Our God Is Not Handicapped: Devotion for Friday October 2, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday October 2, 2020

Topic: Our God Is Not Handicapped                 

Text: Isaiah 59:1 – 8                                

It is erroneous to believe that God is handicapped. It is the belief of some many people that is why their miracles elude them and that is the reason some give up the faith and drop their bibles.

In 1 Samuel 5:1 – 5, is the story of how God proved that He is not handicapped and can fight for Himself. His Ark of Covenant was taken to the shrine of Philistine god, Dagon and He brought the statue down on two occasions. Unlike the Muslims who always take to arms when they perceive that Mohammed their prophet has been blasphemed. Our God fights for Himself. If we are not saved and our prayers are not answered, it is not because God is handicapped or incapacitated.

Here we see sin in its consequences; exceedingly hurtful, separating from God, and so separating us, not only from all good, but to all evil and their consequences. Yet there are many who derive joy in living in sin. This is very unfortunate!

Because God is holy, He cannot ignore, excuse, or tolerate sin as though it didn’t matter. Sin cuts people off from Him, forming a wall to isolate God from the people He loves. No wonder this long list of wretched sins makes God angry and forces Him to look the other way. People, who die with their life of sin, separate themselves eternally from God.

Finally, let us always search ourselves because our salvation is not because God is handicapped but because of our sins. Have you confessed to God and repented of them, allowing Him to remove it? The Lord can save you if you turn to Him. Maximize this opportunity because He is ever willing to save you if you can repent.   

Food for Thought: You can hinder your salvation and blessings not because God is incapacitated.

Memory verse: Isaiah 59 v 1

Prayer: God, I repent of my sins today (mention them) because they are hindrance to my blessings in Jesus name.

God’s Messenger: Devotion for Monday August 31, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday September 1, 2020

Topic:  God’s Messenger                         

Text: Malachi 3:1 - 6                      

The first few words of this chapter seem an answer to the scoffers of those days. It may not be unconnected with the last verse of chapter 2. Here is a prophecy of the appearing of John the Baptist. He is Christ's harbinger or forerunner. He shall prepare the way before him, by calling men to repentance.

The “messenger” (Malachi 3:1) was identified by Jesus as John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10, 14), who served as Christ’s forerunner, inviting people to repent and believe in Him. The work of the messenger here was to preach the gospel. John fulfilled his calling with simply message: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2)!" His diligence and commitment to his call won him many disciples and moved the most hardened set of people then; the Pharisees and Sadducees to come for his baptism (Matthew 3:7).

Today, we are God’s messengers and forerunners of second coming of Christ. We have been mandated to go into the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15 – 18). Christ has also empowered us to do this. How are you preaching the gospel of salvation Jesus Christ has offered humanity?

Do you fear faces? John the Baptist didn’t fear faces. He rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees. He rebuked Herod. He was fearless. What is your excuse for not preaching the gospel? Remember, we will give account of how we used our gifts and talent God has bestowed on us.

Welcome to the month of September 2020!

Action: Write down 3 ways you can disseminate the gospel to people.

Memory verse: Malachi 3 v 3  

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to be a committed messenger of the gospel in Jesus name.

Refreshing Dew: Devotion for Saturday February 29, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday February 29, 2020

Topic: Refreshing Dew                       

Text: Hosea 14:4 – 7

This chapter of the book Hosea has a call to repentance and the unprecedented blessings that will follow if Israel obeys the call. A survey of this chapter has it that Hosea 14:1 – 3 is the call while verse 4ff is the response God will give when they repent. There are some lessons for us in this chapter.

a)       There is the need to acknowledge our sins (1 John 1:8 – 10, Psalm 51:1 -12). Lenten season should be used to assess our spiritual life and relationship with God and humanity. It takes humility and honesty to recognize and admit our weakness because it is difficult for some people to admit and acknowledge their shortcomings and faults. This is largely due to self in Man. If it is so with you, repent and ask God to help you out.

b)       There are blessings when we confess our sins (Hosea 4:4 – 9; Proverbs 28:13 & 1 John 1:9). One of those blessings of repentance is in our text for the day. God assures that He will be a refreshing dew to Israel when they turn from their evil and return to Him. Refreshing gives new strength. When you repent, God will renew you and bestow great blessings upon you.    

Food for Thought: Repentance is a guarantee of refreshing dew from God upon us.

Memory verse: Job 29:19

Prayer: God, grant me the spirit of humility and honesty to always admit my weaknesses and fault and also repent of them in Jesus name.

Faith and Justification: Devotion for Thursday, January 9, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL 

Devotion for Thursday January 9 2020

Topic: Faith and Justification

Text: Acts 13:38 – 41

Anyone who repents from his/her sins always has the concern of justification hence the need to learn assurance of salvation. Here, Paul assures his listeners that it is only through Jesus Christ we can obtain a complete justification; for by Him a complete atonement was made for our sin.

There are two things we have to note in our text.

1. That through this Man, who died and rose again, is preached unto them the forgiveness of sins.

2. It is only through Christ that those who believe in Him are justified from all things; from all the guilt and stain of sin, from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses.

Presently, many still see justification as through our personal efforts. It is not so! If we believe in Jesus as the Messiah, accept Him and His sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary by faith, He did for us what the law could never do; justify us before God. The law could not bring peace. It is by Jesus Christ we obtain a complete justification; for by Him a complete atonement was made for sin. Paul ended with a warning (Acts 13:40, 41).

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We should take this warning to heart because though they were meant to come upon impenitent sinners, they are designed to awaken us to beware lest it come upon us. Have you accepted Jesus as your Saviour?

Food for Thought: Our justification is based on the work of Christ at the Cross of Calvary. How much do you appreciate this?

Memory verse: Romans 3:28

Prayer: Lord, as you have justified me, help me to remain same in Jesus name. 

Lay Aside Evil

Devotion for Thursday July 26, 2018

Sing A&M 304 (Abu 233) - Fight The Good Fight With All Thy Might

Topic: Lay Aside Evil

Text: James 1:21 – “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Evil is everywhere as well as good, it is but a matter of choice to cling to any of them. One can choose to live a good life while another person could settle for evil and whichever a person chooses there is always an end result. One thing is sure you cannot carry evil and good at the same time. A Christian whose fruit still show that of wickedness should as a matter of urgency repent and make amend. James admonished Christians to lay aside every form of evil and all kind of wrong because it will be a barrier to maintaining a cordial relationship with Jesus Christ. Christians must walk like children of light living in the Spirit, it is not possible for a Christian to be living in the spirit of God and still live in sin. 1Thess.5: 22 say we should flee from all appearance of evil. How do we know appearances of evil? We know them through 1) Unfruitful work of darkness (Ephesians 5:11) 2) Works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) and 3) Walking in the counsel of the ungodly (Psalm 1:1-2). Though as believers in Jesus Christ we have freedom to do various things as guided by the Holy Spirit yet not everything is good for us. We should be salt and light to non-Christians. We are enjoined to flee from sin and temptation (2 Timothy 2:22); this will help us to stay holy and focused; we should be living in a manner worthy of God not according to the pattern of the world. In a nutshell we should be a good example of a follower of Christ in our speeches and actions.

Food for Thought: Evil may look very attractive but its end result is destruction, therefore flee from evil.

Memory Verse: James 1:21  

Prayer: God, help me to discern evil and flee from it when I sight it.

Hate Evil

Devotion for Friday August 4, 2017

Topic: Hate Evil

Text: Amos 5:12 – 15

Paul gave an admonition that all Christians should take to heart in his letter to the Romans which says, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good (Romans 12:9). This is similar to the admonition Amos gave to the Israelites in our bible reading for the day. There are people who love to do evil and they are never at peace till they have done one. They abuse privileges and rights of not only themselves but of others around them. We know the story of Ahab and the wife Jezebel (1 Kings 16:30 -33). They did all manner of evil just because they were in leadership position. Do you behave like them? Repent today!

Amos charged the Israelites to hate evil and an evidence to prove their repentance. By that Amos said they should avoid what ruins them, and cleave to what helps them. As a proof they had taken the advice of Amos, he encouraged them to purity the seats of justice; and then expect God to be gracious to them. This was the crux of Prophet Amos’ message here. This message is very important to our present generation where people have Bible on one hand and gun to kill, steal and kidnap on the other hand. What are the evidences of your repentance? Do you have the name that you are alive but in reality you are dead? Christians should hate sin and not to take pleasure in it. Read Micah 3:11; 7:2 – 4 and Isaiah 1:23. Do you belong to any of these groups mentioned in these passages? It is time to repent and return to the Lord before it will be too late.

Food for Thought: Psalm 97:10

Memory verse: Amos 5:3

Prayer: God make me hate evil with all my heart and help me to cling to righteousness in everything I do in Jesus name.

Rend Your Hearts

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 3, 2017

Topic: Rend Your Hearts

Text: Joel 2:12 – 17 

God hates mere outward religious observance that does not reflect in the spirit. What God desire so much from us is not our outward show (sacrifices) as much as broken and contrite heart (Ps. 51:14–19, see Isa. 1:11, 13 & Jer. 6:20). It is only when we have truly repented that our sacrifices will be accepted (Ps. 51:19). Remember what Samuel told Saul in 1 Sam. 15:22. Joel spoke to the Israelites about the need to mortify their affections and serve God with pureness of heart, and not with ceremonies. His focus was that they should not merely rend their garments, but let their hearts be truly contrite.

Merely external worship and hypocritical pretensions will only increase the evil, and cause God to meet them with heavier punishment. Let there be the inward sorrow of heart, and not the mere outward manifestation of it by "rending the garment" (Josh. 7:6) because our God is gracious; good and benevolent in His own nature. He is also merciful; pitying and forgiving us when we repent. He is slow to anger. However, when He gets angry, it is fearful to fall into His hands (Heb. 10:31). God desire our true and genuine repentance, and not showing off with our presence, prayers, offering, tithes, etc, when our hearts are actually far from Him. Let there be genuine rending of our hearts.

Food for Thought: A pretender can deceive people as much as he wants but can never deceive God.

Memory verse: Joel 2 verse 13

Prayer: God, make to repent truly and never to be a pretender in your presence.

Deception Can Kill

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday (Holy Week) April 10, 2017

Topic: Deception Can Kill 

Text: Mark 11:12 – 14              

Some of the gospels recorded that Jesus drove away merchants from the temple on His arrival during triumphal entry into Jerusalem but Mark recorded it as an event that took place a day after the triumphal entry. The temple which ought to be a place of prayer had been turn into a place of merchandise thus deceiving people who sees it from outside.

Our bible passage for today is a related incident to the clearing of the Temple. Jesus had to curse the fig tree because of its deceptive posture. The Temple was supposed to be a place of worship, but true worship had disappeared. The fig tree showed promise of fruit, but it produced none.

In these two acts of cursing the fig tree and clearing of the temple, Jesus was showing His anger at religious life without substance. He denounced a confession that does not correspond with profession. God expects us to live out what we confess. If you claim to have faith without putting it to work in your life, you are like the barren fig tree.

The deceptive posture of the fig tree led to the curse. This shows that when we have a form of godliness but denying the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:16), we are invariably procuring God’s anger upon ourselves. Do you have a deceptive look where people see you as a Christian but inwardly you are not? God hates deception. Repent of your deception and hypocrisy now before your sins will find you out.

Food for Thought: Do you have a deceptive look which doesn’t correspond with what you are inside? Beware because deception kills.

Memory verse: Mark 11 verse 14

Prayer: Lord God, remove any form of deception me and help me to live the life expected of me as a Christian. 

HE’LL RESTORE YOUR LOST FORTUNE

DEVOTION FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 10, 2016

Topic: HE’LL RESTORE YOUR LOST FORTUNE

Text: Deuteronomy 30:1 – 10

God’s love and mercies are unbelievable and far beyond our understanding. If not so, some of us wouldn’t have been Christians much more being a priest in His service. This love God has for sinners made Paul to assert that he was not worthy to be an Apostle if not for the grace God he received.

In our bible reading for the day, Moses told the Israelites that if they go astray, realizes their wrong and are willing to go back to the Lord, He would welcome them back. Even when they walk out on God deliberately, He will still take them back. God’s kind of mercy is what Jesus proved through the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–24). He deliberately walked out on the Father like the lost sheep. Moses told them about God’s love and mercies for them.  

There are lessons for us to learn from this statement of Moses.

a) God is love and merciful (Exodus 34:6 &7)

b) God is always ready to forgive us (Jeremiah 31:34)

c) He will gather us as His people (Jeremiah 32:37; Ezekiel 34:13)

d) He restores our fortunes (Luke 15:22–24; Jeremiah 29:14)

Have you deliberately walked out on God? Is it that you walked out on God as a result of ignorance and now you are finding it difficult to forgive yourself and come back to Him? Why will you continue to carry about your burden of sins when God is ever willing and ready to forgive you when you come back to Him? The place you are now may be the result of the acts of your own mistake just like the Prodigal Son and you have lost so many things. Turn back to God and He will freely welcome you unconditionally (Luke 15:17 & 18). Arise, He is waiting for you to restore unto you all those years you have lost (Joel 2:25) in ignorance and sin because of His love for you. Don’t hesitate or procrastinate.

Food for Thought: All the promises of God in Christ Jesus are Yes and Amen!

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 30 verse 3

Prayer: God, I repent of all sins I have committed. Please restore my lost fortunes in Jesus name. Amen.

BEAR ONE ANOTHER

DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 8, 2016

Topic: BEAR ONE ANOTHER                      

Text: Galatians 6:1 – 5                       

No Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn’t need help from other Christians, and no one should feel excused from the task of helping others because what Mr A has (talents and gifts) Mr B may not have. This understanding is very important if we are to maintain the unity of faith Jesus Christ prayed for. The body of Christ (the church) functions only when the members work together for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:12–26) one another.

In our bible reading for the day, Paul addressed the problem of individual sin by explaining corporate (group) responsibility towards the sinner. A Christian may sin alone, but because he or she participates in the body of Christ, his or her sin affects other parts of the body. Our reaction to other Christians’ sins ought not to be how we can get rid of them from the church rather we should help them who are fellow members of the body of Christ in their battle to come out of sins. This is a challenge for us in the present day church.

The phrase, ‘if a Christian is overcome by some sin,’ pictures a believer being trapped or caught by sin which literally means not a deliberate act. Whether it was deliberate or not, we should carefully and cautiously handle such cases because the way it is handled will go a long way in helping others to own up to their sins and repent of them. Burden as used in Galatians 6:2 means heavy or oppressive burdens that a believer cannot carry alone. It could be financial burdens or burden of temptations. We must help share the loads that others find too heavy to carry alone. 

Do you know someone who needs help? Is there a Christian brother or sister who needs correction or encouragement? Humbly and gently reach out to that person (John 13:34–35). Don’t wait until such person comes to you, cap at hand kneeling and begging before you render help. Kindly do something for someone today as you go into the world. God will bless and reward you. Amen.

Food for Thought: 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Memory verse: Galatians 6 verse 2

Prayer: Grant me the understanding, O Lord, that I should help people in their needs especially when overtaken by temptations.

WHEN GOD IS ANGRY: Devotion for Sunday October 2, 2016

WHEN GOD IS ANGRY: Devotion for Sunday October 2, 2016

Text: Ezekiel 22:17 – 22       Memory verse: Ezekiel 22 verse 21

Our bible reading for the day is a continuation from where we stopped yesterday. In this our text for today, the prophet compared Israel with other nations, as the gold and silver are compared with baser metals. The prophet describes them as the refuse that is consumed in the furnace, or thrown away when the silver is refined. What a comparison and assessment! This result ought not to be associated with people who have the Almighty God as their God.    

This is very unfortunate when compared with the glory they have enjoyed when they were in good terms with God. Then nations were afraid of them. What happened to Israeli nation is also same with anyone who has tasted the mercies of God and later fall out of faith. In God's assessment and account, they were seen as useless and good for nothing. In the furnace, the dross shall be fully separated, and the good metal purified. That is the essence of the furnace.

When God brings His own people into the furnace, He sits by them as the refiner by his gold, to see that they are not continued there any longer than necessary. This is how God treats us. We know the case of Job. God didn’t allow him to stay longer than necessary when he had proved that his sickness and troubles of life shouldn’t make him to curse God as Satan anticipated. I have personally had such experience.

Therefore, it is expedient we take to heart this warning from Matthew Henry Concise Commentary. In his opinion, those who suffer pains, or lingering sickness, and find that their hearts can scarcely bear these light and momentary afflictions, take warning to flee from the wrath to come; for if these trials are not sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the cleansing their hearts and hands from sin, far worse things will come upon them. God’s anger can consume us in a twinkle of an eye and the only way to avoid it is to amend our ways. We should escape it by repenting of our sins and turning back to Him. Are you willing to do it today?

Food for Thought: Nahum 1:6

Prayer: My God and my Father, give me a truthful heart to love and obey you because it is a fearful thing to fall into your hands in Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.

GOD’S MESSENGER: Devotion for Wednesday August 3, 2016

GOD’S MESSENGER: Devotion for Wednesday August 3, 2016

Text: Malachi 3:1 - 6              Memory verse: v 3

The first words of this chapter seem an answer to the scoffers of those days. It may not be unconnected with the last verse of chapter two. Here is a prophecy of the appearing of John the Baptist. He is Christ's harbinger or forerunner. He shall prepare the way before Him, by calling men to repentance. The “messenger” (Malachi 3:1) was identified by Jesus as John the Baptist (Matt 11:10, 14), who served as Christ’s forerunner, inviting people to repent and believe in Him. The work of the messenger here was to preach the gospel. John fulfilled his calling with simply message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt 3:2)!" His diligence and commitment to his call won him many disciples and moved the most hardened set of people then; the Pharisees and Sadducees to come for his baptism (Matt 3:7).

Today, we are God’s messengers and forerunners of second coming of Christ. We have been mandated to go into the world and preach the gospel (Mk 16:15–18). Christ has also empowered us to do this. How are you preaching the gospel? Do you fear faces? John the Baptist didn’t fear faces. He rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees. He rebuked Herod. He was fearless. What is your excuse for not preaching the gospel? Remember, we will give account of how we used our gifts and talent God has bestowed on us.

Action: Write down 3 ways you can disseminate the gospel to people.  

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to be a committed messenger of the gospel in Jesus name.  

FATAL END OF FAVOUR SEEKERS: Devotion for July 3, 2016

FATAL END OF FAVOUR SEEKERS: Devotion for Sunday July 3, 2016

Text: 2 Samuel 1:13 – 16               

Memory verse: v 16 - So David said to him, "Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the Lord’s anointed.'”

The story of this Amalek and David has some lessons for us. This Amalek had come to give David the message with the mind of getting a reward or a pat at the back for coming to David with the insignia of Saul whom he perceived as the enemy of David. Unfortunately for him, David was not a man who tolerates such act of favour seeking. Despite the fact that Saul was the reason david was in exile then, He didn’t capitalize on that to rejoice over the death of God’s anointed king. He used the words of his mouth to judge him.

David had to put to death, the man who brought the tidings because he confessed that he murdered the king. In ordering the execution of the Amalek, David did not do unjustly; the Amalek confessed to the crime. If he did as he said, he deserved to die for treason; and his lying to David, if indeed it were a lie, proved, as sooner or later that sin will definitely be punished. Hereby David showed himself zealous for public justice, without regard to his own private interest. This is a lesson for us, who tell lies to cheat, seek favour, run colleagues down, etc.

Beloved, there are dangers in telling lies or running down others in a bid to gain favour. Are you a favour seeker in your office, telling unfathomable stories and lies against other staff simply because you want to be in good books of your boss? That is being callous and wicked. Repent of it because there are consequences. There are consequences of such act. If actually you need favour from your boss, why not do it without telling lies against people. Remember, we shall be judged for every idle word that comes out of our mouth.

Food for Thought: Favour seeking will always end in regret. It pays to allow God to grant us the favour we need at the right time

Prayer: Lord, may I not be part of favour seeking through running down of others in Jesus name.