Believe To See: Devotion for Tuesday September 22, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday September 22, 2020

Topic: Believe To See                                          

Text: Exodus 14:10 – 14                             

In John 20:29, Jesus said, "Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Thomas wanted to see the wound inflicted on Jesus before he could believe that Jesus had risen. But Jesus told him to believe before seeing for their lies the blessings of God.

When Israel came to Pi Hahiroth as God directed them in Exodus 14:2, they camped there and Pharaoh with his men came pursing. There was no way open to Israel but upward, and thence their deliverance came. In their front was the Red Sea; behind them were Pharaoh and his men while their sides are hills. Thus it was hard for them to escape. The fearful cried out to Moses out of fear while the faithful looked through the only way opened to them which is heaven.

They quarrel with Moses for bringing them out of Egypt; and were also angry with God for the greatest kindness ever done them; thus gross are the absurdities of unbelief. Our fears should quicken our prayers and endeavours, but not silence our faith and hope. So Moses told them to be still, to believe and see what God will do for them (Exodus 14:13 and 14). What these two verses imply is that it is only when they believe that they will see miracles and if they don’t, the problem will consume them.

Beloved, are you afraid because the enemies have surrounded you and you don’t have the way of escape? Let not your heart be troubled (John 14:1). Just believe God miraculous intervention because you will no longer see those enemies again. Be still! The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.     

Food for Thought: A man lives by believing something: not by debating and arguing about many things.

Memory verse: Exodus 14 v 13

Prayer: Give me the heart to believe your words, O Lord, that I might see your miracles and blessings upon my life in Jesus name.

A New Thing For You

Devotion for Wednesday January 2

Topic: A New Thing For You

Text: Isaiah 43:16 – 21

The Lord has promised to do a new thing for you because it is His desire to do new things for us. The new thing will not be delayed because it shall ‘spring forth now.’ 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 in this New Year in

Jesus name.

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 attached to it. The one who is making this promise to you and I 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? Do you actually want to experience a new thing in this New Year? Then you have to prepare yourself and rededicate your life again to Him. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, do something now so you could enjoy the new thing packaged for you this season and beyond.

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.

Utilize Your Talent/Gifts – The Example of Joseph

Devotion for Wednesday January 10, 2018

Topic: Utilize Your Talent/Gifts – The Example of Joseph

Text: Genesis 40:5 – 23

Joseph’s gift/talent was to dream and interpret the dreams. He was not stingy with that gift. He dreamt about his brothers bowing to him as a king and another time his parents bowing to him. His dreams elicited hatred from his brothers who sold him into slavery. But being a slave didn’t stop him from using his talents even while in prison, he interpreted the dream of Pharaoh’s servant. Some people would have ignored those servants but not Joseph. He showed concern towards their sadness and inability to understand their dreams. When they told him about their dreams, he gave the right interpretation. His appeal that chief butler should remember him was ignored but he continued his life until another opportunity came when Pharaoh dreamt and there was no interpreter. Then he was remembered. His gift sorted him out and he came out from prison to become a Prime Minister in a foreign land. The way you use your gift matters to God and humanity. God who gave you that gift expects you to use it to serve Him and humanity, and until you begin to use them it cannot manifest the more and bring you before men. If Joseph had shown indifference to the fellow prisoners, when the need arose for an interpreter, he wouldn’t have been remembered. Therefore put your gift into use and it will sort you out. Sing SS&S 1138, Abu 240

Food for Thought: Talent without tact is only half talent – Horace Greeley.

Memory verse: Genesis 41:13

Prayer: God, help me to utilize the gift you gave me just as Joseph did and let it bring me before great men in Jesus name. Amen.

Request Sinners Often Make

Devotion for Monday September 11, 2017

Topic: Request Sinners Often Make

Text: Exodus 8:25 – 32

Unbelievers use these words often and again, “Pray for me.” Most times, they say it casually but it shows two basic truths. First and foremost, it shows that they know that the life they are living is not according to the will of God and needed mercy. Again, it shows that they have acknowledged that you are a child of God who can intercede on their behalf. King Jeroboam’s hand withered when he ordered the arrest of a man of God. Thereafter he said, “Please entreat the favour of the Lord your God and pray for me that my hand maybe restored to me” – 1 Kings 13:6b. The man of God did as requested and his hand was restored (1 Kings 13:6c).

Pharaoh hardened his heart by refusing to allow the Israelites to go and God dealt with him and his people. When he saw the outstretched arm of God, he asked Moses to intercede for him. This was similar to the case of Simon Magus, who, like Pharaoh, fearing the divine Judgement, begged for Peter’s prayers (Acts 8:24). Why will people deliberately sin and thereafter ask for prayers? If they actually know that what they are doing is evil, why do it? Can you give some reasons why people act that way?

Do you deliberately commit fornication, steal tell lies, etc., and thereafter you begin to ask for prayers or begin to pray? Repent now because the judgement of God is at hand. Don’t think that the grace of God is eternity. Remember how Pharaoh eventually died with his men inside the Red Sea. Therefore be warned.

Food for Thought: The knowledge of Divine Judgement coming upon all unrighteousness should make us live in awe of God.

Memory verse: Exodus 8:28

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to l need so that I will not deliberately sin against you.

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.

BELIEVE TO SEE: Devotion for Friday August 19, 2016

BELIEVE TO SEE: Devotion for Friday August 19, 2016

Text: Exodus 14:10 – 14     Memory verse: Exodus 14:13

In John chapter 20 verse 29, Jesus Christ said, "Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Thomas wanted to see the wound inflicted on Jesus before he could believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. To him, the wound would show that it was Jesus Christ indeed (This act of Thomas is similar to the belief of Igbo in Nigeria which says, it is only when you have seen, that you can believe). But Jesus Christ told him to believe before seeing because believing without seeing brings more blessings of God.

When the Israelis came to Pi Hahiroth as God directed them in Exodus 14:2, they camped there and Pharaoh with his men came pursing after them. There was no way open to the Israelis but upward which can only be possible if they have wings but it was that same upward that their deliverance came. In their front was the Red Sea; behind them were Pharaoh and his men while their sides were hills. Thus it was hard for them to escape. The fearful cried out to Moses out of fear while the faithful looked through the only way opened to them which is heaven; praying to God for intervention and deliverance.

The fearful amongst the Israelis quarreled with Moses for bringing them out of Egypt; and were also angry with God for the greatest unkindness ever done them. That gross misconduct showed the absurdities of unbelief. When challenges and problems confront us and we become afraid, our fears should quicken us into prayers and actions, but not silence our faith and hope. So Moses told them to be still, to believe and see what God will do for them (Exodus 14:13, 14). What these two verses imply is that it is only when they believe that they will see miracles and if they don’t, the problem will consume them.

Beloved, are you afraid because the enemies have surrounded you and you don’t have the way of escape? Let not your heart be troubled (John 14:1). Just believe that God will miraculous intervene because you will no longer see those enemies again. Be still! The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.     

Food for Thought: A man lives by believing something: not by debating and arguing about many things.

Prayer: Give me the heart to believe your words, O Lord my God, that I might see your miracles and blessings upon my life in Jesus name. Amen.

TO GAIN HONOUR OVER PHARAOH: Devotion for Thursday August 18, 2016

TO GAIN HONOUR OVER PHARAOH: Devotion for Thursday August 18, 2016

Text: Exodus 14:1 – 9                

Memory verse: Exodus 14 v 4

It is act of foolishness to use human reasoning to assess God. Such assessment is baseless. It will amount to failure because God is never programmed. He cannot be manipulated. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are higher than ours. He deserves our respect, honour and adoration.

There is this aphorism of my people which says that “He that the god will kill; first, will be made mad.” This was the case of Pharaoh. God hardened his heart so as to gain honour over him. Pharaoh thought that all Israel were entangled in the wilderness, and so would become an easy prey for him. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh. Of course we all are made for the honour of God, our Maker. If men would not have their hearts hardened, they must not continue knowingly to disobey God. If they thus disobey, all the blame will rest upon them (Rom. 1:24–26) if God decides to gain honour over them.

After relenting and giving them permission to depart with the greatest reason, Pharaoh now changes his mind and determines to prevent the Israelis from going. Without any farther restraining grace and delay, God permitted him to rush on and pursue the Israelis to his final ruin. This was the evidence that his cup of iniquity was now full. God judged him. This shows that there is a limit to which we can enjoy the grace of God. Never think that you have all the days and years to enjoy the grace of God. Are you living in sin and thinking that you can continue to live the way you like? Today may be your last day to commit that sin and God will expose you. Why not repent at this moment and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Tomorrow may be too late. Kindly do it now or God will gain honour over you by force?

Food for Thought: Exodus 9:16 - But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you, and that my name may be declared in all the earth.

Prayer: Almighty God and my Father in heaven, help me to live a life that will bring honour to you and not you, taking it by force.

IGNORANCE BIRTHS ARROGANCE: Devotion for Monday April 25, 2016

IGNORANCE BIRTHS ARROGANCE: Devotion for Monday April 25, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 19:8 – 13       Memory verse: v 10

It was the Psalmist that said in Ps 2:1, “Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing?” He mentioned in that Psalm about a gang up against the Lord and His anointed. However, Ps 2:4, states that “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.” This description fits into our Bible reading for the day. How can Sennacherib and his men compare a CREATOR to a creature? How can they boast that they made successes without acknowledging the source of their strength? How can they be so blinded as to say that the God of Israel can’t save His people? Didn’t they hear what He did in Egypt? Didn’t they hear of what He did to give them the Promised Land? Maybe they were not told. Such ignorance gave rise to this unprecedented display of arrogance.

A song writer says, “Who can battle with the Lord? (3x), I say nobody.” The best thing you can do for yourself is to know that there is a living God. Pharaoh asked Moses, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go." A man who is ignorant about God can say such. Do you know God or you are still acting in ignorance? If you know God, you can’t meddle with sin. You can’t live a compromising life if actually you know God. Have you known Him? If not repent and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today, and you will begin to know Him and what He can do.

Food for Thought: The way we display arrogance reveals the level of our ignorance.

Prayer: Lord God, may I not be ignorant to the extent of not recognizing your supremacy and Almightiness in Jesus name.