A Perfect And Undefiled Religion

Devotion for Sunday July 29, 2018

Sing A&M 328 – A Charge To Keep I Have

Topic: A Perfect And Undefiled Religion

Text: James 1:27

Caring for the needy, the poor, the less privilege the destitute and the dejected is one of the duties expected of us who are Christians. In the present day church, we have a lot of these set of people and some of them even summon courage to share their challenges with us. Apostle James enjoined us to pay more attention to their need as believers. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case; instead of attending to the needy in the present day church, most Christians help only the rich because they are the ones that can pay them back or also help them when they are in need too, leaving the needy to their faith.

How do we respond to the needy among us? How do we treat the widows, orphans and the destitute among us today? Is serving God through humanity our religion today? Is it the religion of the best dress and cliques of personalities in same class? By not helping the needy in the church, we are directly or indirectly telling them “go the Lord will help you.” James’ opinion is that if we claim to be religious but fail in caring for the needy among us; we are just hypocrites who wash outside of a cup but inside is very dirty.

The religion some of us practice today is that of rich sharing with the wealthy while the poor Christians continue in their pains. Whenever we practice the principle of welfare, we are showing and practicing the “pure religion” James posited (James 1:27). Our Lord Jesus Christ noted that “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Jesus Christ made it a priority (a must do) for all believers to care for the needy and that He will base His judgment on how well you care for the less privileged people among you (Matthew 25:31-46).

Food for Thought: we were created to do good works that includes taking care of the needy and the poor among us.

Memory verse: Mathew 25:40

Prayer point: Grant me the grace, O Lord my God to help the needy who come to me and direct me to as many who desire my comfort.

A Useless Religion?

Devotion for Saturday July 28, 2018

Sing A&M 330 (Abu 112) – Thine Forever! God of Love

Topic: A Useless Religion?

Text: James 1:26 - If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

The tongue is a very powerful tool in the life of man; it can bring blessing as well as curse upon a man. A relationship built for years could be destroyed within seconds by the tongue. Marriages have been destroyed because of the use of uncontrolled tongue; families which use to be the envy of others have been shattered by the words of the month.

James said that bridling of tongue is part of our righteous act, and any believer who could not bring restraint to his/her tongue and speech is a deceit. Without control over your words, your religious act is worthless and hypocritical. If Jesus Christ is Lord over our lives He should also be the Lord also over our tongue. Contrary to that, then, there is deception.

For a Christian to maintain his stand with God and man, he should be able to bridle his tongue. A Christian’s use of tongue must be a matter of careful forethought and discipline. Psalm39:1 talked about one being able to restrain one’s tongue before wicked people because all they are after is to get you ensnared in your own words. Christians should not use the tongue with which they bless, to curse.

How do we view gossip, backbiting and slander in the house of God today? St Paul in his letter to the Church in Rome posited that gossip, slanderers and bad-mouths commit the same sin as murders, sexual perverts, and haters of God. He further stated that such sins are worthy of death (Romans 1:28-32). Many Christians have experienced problems and misfortune, or fail to get answers to their prayers, because of the words of their mouth. Above all Christian who wants to enjoy long and blessed life should keep their tongue from evil.

Food for Thought: Psalm 34:12-13                

Memory Verse: Prov. 21:23 - Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

Prayer Point: Help me, O Lord, to keep check on my tongue; help me to have control over the words of mouth so that I will not be ensnared by the words that I speak in Jesus name.

They Cannot Deny It

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday March 24, 2017

Topic: They Cannot Deny It

Text: Acts 4:15 – 18

The Council was in a dilemma on what to do with the Apostles as they had performed an undeniable and widely publicized miraculous healing of the man born lame. This miracle and others done by the Apostles made the masses to gravitate toward Christianity abandoning the Jewish religion. Their problem now was how they could save their faces (in light of the obviously healed man), discourage further teaching and healing in the name of Jesus, and preserve the status quo.

Their solution to the above concerns was to order them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again. Unfortunately, their power and position could not convince them to be silent. When God’s will is unfolding, no one can stop it (Acts 5:34 – 39). Again, His works do not leave traces of doubt behind. The healing of this man was so obvious that the Council couldn’t deny it. They attested to it.

Most unbelievers question our salvation too when they discover that our lives do not reflect the confession we make. We give unbelievers room to doubt our faith when we compromise and live carelessly. Can people in your office, school, neighbourhood, and other places where you may be found say that your salvation and faith are undeniable? Can people actually vouch that you are a true Christian? Ponder on these questions and where there is need; amend your ways now by repenting of your sins before it will be too late.          

Food for Thought: Can people question your credibility as a Christian?

Memory verse: Acts 4 verse 16b

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to live well so that people can’t deny or question whether I am a Christian indeed.

Our Social Responsibilities

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday March 5, 2017

Topic: Our Social Responsibilities

Text: Exodus 23:4 – 7a

Before writing this devotion, I read a post on Facebook where a young man berated Nigerian Pastors. My comment was that he shouldn’t have generalized what he said about Nigerian Pastors in terms of social responsibilities, whose emphasis is always on giving, seed sowing and prosperity messages, even neglecting the main message of Christianity which is on salvation.

I had to make an opinion poll thus: Is Religion the problem of this country, Yes or No. People who believe that religion is our problem were greater in number. The application of sentiments, bitterness, resentment, deceit in our religion is the major problem facing us not religion itself. If religion is a problem, why are people in Ghana and other countries living peaceful despite their practice of Islam and Christianity? In our present day, people no longer see a spade and call it a spade. Truth is far away from us.

We (Christians) have social responsibilities towards one another. We depend on one another to live well. The responsibilities include taking care of the animal that belongs to your enemies, never to abuse and oppress the poor and strangers, and never to take bribe. Unfortunately, these things are common among Christians. Who care to rebuke a neighbour’s child these days? Some civil servants deliberately hide people’s files and only bring them out when the person had parted with money. What God requires from us and our greatest obligation is love for one another. It entails being our brothers’ keeper. How much do you love people you meet on daily basis? Do you faithfully perform your responsibilities towards them? Think about this.

Food for Thought: Are you your brother’s keeper?

Memory verse: Exodus 23 verse 5

Prayer: God, help me to love my neighbours as myself in words and deed.

THE TRUE RELIGION: Devotion for Wednesday October 5, 2016

THE TRUE RELIGION: Devotion for Wednesday October 5, 2016

Text: James 1:26 – 27    Memory verse: James 1 v 27

In our text, James speaks of a relationship with God where He is allowed to direct the terms of our behaviour. To him, this is pure and lasting religion. James explains religion in terms of practical service and personal purity that is by its fruits. According to his explanation, true religion has two sides: first, that of love and mercy; secondly, that of purity from worldly defilement. Rituals done with reverence are not wrong; but if the person still refuses to obey God in daily life by living out his faith, his religion will not be accepted by God.

However, it is pertinent to note that pure and lasting religion is not perfect observance of rules and observances; instead, it is a spirit that pervades our hearts and lives (Leviticus 19:18 and Isaiah 1:16-17). Like Jesus, James explains religion in terms of a vital inner faith that acts itself out in daily life. Our conduct must be in keeping with our faith (1 Corinthians 5:8).

Worthy of note here is the fact that those with pure and lasting religion will refuse to let the world corrupt them. Are you one of those people who will not allow the world to corrupt you? To keep ourselves from being corrupted by the world, we need to commit ourselves to Christ’s ethical and moral standard, and system, not the world’s standard (Romans 12:2). We are not to adapt to the world’s value system like money, power, and pleasure. True faith means nothing if we are contaminated with such values. What is your position? Don’t allow your faith to be contaminated with values of money, power, pleasures, politics, etc.

Food for Thought: Have you allowed the world to corrupt you or you are still following Christ’s standard? 

Prayer: Lord God, grant that my religion will not be that of confession alone but of purity, love and mercy in Jesus name.

GROW IN GRACE

GROW IN GRACE                   Tuesday April 28, 2015

Text: 2 Peter 3:14 – 18           Memory verse: v 18

Family Bible Notes sagely says that “The grand safeguard against the seductions of error, and the most powerful means of increase in holiness, is increasing knowledge of Jesus Christ; that experimental knowledge which is obtained under the teaching of the Holy Ghost by daily searching the Scriptures.” It is on this premise and understanding of this wise counsel that Peter gave the admonition in our text.

Here Peter advised us to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Religion in general is often represented as grace, since every part of it is the result of grace, or of unmerited favour; and to grow in grace is to increase in that which constitutes true religion. Christians grow in grace as they understand that they are living by God’s grace alone—so everything they do is a result of that grace. That is why Christian religion is all about grace.

They also grow in knowledge as they search and study the Scriptures, pray, listen to sound teachers, and apply that knowledge to their daily lives. Application of the words of God we hear or read is the key to Christian growth. If Christians do these things, they will not need to fear being influenced by false teachers.

Food for Thought: 1 Peter 2:2

Prayer: God, grant me all I need to grow in grace and knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.