Look Ahead And Be Optimistic

Devotion for Friday December 1, 2017

Topic: Look Ahead And Be Optimistic 

Text: Hebrew 6:11 – 15

People who lived godly lives faced temptations, persecutions and trials of different types and degrees. From Noah to the Apostles and disciples, all had terrible experiences. This is the reason for the exhortation in Hebrews 10:36. When we begin to consider the trials and temptations of this life, we cannot make progress in our endeavours. This led the author of Hebrews to challenge us in Hebrews 6:12. He cautioned us not to be sluggish or faint-hearted or timid or negligent. Rather, he advised that we should strongly and constantly imitate them in their manner of life; their faith and patience. The challenges for us in our text are;

1) Heaven is not ours by purchase but by promise

2) Heaven is a promised inheritance which saints by faith and patience, have possessed and will possess.

3) Being followers of imitators of their faith and patience, we may also joint them to inherit the promises.

Heaven is what lies ahead of us as Christians. Whatever we do here on earth is transitory. A day will come when we shall leave everything here on earth and go to either heaven as true Christians or hell as deceivers. Where you will go is determined here on earth. People have endured all manner of trials, confrontations and temptations for the sake of heaven. You can still endure and overcome (Philippians 4:13). Cheer up my beloved in Christ because better days and better things await us in heaven. That want, need, sickness, temptation, trial and persecution are temporal. You will leave them here on earth. Therefore do not let it determine your final destination after live on earth. Look ahead and be optimistic even as we enter into the new month.

Remember that he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13). With this in mind, I welcome you to the last month of the year 2018. Have a glorious month of December 2018.

Food for Thought: What lies ahead matters most more than the ones we have left behind us.

Memory Verse: Hebrew 6:12 – “That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Prayer: God, rekindle your spirit in me and remove any spirit of sluggishness or faint-heart from me as I live for you in Jesus name.

A Great Understanding

Devotion for Thursday November 23, 2017

Topic: A Great Understanding

Text: Proverbs 14:29

The greatest gift to ask from God is discretion or wisdom. With wisdom, one can achieve so many things in life; it can make you rich, save you from danger; it gives you understanding, protects you against the enemies, guide you in path of righteousness, etc. There are principally two things we should note in this text.

1) Meekness is part of wisdom. Someone who is meek rightly understands and controls himself; his duties and interests, the infirmities of human nature, and the society. Someone who is patient is really to be counted as intelligent; one that learns of Christ in everything, who is Himself (Christ) wisdom.

2) Unbridled passion is proclamation of foolishness. He that has hasty of spirit, whose heart is tinder to every spark of provocation, always thinks to magnify himself and make those around stand in awe of him, whereas really he exalts his own folly. He makes his folly known to all through his foolish and hasty acts and words. Such person lacks understanding.

This exhortation of James in James 1:19 should be our yardstick for measuring one who is wise and truly a child of God. How wise are you? How do you control your anger? An understanding fellow shows wisdom and one who lacks wisdom acts foolishly.

Food for Thought: James 1:19 – 20

Memory verse: James 1:19

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to moderate what I see with my eyes and how I react to them.

It Pays To Wait Upon God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday May 12, 2017

Topic: It Pays To Wait Upon God

Text: John 5:1 – 9

The Psalmist said in Ps 130:5 that he will wait for the lord and hope in His word. Waiting upon God for salvation, healing and deliverance pays and none who does that, will ever be disappointed. Hannah was a woman that was seriously wounded by the taunting of Peninnah her mate (1 Samuel 1:1–18). Rather than gossip or quarrel with her, Hannah chose to wait on God to vindicate her which paid off with a special child – Samuel, a great prophet and many other children (1 Samuel 2:21).

Here is a pathetic story of a man sick for 38 years. Probably his people had abandoned him at the Pool of Bethsaida because they had given up on him. If he goes home, help is not there. If he stays, there is possibility of getting healed but no one there to assist him. Have people given up on you because of your evil ways, sin, sickness, etc? God will arise for you this season. God will remember you in Jesus name. However, the man preferred to stay, waiting patiently for the opportunity to step into the water even though there was nobody there to help him. Yet he will not go away.

Beloved, what is that problem confronting you now? Is it sickness, marriage, no child, quest for admission, job, etc? Just wait patiently on the Lord and He will answer you, and grant you the best. He did it for Zachariah and Elizabeth and also for many other people even in our world of today. Yours will not be an exception.

Food for Thought: Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet – Rousseau.

Memory verse: John 5 verse 7

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to perseverance and wait on you for my blessings in Jesus name.

LOVE’S CREED: Devotion for Monday February 15, 2016

LOVE’S CREED      Monday February 15, 2016

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7        Memory verse: v 4

Creed here means set of principle. Because love is so important among the believers, Paul described love in detail. First of all, love is patient, the opposite of being short-tempered. Patience (sometimes translated “long-suffering” or “slow to anger”) is an attribute of God (see Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Romans 2:4; 1 Peter 3:20). In many places, we are called upon to be patient (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians. 5:14). Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Such love bears with certain annoyances or inconveniences without complaint. It does not lose its temper when provoked. It steadily perseveres.

Love is also kind. Kindness takes the initiative in responding generously to others’ needs. Because we have received kindness, we ought to act with kindness toward others too. Real love is considerate and helpful to others. Kind love is gentle and mild; always ready to show compassion, especially to those in need. Love is not jealous. A jealous person desires what another person has and it leads to envy. Love is not boastful or proud. While some believers may have a problem with envy, those with the ‘greater’ gifts might have a problem with boasting or pride. While some pride can be positive, this kind of pride takes credit for an undeserved gift. Gifted believers who are caught up in pride and boasting over their gifts don’t serve well. Without love, they may feel that by using their gifts, they are doing someone a favour, that others should be grateful to them, and that they are far superior. Do you have this kind of love in your heart for God and your neighbour?

Food for Thought: 1 Peter 4:8

Prayer: God, sow genuine love for you and my neighbours in my heart.

PEACEABLE FRUITS: Devotion for Wednesday January 13, 2016

PEACEABLE FRUITS       Wednesday January 13, 2016

Text: Hebrew 12:4 – 11        Memory verse: v 11

It is Robin Sharma’s opinion that, “All great work requires daily practice and endless patience.” Daily practices with patience are the things that can bring out the best in great men of exploits. The writer of this epistle exhorts us on the need for training and discipline in the life of Christians which will definitely lead to peaceable fruits of righteousness. The writer noted that from the gentle and moderate degree, and measure of their sufferings: they have not yet resisted unto shedding of blood in striving against sin (12:4). They were reminded that they have not suffered as much as some have suffered, noting that the essence of all these is to pass through the chastising of the Lord (12:5) which comes out of His (God’s) love for us (Hebrews 12:5–11).

Beloved, the chastisement of God yields, like a good tree, the good fruit of righteousness (Galatians 5:22, 23). It brings out the best in us just as passing of gold in fire makes it shine better. It’s never pleasant to be corrected and disciplined by God, but His discipline is a sign of His deep love for us. When God corrects us, see it as proof of His love, and ask Him what He is trying to teach you. What discipline are you going through at this moment? Therein are lessons that will lead you to righteousness. Do not resist it.

Food for Thought: Hebrew 12:6

Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to yield to your chastisement for my own good

WAIT ON GOD: Devotion for Friday October 30, 2015

WAIT ON GOD        Friday October 30, 2015

Text: Psalm 27:7 – 14                    Memory verse: v 14

One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is patience (Galatians 5:22). It takes patience to wait on the Lord because there is nothing like haste with God. He is time conscious yet not in a hurry to do things. There are many things waiting on God can do for us. When we wait on the Lord, He inclines His ear to us and answers our prayers (Psalm 40:1). Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel and he got it (Luke 2:25). Waiting on God grants us discretion on complicated issues. It is an appointed means of grace. As we wait on God, He strengthens our hearts. Waiting does a lot of good for us. It makes us more sensitive, sober and watchful. See Psalm 31:24.

Beloved, are you in need of deliverance, healing, favour, freedom, fruit of the womb, vindication, etc, just wait on the Lord. He will never disappoint you rather you will be strengthened. We should draw up courage from the stories of men and women who waited and were blessed. Be expectant; for He that has promised is faithful. Wait actively; be not idle but use the means of grace; read, hear, pray, believe, work. As you wait on Him, He will not disappoint. 

Food for Thought: “Wait in prayer. Call on God and spread the case before him.  Express your unstaggering confidence in him. Wait in faith, for unfaithful, untrusting waiting is but an insult to the Lord” C. Spurgeon

Prayer: God, grant me the grace and patience to wait on you always.