Maximize Every Opportunity

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday January 28, 2017

Topic: Maximize Every Opportunity

Text: Matthew 14:34 – 36            

In the previous chapter of Matthew (Matthew chapter 13), we read how the people of Jesus hometown despised Him and He didn’t do much miracles because of their unbelief (Devotion for Wednesday January 25th) but it was not so in the Land of Gennesaret. They were able to recognise Him and received him to their land.

In Luke chapter 5, Jesus used that Lake to preach and it was there He gave Peter and his colleagues a great catch of fish which they abandoned and followed. All those teachings and miracles were still fresh in their memory that they easily recognised Him. Thus they decided to maximize the opportunity to the fullest by bringing all manner of people with sicknesses and ailments, and they were all healed.

There are some lessons for us in our text for the day.

1) They recognised Jesus and welcomed Him. Can you recognise Jesus when you see Him or His work when you see it? Such recognition is very import to our blessings.

2) They maximized the opportunity to benefit from His presence. Most times programmes are organised and people hardly attend. They make light of the preacher and the programme. You can’t receive miracle with such mindset. You need a mindset of faith to receive.

3) They demonstrated a kind of faith that Jesus can’t deny them. They requested to touch the hem of His garment. This was similar to what the woman with the issue of blood did. If we will receive anything from God, we should approach Him with faith (Hebrews 11:6).

Often we miss so many opportunities to receive from God because we are unable to recognize when God is at work for us. We should understand that God is willing to heal, bless, save, deliver and provide, etc, for us at any moment. Don’t think that He is programmed to do some things at a particular place. As you go out today, open yourself to God and certainly, you will see Him manifesting for your good.           

Food for Thought: Recognition of the person of Jesus leads to receiving of what He has to offers.

Memory verse: Matthew 14 verse 35 - And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased.

Prayer: Help me to maximize every opportunity to benefit from your presence.

OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY: Devotion for Tuesday September 6, 2016

OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY: Devotion for Tuesday September 6, 2016

Text: Luke 21:10 – 13                 Memory verse: Luke 21:13   

Jesus spoke about the persecution that will come upon the church in Luke 21:12 which they should use as opportunity to testify Luke 21:13. Not long after this admonition, the persecution started as Luke recorded in Acts of the Apostles. We have instances of Paul writing from the prison that he suffered gladly because it helped him to know Christ better and do His work (Philippians 3:10, Colossians 1:24 compare Philippians 1:12–14). Their suffering led to the furtherance of the gospel, a testimony. It was Tertullian, one of the early church fathers in late 2nd century, wrote, “The blood of Christians is seed of the gospel.” The persecutions suffered by the Apostles and early disciples became an added advantage to the spreading of the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth.   

Paul and Silas while in prison used the occasion to preach the gospel, which led to the repentance of the Jailer and his family. Beloved, how do you react to what you are suffering for the sake of the gospel? Do you use that problem as a stepping-stone to draw closer to God and witness of His love to others? That problem, trial, or temptation will lead to a testimony in Jesus name. Those who think they want to punish you by redeploying you or by that transfer will see you testifying because it will be a blessing. Persevere and maintain the faith and at last, God will prove Himself to you.

Food for Thought: Something good can come out of that problem you are going through now depending on your perspective.  

Prayer: God, turn the problem confronting me into a testimony in Jesus name.

USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR GOD: Devotion for Sunday May 29 , 2015

USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR GOD: Devotion for Sunday May 29, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 5:2 – 3        Memory verse: v 3

When Paul and Silas were jailed for preaching the gospel, they were not deterred. Right there inside the prison cell, they were singing to God, using the very opportunity they had to glorify God. The result was unprecedented as souls were won for Christ. In our text for today, we saw how this young girl, a captive from Israel, used the opportunity to tell her captors that there is a God in Israel who is Almighty, who can heal her master. She didn’t nurse grudges that she has been deprived of parental love and care by her captors. She was in a foreign land proclaiming God. This little maid, though only a girl, could give an account of the famous prophet the Israelites had among them. Children should be told early enough of the wondrous works of God, that, wherever they go, they may talk of them. How much do you tell your children about God?

Every day, we have opportunities to serve God and humanity, and to preach the gospel of repentance, peace and love to people. There are pulpits everywhere which we can use to teach the word of God. Daily we have opportunity to show kindness to people. How much do we utilise these opportunities in our schools, offices, business premises, as we commute, etc? God has sent you to that school, that office, that neighbourhood at a time like this for a purpose. God can use you to spread His word. Look for opportunities to tell others what God can do. There’s no telling who will hear your message and benefit! Do so because you will account for it someday.

Action: As you go out today, ensure you use the opportunity you have to show kindness, preach the word of God and encourage someone.

Prayer: Lord, may I use every opportunity I have to do good unto people and preach your gospel in Jesus name.