To Fulfill The Law

Devotion for Sunday January 13, 2019

Topic: To Fulfill The Law

Text: Matthew 5:17 – 20

A proverbial saying of the Igbos has it that “the rat does not fall from the roof of the house. Something is pursuing it.” For Jesus to stand and make the assertion in our text today shows that He has been accused of breaking the law. The four gospels of the scripture have records of these accusations. Unfortunately, these accusations are unfounded. Some were just ways aimed to trap Jesus and misinterpretation of the law (See Matthew 12:1 – 12).

Jesus actually came to fulfill the law hence He subjected Himself to it by dying for the sake of the sin of the world which He took upon Himself (Ezekiel 18:4). Christ did not come to bring any new way of righteousness and salvation into the world, but indeed to fulfil that which was shadowed by the Law; by delivering men through grace from the curse of the Law. He also came to teach the true use of obedience and to engrave in our hearts the power for obedience.

Jesus had to make this fact straight not just for the Pharisees but for us, the present day readers and Christians because He is our model and we should emulate Him (Ephesians 5:1). We should follow His example and that is the best way to please God and serve Him as expected. How obediently are you applying the grace of God?

Food for Thought: Romans 3:31

Memory verse: Matthew 5:17

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, grant me the grace to follow the example of Christ in obedience to the law in Jesus name 

Be An Observable Model (In Your Faith)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday February 7, 2017

Topic: Be An Observable Model (In Your Faith)

Text: Acts 6:8 - And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.         

Stephen was one of the deacons (managers of food distribution) in the early church (Acts 6:5). In the early Church, one of the things required of those to do any kind of Christian service is that they should be filled with God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Stephen distinguished himself. He was a wise servant (Acts 6:3), a miracle worker (Acts 6:8), and an evangelist (Acts 6:10).

Stephen is the first non-apostle to whom miracles are ascribed, as well as the first non-apostle whose sermon is recorded, in the book of Acts. Above all he is a man of faith and a typical of Christ in forgiving those who killed him. What a model for us Christians. It is unknown how long Stephen’s ministry continued before the events of this chapter and the next occurred, but he obviously had a powerful, visible, and influential ministry.

The life of Stephen is very challenging because of the faith he demonstrated. He was appointed to serve food but he used every opportunity he had to preach the gospel and probably mentor people that come to him. He didn’t decline preaching because he wasn’t an Apostle. He was very vast in the scriptures and traditions of the Patriarchs. When he was called to defend his faith, he stood his ground and wasn’t afraid of being martyred.

Looking at his life, in what area can you be compared with Stephen? Is it his faith, his service, his preaching, his belief in Christ Jesus, etc? Can you dare to be a Stephen in our generation, willing to die for the gospel? God is counting on you. Don’t disappoint Him. Show your faith and it will encourage someone in this Christian race. Surely you will be glad you did.

Food for Thought: “Faith is kept alive in us and gathers strength, more from practice than from speculations” - Addison in Power Bible CD.

Memory verse: Acts 6:8 - And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

Prayer: God, grant me the kind of faith of Stephen so I will live an exemplary life for my generation and posterity in Jesus name. Amen.

Be An Observable Model (In Fellowship)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday February 6, 2017

Topic: Be An Observable Model (In Fellowship)

Text: 1 John 1:1 – 7

The believers devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42) implies that they were continually persisting regularly in the activities of the apostles which included breaking of bread and teaching sessions. These activities form a practical map for not only the day-old church but for any church of any age. From the beginning the early church was devoted to hearing, studying, and learning what the apostles had to teach. Such coming together of believers is usually referred to as fellowship.

The fellowship (koinonia) means association and close relationships. This involved sharing goods, having meals together, and praying together. Sharing in the Lord’s Supper refers to communion services that were celebrated in remembrance of Jesus and patterned after the Last Supper, which Jesus had eaten with His disciples before His death (Matt 26:26-29). It likely included a regular meal shared together (Acts 2:46; 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23-25; Jude 1:12). Prayer is joined with the expression “sharing in the Lord’s Supper” to explain the word ‘fellowship.’ Prayer has always been a mark of the believers’ gatherings. How often do you attend fellowship of believers?

Do you see it as a delight coming together with other believers? In Ps 133:1, the Psalmist said, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” This is what God expects from us. We should not neglect it. We should be a model with our regular attendance to church activities and programmes.

Food for Thought: Do you attend church programmes and activities regularly?

Memory verse: Acts 2:42 - And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Prayer: Make me more regular to Church activities and programmes, O Lord my God in Jesus name. Amen 

Be An Observable Model (In Prayers)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday February 5, 2017

Topic: Be An Observable Model (In Prayers)

Text: Colossians 4:2

To those who know the power of God, prayer is indispensable. Prayer is a key; not just ordinary key but master key that can open all doors and anything locked. Prayer is a password you need to access heaven and all the blessings therein. We saw what prayer did in the life of Hannah and many others in the bible.

Where we have just read (Colossians 4:2), Paul admonishes us to devote ourselves to (persist in) prayer and be alert as we pray. Our persistence is an expression of our faith that God answers our prayers. Faith shouldn’t die if the answers come slowly, for the delay may be God’s way of working His will in our lives. This is what God expects from us and such persistence will strengthen and encourage others too, in their prayer life.

Today, many people are tired of praying, while some are too lazy to pray. That is not what God expects from us even as He taught us in Luke 18:1. When you feel tired of praying, know that God is ever present, always listening, always answering—maybe not in ways you had hoped, but in ways that He knows are best. When you are known as a man/woman/boy/girl of prayer and you always persist in it, it will be a source of courage to people around you and you will become a model for others who are weak in prayer.  

Are you sick, pray? Prayer will solve that marriage problem, secure you a job, release you from prison, grants you success, makes your children submissive, guides you, protects you, etc. Will you maximize this opportunity?

Action: Make out time to pray about that problem confronting you today.

Memory verse: Luke 18:1 - And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Prayer: God, teach me to prayer without ceasing and to persist in it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Be An Observable Model (In Reactions)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday February 4, 2017

Topic: Be An Observable Model (In Reactions)              

Text: Romans 12:17 – 21

The way we react to words we hear or to people’s actions speaks volume of the depths of our Christianity. In online bible quotation, Epictetus said, “Deliberate much before you say or do anything, for it will not be in your power to recall what is said or done.” Most of us do not think before we talk. We only think after we had talked. This shouldn’t be the standard of true Christian.

Proverbs 15:1 says “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Again, Proverbs 15:8 says, “A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention.” Our reactions will either avert contention or stirs up anger. If we actually hope to live as true Christians, we should learn how to govern our spirit. Paul confirms this when he said, “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets” – 1 Corinthians 14:32. When we shout at one another, it shows that we don’t love one another.

We should show our maturity in Christ by the way we react to the words we hear especially those that are provocative. Jesus Christ gave us an example according to 1 Peter 2:21 – 23. We should be a model for others by the way we control the anger, slander, abuse, hatred, injustice, etc. against us. There is no gain in trying to flex muscles with people over words you could easily ignore, after all the words said against you are not written on your forehead. The author of the book Hebrew also said that Jesus gave us an example (Heb. 12:3). We should follow that example. Don’t think you can gain anything by vengeance, expression of anger and unnecessary and sudden outburst on people.

Food for Thought: He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so He opened not his mouth (Isaiah 53:7).

Memory verse: Proverbs 16:32 - Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Prayer: Grant unto me, O Lord, the grace to control myself in times of and provocation in Jesus name.

Be An Observable Model (In Actions)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday February 3, 2017

Topic: Be An Observable Model (In Actions)         

Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6 – 10    

Here, Paul warned about laziness. He made it clear that they were models when he and his companions were in Thessalonica, saying that they worked hard, buying what they needed rather than becoming a burden to any of the believers. Their rule was, “Whoever does not work should not eat.” This should be the standard of every Christian. Is it pleasing that as a Christian, you should be a burden to people? It is absolutely wrong for us to fold our hand and continue to wait for supply from other people. This is the reason behind Paul’s warning in 3:6. See his example in 2 Cor. 11:9, Acts 18:3 and 1 Thessalonians. 2:9.

Most Christians confuse leisure and laziness but there are differences between them. Relaxation and recreation provide a necessary and much needed balance to our life; but when it is time to work, Christians should jump right in. We should make the most of our talent and time, doing all we can to provide for ourselves and our dependents. Rest when you should be resting and work when you should be working.

Be a model for others the way you work to provide for your family and other dependants. Don’t bring shame to God and His church by lazing about in pretence that you are going for prayers, going for evangelism while your family is dying of hunger. Don’t be a burden to others and the church. That is how you can be a model.

Action: Start doing something from today if you don’t have any job. It may not be what you wanted but from there God will take you to where you will be.   

Memory verse: Acts 20:34 - You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me (ESV).

Prayer: Bless the works of my hands O Lord and give job to those in need so we can’t become burden to people.

Be An Observable Model (In Utterances)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday February 2, 2017

Topic: Be An Observable Model (In Utterances)         

Text: Matthew 12:35 – 37   

Today and in the next five days, we shall be looking at some observable models from the scriptures; expected of us, that will challenge us to live well to the glory of God. Jesus posited that Christians are light of the world and salt of the earth which by implication demands that we should be models for the world. We shall, in these five days, look at some of the areas we can model our lives of worthy characters from the scriptures.

Ecclesiastics 5:2 says, “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.” This is a great advice for whosoever wants to be a model in terms of spoken words.

In our text Jesus reminds us that what we say exposes the thoughts in our heart. According to Life Application Notes, What comes from our mouth “Is an indication of what is in your heart. You can’t solve your heart problem, however, just by cleaning up your speech. You must allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives; then your speech will be cleansed at its source.”

Are the words that come out of your mouth good enough to edify people (1 Timothy 4:12)? Are you the type that doesn’t have control over your mouth? Remember that “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise – Proverbs 10:19. 

Food for Thought: A vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not; so men are proved, by their speech, whether they be wise or foolish. –Demosthenes.

Memory verse: Proverbs 10:19

Prayer: Help me O Lord to be a model with the words of my mouth that the words of my mouth will be pleasing to you in Jesus name. Amen.

JESUS CHRIST’S HUMILITY: Devotion for Thursday November 24, 2016

JESUS CHRIST’S HUMILITY: Devotion for Thursday November 24, 2016

Text: John 6:14 – 15            Memory verse: John 6 verse 15

Humility, Jesus Christ, Leader, Model, King, Crown, Devotion, Life, Foundation, 

Anyone who is a leader, a minister of the gospel or even a believer is looked up to for true and thorough modeling. If they don’t see anything to model from your life, then that person’s ministry or leadership is in vain. You must be willing at all times to offer your followers something they will appreciate and value especially, in your attitude and character.

Yesterday, we read about Jesus Christ’s compassion. Today, we have in our text, His humility. The people associated Jesus (John 6:14) with the prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:15. But their assumption was that the promised prophet would break Roman rule over Israel as Moses had broken Egypt’s (John 1:21; cf. Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22 and 7:37).

Jesus withdrew from the crowd because they had missed the point and not to have accepted Him on His terms. The crowd had intended to force Him to become king. He knew that this offer of kingship was superficial, motivated by a desire for bread rather than as a result of true recognition of His person. They wanted bread for physical life and independence for political life. But Jesus offered Himself as the foundation for a new spiritual and eternal life.

Though He escaped, they went after Him. This is because He has so much to offer the people both physically and spiritually. What have you to offer people who come to you first as a Christian and secondly as a Pastor. If you have something to offer, whether you are on the mountain, in the cave or desert, they will come there. Remember the case of John the Baptist. They came to the wilderness to meet him. We should always ask God for such humble and compassionate spirit to steer clear of worldliness in our Christian race. It will help us so much to live out our Christian faith in our perverse generation. People should see Christ in us especially the unbelievers because we are the bible they read. If Christ is not seen in us, no matter how much time we spend in preaching, it will not bear the needed fruits. Therefore, let your life of humility show others Christ in you.

Food for Thought: True humility is intelligent self-respect that keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves.

Prayer: Lord God, make me humble enough so that I will not be seen but Christ will only be seen in me.