God’s demand From Gospel Preachers

My Daily Covenant with God Devotional

Devotion for Friday January 11, 2019

Topic: God’s demand From Gospel Preachers

Text: Colossians 1: 24 – 29

Every Christian is a preacher of the gospel whether you have official license like Priest, Pastors, Lay Readers, Catechists, Evangelists, etc., or not. Our call is to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). The command to go and bear witness/preach is compulsory and should not be treated with levity.

Here in our bible reading for the day, Paul pointed out what should be the centre of our message as Christians – Jesus Christ. He said, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." This should be the message we should preach with one thing in mind while preaching – to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. According to Paul, this was the motivating factor behind all he was doing. To achieve the aim of his call, he had to labour through the grace God had given to him and self discipline (1 Corinthians 9:24 – 27).

Our preaching should not be based on self, money or church denomination; rather, it should be based on Christ Jesus. The aim of our labour in the vineyard of God should be to present our members perfect before Christ. As we labour with this in mind, all other things concerning us will be taken care of by God and at the appropriate time. May God be our helper in this regard in Jesus name!

Food for Thought: Acts 20:20, 27 and 31

Memory verse: Colossians 1:28

Prayer: God, I may my gospel message centre on Christ Jesus alone in Jesus name. Amen

Continue With The Lord

Devotion for Tuesday February 27, 2018

Topic: Continue With The Lord                         

Text: Acts 11:19 – 24

The first preachers of the gospel at Antioch were people dispersed from Jerusalem by persecution; thus what was meant to hurt the church was made to work for its good. Initially, they concentrated their preaching on the Jews only (Acts 11:19) but some other preachers from Cyrene and Cyprus (in present day North Africa) came also and preached to Gentiles in Antioch. Divine power attended their preaching and many believed the gospel (Acts 11:21). 

The Church at Jerusalem heard that the gospel had reached Antioch and they sent Barnabas to them. He was a great link between the Jewish believers and Gentile believers. He was a wise choice to go to Antioch for a number of reasons. As he was from Cyprus, he would have had a natural connection with the evangelists who had started the movement in Antioch. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. His name means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36), and he lived up to it as he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord and continue with Him. He came and confirmed what was earlier preached. He didn't try to show off as a ‘senior believer/evangelist.’ 

Christians should partner one another in the gospel because we all are meant to work for Christ who owns the Church. Barnabas urged them that they should be firm and resolute in their new found faith despite trials and temptation that may come their way. Are you source of encouragement to people around you as Barnabas was? 

Sing SS&S 529; Abu 216

Food for Thought: Barnabas lived up to his name by being a source of encouragement. Are you living up to your name as a Christian?

Memory verse: Acts 11:23

Prayer: May I live up to my name as a Christian O Lord and a source of encouragement to people around me in Jesus name. Amen