Arise, O Lord!

Devotion for Wednesday March 21, 2018

Topic: Arise, O Lord!

Text: Psalm 10:12 – 18

God is perfectly knows the words and works of both the righteous and the wicked, and in due time will appear and render to all according to their words and works. Here the Psalmist speaks with astonishment, at the wickedness of the wicked, and at the patience and forbearance of God. “Arise, O Lord, O God, lift up your hand” is a call for vindication and deliverance. 

The Psalmist might have suffered so much wickedness from people and it seems his prayers/appeal for help didn’t come. The poor, afflicted, persecuted, or tempted believer should understand that Satan is the prince of this world, and that he is the father of all the ungodly. The children of God cannot expect kindness, truth, or justice from a person. The Psalmist prayed that God should punish the wicked for their wickedness (v15) and then expressed his confidence in the abilities of God to hear the prayers of the humble and to do justice for the oppressed so that the oppressors will no longer oppress (v16 – 18). 

Are you currently under oppression of the wicked? Call on God to arise so that your enemies and His enemies will scatter. He may seem to be delaying but surely His hands will be lifted against them for His namesake and for your faith and confidence in Him. Trust Him to lift up those hands soon and very soon even as you go out today in your favour. 

Sing: Arise O Lord, let your enemies be scattered (3x) 

O Lord, my God, Arise

Food for Thought: Micah 5:9                     

Memory verse: Psalm 10 v 12

Prayer: Lord, lift your hands up against my enemies and turn their hearts to know and fear you in Jesus name.

The Lord God Is My Portion

Devotion for Friday February 2, 2018

Topic: The Lord God Is My Portion

Text: Psalm 119:57

Any true believer (Christian) takes the Lord for the portion of his/her inheritance and nothing less will satisfy him or her. In our text, we can see the true character of a godly man. 1. He makes the favour of God his happiness. Thus the Psalmist here was happy to assert that God is his portion and nothing else matters to him. Some people place their happiness and pleasure in the wealth and honours of this world. Their portion is in this life; they look no further; they desire nothing more; these are their good things (Luke 16:25). However, a godly man takes the Lord for the portion of his inheritance and his cup, and nothing less will satisfy him. Another character of a godly man here is that he makes the word of God his guiding principle. He had declared his choice: he preferred the word of God to the wealth of the world. It was his firm resolve to keep, that is, treasure up and observe the words of his God (compare John 14:15) because he loves God. Here he confesses his binding obligation of his vow to God.  Beloved, what is your portion and what is it that gives you joy and makes you happy. Is it God and His word or the wealth of this world?

Sing SS&S 811; Abu 227

Food for Thought: Psalm 16:5         

Memory verse: Lamentation 3:24

Prayer: Lord God, you are my portion. Make me to be contented with what you have offered me and will offer me in future in Jesus name. Amen

Lord, Save Us

Devotion for Thursday February 1, 2018

Topic: Lord, Save Us

Text: Matthew 8:23 – 27

Sometimes, it may seem as if God neglects us when we are in danger but it is not always so as God is always there with us when we are in danger at the right time to save us especially when we call upon Him. No wonder His words say, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." (Psalm 50:15). Jesus entered a boat and His disciples followed Him. While they were inside the boat, the tempest arose “but He was asleep.” Some of the disciples were used to such tempest as fishermen but unfortunately, they were also frightened that they called on Jesus to come to their rescue and save them. Of course Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and the sea and there was a great calm. The disciples were marveled at that act. These passages Psalm 65:7; 89:9 and 107:29 talk about God ruling over the raging sea, and calming the storm. These are Old Testament scriptures and our text is in the New Testament showing that such acts were either prophesied or known to people of the Old Covenant as attributes of God. For the disciples to become that fearful means they have not actually come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah despite the fact that they have been with Him. For men to be fearful when following the directions of Christ, shows that they lack confidence in Him but He rebuked the storm and saved them. Do not make room for fear in your heart as a Christian. Sing SS&S 661; Abu 327

Food for Thought: One advantage of trials is to make us know our weakness, so as to oblige us to have recourse to God by faith in Christ.

Memory verse: Matthew 8:25

Prayer: God may I always recourse to you for salvation in time of trouble for you alone are my Saviour.

He Who Scatters Seed …

Devotion for Sunday January 7, 2018

Topic: He Who Scatters Seed …

Proverbs 11:24 – 25 

Today’s topic is similar to that of yesterday.  Proverbs 11:24 speaks about the liberal man and a miser. A liberal or bountiful man will always give to the poor and will never turn away his face from any one in distress. It is on that premise that the Lord blesses his property, and the bread is multiplied in his hand. Scatter as used here means giving alms (charity) or sowing seeds. The reward for the liberal man is also found in Proverbs 11:25. This shows us how wonderful our God is! He gives the property, gives the heart to use it aright, and recompenses the man for doing it as He wants. True Christian liberality is the one broad road to prosperity. It secures God's blessing upon our gain, and makes it profitable to ourselves and to others. With this in mind, we ought to plan to scatter our seeds (talents, wisdom and wealth) this year. How best can you do this? Think about it and write them down in your journal to enable you act on them. Remember that true liberality is a broad way to prosperity. Therefore, choose to be liberal and not miser; choose to be prosperous and not a pauper, choose to live a self-sufficient life and not a beggarly life. The choice is all yours. The decision you make now will affect the life you will live throughout the year and beyond. Sing A&M 483; SS&S 1053; Abu 319

Food for Thought: Psalm 112 verse 9

Memory verse: Proverbs 11: 24   

Prayer: Lord God, teach me the true Christian liberality in Jesus name. Amen.

Those Who Bear The Name Of The Lord

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday July 5, 2017

Topic: Those Who Bear The Name Of The Lord

Bearing the name of the Christ is the highest privilege God has conferred on us. Moses told the Israelites that God requires total and absolute obedience from them for that is the way His promises of blessings will come upon and overtake them. When these blessings start manifesting in their lives, people will know that they bear the name of the Lord. It will show that they are most excellent and glorious people, under the peculiar care and countenance of a great God.

This promise is not only for the old Israel but also for the New Israel. We stand to gain so many things as those who bear the name of the Lord They are enumerated in Deuteronomy 28:2 – 14 which include people becoming afraid of us (see Deuteronomy 11:25). Another thing we stand to gain as people who bear the name of God is that we have the right to call on God to intervene on our behalf when the enemies confront us. As people who bear the name of the Lord, we have the right to call on God any moment and He will answer us (2 Chronicles 7:14).

However, we shouldn’t forget that it is not just bearing the name of God alone but that there are conditions attached to these blessings. The primary condition is in Deuteronomy 28:1 and 2. Obedience to God’s injunctions is necessary for our own food and blessings. We who bear the name of God should be exemplary in exhibiting the character of Christ so that people around us will see God’s glory manifesting in us. Our Christianity will be meaningless if it does not affect lives of people we meet on daily basis. Bearing the name of God should challenge us to live well in our homes, offices and in our neighbourhood.

Food for Thought: The name of the Lord is our source of protection, providence, defence and anchor. Is that name in you.

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 28 verse 10

Prayer: Help me O Lord to live out your name I bear in Jesus name.

Rejoice With Me

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 31, 2017

Topic: Rejoice With Me

Text: Psalm 118:1 – 24

There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. On such days our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. On such day, we will wish death to come and take us but not so on a day like this for me and my family.

This psalm is the last of ‘Hallel’ or Praise psalms (Ps 113 – 118). It is caption Praise for Deliverance. There are things God does for us that we cannot keep quiet about. Here, the Psalmist called on us to give thanks to God (118:1) for his mercies (118:1 – 4). He recounted how he called on the Lord and He answered (118:5). This boosted his confidence in God to assert that he will not fear man. This made him to call on us to put our confidence in God and not man. For what God did for him, he called on those who love God, to rejoice with him.

In the same way, I am calling on those who love God to rejoice with me because of what God had done in my life. Today, I am celebrating my 50th Birthday. I never knew I would be alive due to the waters, rivers and fires of life I had passed through. Nobody who saw me in the year 2003 would believe that I would be alive to see this day but my prayer then had been Ps 118:17.

Today, I have every reason to rejoice and I say to God, “Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the Lord. I will praise you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Join me on Saturday 3rd June, 2017 in a Birthday Thanksgiving Service at Cathedral Church of St. Peter Asaba by 10:00am. God bless you.

Food for Thought: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Memory verse: Psalm 118 verse 24

Prayer: Join me to thank God for my life and pray for more mercies and grace upon my life and family on this my birthday.

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.

The Harvest Truly Is Great

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday April 26, 2017

Topic: The Harvest Truly Is Great

Text: Luke 10:2

There is no unemployment in the Christian service as every Christian has a gift and a call to perform. God has enough work for everyone. Don’t just sit back and watch others work; look for ways to help with the harvest. Jesus asserts that the harvest is great and decided to send 35 teams of 2 evangelists each. He urged them to pray to the Lord of harvest to send labourers into His vineyard.

This Luke 10:2 has some lessons for us.

1) The first step towards evangelism is to start praying about it. Jesus teaches us here the imperative of prayer in evangelism. You cannot win a soul you don’t love and have not prayed for. This demands that if you want to win any particular person for Christ, you should start by praying for the person before you go to preach to him or her.

2) It reveals the magnitude of unbelievers around us. Beloved, take a look into your street, your school, the market where you go for shopping, etc, and how many of them are really born again? What of the church where you worship? How many members of the church where you worship live as true Christians outside the church on weekdays? You will find out they are negligible few. This shows that we have enormous work on evangelism facing us.

3) This story reveals that we have few people who are willing to go out on evangelism. In your church, how many people come out for evangelism? Do you go on evangelism as an individual or as a group in your church? God is looking for people who will go out there where sinners are and not people who will wait for sinner to come them. Are you determined to do something for God? Start now.

Action: Today, pray for the unsaved people and pray also that God will raise other concerned disciples to join in reaching out to the unbelievers. Share the gospel message as you go out.

Memory verse: Luke 10 verse 2a

Prayer: Lord God, raise men and women with the burden of evangelism in my church and locality in Jesus name. Amen.

Time To Seek The Lord

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday April 24, 2017

Topic: Time To Seek The Lord 

Text: Hosea 10:9 – 15

This month of April is said to have derived its name from the Latin verb aperio, which signifies to open, because it is the season the buds and blossoms begin to open. This is the reason Hosea used agricultural language to give his prophesy in such a season. It is my prayer that every bud of peace, progress, promotion, etc, will begin to open for you in Jesus name.

In asking God to open our buds in a bid that they will blossom, we should sincerely seek Him from our hearts by breaking up our fallowed ground and by sowing righteousness. This is what Hosea is telling us as here. He repeatedly uses illustrations about fields and crops and here he envisions a ploughed field. It is no longer stony and hard; it has been carefully prepared, and it is ready for planting. This is what the Israelis should make their life to become if they hope to escape the impending judgement of God upon them. No one should hope for a more permanent and total reformation which cannot start with thorough humiliation of the heart before God. Such heart should be prepared in meekness to receive the transformation from God.

Is your life ready for God to work in it? You can break up the unploughed ground of your heart by acknowledging your sins and receiving God’s forgiveness and guidance. This is the only way God can come into your life and transform it into a fruitful life that will glorify Him.

Food for Thought: Proverbs 11:18

Memory verse: Hosea 10 verse 12

Prayer: Grant me the spirit of humility, O Lord, to always acknowledge my sins in order to receive your forgiveness and blessings 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.

Christ Died For Our Sins

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday April 17, 2017

Topic: Christ Died For Our Sins

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1 – 11

Our bible reading today can be likened to our statement of faith (The creed) because it contains the summary of what Jesus did to save humanity. Apostle Paul had to write this to allay the fears and doubts in the mind of some Corinthians because some people were teaching that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. He stated that many people saw Jesus after His resurrection at different occasions. He listed some of them to include Peter; the 12 disciples; over 500 disciples (some who were still alive at the time he wrote this epistle); James (the half-brother of Jesus) and finally Paul himself.

The centre of Paul’s message here is that Jesus died for our sins. This should be a source of joy for us above every other thing we can think of in this life. If we understand the consequences of sin and its burden, we will appreciate that ultimate sacrifice of Jesus every day of our lives. That Jesus resurrected is a historical fact.

We should not be discouraged when people doubt or deny Christ’s resurrection. Rather we should be filled with hope because a day will come when all of us shall see the proof on His return. However, on the interim, we should always be grateful to God for sending Jesus Christ to die for us. Have you accepted that ultimate sacrifice by making Him your Lord and Saviour? A time will come it will be too late. Come to the Saviour today and make no delay.

Food for Thought: As Christ died for our sins, how best can we appreciate this kind gesture of God towards us?

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15 verse 3

Prayer: Lord God, help me to appreciate your love for me in dying for my sins.

No Excuse (IV)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday March 15, 2017

Topic: No Excuse IV

Text: Revelation 2:18 – 29

Thyatira was a town where many people work for a living. Many trade and artisans were there with specialties in cloth making, dyeing, and pottery. Lydia, Paul’s first convert in Philippi, was a merchant from Thyatira (Acts 16:14). The city was mostly secular, with no particular religion known with them.

In this letter, God acknowledged their works (charity), love, service, faith, and patience. Despite all these, He had few things against them. He accused them of allowing that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce His servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. In the church in Thyatira, a woman taught that immorality was not a sin for believers. Her name may be Jezebel or maybe, John used that name Jezebel to symbolize the kind of evil she was promoting. God pronounced judgement on that woman (Revelation 2:22, 23) after He had given her the grace to repent but she did not (Revelation 2:21). God charged those who were not influenced by this woman’s teaching to hold fast what you have till He comes (Revelation 2:25).  

Beloved in Christ, immorality is a great sin before man and God. Some pastors teach that these things doesn’t matter, insisting that what matter before God is confession of Christ as Lord and Saviour. Sadly, many people believe such teaching because their pastor has said so. Here is an eye opener. God doesn’t compromise and we shouldn’t do so. There is no excuse if we accept teachings of what the bible condemns as sin. Beware because you don’t have excuse before God (Romans 2:1).

Food for Thought: Acts 15:20, 29

Memory verse: Revelation 2 verse 20 - But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Prayer: God, deliver me from contamination with things offered to idol and the teachings of Jezebel in Jesus name. Amen.

The Lord Will Repay You

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday January 21, 2017

Topic: The Lord Will Repay You

Text: Ruth 2:11 – 13           

Boaz opened up and acknowledged that he has heard all the works of love shown Naomi since the death of her (Ruth’s) husband and have come to a people whom she did not know before. For this reason he prayed for her as we have in 2:13. Boaz also stated that God of Israel is a refuge to all who come to Him. God rewards affection and love we show our elderly people.

This prayer of Boaz is regarded by some theologians as the key to understanding the purpose of this book; that is to show the sovereignty of God in His relationship with His people. ‘Wings’ symbolizes divine protection (Ps. 17:8; 36:7; 61:4; 91:4). Boaz also recognizes that Ruth’s actions can only mean that she has come to have faith in the God of Israel which confirmed her words in 1:16. All our labours of love are never in vain.

According to Middleton in Quotations, PowerBible CD stated that, “Charity is never lost: it may meet with ingratitude, or be of no service to those on whom it was bestowed, yet it ever does a work of beauty and grace upon the heart of the giver.” Again, “Charity sees the need not the cause” as German proverbs says. We should help people not minding the reward. Definitely, the reward will come at God’s time.

Food for Thought: Hebrews 6:10

Memory verse: Ruth 2 verse 12

Prayer: Lord, remember all my labours of love and reward me accordingly.

He Keeps Us On Our Way

My Daily Covenant with God (2017 Edition) January 1, 2017                    

Topic: He Keeps Us On Our Way   

Text: Exodus 23:20 – 31         

Happy New Year and welcome to 2017! In today’s text is a promise directly from God that He will send His angel to guide His people, Israel through the wilderness to the Promised Land with a condition of obedience attached to it (Exodus 23:21 and 22). How possible would it have been for Israelites to walk through to the Promised Land without God guiding them? That would have been a mission impossible. But God who called them and initiated the movement knew the task ahead and decided to lead them through. They needed courage to continue the journey. God made three promises in 23:20; to send his Angel, to guide His people in the wilderness and to bring them into the Promised Land. 

These are the three promises God has for you as you start this year that He will send His Angel to go before you throughout the year, to guide and guard you and to bring you promises of good health, peace, progress and all the heavenly blessings. God has made these promises; the fulfilment depends on your ability to keep to the conditions attached to them. Just like He told Joshua, so He is telling you today to “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Let this assurance from Josh. 1:9 be your courage this year and beyond.

Food for Thought: "The Lord is my Shepherd," not was, not maybe, not will be. "The Lord is my Shepherd" – is on Sunday, is on Monday, and is through every day of the week; is in January, is in December, and every month of the year; is at home, and is in China; is in peace, and is in war; in abundance and in poverty – Taylor (PowerBible CD)

Memory verse: Exodus 23 verse 20 

Prayer: Pray for the year 2017 and ask for God’s grace, favour, peace and blessings in your life, family and career.

OUR ALL-SATISFYING PORTION: Devotion for Tuesday October 11, 2016

OUR ALL-SATISFYING PORTION: Devotion for Tuesday October 11, 2016

Text: Psalm 16:1 – 7        Memory verse: Psalm 16 verse 6

Of what use will it be to God after blessing you to see those blessings being taken away from you either by devil or by his agents? God’s intent is never to bless us and we lose them to the devil. His intent is never to add any sorrow to the blessings He gives to us. No wonder the bible was clear and emphatic about this very truth that God’s blessings don’t add any sorrow to us (Proverbs 10:22). This should be a source of hope and courage in our work with God as we expect His provisions for our daily needs.

When God is your portion and inheritance, He shields, shelters, provides and protects you. God as our portion offers us all we need or desire depending on His will for us and those things that will benefit us even as John Wesley asserts. In his expression, he rejoices in God as his portion, and desires no better, no other felicity. This is purely a true understanding of God we serve and all He can do for us. About our protection, Jesus testified in John 10:28 and John 17:12.

The Lord’s portion as used in Psalm 16:5 according to Family Bible Notes are, “Those whom He set apart especially for Himself, treated as His peculiar treasure, and from whom He might rightfully expect special revenue of glory.” This is what God expects from us always. Are you one of His portions? Remember that He didn’t call us without endowing us.

We should understand the whole of Psalm 16:6 not literally saying of David's earthly heritage in the land of Canaan, but figuratively of God Himself, as his All-Satisfying portion. This made his lot secured. Having God as his portion, guaranteed and secured his lot. Such secured lot can become yours if you give your life to Jesus accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour. He does not abandon whatever is entrusted to Him. Entrust yourself to God and believe in Him. He will keep you safe and satisfy you with the best portion from His lot. The choice is all yours now – take it or leave it.

Food for Thought: Is God your All–satisfying portion?  

Prayer: Help me, O Lord my God, to depend on you as my portion and lot now and forever in Jesus name. Amen. 

BE FERVENT IN SPIRITUAL MATTERS: Devotion for Friday October 7, 2016

BE FERVENT IN SPIRITUAL MATTERS: Devotion for Friday October 7, 2016        

Text: Romans 12:9 – 13         Memory verse: Romans 12 v 11

Fervent means showing passionate enthusiasm or glowingly hot. In the context of our text, it is being passionately enthusiastic in spiritual matters. To be enthusiastic is to show excited interest. What Paul meant here is that Roman Christians should be excited about spiritual things more than any other thing else. He advised that the professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and deceitful compliments. Again, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful; being zealous, enthusiastic, and not indifferent. We should be ready to entertain travellers and strangers, especially such as are labouring or suffering for Christ as there is occasion and we must welcome strangers.

Those that rejoice in hope are likely to be patient in tribulation. This informs Paul’s advice because our hope as Christian is in heaven, where Christ is. We should not be cold or weary in the duty of prayer. These admonitions will help to improve our commitment to God and our relationship with one another. Christians, who serve the Lord enthusiastically, would never want to be lazy. Paul is not advocating activity for activity’s sake. Rather, we should consistently use our spiritual gifts to serve the body. We have been called (1:6–7), challenged (12:1–2), and equipped (12:4–6) for serving the Lord. We must fight against discouragement, depression, and being negative; we must do our best to keep our spiritual temperature high.

Food for Thought: Christians, who serve the Lord enthusiastically, would never want to be lazy.

Prayer: Lord, rekindle my enthusiasm for your service in Jesus name.

ABSOLUTE COMPLIANCE OR NOTHING: Devotion for Tuesday August 9, 2016

ABSOLUTE COMPLIANCE OR NOTHING: Devotion for Tuesday August 9, 2016

Text: Leviticus 27:26 – 34                

Memory verse: Leviticus 27:30 – And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.

For the past five days, we have been reading about reasons why we should pay our tithes. We saw five reasons why we should pay tithe. As a reminder, the five reasons are: A means of providing for the church, providing for the less privileged in the society, a means of insurance and assurance, covenant to receive more and a test of our obedience.

Tithing is an obligation on us Christians. It is not negotiable or optional just as we have in our memory verse for the day. In our text we have things that are God’s which cannot be redeemed. However, 27:31 says, “If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it.” Things or persons devoted are distinguished from things or persons that were only sanctified.

Devoted things were most holy to the Lord, and could neither be taken back nor applied to other purposes. Many of us no longer remember that we have fruit of the trees and the seed of the land belongs to the Lord. Presently, our emphasis is on money alone. For those who owe fruit bearing trees, you shouldn’t forget this instruction here. The essence of these laws is to help us acknowledge God as the owner of our land, the giver of its fruits, and ourselves as His tenants, and dependants upon Him.    

Many of the principles regarding sacrifices and tithes were intended to encourage inward attitudes as well as outward actions. The inward attitude include obedience, faith, dependence on God, etc while the outward action includes honour for God, dedication, commitment, etc. This teaches us to honour the Lord with our substance (Proverbs 3:9). If a person gives grudgingly, it shows that he has a stingy heart. God wants us to be cheerful givers (2 Cor. 9:7), who give with gratitude to Him. Remember, what God requires from us in tithes and offerings are obedience, gratitude and honour for Him. He doesn’t even eat or use them. They are reserved for His services.    

Food for Thought: Do you give grudgingly or cheerfully?

Prayer: Almighty God, help me to acknowledge and appreciate you as the source of all that I have and all that I am in Jesus name.

REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS: Devotion for Friday July 29, 2016

REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS: Devotion for Friday July 29, 2016

Text: Colossians 3:1 – 4             

Memory verse: Colossians 3:2 - Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

The essence of going to learn in a school is to improve ourselves and to make us have better understanding of ourselves, and our society. If after leaving school there is no improvement in your understanding of yourself and your environment, it means your efforts in school were wasted. Likewise, when someone repents and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, it is expected that such should have a better understanding of how best to serve God. It is on this premise that Paul started in this chapter by saying, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your eyes on the realities of heaven …” (New Living Translation). This means that before their repentance, their focus were on worldly things. Now it shouldn’t be so. They should begin to focus on Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2).

Because Christians had been raised from sin into life of righteousness, they had a clear responsibility to Christ, who had raised them. They must set their sights on the realities of heaven so as to avoid the distractions of the world. The Greek word for “set” means to seek something out with a desire to possess it. The believers must take their focus off the world and turn it to Christ, who sits at God’s right hand in the place of honour and power. They should concentrate on the things eternal rather than the things temporal, letting their thoughts dwell in the realm of Christ. They were to focus on the Lord Jesus. Thoughts can influence actions, so if the believers would place their thoughts above and not only here on earth, their actions would please God. Are your thoughts focused on Christ now as a Christian or you are still concerned about worldly affairs?

Food for Thought: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

Prayer: Lord God, redirect my focus from the things worldly to the things eternal. Help me to live  in Jesus name.

DIVINE CONSULTATION: Devotion for Monday May 16, 2016

DIVINE CONSULTATION: Devotion for Monday May 16, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 30:7 – 10       Memory verse: v 8

David couldn’t go to the Tabernacle to ask the Lord for guidance because it was in Saul’s territory. Therefore, he called for the ephod, the only Tabernacle-related object Abiathar had with him. In the presence of the priest and this priestly garment, he asked God for direction. When David called for the ephod, he was really asking the priest to bring him the Urim and Thummim, which were kept in a pouch attached to the ephod. Only the high priest could carry and use the Urim and Thummim (Ex 39:1-21.). God usually answers us slowly and gradually but here He answered David speedily because any delay would amount to evil on the captives. Our God is so gracious that He considers even the degree of our necessities, and associates Himself with them.

God urged us in Ps 50:15 saying, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." David called upon God and He answered him immediately. This shows that God is aware of all we pass through, the necessity of our needs and ever willing to help us if only we can call upon Him. Are you in need today and have become so anxious about it? The bible enjoins us in 1 Pet 5:7 to cast all our cares and anxiety upon Him for He cares for us. Will you do that today? If you do, you will certainly have peace.

Food for Thought: Philippians 4:6

Prayer: Help my weakness, O Lord, that in time of trouble, I will confide in you and not be in despair in Jesus name.       

IT IS I, THE LORD: Devotion for Wednesday April 27, 2016

 

IT IS I, THE LORD: Devotion for Wednesday April 27, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 19:20 – 34      Memory verse: v 22

Prov. 14:31 and 17:5 are similar. These two passages speak about making mockery of the poor and helpless which is indirectly reproaching God their Maker. God said here “It is I, the Lord” – (Living Bible) you have reproached. This is foolishness of unbelievers. After Hezekiah had prayed, God sent words to him through Isaiah, the son of Amoz with the words in 19:21ff. God made it clear that Sennacherib king of Assyria, through his messengers has reproached Him and therefore will face the consequences. God replied to Sennacherib’s taunting words (18:19–25), indicting him for arrogance. Sennacherib believed his kingdom had grown because of his own efforts and strength. In reality, he succeeded only because of what He had allowed and caused. Then God decreed what will happen between Hezekiah and Sennacherib (19:30 – 34).

There are so many ways we ridicule God in our arrogance and ignorance. When we despise fellow human being just because we are better off, we reproach God. Can you mention other ways we ridicule God? What the King of Assyria and his men did were done out of ignorance and arrogance. Most of us do so thinking that what we are today is a result of hard work. It is God who makes us. Therefore we shouldn’t use our positions to intimidate others. Rather, in humility, we should be appreciative of what God has made us.

Food for Thoughts: Do you reproach God by ridiculing or reproaching fellow human being?

Prayer: Deliver me, O Lord, from every form of arrogance and ignorance in my life in Jesus name.