things that will make us great in life. Some of the challenges bring so much fear that we may be forced to abandon our lives’ dreams. Despite these challenges of life, we should always have behind our minds that with the blessing of God upon our lives, we need not fear to undertake any service, make any sacrifice, or endure any trial that comes our way.

God saw how apprehensive Jacob was and decided to allay his fears with the words in Genesis 46:3 and 4. Again, those that go where God sends them shall certainly have God with them. Though Jacob never returned to Canaan, but God promised that his descendants would return. That Jacob would die in Egypt with Joseph at his side was God’s promise to Jacob that he would never know the bitterness of being lonely again.
What is that dream, proposal or journey God has placed in your heart to start or undergo? Are you apprehensive and skeptical about it? God is saying that He will go into it and you will be prosperous. Trust and believe God to go with you as He has promised.  He never fails.

Sing the song here in the food for thought

Food for Thought: He has promised, He will never fail, I will follow Him, I will follow Him, He has promised He will never fail; His faithfulness is forever more, His faithfulness, is forever more (Song).   

Memory verse: Genesis 46:4    

Prayer: God, go down with me into my business and work this year.

Ask Me And I Will Tell You

Devotion for Tuesday January 16, 2018

Topic: Ask Me And I Will Tell You

Text: Jeremiah 33:1 – 5

God is so loving and merciful. He knows how best we can live and serve Him better. He doesn’t want to wander aimlessly in the dark. He is the light and wants us to be and walk in the light too. Whatever will bring doubt in us and make us afraid, He will want to eliminate such. Hence, His words form the topic for the day. Life is full of uncertainties. Even this day, we are not sure of what will happen in the next hour. Because of such uncertainties, God calls on us in our bible reading for the day to ask and He will tell us what lies ahead, how best to handle issues, the ways to attain success and the best way to serve Him and humanity. Jesus Christ also gave same assurance in Matthew 7:7. Beloved, do you know what lies ahead of you this year? What do you think will bring success and progress for you? How best do you think you can serve God? How do you want to handle that troublesome

neighbour? If really you don’t have answers to these and many more questions agitating your mind, then you should ask God to tell you. Nothing takes God unawares. He knows your tomorrow and what it holds for you. He is in the right position to advice you. Remember that he who asks for direction never misses his way. Ask God for direction on ways to go, how to do things today and all the days of your life, and you will always meet with progress and success. Sing SS&S 319; Abu 249

Food for Thought: Someone who asks questions never misses his way

Memory verse: Jeremiah 33:3

Prayer: Grant, O God that I will always seek your counsel whenever I am confused or in doubt in Jesus name. Amen.

What Is Life?

Devotion for Saturday October 28, 2017

Topic: What Is Life?

Text: James 4:11 – 17

In our bible reading for the day, James put up an argument which started from James 4:13 concerning those who think that they have power over their future. He asserts that no man knows what will happen tomorrow. Unfortunately and sadly too, so many people either carelessly or due to pride assume that they can do something about the future by boasting to fulfill their pride and arrogance.

Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” God has not given us the power to command the future which means that we should depend on Him for each day. No wonder Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer: Give us this day, our daily bread … meaning one day at a time. We can only plead to God concerning the future and not to command the future.

Beloved, all your plans must depend of course on the continuance of your life which God alone offers because when the life is no more, all plans end. Unfortunately, what most of us don’t know or fail to remember most times is that life is transitory and evanescent as a basis on which to build any plan for the future. We can’t calculate on the permanence of a vapour neither build any solid hope on a mist. Therefore, we must know this fact that our future is in the hands of God and let this spur us to rely on Him in all we do.

Food for Thought: “Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live and is full of misery; he cometh up and is cut down like a flower; it flees as it were a shadow and never continues in one stay.” – Book of Common Prayer

Memory verse: James 4:14

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to understand that life is just a mist and transitory so I can depend on you for each day of my life in Jesus name. Amen.

A Reward For Our Actions

Devotion for Tuesday August 8, 2017

Topic: A Reward For Our Actions

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:9 – 11

This world is world of opposites; good or bad, man or woman, love or hatred, selfish or selfless, angry or happy, etc. God gave to man the will to makes choices at creation. “Man’s power of choice enables him to think like an angel or a devil, a king or a slave. Whatever he chooses, mind will create,” so Frederick Bailes. The power to make choices given to man will be his greatest undoing if we misused it.

Paul charges us here to walk well in our Christian life so as to please God because we shall account of ourselves before the judgement seat of Christ, where He, whose religion we profess will judge us according to its precepts and the grace bestowed on us. We need a conviction that we will stand at the judgement seat of Christ, and receive rewards according to the deeds done in the body, prudent and lead lives that will make us acceptable to Him and this is only possible with Christ-like life we are living here.

We note these facts from our scriptural reading.

1) The necessity of the judgement – We must, willing or unwilling

2) The universality of the judgement – We must all be judged

3) We will be judged by Christ – Whose image we ought to conform

4) It will be based on our person actions and inactions – The things done in the body

5) The reason for the judgement – To be punished or rewarded according to our actions.

Beloved, how prepared are you for this soon coming judgement to reward or punish us?

Food for Thought: The rewards you will receive depend on the way you have lived now. Therefore make good use of your time, talent and treasure to the glory of God

Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5: 10

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to be conscious of the coming judgement so I will live well so as to receive a good reward in Jesus name.

Bad Attitude That Hinders Spiritual Growth

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday June 13, 2017

Topic: Bad Attitude That Hinders Spiritual Growth

Text: Matt. 7:24 – 29

Carelessness, carefree, negligence and presumption are very dangerous attitude that every serious minded Christians should avoid and never imbibe. A careless or carefree man can easily fall victim of the evil one. We know the story of Samson how he was so carefree with the instruction from God before his birth.

God’s word serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). It directs and guides us. It guards us against danger and grants us wisdom on how best to live successfully (Joshua 1:7 & 8). When we read or hear the word of God, we should apply them diligently to our lives as evidence we are true disciples of Jesus Christ. This virtue of living out what we hear from the word of God teaches here that we shouldn’t be carefree, careless, negligent or presumptuous of the word we hear. James lends credence to this in James 1:22, 23 and 2:14.

In our spiritual growth, what makes the difference is not how many times you have been through the Bible, but how thoroughly the Bible is reflecting in the life you live. This is what matters in our Christianity. You may have gone through the Bible many times but your character remains questionable.

Does the Bible have any effect on your life? Do you preach and teach the word of God but do the opposite? What is your testimony in your school, office, neighbourhood, etc as a Christian? We should not take God’s word for granted or we end up in hell. It is not just the hearers and preachers that will be saved but the doers of the word.

Food for Thought: James 1:22

Memory verse: Matthew 7 verse 26

Prayer: God, help me to apply your word into my life and not to take it for granted in Jesus name. Amen

God Is Our Stronghold

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday May 8, 2017 

Topic: God Is Our Stronghold

Text: Nahum 1:1 – 8

Our Lord is good and He manifests His goodness in various ways. God remembers mercy in the midst of judgment. Adam Clarke says, “None that trust in Him need be alarmed at these dreadful threatening; they shall be discriminated in the day of wrath, for the Lord knows them that trust in Him.” This is the evidence of His goodness. In our text, Nahum assures his people of safety in Jehovah under the impending attack of Sennacherib by saying that God is a stronghold in the day of trouble. God as a stronghold means that God alone is the one that can save them from the hands of Sennacherib.

In a time like this, we have so many challenges confronting us like Sennacherib confronted the Israelites. Note that God is our stronghold against all challenges of life (Ps 18:2). The challenge facing you may be healing, freedom from prison, securing a good job, getting someone to spend your life with, food to eat, etc. Remember, He never fails those who make Him their stronghold. 

Beloved, let the words in Zech. 9:12 encourage you. As you cling to your stronghold and believe His word, He will guide you rightly and perfect all that concerns you. He will always keep safe all entrusted to Him because He knows His own (2 Tim. 2:19) except you are not His own.   

Food for Thought: When you trust God sincerely you can never be frightened

Memory verse: Nahum 1 verse 7

Prayer: Lord, be my stronghold against the enemies’ attack on me and my family in Jesus name.

A Living Hope

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday April 22, 2017

Topic: A Living Hope 

Text: 1 Peter 1:3 – 5

The Christian's hope is a living principle, and sustains his spiritual life. Our hope is lived out. It is something that is live out for others to see. This hope gives life and looks for life as its object. We are now born again for a wonderful expectation of life to come but not of this world because we are pilgrims and foreigners here. This expectation we have is based on the assurance that God will keep His promise to raise us because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Christ has made necessary power available for our resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:22). His resurrection makes us certain that we too will be raised from the dead.

This assurance is what makes our hope lively. It keeps us going, striving against all odds so as to gain that which God has promised us. What the resurrection of Christ has done for us is that it has inspired hope and grace in us. It has brought the conviction that we are going to be resurrected. The onus on us now is to live our lives with that inspired hope from the resurrection of Christ. It should make us to be heavenly conscious as we read yesterday. It should inspire a more strong faith in us that God is ever faithful to His promises. Our hope for eternal life promised us shouldn’t die.

We may be experiencing some negative things that are currently challenging our faiths. That notwithstanding, if we know our God, our hope will be renewed every day. We can achieve this by daily searching out God’s promises and laying hold of them as we pray. Don’t allow uncertainties of life deem your hope rather rekindle it daily basis. 

Food for Thought: Our hope for eternal life promised us shouldn’t die. Rekindle it on daily basis as we await the return of our Saviour.

Memory verse: 1 Peter 1 verse 3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to keep the hope of eternal life lively in me in Jesus name.

Raised To A New Life With Christ

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday April 21, 2017

Topic: Raised To A New Life With Christ

Text: Colossians 3:1 – 11

Repentance without noticeable change amounts to mere deception. It is very important we understand our status and expectations as Christians. You can never live well as a Christian with poor understanding of your status and what that status has conferred on you. Here, Paul tells the Colossians and us by extension that our lives have been raised to the realm above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. By our salvation, we have been raised with Christ. Our status is not just ordinary person walking on the street; rather we now have special qualities that distinguish us from unbelievers. For this reason, we should seek the things that are above. This implies that now as Christians we should set our priorities right by having the heavenly priorities take precedence over our own. It is expected that we should concentrate more on the things eternal than the things temporal.

As Christians who have been raised to new life, we should seek heavenly things with a strong desire to possess them. We must take our focus off the worldly and temporal things and place them on Christ in the heavenly place. The reason for this is that the strength and grace we need to run this heavenly race so well comes from Him. Moreover, we should not brag with our new status in Christ. Rather, we should be humble enough to appreciate where God has placed us by serving Him in humility and a heart of gratitude.

Food for Thought: Ephesians 2:4 – 7

Memory verse: Colossians 3 verse 1

Prayer: God, grant me the understanding of my status in you so I will live according to what you have made me in Jesus name.