Inescapable Choice: Devotion for Thursday August 20, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday August 20, 2020

Topic: Inescapable Choice                             

Text: Matthew 6:24                                 

According to Catechism in Book of Common Prayer 2007:478, being created in the image of God “Means that we are free to make choices; to love, to create, to reason and to live in harmony with creation and with God.” One of the inescapable choices we make is that of whom to serve. We can choose to serve God the Creator or any of His creatures.

In our text, Jesus says we can have only one master and that it is not possible to have two masters at the same time because there is the tendency to love one more than the other.

Our world of today is a materialistic society where many people serve money and can do anything to get it including killing human being in the process. People’s desire for money and what it can buy far outweighs their commitment to God and spiritual matters. Whatever you store up, you will spend much of your time and energy thinking about.

Here in the text, Jesus contrasted heavenly values with earthly values when He explained that our first loyalty should be to those things that do not fade, cannot be stolen or used up, and never wear out. We should not be fascinated with our possessions, lest they possess us. This means we may have to do some cutting back if our possessions are becoming too important to us.

Jesus calls for a decision that allows us to live contentedly with whatever we have because we have chosen what is eternal and lasting. Don’t fall into the materialistic trap, because “the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Food for Thought: Can you honestly say that God, and not money or wealth is your master?

Memory verse: Matthew 6 v 24

Prayer: God, I have chosen you as my Lord and Saviour. Help me never to fall into materialistic trap that will take my heart away from you in Jesus name.

Do You Have Idols In Your Heart? Devotion for Thursday March 19, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday March 19, 2020

Topic: Do You Have Idols In Your Heart?                                             

Text: Ezekiel 14:1 – 11 

Most of us undermine the fact that God knows the intents of our hearts in whatever we do. These elderly people who came to Ezekiel have not actually repented of their sins before coming to God. With one hand they held on to sin and were using the other hand to inquire of God. You cannot mock God because He is a Spirit.

The offence of these men that came for inquiry is that they have made idols in their hearts which can never take the place of God. He is a jealous God. He doesn’t share our hearts with idols. Hence He instructed them to repent (v6) so as to avoid the consequences that might follow (v 8 – 11). Idols in the heart according to our bible reading are things that made them to stumble and fall into sin.

Beloved, what are the idols that can occupy our hearts and make us stumble? Can you mention five of those idols in hearts of people? Admittedly, most Christians have set up idols of money/wealth, hatred, anger, pride, lust, etc., which easily lead them into sin. God doesn’t take pleasure in the outward form of worship when it is connected with a wicked heart and life.

Again, He cannot be deceived by those who come to inquire of Him, and He will not allow them to mock Him when they are also serving idols. If they love iniquity and secretly practice it, He will answer them in wrath, and not in mercy. Therefore be warned so that similar thing will not come upon you.

Action: Write down things that can become idols in your heart.

Memory verse: Ezekiel 20:3

Prayer: Deliver me O Lord my God from every idol in my heart so that my worship will be acceptable to you in Jesus name.

Money Cannot Save

Devotion for Saturday December 9, 2017

Topic: Money Cannot Save

Text: Zephaniah 1:18

Jesus Christ is the only source of salvation (Acts 4:11 – 12). His salvation is all encompassing as Paul asserted. The salvation from God is not just salvation from sin unto eternal life alone but also from poverty, sickness, bondage, curse and spell, etc.

God spoke through Zephaniah to the Israelites that their wealth cannot save them from the impending judgement. God posited that neither their silver nor their gold in which they trusted, and from which they expected happiness shall profit them on that awful day. This warning was to challenge them not to be asleep because they were enjoying the patience of God. When men’s iniquity is full, certainly, His justice will overtake and overcome them.

Many wealthy people have engaged all forms of security outfits. They have the police, all kinds of security dogs, well fenced and electrified walls, personal guards, bullet proof vests and cars, etc. Unfortunately, all these cannot save especially when it comes to God’s judgement and verdict. “Riches do not profit in the day or wrath, but righteousness delivers from death (Proverbs 11:14).” On the Day of Judgement, wealth will no longer count as it will not save neither can we place value on them (see Ezekiel 7:19). Again, some donate money to the church to secure salvation. You can’t bribe God to have salvation. It is not so! Salvation is of God alone and He is the one that grants it to us.

Food for Thought: Acts 4:12

Memory verse: Proverbs 11:14

Prayer: My Father in heaven, help me never to put my trust in my wealth for there is no salvation in them.

The Rich Man And Lazarus

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 24, 2017

Topic: The Rich Man And Lazarus

Text: Luke 16:19 – 31

There are so many inspiring lessons for us in this story. One mistake people make in life is to think that money is everything. It is not so. Again, wealth is not a perimeter to judge God’s blessings and favour. The Pharisees considered wealth to be a proof of a person’s righteousness but Jesus shocked them with this story in which a diseased beggar was rewarded and a rich man was punished. The rich man did not go to hell because of his wealth but because he was selfish, refusing to feed Lazarus, take him in, or care for him. The rich man was hard-hearted in spite of his great blessings.

The amount of money we have is not as important as the way we use it. What is your attitude toward your money and possessions? Do you hoard them selfishly, or do you use them to help others? There is something worth noting in Luke 16:22. Lazarus died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom while the rich man was buried. This shows that no amount of burial changes the final destination of man.

What determines our final destination is the way we live when we are alive. Therefore beware of the way you live and use your wealth. The rich man thought that his five brothers would surely believe a messenger who had been raised from the dead. But Abraham asserted that if they did not believe Moses and the prophets, who spoke constantly of caring for the poor, not even a resurrection would convince them. Are you like this rich man? Don’t wait for the messenger from the dead. Repent now and accept Jesus as your Saviour. 

Food for Thought: What is your attitude towards your money and possessions?

Memory verse: Luke 16 verse 22

Prayer: Lord God, help me to accept your message of salvation now and not to wait for a message or messenger from the dead in Jesus name.

No Excuse (VII)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday March 18, 2017

Topic: No Excuse 7  

Text: Revelation 3:14 – 22

Laodicea was a commercial city and the wealthiest of the seven cities. It was known for its banking industry, manufacture of wool, and a medical school that produced eye ointment. The church there had become lukewarm and thus unpleasant and disgusting. They didn’t take a stand for anything; indifference led them to idleness and complacency. By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church became hardened and self-satisfied, which led to its spiritual ruin.

Nothing disgusts more than a half-hearted, nominal and self-sufficient Christian. Such people will never seek counsel or make time to fast and pray. God uses things familiar to us in teaching us moral lessons. Laodicea had always had problem with water supply and the water that flows into the city from an aqueduct get there not hot nor refreshingly cool but lukewarm. This was a perfect description of this church.

Today, some of us believe that many material possessions are signs of God’s spiritual blessing. Laodicea was a wealthy city, and the church was also wealthy. But what they could see and buy had become more valuable to them than what is unseen and eternal. Wealth, luxury, and ease can make people feel confident, satisfied, and complacent. But no matter how much you possess or money you make, you have nothing if you don’t have a vital relationship with Christ. How does your current level of wealth affect your spiritual desire? Instead of centring your life primarily on comfort and luxury, find your true riches in Christ. Your wealth should not be an excuse.

Food for Thought: Revelation 3:18

Memory verse: Revelation 3 verse 19

Prayer: God, heal me of complacency and being lukewarm to your service in Jesus name. Amen.

IDOLS IN THE HEART: Devotion for Saturday March 12, 2016

IDOLS IN THE HEART: Devotion for Saturday March 12, 2016

Text: Ezekiel 14:1 – 11         Memory verse: v 3  

God knows the intents of our hearts in whatever we do, which most of us are unaware of or undermine. That is why most things we think that matter are not so with God and vice versa. These elderly people who came to Ezekiel have not actually repented of their sins before coming to God. With one hand they held on to sin and were using the other hand to inquire of God. God cannot be mocked. Their offence is that they have made idols in their hearts which can never take the place of God. God says He is a jealous God. He doesn’t want to share our hearts with idols. Thus He instructed them to repent (14:6) so as to avoid the consequences that might follow (14:8–11).

Idols in the heart according to our bible reading are things that made them to stumble and fall into sin. Beloved, what are the idols that can occupy our hearts and make us stumble? Can you mention five of those idols in hearts of people? Admittedly, most Christians have set up idols of money/wealth, hatred, anger, pride, lust, etc, which easily lead them into sin. God doesn’t take pleasure in the outward form of worship when it is connected with a wicked heart and life. He cannot be deceived by those who come to inquire of Him, and He will not allow Himself to be mocked by people who claim to be serving God and idols at the same time. If they love iniquity and secretly practise it, He will answer them in wrath, and not in mercy. Therefore be warned and don’t be a victim.

Action: Write down things that can become idols in your heart.

Prayer: Deliver me, O Lord, my God, from every idol in my heart so that my worship will be acceptable to you in Jesus name.