God’s Special People

Devotion for Tuesday March 6, 2018

Topic: God’s Special People

Text: 1 Peter 2:7 – 10                             

Jesus Christ is indeed precious – highly valued or esteemed. Not only is Christ precious to the Father (1 Peter 2:4), He is also precious to Christians (1 Peter 2:7). Quoting from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 8:14), Peter explained that not only were the builders who rejected the stone humiliated but it later became the cornerstone; they also had stumbled and fallen over it. Stumble means tripping and falling, or it can mean taking offense at or rejecting something or someone.

1 Peter 2:9 contrasts our privilege and destiny with that of unbelievers (described in 1 Peter 2:8). We are a chosen people, a distinct group from the rest of the world, unified by the Holy Spirit. We are also a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation (Exodus 19:6). Being part of ‘priesthood’ is a high honour for us. This honour has made us special people of God who were nobody before now. Think of it, if not for Christianity, what would have been your condition today? Before the coming of Christ, Gentiles were rejected by God without any hope of mercy, but today, they are people of God because He has chosen them (1 Peter 2:9) and they have received His mercy.

‘Mercy’ means God’s compassionate treatment of us even though we deserve the full measure of His justice. On the other hand, it is God that can turn our situations for. He did it in life of Abraham, Jabez, David and others; He will do it for you. You have worth because of what Christ did, not because of what you did. Live your life to glorify Him.

Sing A&M 295; Abu 206

Food for Thought: Do you actually know your worth as a Christian?

Memory verse: 1 Peter 2:9

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for making me somebody in your eyes no matter what the world thinks about me.

Leadership and Generosity

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday February 21, 2017     

Topic: Leadership and Generosity

Text: 1 Chronicles 16:1 – 3

David had a great regard and love for God, no wonder he was termed a man after God’s heart. He brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem and wanted to build a house for it but God restrained him from doing it. Some of our leaders today are not perturbed by dilapidated church building in their environment. Unfortunately, it is not so with the Muslims. They always want to build place of worship. Christians who are leaders should always use their position to build places of worship of God Almighty.

When David brought the Ark into the city, he praised God and made offering to the Lord. David was very pleased that the Ark was now in Jerusalem after the previous attempt failed. In his joy he offered burnt and peace offerings to the Lord. He blessed his people and gave them gifts as a mark of his generosity. David’s act of generosity is commendable and should be emulated by all in leadership positions.

As God was generous to David and he demonstrated same, those of us He has been generous to, should do the same to the less privileged and the poor people under us. When Herod was happy, he didn’t remember God. Rather he called for friends to a party and at the peak of his merriment; he made a promise which resulted to the death of John the Baptist.

Those of us in leadership positions should give special considerations to people we lead. They should make laws that will be favourable to their subjects and avoid owing their workers’ wages because the bible condemns it (See Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15). As at the time of writing today’s devotion, some states in Nigeria owed their workers up to 8 months’ salary arrears. Unfortunately, some of these Governors are Christians who never stopped their own salaries and allowances. Christian leaders should be generous to their subjects as David was.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 24:14 – 15

Memory verse: 1 Chronicles 16 verse 3 - And distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.

Prayer: Almighty God, grant to all those in leadership positions especially in our country, a benevolent heart for their subjects in Jesus name. Amen. 

Return To Your People

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday January 15, 2017

Topic: Return To Your People

Text: Ruth 1:6 – 10  

There was almost nothing worse than being a widow in the ancient world even in our present day society. They are still not recognised. They are to be seen and not heard. Widows were taken advantage of or ignored as in the days of Naomi. They were almost always poverty stricken. Some were denied of assess to their late husband’s wealth.

It was for the above reason, God’s law, therefore, provided that the nearest relative of the dead husband should care for the widow; but Naomi had no relatives in Moab, and she did not know if any of her relatives were alive in Israel. However, she decided to go back to Israel.

As she set to go, the daughters’ inlaw, Orpah and Ruth decided to go with her. Though she had right over Orpah and Ruth as daughters in law, she didn’t want to stick to that right. That is a challenge for us in the action of Naomi. Most times, we stick to our right as Christians and that doesn’t work well in most cases. She encouraged them to return to their people to start live anew. This is a selfless attitude that is required to live well as a Christian. Even in her desperate situation, Naomi had a selfless attitude. She would have stood on her right at least to have someone live with her. As she had decided to return to Israel, she encouraged Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab and start their lives anew, even though that would mean hardship for her.

Like Naomi, we (Christians) must consider the needs of others and not just our own. As Naomi discovered, when you act selflessly, others are encouraged to follow your example. This led to the reaction of Ruth as we shall see tomorrow in our devotion. We should note that service to others is the justification for our existence and self-sacrifice is our highest moral duty, virtue and value which we should show to people we meet on daily basis.

Food for Thought: Selfless acts are always good examples for people especially the goodly, to follow.

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 8 - And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord, to consider the needs of others as I take decisions concerning my welfare in Jesus name. Amen.

ISRAELIS ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE: Devotion for Saturday July 23, 2016

ISRAELIS ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE: Devotion for Saturday July 23, 2016

Text: Deuteronomy 33:26 – 29             

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 33:29 - Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places."

This song of Moses declares that God is the refuge of the people of Israel, their only true security. This is one reason he said that the Israelis are privileged and special. There is none like the God of Israel. Thus there are no people like the Israel of God. This also applies to the New Israel or the Spiritual Israel which we belong to. Here are some of the peculiarities of the people of Israel.

1. They were always well seated and sheltered. Those who make God their habitation shall have all the comforts and benefits of a habitation in Him (Psalm 91:1). This is the understanding of the Psalmist hence his words in Psalm 91. This understanding is very necessary in our Christian race as we contend with principalities and powers.

2. Never were people so well supported and borne up. God stoops to be with His people at any time. His everlasting arms are underneath them, to keep the spirit from sinking, from fainting, and their faith from failing. Divine grace is sufficient for them. Just as He was with them in their journey to the Promised Land so He is with them even now. Otherwise how can we describe the survival of the nation of Israel amidst the Arab world who desires to eliminate them?

3. They were well commanded. Thus believers are more than conquerors over their spiritual enemies, through Christ that loved them. This was demonstrated when they came to the Promised Land. God gave them instructions and they followed which resulted in the walls of Jericho falling down. 

4. The people were well secured and protected. Israel shall dwell in safety alone.

5. Never were people so well provided for; so helped, so well armed, so well assured of victory over their enemies.

Is there any other thing that can make us more special than these? Absolutely nothing! Are you among these special people?    

Food for Thought: What more makes someone so special than these five points mentioned above?

Prayer: May God help us to seek and to set our affections on Him alone; that we may have our lot with Israel of God, in the realms of love and eternal happiness, and not  Israel's foes in the regions of darkness and despair.