God’s Special People

Devotion for Tuesday March 6, 2018

Topic: God’s Special People

Text: 1 Peter 2:7 – 10                             

Jesus Christ is indeed precious – highly valued or esteemed. Not only is Christ precious to the Father (1 Peter 2:4), He is also precious to Christians (1 Peter 2:7). Quoting from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 8:14), Peter explained that not only were the builders who rejected the stone humiliated but it later became the cornerstone; they also had stumbled and fallen over it. Stumble means tripping and falling, or it can mean taking offense at or rejecting something or someone.

1 Peter 2:9 contrasts our privilege and destiny with that of unbelievers (described in 1 Peter 2:8). We are a chosen people, a distinct group from the rest of the world, unified by the Holy Spirit. We are also a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation (Exodus 19:6). Being part of ‘priesthood’ is a high honour for us. This honour has made us special people of God who were nobody before now. Think of it, if not for Christianity, what would have been your condition today? Before the coming of Christ, Gentiles were rejected by God without any hope of mercy, but today, they are people of God because He has chosen them (1 Peter 2:9) and they have received His mercy.

‘Mercy’ means God’s compassionate treatment of us even though we deserve the full measure of His justice. On the other hand, it is God that can turn our situations for. He did it in life of Abraham, Jabez, David and others; He will do it for you. You have worth because of what Christ did, not because of what you did. Live your life to glorify Him.

Sing A&M 295; Abu 206

Food for Thought: Do you actually know your worth as a Christian?

Memory verse: 1 Peter 2:9

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for making me somebody in your eyes no matter what the world thinks about me.

Prove Your Patriotism

Devotion for Sunday January 21, 2018

Topic: Prove Your Patriotism        

Text: Nehemiah 1:5 – 11              

Nehemiah’s prayer was nationalistic in nature which is a clear evidence of his patriotism. He started his prayer by recalling the attributes and promises of God (see Exodus 20:6). He was specific about the deplorable condition of Jerusalem which he attributed to sin of the Israelites (Nehemiah 1: 6 & 7 see Deuteronomy 28:15). He didn’t exonerate himself and his family. He remembered the promise of God concerning repentance and restoration (Nehemiah 1:8 – 10 see Leviticus 26:33, 39; Deuteronomy 4:25-27, 29; 28:64). He prayed for favour in the eyes of the king he serves. We should note that the best way to obtain favour from men is to plead with God in whose hand lie the hearts of men. His approach to national problem of Israel is a challenge for us Christians of this generation. 

We are the major contributors to the problem of corruption, insecurity, political violence and all manner of social vices that are affecting us today by our inability to pray and to do what is expected of us. How often do we even care to know what is happening in our nation? Nehemiah asked and that prompted him into prayer. When we hear of national issues, does it prompt us to pray or do we begin to analyze it, blaming people at leadership position and exonerating ourselves? It is our duty to pray for our nation. Let this be uppermost in our hearts. Sing SS&S 1138; Abu 240

Food for Thought: How often do you pray for your nation and the challenges confronting her?

Memory verse: Nehemiah 1:7

Prayer: Lord, lay a great burden in my heart and hearts of other Christians in this nation to pray for her always in Jesus name. Amen

The Bitter Experience

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday January 14, 2017

Topic: The Bitter Experience

Text: Ruth 1:3 – 5       

When God called the Israelites and brought them into the Promised Land, He discouraged friendly relations with the Moabites (Deut. 23:3-6) but probably not forbidden, since the Moabites lived outside the Promised Land. Marrying a Canaanite (and all those living within the borders of the Promised Land), however, was against God’s law (Deut. 7:1 – 4).

Moabites were not allowed to worship at the Tabernacle because they had not let the Israelites pass through their land during the Exodus from Egypt. Unfortunately, this was the land

Elimelech chose as his destination for succour in time of famine and it left bitter experience for Naomi who survived the succour in the land of Moab.

As God’s chosen nation, Israel should have set the standards of high moral living for the other nations. Ironically, it was Ruth, a Moabitess, whom God used as an example of genuine spiritual character. This shows just how bleak life had become in Israel during those days.

There are things that can bring bitter experience for us especially when we remove ourselves from the terms of covenant we have with our God. The major thing that can bring bitter experience to us is sin. Sin is disobedience to God’s law and command.

God had set boundaries for us where we must remain or else there will be consequences. We must remain within the confines of God’s grace to enjoy that grace. We will only remain within the confines of God’s grace when we live in obedience to His word and commandments. Remember what the bible says that, he that breaks the hedge, the snake will bite.

Naomi lived 10 years in Moab and had nothing to show for it except Ruth who was used by God to console her for the wrong decision of the husband. Have you taken wrong decisions and they are now hurting and hunting you? God is ready to heal the hurt and remove the hunt if only you can return to Him and ask for forgiveness of your disobedience and sins. The choice is all yours. Have a great day.

Food for Thought: Wrong decisions can affect you and your posterity. Always seek God’s leading in your decisions.

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 5 - ​ And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband (ESV).

Prayer: God, grant that I will not take decisions that will bring bitter experiences to my families in Jesus name.

A PATRIOT INDEED: Devotion for Tuesday February 23, 2016

A PATRIOT INDEED: Devotion for Tuesday February 23, 2016

Text: Nehemiah 1:1 – 4      Memory verse: v

Nehemiah was the Persian king's cup-bearer. He lived at ease, and in honour, but didn’t forget that he was an Israelite, and that his brethren were in distress. He was ready to do them all the good he could through the position he was occupying; and that he might know how best to do them a kindness, he makes inquiries about them. Nehemiah was a man of true piety though he was in high position in civil office but his piety led him to take a deep interest in the welfare of his people and cause of God in the home of his ancestors and brethren. This distinguished him as a great patriot.

Today we have men and women who are in high positions but cannot do anything good for their people. They are so self centered that they don’t even care what happens in their villages/towns. Some Christians don’t pay contributions for development of their communities. Some don’t pay their taxes and rates. These acts are not Christ-like. Our Lord gave us example by paying tax (Matt 17:25–27). As Christians we should show the light first among our people and to others. We should have concern about the welfare of our communities and the nation at large. Nehemiah heard about the condition of Jerusalem and went into prayers (1:4). How much do we pray for our nation and communities? We desire change in our nation and communities but wait for someone else to bring it. Why not become the change?

Food for Thought: What can you do to improve the welfare of your community first and your nation at large?

Prayer: Grant me the burden to always pray for the good of my community and my country at large.      

WHO HAS BLESSED US: Devotion for Thursday October 1, 2015

WHO HAS BLESSED US       Thursday October 1, 2015

Text: Ephesians 1:3 – 6          Memory verse: v 3

We wish Nigerians at home and in Diaspora a Happy Independence Celebrations. Indeed we are a blessed people even before the nation Nigeria came into being just as our bible reading says. Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so. This was the design of God for us as Paul tells the Ephesians before the foundation of the world, that they should be made holy by separation from sin, being set apart to God, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, in consequence of their election in Christ. This was the condition for their continuous blessings from God.

Unfortunately it is not so with us. Thus our conditions are worse than that of the wicked because we have sold ourselves to the devil. We now suffer amidst plenty and the blessings of God have been hijacked by very few sons of Ishmael. That we are blessed is not in doubt. We should therefore return to God is true repentance as that is the only way to retrieve the blessings that have been hijacked. Remember that we should be the praise of God’s glory in this Land (1:11, 12). Let us rise again and make Nigeria great.

Food for Thought: Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34).

Prayer: Heal our land, O Lord and make us great again in Jesus name.