In A Moment Of Weakness: Devotion for Wednesday May 13, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 13, 2020

Topic: In A Moment Of Weakness             

Text: Genesis 25:29 – 34   

A birthright was a special honour given to the firstborn son (Genesis 25:31). It included a double portion of the family inheritance along with the honour of one day becoming the family’s leader. Birthrights were priceless.

In Isaac’s family, the birthright belonged to Esau. But because of Esau’s narrow view, he did not hold on to it. Esau was hungry and Jacob had some food, Esau could not see beyond his exaggerated sense of need. His words in Genesis 25:32 were probably not true; it merely reflected how he felt.

Esau acted on impulse, satisfying his immediate desires without pausing to consider the long-range consequences of what he was about to do. Esau did not need to eat the meal he so desperately wanted, but the pressure of the moment distorted his perspective and made his decision seem urgent.

People often experience similar pressures and decisions. For example, under sexual temptation, a marriage vow may seem unimportant. A person might feel such great pressure in one area that nothing else seems to matter and the person loses his or her perspective.

What pressures are you currently facing? Is it taking or giving bribe? No matter the kind of pressure, you can avoid making Esau’s mistake and selling your Christian birthright by comparing that action’s short-term satisfaction with its long-range consequences before you act. Going through that short, pressure – filled moment is the most difficult part of overcoming a temptation.

Food for Thought: Do you act on impulse to satisfying your immediate desires without pausing to consider the long-range consequences?

Memory verse: Genesis 25:32

Prayer: Lord, may I not sell my Christian right for any material gain in Jesus name.

CHRIST’S COMPASSION: Devotion for Wednesday November 23, 2016

CHRIST’S COMPASSION: Devotion for Wednesday November 23, 2016

Text: John 6:1 – 13        Memory verse: John 6 verse 5

For the devotion today and tomorrow, we shall be looking at two characters of Jesus Christ worthy of emulation. Today’s devotion centers on Jesus Christ’s compassion spirit. Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:35; 8:2 Luke 9:12 all speak about the compassion Jesus Christ had on the multitude that came to Him. In the bible story in Mark 8:1–9 Jesus Christ openly confessed His compassion for the multitude (Mark 8:2 & 3). Even though that crowd came on their own accord to hear Him, He didn’t leave them to go without food.

Jesus knows the need of the people and He shows concern. The curious throng was not that easily dissuaded, for they followed Him even to His secluded hideaway (John 6:5). Instead of repelling the people angrily for their invasion of His privacy, Jesus Christ first healed the sick among them as the version of this story in Matthew 14:13, 14 have it. Thereafter, He turned to Philip with the compassionate words, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?”

What Jesus Christ did here is a great lesson for pastors and ministers of the gospel. Occasionally, we should look out for some of our parishioners that lack some basic necessities of life and see how we can help out. It may be through getting other wealthy members to help out as Jesus Christ did by using what belongs to the young boy to meet the needs of the multitude.

What problem are you passing through in a time like this? You may have been sick for years like that man at pool of Bethesda, imprisoned for years without cause and abandoned, living without food, lacks some basic necessities of life, etc. You may be thinking that God is not aware of your problems.  Do you ever feel that God is so busy with important concerns that He can’t possibly be aware of your needs? Just as Jesus was concerned about these people’s need for food, so He is concerned about our daily needs – food, clothing, housing, money, etc. Jesus knows and cares. Remember that He warned us in Matthew 6:31 and 32 that we shouldn’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing because our heavenly Father already knows all our needs. Go to Him today and certainly, He will meet your needs.    

Food for Thought: Without a compassionate heart you can never be a true Christian.

Prayer: Grant me your kind of compassionate heart, O Lord, so I will live out my life as a true Christian in Jesus name.

BE THE SPOUSE IN NEED: Devotion Friday September 23, 2016

BE THE SPOUSE IN NEED: Devotion Friday September 23, 2016

Text: Job 2:9 – 10              Memory verse: v 10

As I was writing yesterday’s devotion, God ministered to me about the reaction of Job’s wife here by referring me to what happened between Jesus and Peter in Matt 16:21–23, the late opposed the former after announcing that He will be crucified, buried and after three days, resurrect. When Satan and his agents want to tempt someone, they usually use a close friend or ally. This was the reason he used Judas, a disciple of Jesus Christ to betray his Master. If it were any of His accusers like the Pharisees or Sadducees, it would have been hard to get Him. Watch out because it is always the rat in house that tells the one outside where there is fish in the house. This should be a lesson for us that not all who oppose us actually hate us.

Satan was actually bent on destroying Job. After he had tried every other means at his disposal and could not succeed in getting Job to discredit and curse God, he decided to go through his wife. His thought was that his wife could easily make him angry. His aim was to use his wife to achieve what he could not achieve. This incident between Job and the wife is a lesson for us that sometimes Satan is a lesson that when suddenly someone in love with us suddenly changes and attacks us, we should know that Satan is at work to separate two of you.  

The area of concentration in this devotion is our attitude to our spouses in time of need. The mention of Job’s wife was in the chapter two. Nothing was said about her again. Probably, she left Job in his distress but we weren’t told he remarried.  

During matrimony, spouses made vows like this:  “I take you to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death according to God’s holy law. This is my solemn vow.” Why do some bolt out of it when problem arises? Do you belong to the group that will want to bolt away from your marital vows? Think twice. God hates divorce. You should be with your spouse in time of need too because that is the vow you have made. Breaking it is a sin against God.

Food for Thought: Are you a spouse or friend in need and indeed?

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep to the vows I have made in my relationship so I will become a spouse/friend in need and indeed.