Walk In Newness Of Life

Devotion for Monday April 2, 2018

Topic: Walk In Newness Of Life

Text: Romans 6:1 – 11

Yesterday was Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from death which gave us hope for eternal life. This is the reason Paul said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” – 2 Corinthians 5:17. That new creation is the life that he talks about here in our bible reading for today. The newness of life starts at repentance. It is expected that believers must die to sin, and live to God (Romans 6:1, 2). Dying to sin is likened to death of Christ and living to God is likened to the resurrection of Christ. Our baptism teaches the necessity of dying to sin, and being as it were buried from all ungodly and unholy pursuits, and of rising to walk with God in newness of life. Those who believe in Christ are baptized into Him and into His death. In other words, they are baptized to become one with Christ Jesus. As he died, we die to our old, sinful lifestyle, and a new life begins. If we believe that our old, sinful lives are dead and buried, we should develop the motive to resist sin. We can consciously choose to treat the desires and temptations of the old nature as if they were dead. Then we can continue to enjoy our wonderful new life with Jesus (see also Galatians 3:27; Colossians 3:1-4). Are you still under the influence of the old nature? Is sin still having upper hand in your life? Then you are not walking in newness of life. Sing A&M 169; Abu 9

Food for Thought: Are you living a new life of holiness as a Christian?

Memory verse: Romans 6:4

Prayer: Lord God, help me to walk in newness of life as one who has resurrected with Christ through my baptism.

A New Thing

Devotion for Tuesday August 1, 2017

Topic: A New Thing

Text: Isaiah 43:16 – 21

The Lord has promised to do a new thing for you. The new thing will not be delayed because it shall ‘spring forth now.’ You may ask how do I know. 2 Peter 3:9 say that the Lord is not slack concerning His promises and Isaiah 40:8 confirms that God’s word will stand forever. A new thing from God goes with a new song; new title, new office, new privileges, new blessings, new joy, new victory and many more. When you are promoted, your level changes. However, a new thing from God can be positive or negative depending on which divide you belong.

In Exodus 14:21 -28, when God parted the Red Sea, it was a new thing. The Israelites experienced this as a way of freedom. But to Pharaoh and his men, it was a way of total destruction. When God says to His children that He will do a new thing, it means that He will move them to a level of freedom they have never known before. It also means that God is about to surprise their enemies beyond recovery. Get ready; it is your season for a new thing that will lead to a new song (Psalm 40:3) in your life, family, business and ministry.

Beloved in Christ, before you hold on to a promise, you should first get to know who made the promise with the terms and conditions. The one who is making this promise to His own is the one called Jehovah El-Shaddai – the God that is more than enough, the Almighty (Genesis 17:1). Have you known and accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour? If not, do something now so you could enjoy the new thing packaged for you this season and beyond. Happy new month!

Food for Thought: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Memory verse: Isaiah 43:19

Prayer: Lord God, do a new thing in my life that will lead to a new song this month and always in Jesus name. 
Amen.

Raised To A New Life With Christ

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday April 21, 2017

Topic: Raised To A New Life With Christ

Text: Colossians 3:1 – 11

Repentance without noticeable change amounts to mere deception. It is very important we understand our status and expectations as Christians. You can never live well as a Christian with poor understanding of your status and what that status has conferred on you. Here, Paul tells the Colossians and us by extension that our lives have been raised to the realm above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. By our salvation, we have been raised with Christ. Our status is not just ordinary person walking on the street; rather we now have special qualities that distinguish us from unbelievers. For this reason, we should seek the things that are above. This implies that now as Christians we should set our priorities right by having the heavenly priorities take precedence over our own. It is expected that we should concentrate more on the things eternal than the things temporal.

As Christians who have been raised to new life, we should seek heavenly things with a strong desire to possess them. We must take our focus off the worldly and temporal things and place them on Christ in the heavenly place. The reason for this is that the strength and grace we need to run this heavenly race so well comes from Him. Moreover, we should not brag with our new status in Christ. Rather, we should be humble enough to appreciate where God has placed us by serving Him in humility and a heart of gratitude.

Food for Thought: Ephesians 2:4 – 7

Memory verse: Colossians 3 verse 1

Prayer: God, grant me the understanding of my status in you so I will live according to what you have made me in Jesus name.

My Blood Of The New Covenant

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Maundy Thursday April 13, 2017

Topic: My Blood Of The New Covenant                  

Text: Matthew 26: 20 – 30            

At the Last Supper and institution of the Holy Eucharist, Jesus stated that His blood is the blood of the new covenant.  Blood was needed for atonement by the people under the old covenant (those who lived before Jesus). Then they could only approach God through a priest with an animal for sacrifice. But the New Covenant requires all people to come directly to God through faith because Jesus’ death has made us acceptable in God’s eyes (Rom. 3:21-24). His blood atoned for our sins once and for all (Rom. 6:10).

The old covenant was a shadow of the new (Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:1), pointing forward to the day when Jesus Himself would be the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. The implication of the blood of Jesus is that we no longer need an unblemished lamb slain on the altar because the perfect Lamb of God was slain on the cross, a sinless sacrifice, so that our sins could be forgiven once and for all. All those who believe in Christ receive that forgiveness.

The names we use for this sacrament instituted by Christ, gives us different understanding of its significance. As the Lord’s Supper we use it to commemorate the Passover meal Jesus ate with His disciples. When we call it the Eucharist (thanksgiving), it signifies our thanking to God for Christ’s work for us. Again, when we call it Holy Communion, it means that we commune with God and other believers which are essential for unity and love. When we come to partake in the Lord’s Supper, we should quietly reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for us with a heart of gratitude.

Food for Thought: What are the benefits we derive from the Holy Communion?

Memory verse: Matthew 26 verse 28 - For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Prayer: Lord God, as I partake in the Holy Eucharist, grant me the heart of gratitude for the ultimate price you paid for me.