Be Like Your Father: Be Like Your Father

 

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Be Like Your Father

Topic: Be Like Your Father   

Text: Ephesians 5:1 – 2                        

Here in our scriptural reading for the day, Paul reminds us that our perfect example is God. We haven’t see God the Father or God the Holy Spirit. It is God the Son that we have heard about Him in the Scriptures. When Paul said that we should imitate God, he was talking about Christ. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus said, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” This is what our call as Christians demand.

In being like our father in heaven, we should imitate;

1) His acts of mercy (Luke 6:36).

2) His compassionate life (Mark 1:41; Luke 7:11 – 15). We should also show compassion to people especially those in need.

3) We should love as He loves us (John 3:16; 13:34; 15:12.)

4) We shouldn’t condemn people (John 3:17; 8:10, 11).

5) We should be like Him in obedience (Philippians 2:5 – 11).

6) We should be just and maintain justice too (Isaiah 30:18).   

Just as children imitate their parents, we should follow God’s example. His great love for us led Him to sacrifice Himself so that we might live. Our love for others should be of the same kind; a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service. We have reason for everlasting gratitude to God that He has given us a perfect example; and it should be our great object perfectly to imitate it.   

Food for Thought: Matthew 5:48

Memory verse: Ephesians 5 v 1

Prayer: God, make me perfect as you are as I imitate you daily through godly living in Jesus name.

Faith That Works: Devotion for Sunday June 28, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday June 28, 2020

Topic: Faith That Works                                          

Text: Luke 17:5 – 10                                    

This request in Luke 17:5 was motivated by the difficulty of avoiding and forgiving “offences.” Jesus tells His disciples, that if they have the smallest degree of true faith; lively, operative faith, it will enable them to perform this difficult duty of forgiving injuries, and all other duties, with as much facility and ease as a miraculous faith would enable them to remove mountains and transplant trees.

When we obey Jesus’ instructions, we have only done our duties and should regard it as a privilege. We shouldn’t expect thanks, for we were only doing what we were supposed to do. Jesus used the example of a slave who renders service and does not expect to be thanked to explain what is required of us in carrying out our responsibilities as Christians.

Obedience is not something extra done for God; it is the duty of anyone who desires to be Christ’s follower. We must lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy. How deep is your faith in Christ Jesus? It is not how big your faith is but how deep to counter deep problems of life.

With these words, Jesus was not rendering service as meaningless or useless, nor was He doing away with rewards. He was attacking unwarranted self-esteem and spiritual pride; perhaps such as many of the religious leaders were exhibiting at that time, or what the disciples themselves might be tempted to fall into as they would seek to serve God when their faith has been increased.

Christians should focus their eyes on God with their goal only to serve and please Him. They don’t work for recognition or rewards or even for God to praise them for their hard work. Don’t allow self-esteem and pride for what God is using you to do in your generation enter into your head.

Food for Thought: No obstacle can withstand a confiding faith in God.

Memory verse: Luke 17:6                                                                                    

Prayer: Grant me a strong faith to believe every word that comes from your mouth, O Lord my God.

Obedience Brings Testimonies: Devotion for Friday June 12, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday June 12, 2020

Topic: Obedience Brings Testimonies            

Text: 2 Kings 5:13 – 19                                     

Now Naaman calmed down after his attendant had persuaded him to try the method Elisha offered. He did as Elisha instructed and he was cured. In some cases, servants are sometimes wiser and better advisers to their masters, and they give better advice, which when followed will be well for them.

What Elisha commanded was not cumbersome. It was a simply command that seem foolish in Naaman’s eyes (see 1 Corinthians 2:14; 3:19). Things of God and his commands are always too simple that most people do not take it serious. Mere words from Angel Gabriel was all Zachariah needed to have a child. He doubted God and was punished because God had determined to do it. If not, he would have missed that opportunity. In Genesis 26:1 – 6, 12 – 14 we have the story of how Isaac obeyed God and he became an envy of the Philistines.

The level of your obedience determines the level of your blessings and miracles. When Naaman obeyed and washed, he had a testimony: I was once a leper.

Click on me

Today many of us miss out from God’s package of blessings for us due to the ways they undermine God’s instructions in the scriptures. Some of us take it lightly and certainly we will pay dearly for it. Lot’s wife did it and we know her story. God cannot be mocked. Follow His instruction carefully and you will certainly benefit from it at the end.            

Food for Thought: It takes a humble heart to obey God’s command.

Memory verse: 2 Kings 5:14

Prayer: O Lord, as I obey your commandments, answer my prayers and bless me. 

Obey Even When It Hurts: Devotion for Friday April 24, 20202

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday April 24, 2020

Topic: Obey Even When It Hurts                                 

Text: Genesis 22:1 – 14

Abraham learnt many tough lessons about the importance of obeying God. Some of them were when he was called out of Ur; when he went to Egypt, and when he had to wait for Isaac’s birth. Initially, Abraham did not always show that he trusted or believed God; but through each test, he saw God’s willingness and ability to keep His promises.

That was the reason God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2) at an altar as a burnt sacrifice. That is the greatest gift one can offer. God did not want Isaac to die, but He wanted Abraham to sacrifice Isaac in his heart so that he could learn to trust God completely (see Hebrews 11:19). Imagine what Abraham must have felt as he walked with Isaac up the mountain, each step being torturous and leading him painfully closer to unspeakable grief agony. However Abraham obeyed, giving Isaac at his own hurt and God honoured his faith.

Obeying God may often be a struggle because it may mean giving up something that we truly want. We should not expect our obedience to God to be easy or to come naturally. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances. Trust and Obey is the best way to be happy. In what ways might God be testing your faith? Are you willing to obey Him even when it will hurt you? Such obedience is what God requires from us – Obedience at all cost.  

Action: As you go out today, be determined to obey God even when it hurts.

Memory verse: Hebrew 11:17 

Prayer: 1. God, grant me the grant me the grace to obey you in everything even when it hurts because there is a reward at the end.

2. Pray for my wife and I as we mark our 20th Wedding Anniversary today, April 24.

Qualities of a Good Servant: Devotion for Tuesday January 4, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday February 4, 2020
Topic: Qualities of a True Servant
Text: 1 Peter 2:18 – 25
Servants in the bible days generally were slaves, and had heathen masters, who often used them cruelly; yet Apostle Peter directs them to be subject to the masters placed over them by Providence, with fear so that they will not dishonor or offend God. And not only to those pleased with their reasonable service, but to the severe, and those angry without cause. This may seem a hard teaching but that is what God requires of us. It is said that two wrongs cannot make a right. The sinful misconduct of one relation, does not justify sinful behaviour in the other just to retaliate. For this reason, a servant is bound to his duty, though the master may be sinfully froward and perverse.
Christians are servants to God and in some other places, servants to men in the case of our offices, as apprentice or in business. We owe it a duty to serve God diligently there whether it is convenient for us or not. Our masters where we work may be froward – difficult to deal with and at times make life miserable for us. However, no matter how difficult they may be to us we owe it a duty to serve well because our service is not only to our earthly masters but to our God in heaven. Paul also gave similar advice in Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; 1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:9. How effectively are you serving as a civil servant, public servants, apprentice, shop keeper, etc.? How faithful are you in that house as a maid, nanny or house help? God demands absolute obedience and nothing less.
Food for Thought: Loyalty and perseverance even in the face of unjust treatment singles us out as true Christians.
Memory verse: 1 Peter 2:18
Prayer: Lord God, make me a faithful and obedient servant in the place where I work in Jesus name.

Isaac Sowed

My Daily Covenant with God Devotional

Devotion for Saturday January 5

Topic: Isaac Sowed

Text: Genesis 26:12 – 14                           

The instruction God gave Isaac in Genesis chapter 26 verses 2 and 3 was "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.” Isaac obeyed and stayed in Gerar (Genesis 26:6). He didn’t just stay, waiting for fulfillment of God’s promise. He sowed in the land where he was a stranger and God blessed him 100 times more than what he sowed. The blessing attracted envy of his landlords the Philistines (Genesis 26:7). They made Isaac go out of their country. Wisdom teaches us to give up our right, and to draw back from contentions. If we are wrongfully driven from one place, the Lord will make room for us in another. So it was in the case of Isaac. He left without contending with them and that attracted God’s favour the more. This should be a great lesson for us.

One thing we should understand in this text is that Isaac didn’t wait for God’s blessings as promised to start manifesting. He went ahead to do something for himself. It was what he was doing that God blessed and he prospered therein. God has promised to bless us in this New Year. But we still have a part to play in bringing the promises to fulfillment. When God provided manna, He kept them outside and not inside their tent. He could have sent them into their tents but not so because He wanted to teach them that they have a part to play in bringing their blessings to fulfillment. Again it was to test their obedience. Isaac obeyed God and stayed in Gerar when God blessed him and he prospered. How obedient are you to God’s instructions and how prepared are you to obey him this year and beyond?

Food for Thought: How prepared are you to obey God and sow seeds that will last for you?

Memory verse: Genesis 26 v 12

Prayer: Lord, teach me to sow seeds because without sowing my seeds, I will not reap.

Lord Speak To Me That I May Speak

Devotion for Friday July 27, 2018

Sing SS&S 786 (Abu 129) – Lord Speak To Me That I May Speak

Topic: Be Doers Of The Word

Text: James 1:22 – 25

I remember when I was living in a school hostel and seemed very fanatical about the bible. Each time I made a mistake or by any of my group (fellowship members), a particular student would use the statement to scold us. And when she does that, I would feel pain as if I was whipped. It is not just enough to go to church daily, bible study and hold night vigil through the week yet your life speaks the opposite of what you profess. Non-Christians expect us to live like Christ. We know from the bible that Christ our Lord is good; His works are good, His life speaks well and utterances radiate good and there is no wickedness found in Him. The early disciple radiated same charisma and that was why they were called Christians in Antioch.

To be a Christian means to live like Christ so that when you present the Word to unbelievers they will not reject it. We should note that James wrote this to Christians who attend church and hears the word of God regularly not pagans who don’t go to church nor hear the word of God. His intent was to caution those in the church who hears the word of God regularly for them to know that to hearing without doing what they heard is self-deception while the hearers and doers of the word of God are blessed.

How do we take the word we hear? Do you see the word preached as the right message for you or just meant for Mary or John? A woman who has been an old member of a church shook hands with a pastor after service one Sunday morning and said “that was a wonderful sermon, just wonderful! Everything you said applies to someone I know.” James doesn’t want us to apply the word to someone else but to apply it to ourselves. If you want blessing in your life then apply the word of God you hear or read daily into your life.

Food for Thought: Mere hearers of the word of God are self-deceivers; and self-deceit will be found to be the worst deceit at last.

Memory verse: James 1:22

Prayer Point: Help me oh Lord, to do all I hear and to learn from you total obedience to your word in Jesus name.

Our Works Perfect Our Faith

Devotion for Monday May 28, 2018

Topic: Our Works Perfect Our Faith

Text: James 2:19 – 24

Here in our scriptural reading for the day, James presents a proof that faith cannot exist without being active in works of righteousness. He argued that Abraham’s faith in God would have been of no avail to him, had it not been manifested by his works. It was by his works; his obedience to the commands of God that his faith was made perfect and shown to be complete because it produced its appropriate fruit. The idea of James here is that our work is a way of justifying our faith and righteousness. From James position, we can allude that our work of righteousness speaks more of our faith than our profession. There we have a binding obligation to work out our faith so that people will know us more about our faith from our works and not from our confession. This is a challenge for us in this present generation where sin and all manner of evil have become the order of the day. It is only when we establish our righteousness through godly living that we can influence our generation for good. The bible says, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” – Romans 8:19. We must reveal ourselves to the world through the works (actions and words) we do. The works Abraham did by offering his only begotten son made perfect his faith. Likewise will your works make perfect your faith and it all starts from absolute obedience.

Sing A&M 225; Abu 81

Food for Thought: Allow people to know your faith through your works of charity and your obedience to God and not just your confession.

Memory verse: James 2:22

Prayer: Grant, O Lord, my God, that I will justify my faith through the way I live and my obedience to your commandments in Jesus name.

Some Things That Provoke God

Devotion for Friday May 18, 2018

Topic: Some Things That Provoke God

Text: Ezekiel 36:16 – 20

One characteristics or nature of God is that He doesn’t punish and restore us without telling us our wrongs. Most cases He sets before us the wrong and its consequences, and the right and its blessings (Leviticus 24 and Deuteronomy 28). The scripture has the story of how God spoke about the impending danger on the house of Eli but he did not heed the warning (1 Samuel 2:27 – 34). In our text for the day, God told Ezekiel what made Him to drive away the Israelites from their land into exile. This was God’s reason: “When the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity” (Ezekiel 36:17). These actions of the Israelites were contrary to the covenant they made with God in Mount Sinai when they came out of Egypt. They chose their ways rather than the ways of God. This was the thing that provoked God’s anger. By virtue of our new birth and as Christians, we entered into a covenant with God called the New Covenant. In that New Covenant, Jesus Christ commands us to believe in Him and keep His commandment. It was for this reason He gave us the New Commandment that we should love one another as He loved us. Do we keep the commandments as required of us? Do we love one another as He loved us? Failure means that we have chosen our own way as against the ways of God as the Israelites did. By that action, we have severed ourselves from God’s kingdom except we repent. Let’s join H. Bonar to sing A&M 356, Abu 186.

Food for Thought: Obedience to God is required from us if we hope to have a place in His kingdom.

Memory verse: Ezekiel 36:17

Prayer: Grant me the grace I need O Lord to always do things according to your will and not mine in Jesus name.

Obedience, A Prerequisite For Abundance Blessings

Devotion for Friday March 23, 2018

Topic: Obedience, A Prerequisite For Abundance Blessings

Text: Deuteronomy 28:1 – 14                

Moses took only 14 verses in this chapter to explain obedience which is a secret to abundance (blessings) life and used the remaining 54 verses of this chapter to speak about disobedience and its consequences (curses). Why did he spend so much time talking about disobedience? He did that because human nature is always inclined to sin and disobedience. 

Moses was emphatic that obedience is the very key (Deuteronomy 28:1, 2) to assessing the numerous blessing mentioned in Deuteronomy 28: 3 – 14. The blessing is promised, upon condition that they diligently hearken to the voice of God. God requires them live righteously in their families and nation at large, and then by God’s providence all their outward concerns would prosper. This is God’s assurance of His blessing upon His people. Those blessings which others greedily follow after, and never overtake, shall follow after them, and shall be thrown into their laps by God’s special kindness because they are His people who obey His voice. 

Naturally, there is the tendency to bless those who obey us and this is same with God. How obedient are you to God’s commandments? Do you make light of them? Remember that just as the whole destiny of Israelites was laid before them, as it was to result from their obedience or the contrary, so it has been laid out for us. Make the right choice now. 

Sing SS&S 493; Abu 175

Food for Thought: Only he who believes is obedient and only he, who is obedient, believes.

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 28:2

Prayer: God, I need the grace to obey your commandments which is a prerequisite for abundant blessing in Jesus name.

Walk In The Spirit

Devotion for Monday March 5, 2018

Topic: Walk In The Spirit

Text: Galatians 5:16 – 18     

He acknowledges the great weakness of the godly, because they are but in part regenerated: but he exhorts them to remember that they are endued with the Spirit of God, who has delivered them from the slavery of sin, and so from the Law, inasmuch as it is the power of sin, so that they should not give themselves to lusts. The more we obey the new nature, and follow the leading of the Spirit of grace, the more the power of indwelling sin and inbred corruption in us will be mortified and kept under check. Obedience to the Spirit enables us to walk in the Spirit because old nature and new nature cannot dwell together. They “Are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:17). Walking in the Spirit is one of the best ways we can live lives that are pleasing to God. By pleasing God, we attract His blessings upon our lives. In this case it is best for us to walk in the Spirit. We can do this well by knowing what God wants us to do through the study of the bible. When we have the word of God rooted in us, we will no longer be ignorant about what God expects from us. Are you walking in the flesh or in the Spirit? 

Sing SS&S 485; Abu 203

Food for Thought: Walking in the Spirit makes us more like Christ

Memory verse: Galatians 5:16

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to walk in the Spirit so as to mortify the indwelling sin and corruption of the flesh in me. I ask in Jesus name. Amen  

So He Did As Instructed

Devotion for Sunday November 19, 2017

Topic: So He Did As Instructed

Text: Genesis 6:22

Noah was a man of faith who obeyed God. His faith and obedience singled him out in his generation as a righteous man. What God demands from us is obedience. God revealed to Noah His plans to end the world through deluge because he was very obedient. He gave him the instruction to build the ark. He did what God instructed him to do with care and diligence which could be attributed to his faith in the word of God. He believed God’s word about drowning the world and he prepared the ark according to specification.

We should not doubt God’s word about impending wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. People doubted Noah but at last God’s word came to pass and so shall the reality of hell fire come to pass too. Noah did as God instructed him. His obedience was ready and resolute. Having begun to build, he did not leave off till he had finished. Such dedication to our call is required of us.

Just as Noah was warned, so we have a more solemn warning for us, to flee from the wrath to come. How prepared are you? Are you doing as God instructed you so as to flee the second death in hell fire? Noah did as God said and we must do as God said if only we hope to escape the wrath of God on the Last Day.

Food for Thought: Are you living your Christian life according to God’s instructions?

Memory verse: Genesis 6:22

Prayer: Lord God, I need your grace to live according to your instructions so that I can avoid the wrath that is to come upon all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men in Jesus name. Amen.

Simple Requirements

Devotion for Saturday July 29, 2017

Topic: Simple Requirements

Text: Deuteronomy 10:12 – 18

God repeatedly told the Israelites the necessity of love that comes from the heart in their relationship with Him (Deuteronomy 4:29 and 6:5). He did not want His people to substitute their heartfelt love for Him with mere outward religious forms. Outward obedience and correct religious practices have validity and significance only if they are based on knowing Jesus Christ. It was necessary that they always obey God from a heart of sincere love and honour for Him. To the New Testament believers, faith and love from the heart are also essential in our relationship with God (John 21:15 and Colossians 3:4).

Here in our bible reading for the day, Moses gave a summary of what God expects from the Israelites. They are simple in form and easy to remember. The basics are;

1) That they should fear God (have reverence for Him)

2) That they should live according to His will

3) That they should love Him

4) That they should worship Him with all their hearts and souls.

5) That they should obey His commands.

These essential commands from God do not require money that they cannot afford. These same requirements are what God expects from us too. They are unchanging patterns of life that we should adapt to. The fear of God brings satisfaction, perfection and gives wisdom. To love God is to obey His commands (John 14:15). For all repentance and deliverance from sin ad transgression, God requires nothing but to turn to Him and begin to obey Him. If you are still living in sin, do that now and have your peace.

Food For Thought: Deuteronomy 6:5

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 10:12

Prayer: Lord, may I know what is required of me in my Christian race so that I may run according to your standard and rule and at the end win the prize in Jesus name.

How To Be Privy To God’s Secret

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday July 19, 2017

Topic: How To Be Privy To God’s Secret

Text: Genesis 18:17

Friends and loved ones share secrets. It takes people who have given themselves to each other to know the deep things about one another. You cannot meet someone for the first time and start telling the person about your life and some secrets about yourself. The intimacy would have grown or developed before you open up.

David and Jonathan son of Saul were two great friends (1 Samuel 18:1). Jonathan revealed his father’s plan to kill David to him (1 Samuel 19:2) because they were true friends.

Abraham found favour in the eyes of God and their friendship grew in lips and bounds. God spoke with him and always direct him on what to do. God didn’t want to hide anything from Abraham because he had endeared himself to Him for some reasons.

(1) Abraham had a covenant with God (Genesis 17:2)

(2) Abraham obeyed God and kept to the terms of the covenant (Hebrews 11:8)

(3) God saw the faithfulness of his heart

(4) God saw that Abraham would certainly pass on to his generations unborn the mysteries of God (Genesis 18:17)

God charged us in Jeremiah 33:3 to call to Him and He will reveal thing we do not know. God can reveal His secrets to s when we are in right relationship with Him. What is your relationship with God? Do you obey His words and faithfully walk with Him? To be privy of heaven’s decision and plans, you should befriend God, having constant fellowship with Him.

Food For Thought: Those who live in communion with God will always have insight into the present and future.

Memory verse: Genesis 18:17

Prayer: Lord God, draw me closer and closer to yourself daily and always reveal to me your will for my life in Jesus name.

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday July 13, 2017

Topic: A Delightful Land

Text: Malachi 3:9 -12

In our text is one of the blessings God has promised us when we honour Him with our tithes and offering (Malachi 3:9 – 12). Read through the passage and find out other blessings that go with tithing and offering. He assured that when Israel obey His word and honour Him with their tithes and offering, He would do great things amongst them which people would see and call their land delightsome.

What God promised was a peculiar blessing upon His people which would make their land a resemblance of Paradise, the garden of the Lord, Eden. When people begin to do what is expected, they will become delightsome. The period Malachi wrote this prophecy was a period of decay in the life of the Jews. They were actually waiting for the coming of the Messiah but not ready to comply with God’s demands hence, Malachi 3:1 – 3, 5 stated so. Is it similar to what we have today? Do a comparison of Malachi’s period and our present day society (Christianity).  

Beloved, has God made you a delight for people around you? Are there evidences of God’s delight in your affairs? Probably, you have not cared to obey God and live out His commandments.  That could be the reason why there are no evidences that God delights in you.

These are some of the things that will make God and people to delight in you: having the fear of God, wisdom from God, blessings of God, when you love peace, righteousness and charity. God can make you a delight only when you delight in Him also (Psalm 1:2, 37:4 and 119:92). When we honour God, He reciprocates. Begin to do that today.

Food for Thought: Total obedience to God brings blessings and makes us a delight

Memory verse: Malachi 3:12

Prayer: Lord, may I delight in you always so that you will bless me and make me a delight in the eyes of the world.

Those Who Bear The Name Of The Lord

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday July 5, 2017

Topic: Those Who Bear The Name Of The Lord

Bearing the name of the Christ is the highest privilege God has conferred on us. Moses told the Israelites that God requires total and absolute obedience from them for that is the way His promises of blessings will come upon and overtake them. When these blessings start manifesting in their lives, people will know that they bear the name of the Lord. It will show that they are most excellent and glorious people, under the peculiar care and countenance of a great God.

This promise is not only for the old Israel but also for the New Israel. We stand to gain so many things as those who bear the name of the Lord They are enumerated in Deuteronomy 28:2 – 14 which include people becoming afraid of us (see Deuteronomy 11:25). Another thing we stand to gain as people who bear the name of God is that we have the right to call on God to intervene on our behalf when the enemies confront us. As people who bear the name of the Lord, we have the right to call on God any moment and He will answer us (2 Chronicles 7:14).

However, we shouldn’t forget that it is not just bearing the name of God alone but that there are conditions attached to these blessings. The primary condition is in Deuteronomy 28:1 and 2. Obedience to God’s injunctions is necessary for our own food and blessings. We who bear the name of God should be exemplary in exhibiting the character of Christ so that people around us will see God’s glory manifesting in us. Our Christianity will be meaningless if it does not affect lives of people we meet on daily basis. Bearing the name of God should challenge us to live well in our homes, offices and in our neighbourhood.

Food for Thought: The name of the Lord is our source of protection, providence, defence and anchor. Is that name in you.

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 28 verse 10

Prayer: Help me O Lord to live out your name I bear in Jesus name.

Are You Still Under Condemnation?

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday May 6, 2017

Topic: Are You Still Under Condemnation?

Text: Romans 8: 1 – 9

Paul wrote to assure the Roman that we are no more under condemnation. It applies to us too. There is no condemnation does not mean that sin in believers is not to be condemned, rather the gospel does not pronounce condemnation like the law. The gospel of grace pronounces pardon. This is what Jesus did for us in taking our place to die for us. Have you received that pardon or are you still under condemnation? It is better you repent now before it will be too late. This act of Jesus Christ for us was aimed at making everyone understand the basic truth that by His death, the lost sinners and ruined men are set free from the most fearful and terrible condemnation meant for them.

Beloved, live your new life in Christ and don’t take to heart what people say about you. When God has not condemned you, who can condemn you? Do not live in fear and uncertainty because people have condemned you and have given you tag: never do well, a failure, no future ambition, etc. Every tag from Satan on you will be destroyed in Jesus name.

Food for Thought: Evidence of a life without condemnation is walking in obedience and love for God, and Man.

Memory verse: Romans 8 verse 1

Prayer: Grant, O Lord, that I will always walk in obedience as a proof that I am no more under condemnation in Jesus name.

Make Room For Jesus

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday March 9, 2017

Topic: Make Room For Jesus

Text: Matthew 9:23 – 26      

When Jesus arrived at Jairus’ house, a noisy crowd was there and probably funeral music was playing. But Jesus told them to make room because the girl was only sleeping. He spoke words of encouragement. The girl was indeed dead, and everyone from the family to the mourners knew it. Jesus knew it too, but His words were to test their faith. Unfortunately, they didn’t believe Jesus hence the ridicule (Matthew 9:24).

Make room here as Jesus used it was telling the mourners and flute players that their services are no longer needed and that they should retire. It may also be interpreted to mean remove everything that would be a hindrance or stumbling block to the restoration of the girl back to life. Jesus had to put them away because their faith is not enough for the work at hand.

Beloved, if we want God’s intervention in our predicaments and problems of life, we should make room for Jesus to operate. Making room as required of us here may be in the area of our faith, righteous living, obedience, support for His work, etc. Jesus needs the room to operate. He needs our full obedience and compliance.

It was after the crowd had been put aside that Jesus restored the girl back to life. Until we put aside our faithlessness, disobedience, ignorance, etc, God will not work in our favour. What are the things you need to put aside to make room for Jesus to heal, bless, save or deliver you? Think about it. Have a great day.

Food for Thought: Jesus works in our favour when we make room for Him.

Memory verse: Matthew 9 verse 24 - He said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him

Prayer: Help me to put aside, O Lord all that whatever will be a hindrance to your working in my favour now and always in Jesus name.

Unprecedented Favour

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday January 22, 2017

Topic: Unprecedented Favour

Text: Ruth 2:14 – 17           

The favour Boaz showed Ruth continued at mealtime when he invited her to eat with the reapers. She ate and also kept for Naomi. Some would have eaten everything after all she is at home doing nothing but not Ruth. It was as if Boaz was uncomfortable that he has not done enough for Ruth, (just like King Ahasuerus on the night he remembered Mordecai) that he gave approval for Ruth to glean. 

In his words, he commanded his reapers saying, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her." This act of Boaz is unprecedented because he just met Ruth, a foreigner for the first time. This shows that when our ways are pleasing to God, He can do anything for us. 

On the day I wrote this devotion, a man walked into my house and after exchanging pleasantries, brought out an envelope, counted N25,000:00 and gave to my family. I looked at the man, he wasn’t indebted to me. He just woke up, walked to my house and gave my family N25,000:00. I concluded that it was God working in my favour. God will work for you this day in Jesus name. 

Ruth obeyed the leading of God and “Line started falling for her in pleasant places.” Are you ready to allow God work for you or you want to help yourself? Some ladies would have started flirting about but not Ruth. Humility, industry, obedience, etc., pays.

Food for Thought: Proverbs 11:25

Memory verse: Ruth 2 verse 16

Prayer: Lord God, show me favour as I go out this day that in all I will do, I will be favour abundantly in Jesus name. Amen.

TOILING IN VAIN?

DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016

Topic: TOILING IN VAIN?                   

Text: Luke 5:1 – 11                            

Teaching is very important in pastoral ministry and when you have the word of God, people will come to wherever you are to hear the word. A good teacher of the gospel uses every opportunity to teach is disciples or members. He doesn’t wait till they gather in the church. This was the characteristic of Jesus’ earthly ministry. People came to Him to hear the word of God and He taught them. A friend complaining about the preaching of his pastor said, “We come to church because of the word and not story telling.”

Jesus understood this and used Peter’s boat to preach from the Sea of Galilee (Lake of Gennesaret). After preaching, he told Peter to cast down his net for a catch. Though they had taken nothing, yet Christ told them to let down their nets again. When Jesus met them at the sea, they were washing their nets apparently on the basis that the day’s business was over. They’ve called it a day. We must not abruptly quit our callings because we have not succeeded as we desired. Though they have toiled without success, Peter was willing to still try because Jesus has commanded. At last, there was a haul of fish. Jesus was true to His words. He showed His supremacy over creatures and laws of nature. 

As Christians, we are called to preach the gospel. We should not be discouraged when we have preached and laboured long without apparent successes; but according to Christ's directions, we should continue to labour in humble dependence on Him, and with believing expectations that in His own time and way He will give us success. On the other hand, have you been toiling in vain in your trade, craft, office, business, marriage, studies, etc? God is saying cast your net for a catch. All you need is simple obedience and things will begin to work. You may not need to change your business but patiently ask God to direct you on what to do that you have not been doing. God will certainly surprise you.   

Food for Thought: Obedience is the key to successes and miracles.

Memory verse: Luke 5 verse 5

Prayer: Lord, grant me a willing and obedient heart to trust and obey your commands in 
Jesus name.