No Excuse (VI)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday March 17, 2017

Topic: No Excuse (VI)

 Text: Revelation 3:7 – 13           

Philadelphia was a small church in a difficult area with no prestige and no wealth, discouraged because it hadn’t grown. But Jesus Christ had no words of rebuke for this small, seemingly insignificant church. From our bible reading, it was obvious that there was significant conflict between the Christians and the Jews in Philadelphia.

As in the letter to the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:9), Jesus Christ referred to those who called themselves Jews as liars and those who belong to Satan. Though this church may have been small (you have little strength) and may have had little impact upon the city, but it had obeyed and had not denied God. They had been faithful in a difficult area. What a challenge to big churches of today who compromise their standard in order to accommodate some ‘rich’ people who are not ready to repent.

What are the challenges you face in your church? Is the small nature? Note that God didn’t commend any of these churches for building cathedrals and having the largest congregations. These are not what God judges. He is always after our spiritual lives. That your congregation is small should not be the basis of losing faith. God’s emphasis is not on multitude. You should not be discouraged by the small nature of your church or inability to build a big church. Sustain your faithfulness and righteousness and God will open doors of opportunities for you as He assured the church at Philadelphia. Do not be weakened by your little strength for God will not accept that as an excuse.    

Food for Thought: Revelation 3:8

Memory verse: Revelation 3 verse 10

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to hold fast what I have, that no one will take away my crown from me in Jesus name. Amen.

No Excuse (I)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Sunday March 12, 2017

Topic: No Excuse (I)

Text: Revelation 2:1 – 7             

Today and in the next six days, we shall be looking at letters to the seven churches in Asia as we have in the book Revelation. This church at Ephesus had steadfastly refused to tolerate sin among its members. This was not easy in a city noted for immoral sexual practices associated with the worship of Artemis. God noted their patience, not bearing those who were evil and how they tested those who say they were apostles but were not. They were liars (Revelation 2:2).

He acknowledged them for their perseverance and not being wearied in their labours for Him (Revelation 2:3). Yet, He had something against them: They had left their first love for Him (Revelation 2:4). This was a church Paul once praised for their love for God and others (Ephesians 1:15). After the death of foundering members, the next-generation believers lost their zeal for God. They became a busy church to benefit themselves and the community, acting out of the wrong motives. The work for God motivated by love, last long.

We are also living in times of prevalent sin and sexual immorality. In our time, some people are open-minded to sin and calling them personal choices or alternative life-styles. Such societal influence should not be an excuse to join them. However, when the church begins to tolerate sin, it is lowering and compromising the standards set by Christ. Today, we have become too busy to attend church programmes and activities. This is evidence, that we, like the Ephesians, have lost our first love. The moral decadence in our society should not be an excuse to turn against God. That everybody is doing it doesn’t mean you should. Romans 2 verse 1 warns us.

Food for Thought: Have you lost your first love for God as a result of societal influence?

Memory verse: Revelation 2 verse 4

Prayer: Restore me to my first love for you, O God, and help me to reorder my motives in your service in Jesus name. Amen

ARE YOU WILLING? Devotion for Wednesday September 9, 2015

ARE YOU WILLING?   Wednesday September 9, 2015

Text: Revelation 3:20 – 22      Memory verse 20

Here is an invitation to the lukewarm Christian to open to Christ, and allow him to make His home in his or her heart (see Ephesians 3:17), and to enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. Christ is ready to save men; but in order to be saved by Him; they must receive Him in faith and love Him as their Redeemer, and devote their lives to His service. If they are lost, it will be on account of their opposition to Him, and their refusal to accept of His salvation. Are you willing to accept His salvation?

Jesus plainly tells us, that as He obtained His glory by overcoming Satan and the world, so must we overcome Satan, self and the world. The way to heaven for Christ and all His followers is the same; as He conquered and finally overcame on earth before He was crowned in heaven, so must we conquer here on earth too. Are you willing to stand firm, resist the devil and overcome the world? Jesus has revealed the secret of being crowned.

Food for Thought: How can you overcome Satan and the world?

Prayer: Grant me O Lord, the willing heart to accept you into my life.

OUR DEEDS ARE NOT IN VAIN: Devotion for Monday August 10, 2015

OUR DEEDS ARE NOT IN VAIN   Monday August 10, 2015

Text: Revelation 14:13           Memory verse: v 13

The time for the blessings of the martyrs have come—now that the judgment on the beast and the harvesting of the elect are at hand. They are blessed in being allowed to sit down to the marriage-supper of the Lamb (19:9), in having a part in the first resurrection (20:6), and in having a right to the tree of life (22:14). This is the actual time that the martyrs and all faithful Christians under persecution longed for; when they will be remembered. It is time of rest from their labours.

From out text it is evident that whatever we suffer in the name of Christ is never in vain. There is always a reward if when endure till the end. Are you being discouraged because of trials of faith and unanswered prayers? Don’t give up on that life of righteousness because your reward awaits you if you are going through those trials as a result of your faith. Keep labouring for the Lord and you will be blessed at the end.

Food for Thought: There is no deed without its reward; good or bad. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to give myself unto good works in Jesus name. 

          

AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR US: Devotion for Friday August 7, 2015

AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR US   Friday August 7, 2015

Text: Revelation 14:6 – 12        Memory verse: v 12

The four proclamations are plain in their meaning; that all Christians may be encouraged, in the time of trial, to be faithful to their Lord. The gospel is the great means whereby men are brought to fear God, and to give glory to Him. The devil and agents don’t like to see us preach hence they bring all kinds of trials and temptation. However, here is an encouragement for us. According to Family Bible Notes,

The patience of the saints is “Of those who should stand out against all the blandishments, wiles, and threats of the beast and his image, continuing steadfast in the faith of Christ, though it should cost them the sacrifice of life. The words contain a solemn intimation of the severe trials to which God's faithful servants would be subjected during the reign of the beast.”  We should not give up. May God, bestow this patience upon us in Jesus name.

The thought of 13:10 is resurfaced again. The great ordeal of persecution reserved for those who refuse to worship the beast will serve as a test of the faith and patience of the followers of Jesus. Patience suggests persevering endurance. Do you persevere under temptations and trials?

Food for Thought: Perseverance leads to glory

Prayer: God, continue to strengthen me as I go through trials and temptation.

GLORY OF GOD ILLUMINATES

GLORY OF GOD ILLUMINATES           Thursday April 2, 2015

Text: Revelation 21:23                   Memory verse: v 23

Every Christian hopes to make heaven. The biblical description of heaven is so amazing and awesome that no one would have loved to miss out going there. Unfortunately, most people have been deceived into thinking that there are enough goodies here on earth as compared to heaven. Thus they hold on the earthly wealth and pleasures, undermining what God has planned for us. For this reason, many will miss out on the last day. May, we not miss out in Jesus name.

One outstanding feature of heaven is that it does not need the sunlight to illuminate it. The source of its light is the glory of God. What a glorious site it will be to behold? Instead of the sun and moon, it has the splendour of God to enlighten it. From Revelation 21:9ff is the description of the New Jerusalem the city of God (21:10) and the Lamb’s wife (21:9). Use the description to compare anywhere to see the difference.

This is what God has kept for us. We know that nothing comes so easy. That is why we must strive to enter. Are you going through your toughest time in life? God will visit you and illuminate your way. His glory will come upon you and all chains of bondage and captivity will all fall off in Jesus name (Acts 12:7).  

Food for Thought: Revelation 22:5

Prayer: Lord, illuminate my darkest part of life through your glory so that all evils surrounding me will disappear in Jesus name.