Have The Mindset of Christ

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday July 18, 2017

Topic: Have The Mindset of Christ

Text: Philippians 3:15 – 16

The word mature as used in our text was translated perfect in King James Version. It implies full grown, as opposed to babes or children. Full grown here is used for me and women who are grounded in the word of God (1 Corinthians 14:20 compare Hebrews 5:12 - 14).

The mature in this context means striving for perfection and not perfection. Our mindset determines our perspective of issues, the way we react and respond to issues. The mind factor here had to do with maturity; showing perfect love and manifesting itself in perfect humility through Christ.

Paul exhorts the full grown Christians to imitate His perseverance, urging them to forsake any claim to legal righteousness. He charged them to seek that righteousness which is through faith of Christ so as to know Christ; to win Christ and to press ever forward to obtain the prize. For us the present day Christians, the mindset Paul expects us to develop is having deep personal desire for a daily experience with God and the pursuit to be like Christ. It should be an experience that can give vitality and meaning to life.

To attain maturity expected of us in this Christian race, we should focus on knowing Christ the more (Philippians 3:8), having righteousness of Christ (Philippians 3:9) and desiring moral transformation which leads to encounter with the resurrection power (Philippians 3:10). This should be our concern as we race towards heaven.

Food for Thought: Christians must live like Christ or nothing else

Memory verse: Philippians 3:15

Prayer: Lord God, help me to have the mind of Christ which is love, obedience and humility

Enemies of God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday July 9, 2017

Topic: Enemies of God

Text: Romans 8:1 – 9

Anyone who is not in good terms with God practically cannot enjoy the rights and privileges a son gets from the father. Enmity against God (Romans 8:7) means that the person is opposed to God’s law and demands. One of the consequences of being in enmity with God is eternal condemnation.

What makes one an enemy of God? It is when your mind has not been renewed and it relishes earthly and sinful things (Romans 8:5a). Such person lives in opposition to the laws of God and can’t please God (Romans 8:8). This is so because they do not have the mind of Christ in them as Paul suggested in Philippians 2:5. Jesus said “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

What is the condition of your mind? With what do you fill your mind? Our minds are essentially important and must be guided (Proverbs 4:23). Guide what comes in and what goes out of it. If you allow the word of God to fill your heart and mind, you will not be an enemy of God but if you fill your heart and mind with earthly things you will become an enemy of God. Striving with God will not be in our best interest if we make ourselves enemies of God. When you make yourself an enemy of God, be absolutely sure He will crush you.

Food for Thought: James 4:4

Memory verse: Romans 8:7

Prayer: Lord God, remove from me every form of carnality that makes me your enemy in Jesus name.

Mind Your Utterances

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday May 19, 2017

Topic: Mind Your Utterances

Text: Numbers 14:26 – 35

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31). Also see the warning in Matt 21:24. Provoking God is asking for trouble. It is like falling on a stone or the stone falling on someone. When you undermine the powers or mercies of God, He will show you that He is a consuming fire. He did it to Sodom and Gomorrah. He did it also to Goliath. On the contrary, God is full of mercies. He showed it to David and his descendants. May you not fall into the hands of living God rather may you enjoy His mercies in Jesus name.

God hates murmuring and complaining especially from people who have enjoyed His faithfulness. The Israelites tempted God, provoked Him and received rewards for their deeds. They condemned and ridiculed themselves and God honoured their word (Num. 14:28–34). This act of murmuring provoked God. It is a kind of indictment on God that He is not capable of protecting or leading them into the Promised Land. Again, by murmuring they try to shows that God’s words are not true. This was the reason God decided to honour their words of self-condemnation.

Have you enjoyed the mercies of God in form of healing, salvation, deliverance, protection, etc, and you are complaining or murmuring over immediate problem now, repent before the anger of God will come upon you. Beware of the kind of confession you make about your life; your marriage, your children, your job, your relationship, your dream, your spouse, etc. You can’t tell when you will use your negative confession to offend God and attract punishment.

Food for Thought: Beware of the confession you make about yourself.

Memory verse: Numbers 14 verse 29

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, never to murmur or complain against you no matter my present condition.