Your Diligence Will Sort You Out (2): Devotion for Saturday May 30, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday May 30, 2020

Topic: Your Diligence Will Sort You Out (2)

Text: Genesis 39:20- – 23                                   

Two days ago, we read how Joseph’s diligence sorts him out in Potiphar’s house. Going to prison did not lessen that virtue in him. Some will easily conclude that there is no need being good and diligent if they were in Joseph’s shoes having passed through all the trouble from his brothers down to Egypt. But it wasn’t so with Joseph. Rather he chose to fear God and live a Godly life.

He brought his diligence and Godly life to bear in his activities in the prison. He didn’t pretend or hide his true identity. He demonstrated his religion which affected all. The Prison Guard noticed him and sort him out from the rest prisoners (Genesis 39:21). All these were possible because God’s favour was upon him even in the prison.

Family Bible Notes stated that “No evils which men can inflict can shut out the presence and favor of God from those who trust in him; and a servant in a dungeon may be happier than a king on his throne.  Though he may suffer for righteousness' sake, in due time he will be delivered, and his sorrow turned into joy.” Is there any lesson for us in the words of Family Bible Notes above?

Do not let people judgement about you dampen your enthusiasm for righteousness and holiness. Do not betray your faith in Christ because you feel you are being punished wrongly. It may be a stepping stone into greatness. As you maintain your diligence in your marriage, office, prison, market, business, etc as a Christian, you will certainly be sought out for greatness among your fellows by God.

Food for Thought: Diligence in our service and endeavour is for our good than the people we serve.

Memory verse: Genesis 39:22

Prayer: Make me more diligent O Lord because it is for my own good.

Your Diligence Will Sought You Out (2)

My Daily Covenant with God Devotional

Devotion for Wednesday January 16, 2019

Topic: Your Diligence Will Sought You Out (2)

Text: Genesis 39:20 – 23

Joseph maintained his diligence in prison also. Going to prison did not reduce that virtue in him. Some people would have concluded that there is no need being good and diligent if they were in Joseph’s shoes having passed through all the trouble that came to him. They would have started compromising because their dreams have not come to pass. But it wasn’t so with Joseph. Rather he chose to fear God and live a Godly life in every situation he finds himself not minding that his dreams seem to have faded away. He brought his diligence and Godly life to bear in his activities at the prison. He didn’t pretend or hide his true identity. He demonstrated his religion which affected all around him and all he came in contact with.

The Prison Guard noticed him and sought him out (Genesis 39:21). God’s favour was upon him. Family Bible Notes says that “No evils which men can inflict can shut out the presence and favor of God from those who trust in him; and a servant in a dungeon may be happier than a king on his throne. Though he may suffer for righteousness' sake, in due time he will be delivered, and his sorrow turned into joy.” Do not let people’s judgment about you dampen your enthusiasm for righteousness and holiness. Do not betray your faith in Christ because you feel you are being punished wrongly. It may be a stepping stone into greatness. When you maintain your diligence in your marriage, office, prison, market, business, etc., as a Christian, God will certainly sought you out for greatness among your fellows.

Food for Thought: Diligence in our service and endeavour is for our good than the people we serve.

Memory verse: Genesis 39:22

Prayer: My God and my Father, make me more diligent because it is for my own good in Jesus name.

When Amazing God Acts Amazingly

Devotion for Saturday November 14, 2017

Topic: When The Amazing God Acts Amazingly

Text: Act 12:1 – 17

When God intervenes in some precarious cases, it leaves us speechless, amazed, astonished and perplexed. Our text for the day speaks of amazing act of God in delivering Peter from the prison despite the guards and the gates. God sent his angel who came and struck him amidst soldiers and the chain with which they chained him to two soldiers fell off. The angel led him through first and second posts (gates) through the iron post heavily manned by armed soldiers but the gates all opened on their own accord (Acts 12:7 – 17). It was after they had passed through all the gates that Peter came to himself and realised that it was not a dream.

Meanwhile, prayers were being offered for him (Acts 12:5). When Peter arrived at the gate of the house of Mary, mother of John Mark, Rhoda didn’t open the gate out of joy when she saw that it was Peter knocking at the gate. Rather, she ran in to announce what she saw and she was accused of not being herself. They had regarded his rescue as so difficult and where hopeless. Yet they were praying for his release. This is how some of us behave. We keep praying without believing that God can give us what we are praying for.

Sometimes, it is difficult for us to believe the answer to our prayers, even when God said He is more ready to answer us. Yet when He does that which we had asked for, we will be astonished. This made the people praying to say that Rhoda was mad. We shouldn’t be overwhelmed and astonished when our petitions are granted, and when God manifests His power in His own way and time. That is a sign of little faith or faithlessness. We should grow to the level of believing God for His word. With God all things are possible. As we do not know what time God will act for us, we should be what we pray for because He will surely answer our sincere prayers (James 1:6 – 8).

Food for Thought: Matthew 11:24

Memory verse: Acts 12:15

Prayer: Lord God, strengthen my faith so that I will not doubt your ability to do what I ask for in prayer.

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.

YOUR DILIGENCE SORTS YOU OUT 2: Devotion for Friday May 20, 2016

YOUR DILIGENCE SORTS YOU OUT 2: Devotion for Friday May 20, 2016

Text: Genesis 39:20- – 23       Memory verse: v 22

Two days ago, we read how Joseph’s diligence sought him out in Potiphar’s house. Going to prison did not lessen that virtue in him. Some will easily conclude that there is no need being good and diligent if they were in Joseph’s shoes having passed through all the trouble from his brothers down to Egypt. But it wasn’t so with Joseph. Rather he chose to fear God and live a Godly life. He brought his diligence and Godly life to bear in his activities in the prison. He didn’t pretend or hide his true identity. He demonstrated his religion which affected all. The Prison Guard noticed him and sorts him out (39:21). All these were possible because God’s favour was upon him even in the prison.

Family Bible Notes stated that “No evils which men can inflict can shut out the presence and favour of God from those who trust in Him; and a servant in a dungeon may be happier than a king on his throne. Though he may suffer for righteousness' sake, in due time he will be delivered, and his sorrow turned into joy.” Don’t let people’s judgment about you dampen your enthusiasm for righteousness and holiness. Do not betray your faith in Christ because you feel you are being punished wrongly. It may be a stepping stone into greatness. As you maintain your diligence in your marriage, office, prison, market, business, etc, as a Christian, God will certainly sort you out for greatness among your fellows.

Food for Thought: Diligence in our service and endeavour is for our good than the people we serve.

Prayer: Make me more diligent, O Lord, because it is for my own good.