Christians’ Uttermost Task: Devotion for Saturday, April 18, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday, April 18, 2020

Topic: Christians’ Uttermost Task                                         

Text: Act 1:6 – 11

One of the basic teachings Jesus gave His disciples was on the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of heaven as some gospels presents it. When Jesus was crucified, their hope of ruling with Him as He promised seemed to be dashed. However, when He resurrected, that hope came alive. On the day of His ascension, they came up with the question as we have in Acts 1:6. The disciples, like every other Jew, expected the Messiah's kingdom to be at least in part, secular. This had been their understanding.

However, in answering their question in verse 6 Jesus redirected their minds to what would be their uttermost task as disciples. Jesus turned away their thoughts from their worldly inquiries to the spiritual office and work they will soon be equipped with Holy Spirit to perform. Have you seen the reason God has not poured His spirit on you despite your desire and prayers? You must understand the essence of the Holy Spirit coming upon you.

As present day disciples, we have this task also. The heart of God is soul winning and anyone who has that passion will always receive His backing. Most times we lose this vision and begin to seek and crave for earthly things as the disciples had wanted. This made Peter to remind us in 1 Peter 2:9 and 10 of what we are on this earth. Desire for earthly possessions led the disciples into making the enquiry.

Today many of us are so consumed by our quest for worldly possessions like cars, food, job, money, etc., that we have lost focus of why we are Christians. Are you fulfilling your task as a Christian? Start acting today.

Action: Make sure you preach to someone you will meet today.

Memory verse: Acts 1:8

Prayer: God, redirect my mind into what you have called me to do for you as a Christian in Jesus name.

The Gospel Mandate

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday April 29, 2017

Topic: The Gospel Mandate

Text: Luke 10:8 – 11

Evangelism has its mandate. Jesus who commissioned the Apostles, disciples and we the present day Christians gave us a mandate on what we should do. We are not just to go out for sake of going out. The first instruction was that we should value our welcome to any home by staying there and accepting whatever is offered to us. In the mandate Jesus stated that we should preach, healing the sick and telling them that the kingdom of God is at hand. We should shake off the dust on our feet against places where we are not welcomed.

The healing of the sick, casting out demons, etc are signs that the kingdom of God is near (see Luke 10:11; 21:31). This nearness of the kingdom has two interpretations; already here and soon to come. The kingdom Jesus established was not aimed at overthrowing any government. Rather, it was a kingdom that began in people’s hearts and was as near as people’s heart who are willing to make Jesus king over their lives.

In Matt. 24:14, Jesus asserted that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the world as a witness to nations before the end will come. How are you carrying out this mandate to preach the gospel? Are you among those who are calling on Jesus to come back for the saint militants when you are not willing to preach the gospel to souls dying without Christ? It is time to wake up to our call and mandate to preach the gospel because God will obviously demand their souls in our hands.

Action: As you go out today, ensure you exercise your mandate today.

Memory verse: Luke 10 verses 8 and 9

Prayer: Lord God, grant me utterance I go out to preach the gospel.

Requirements For Evangelism

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday April 28, 2017

Topic: Requirements For Evangelism

Text: Luke 10:3 – 7     

The instructions given to these seventy disciples are basically the same as those given to the twelve in Lk. 9:3 - 4. The reason was the same. He expected them to travel light, spend no time preparing for the trip, and depend upon Him and those to whom they ministered to, to meet their basic need which is food and probably shelter. Their mission is an urgent one which will not permit them to stop and spend time is exchanging pleasantries with people on their way. By this, Jesus didn’t mean that they should be impolite to people whom they passed on the road, but rather that they were not to waste their precious time by the wayside.

They had to remain focused on their task and mission. Jesus was sending his disciples out “as lambs among wolves.” This demands extra precautions because they will surely meet with opposition. This should cause them to depend on God for wisdom on how best to tackle oppositions. We the present day Christians are also like lambs among wolves. When we go on evangelism, we are usually attacked verbally and physically. I was once injured by a stone thrown at us on a mission. Therefore we should be alert, and remember to face your enemies, not with aggression but with love and gentleness. A dangerous mission requires sincere commitment. This advice in terms of requirements should arm us on what we should do or expect when we go on evangelism.

Food for Thought: How do you respond to oppositions when you go out to preach the gospel?

Memory verse: Luke 10 verse 4

Prayer: God, help me to be alert and cautious as I preach the gospel to others in Jesus name.

Price of Godliness (Imprisonment 2)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday March 31, 2017                

Topic: Price of Godliness (Imprisonment 2)

Text: Act 4:1 – 4

When you have a message from God and preach it raw as received, there is every tendency it will hurt some people and puncture their ego. I have incurred the wrath of many people because of my messages. I thank God that so far, they have not arrested or sent me to prison. The Sadducees don’t believe in resurrection and for the disciples to be preaching that Jesus resurrected was not acceptable to them. They instigated the arrest of the Peter and John.

These men (Apostles Peter and John) had spoken to the people during the afternoon prayer time. The Sadducees moved in quickly to investigate. They were understandably disturbed with what the Apostles were saying because they were refuting one of their fundamental beliefs and thus threatening their authority as religious teachers. Because of their unlimited power over the Temple grounds, they were able to arrest Peter and John for no other reason than teaching what contradicts their beliefs.

Preaching the gospel can offend some people because of their tie with the devil and it can even lead to imprisonment. Though it is not always that preaching can lead to problem but we run risks in trying to win others to Christ. The risks may include attack of the enemies of the cross, rejection, persecution, imprisonment, denial of rights and privileges. Whatever risk we may face, we should note that people of God in the past suffered same and we should be willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. Whatever the risks, realize that nothing done for God is ever wasted. You will surely receive your reward.

Food for Thought: You can bind and imprison a preacher but you cannot bind or imprison his message.

Memory verse: Acts 4 verse 3

Prayer: Lord, grant utterance to your people to enable them preach no matter the risk and consequences in Jesus name. Amen.

TOILING IN VAIN?

DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2016

Topic: TOILING IN VAIN?                   

Text: Luke 5:1 – 11                            

Teaching is very important in pastoral ministry and when you have the word of God, people will come to wherever you are to hear the word. A good teacher of the gospel uses every opportunity to teach is disciples or members. He doesn’t wait till they gather in the church. This was the characteristic of Jesus’ earthly ministry. People came to Him to hear the word of God and He taught them. A friend complaining about the preaching of his pastor said, “We come to church because of the word and not story telling.”

Jesus understood this and used Peter’s boat to preach from the Sea of Galilee (Lake of Gennesaret). After preaching, he told Peter to cast down his net for a catch. Though they had taken nothing, yet Christ told them to let down their nets again. When Jesus met them at the sea, they were washing their nets apparently on the basis that the day’s business was over. They’ve called it a day. We must not abruptly quit our callings because we have not succeeded as we desired. Though they have toiled without success, Peter was willing to still try because Jesus has commanded. At last, there was a haul of fish. Jesus was true to His words. He showed His supremacy over creatures and laws of nature. 

As Christians, we are called to preach the gospel. We should not be discouraged when we have preached and laboured long without apparent successes; but according to Christ's directions, we should continue to labour in humble dependence on Him, and with believing expectations that in His own time and way He will give us success. On the other hand, have you been toiling in vain in your trade, craft, office, business, marriage, studies, etc? God is saying cast your net for a catch. All you need is simple obedience and things will begin to work. You may not need to change your business but patiently ask God to direct you on what to do that you have not been doing. God will certainly surprise you.   

Food for Thought: Obedience is the key to successes and miracles.

Memory verse: Luke 5 verse 5

Prayer: Lord, grant me a willing and obedient heart to trust and obey your commands in 
Jesus name.

CHRISTIANS' UTTERMOST TASK: Devotion for Thursday April 14, 2016

CHRISTIANS’ UTTERMOST TASK: Devotion for Thursday April 14, 2016

Text: Act 1:6 – 11     Memory verse: v 8

One of the basic teachings Jesus gave His disciples was on the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of heaven as some gospels present it. When Jesus was crucified, their hope of ruling with Him as He promised seemed to be dashed. However, when He resurrected, that hope came alive. On the day of His ascension, they came up with the question as we have in Acts 1:6. The disciples, like every other Jew, expected the Messiah's kingdom to be partly secular at least. This had been their understanding. However, Jesus in answering their question in 1:6 redirected their minds to what would be their uttermost task as disciples. Jesus turned away their thoughts from their worldly inquiries to the spiritual office and work for which they are about to be furnished from on high with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

As present day disciples, we also have this task. The heart of God is soul winning and anyone who has that passion always receives the backing of God. Most times we lose this vision and begin to seek and crave for earthly things. This made Peter to remind us in 1 Pet 2:9, 10 of what we are, here on earth. Desire for earthly possessions led the disciples into making the enquiry. Today many of us are so consumed by our quest for worldly possessions like cars, food, job, money, etc, that we have lost focus of why we are Christians. Are you fulfilling your task as a Christian? Act today.

Action: As you go out today, ensure you preach to someone you will meet.          

Prayer: God, redirect my mind into what you have called me to do for you as a Christian in Jesus name.