BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

Devotion for Wednesday December 21, 2016

Topic: BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS  

Text: Matthew 5 verse 9                         

God is the author of peace and lover of concord. This informs His decision to come down to the earth to die for us. He desires us to live peaceful with one another. This made Jesus to speak peace to His disciples on many occasions. In John 14:27a, He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” He also urged us to speak peace to any home we are entering (Matthew 10:13). In John 20:21, Jesus commissioned His disciples with peace.

From the above, it is pertinent to note that peace is very vital in our daily lives. Jesus asserts that peacemaking is a character found in God and if anyone follows after that, it means such person is a child of God. When Christ came, He made peace with His blood on the cross and reconciled the enemies of God through His death (Ephesians 2:14–18). Our justification grants us peace and makes us peace makers through the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19).

There is a connection between purity of heart and peacemaking. Here in our text is a challenge for us to love peace, and to labour after peace. We are to promote it amongst others; to become, not only peaceable, but peace-makers. How peaceable are you in your office, school, etc or as a boss, parent, and teacher in relation to your subordinates? It is only when we are peaceable (Hebrews 12:14) that we can truly be, peacemakers. Today, I challenge you to go out to that person that offended you or you offended to make peace. This may be your last opportunity. Don’t procrastinate about it.     

Food for Thought: Psalm 34:14

Memory verse: Matthew 5 verse 9

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

BLESSINGS IN PURITY OF HEART

DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016

Topic: BLESSINGS IN PURITY OF HEART    

Text: Matthew 5:8                      Memory verse: Matthew 5:8

Purity is very essential in our Christian walk. God is pure and it is expected that we should be pure too. People characterized as pure in heart are people who are honest and sincere, people who do not accommodate evil thoughts in their hearts. The pure in heart are free from the dominion and pollution of sin. They are people of integrity and they demonstrate single-minded commitment to God. They are also free from evil desires and purposes, pride, evil thoughts, corruption, and lust.

In Psalm 51:10, David prayed that God should create in him a clean heart. This implies that for our heart to be pure, we need the washing of the heart with the blood of Jesus Christ which God alone can do. This is the promise of God in Ezekiel 36:25–28. What it involves is that we should always ask God for cleansing of our hearts because it can be polluted in a matter of seconds if we don’t guard what we take to heart.

Our hearts becomes impure when we allow filth to enter through what we read, hear, see or think. This is the reason for the admonition in Proverbs 4:23. We have a duty here to guide our hearts against pollution so that we will receive this reward. Because of the sincere devotion of a pure heart to Christ, such will see God here and now through the eyes of faith (Hebrews 11:27), and finally face-to-face (1 John 3:2). How pure is your heart? Are you one of those who will see God face to face? It has been my prayer that I will see God. Is that your desire too?

Food for Thought: Psalm 24:3 & 4

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to maintain a pure heart always so I will be qualified to see your face.

PURE HEART: Devotion for Tuesday October 6, 2015

PURE HEART                      Tuesday October 6, 2015                                 

Text: Matthew 5:8           Memory verse: v 8

Here is a duty and an incentive for Christians. The incentive follows after the duty. The duty is to have a pure heart which is cultivated. It is a result of concerted effort as Proverbs 4:23 admonished. Such heart is a heart that is free from the dominion and pollution of sin; one whose minds, motives, and principles are pure. It is one who seeks not only to have the external actions correct, but who desires to be holy in heart also. We may wash our bodies but if the inward parts are filthy, we are filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly ourselves than our bodies. The very life of our being lies in the inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within (Proverbs 4:23).

There are many today who wash the outside of cup by their attire or religious regalia; by their dos and don’ts which do not reflect the state of their heart. With what do you occupy your heart – bitterness, anger, hatred, resentment, evil thought, lust, etc? They will defile you. To maintain a pure heart, we should always meditate on the word of God, sing praises and hymns, and be mindful of what we read, watch and accept into our hearts.

Food for Thought: “By two things a man is lifted up from things earthly: they are by simplicity and by purity” – Thomas Kempis

Prayer: A heart that is not pure can’t see you, O God. Help me to guard my heart always so as not to allow any defilement in Jesus name.