The Imperative Of Inward Beauty

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 17, 2017 

Topic: The Imperative Of  Inward Beauty

Text: 1 Peter 3:4

God created us in His image. The beauty we portray shows how awesome our God is. He made us beautiful and handsome for His glory but these days, I wonder if being beautiful is a crime. The way most people use their beauty in wrong ways is a cause for concern. Most people spend time and enormous resources trying to beautiful themselves. All these are good only if they are targeted at glorifying God (1 Peter 3:4b).

Here, Peter challenged us especially women whose concern is always what to wear, style to sow, style of hair do, etc, to ensure that we are also “beautiful inside in our hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious to God” – Living Bible. John Wesley Notes gives insight into why this is precious in the sight of God when he said that “A meek spirit gives no trouble willingly to any: a quiet spirit bears all wrongs without being troubled.” Meekness is one virtue that is expected of us as Christian.

Do you attach the kind of importance, time and resources you give to your outward beauty to inward beauty? Beautifying our heart is through constant meditation on the word of God. This helps us overcome temptations and trial (Psalm 119:11), and also accommodate the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 3:16). How beautiful is your heart? Have you corrupted yours with malice, anger, bitterness, evil thoughts etc? If so, repent today. Let the beauty of your heart matter most to you than your outward beauty. 

Food for Thought: The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express. –Bacon

Memory verse: 1 Peter 3 verse 4

Prayer: God, make me beautiful within and help me to maintain inner beauty than my outward beauty in Jesus name.

The Quiet Blessings from God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion Monday January 30, 2017

Topic: The Quiet Blessings from God

Text: Deuteronomy 8:4      

Deuteronomy 2:7b; 29:5 and Nehemiah 9:21 all speak about the quiet blessings the Israelites enjoyed in the wilderness. Quiet blessings are those blessings we hardly notice. Have you ever sat down to ask how your meagre salary sustains you and your family? Have you thought about the provisions God made for you which you didn’t request for? Have you ever thought of the mysteries behind waking sleeping and waking up? Have you ever thought of then air which we have at our disposal. If we are to buy air, how much do you have to buy the one that will sustain you a day?

All these lay credence to the words of Moses in our text. They indicated a special or miraculous providence from God, their loving Guardian in preserving them amid the wears and tears of nomadic life in the desert. Moses used this reminder also to reassure the Israelites about God’s faithfulness whether he was there with them or not.

Most times, we take God’s protection for granted. We hardly take notice or thank God when we have a smooth journey, our car doesn’t break down on the road, our clothes don’t rip, or our tools don’t break while working. It seems that the people of Israel also failed to take notice, for they didn’t even notice that in 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, their clothes didn’t wear out and their feet didn’t blister. Thus, they did not remember to give thanks to God for these blessings and Moses had to remind them.

What has been working well for you in your family and in your office/business? What has been giving you good service? What has been lasting for a long time without breaking down or tearing apart? For all those other quiet and unnoticeable blessings, we should endeavour to always thank God for these quiet blessings. It is only when we thank Him for what He had done for us that He will do more. Develop a heart of gratitude today.

Food for Thought: How often do you appreciate the quiet blessings from God – The air you breathe, water you didn’t buy, etc.?

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 29 verse 5 - I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet.

Prayer: God, help me to appreciate all your blessings and live well to please you in Jesus name. Amen.