Faith That Works: Devotion for Sunday June 28, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday June 28, 2020

Topic: Faith That Works                                          

Text: Luke 17:5 – 10                                    

This request in Luke 17:5 was motivated by the difficulty of avoiding and forgiving “offences.” Jesus tells His disciples, that if they have the smallest degree of true faith; lively, operative faith, it will enable them to perform this difficult duty of forgiving injuries, and all other duties, with as much facility and ease as a miraculous faith would enable them to remove mountains and transplant trees.

When we obey Jesus’ instructions, we have only done our duties and should regard it as a privilege. We shouldn’t expect thanks, for we were only doing what we were supposed to do. Jesus used the example of a slave who renders service and does not expect to be thanked to explain what is required of us in carrying out our responsibilities as Christians.

Obedience is not something extra done for God; it is the duty of anyone who desires to be Christ’s follower. We must lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy. How deep is your faith in Christ Jesus? It is not how big your faith is but how deep to counter deep problems of life.

With these words, Jesus was not rendering service as meaningless or useless, nor was He doing away with rewards. He was attacking unwarranted self-esteem and spiritual pride; perhaps such as many of the religious leaders were exhibiting at that time, or what the disciples themselves might be tempted to fall into as they would seek to serve God when their faith has been increased.

Christians should focus their eyes on God with their goal only to serve and please Him. They don’t work for recognition or rewards or even for God to praise them for their hard work. Don’t allow self-esteem and pride for what God is using you to do in your generation enter into your head.

Food for Thought: No obstacle can withstand a confiding faith in God.

Memory verse: Luke 17:6                                                                                    

Prayer: Grant me a strong faith to believe every word that comes from your mouth, O Lord my God.

Why Trials Come Our Way: Devotion for Wednesday April 22, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday April 22, 2020

Topic: Why Trials Come Our Way                                               

Text: James 1:12

In our bible reading for today, James shows the reasons for trials and reward of passing through it faithfully. As athletes persevere in training in order to improve their abilities and endurance for competition, so Christians persevere in spiritual training as they patiently endure testing that will bring out maturity and completeness in them. Most times, today’s trials are training that prepares us to tomorrow’s challenges.

The way to get into God’s winner’s circle is to love Him and stay faithful even under pressure. James noted that there is always an ample reward for us. The reward is crown of life. James asserts that a Christian, who is patient and endures trials and afflictions in this life, shall certainly be rewarded with a crown of life.

It is pertinent to note that it is not every man who suffers receives blessing but he who patiently endures all difficulties that comes his way without disobeying God. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it does not come as a result of our fault. A tried Christian shall be a crowned one if he endures. Every soul that truly loves God shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in the world to come, where love is made perfect.

Beloved, what are you currently suffering because of your faith? Are you in prison now because of the crime you didn’t commit? God will certainly vindicate and reward you. Note that “God has one Son without sin, but he never had a son without trial” according to Charles Spurgeon.

Food for Thought: “A trial is an experiment or search made upon a man, by some affliction, to prove the value and strength of his faith” – Henry in Power Bible Online 

Memory verse: Proverbs 3:12

Prayer: Almighty God, strengthen me never to lose my faith in time of trials for there is always a blessing when one endures trials.

A Just Reward For Sin: Devotion for Tuesday April 14, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday April 14, 2020

Topic: A Just Reward For Sin                                        

Text: Romans 6:12 – 23

After the admonition to walk in newness of life by Paul as we read yesterday, he went further to speak about the just reward for sin. He started by saying, “Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (6:12). That was a conclusion of his exhortation in Romans 6:1 – 11. He gave this charge because of the consequences and reward for sin.

Most people play with sin as if it has no consequence. If we are dead to sin, how can sin still control us? True Christians have died to sin, but as long as they live in their mortal bodies, they will have the compulsion to sin. But only because they have died to sin that they will have the power to hinder it from controlling them. It is worthy to note the question in Romans 6:15.

This result of sin is not just physical death; everyone dies physically, believers and nonbelievers alike. This death refers to eternal separation from God. This is the wage that a person receives for his or her rebellion against God. But instead of wages, those who believe receive a free gift from God, eternal life. Which reward are you expecting to receive?

Just as the labourer is worthy of his hire and feels it to be his due, so death is the due for sin, the wages the sinner has formed for himself. The good news is that God has offered us eternal life as a gift. Have you received yours?

Food for Thought: Are you working for wage or gift?

Memory verse: Romans 6:23

Prayer: God your gift for me is eternal life. Grant that I will not miss out in Jesus name.

What is Ecommergy? Find the answer as you click on this.

A Reward for Our Actions: Devotion for Sunday August 11, 2019

Devotion for Sunday August 11, 2019

Topic: A Reward for Our Actions

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:9 – 11

This world is a world of opposites; good or bad, man or woman, love or hatred, selfish or selfless, angry or happy and many more. God gave to man the will to makes choices at creation.

“Man’s power of choice enables him to think like an angel or a devil, a king or a slave. Whatever he chooses, mind will create,” so Frederick Bailes. The power to make choices given to man will be his greatest undoing if we misused it.

Paul charges us here to walk well in our Christian life so as to please God because we shall account of ourselves before the judgement seat of Christ, where He, whose religion we profess will judge us according to its precepts and the grace bestowed on us.

We need a conviction that we will stand at the judgement seat of Christ, and receive rewards according to the deeds done in the body, prudent and lead lives that will make us acceptable to Him and this is only possible with Christ-like life we are living here.

We note these facts from our scriptural reading.

1) The necessity of the judgement – We must, willing or unwilling

2) The universality of the judgement – We must all be judged

3) We will be judged by Christ – Whose image we ought to conform

4) It will be based on our person actions and inaction – The things done in the body

5) The reason for the judgement of God – Will you be punished or be rewarded according to our actions.

Beloved, how prepared are you for this soon coming judgement to reward or punish us?

Food for Thought: The rewards you will receive depend on the way you have lived now. Therefore make good use of your time, talent and treasure to the glory of God

Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5: 10

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to be conscious of the coming judgement so I will live well so as to receive a good reward in Jesus name.  

  

A Reward For Our Love For God

Devotion for Monday July 23, 2018

Sing A&M 235 (Abu 183)

Topic: A Reward For Our Love For God

Text: James 1:12

It is disheartening to see brethren turn away from faith as a result of troubles of life they had gone through or they are going through. Christianity is a call to persevere and the very moment one resolves to follow the way of Christ, the devil marks him for trouble. We’ve seen a non-Christian do so many treacherous things yet life seems to smile at him and the man who resolves to do things the right ways goes home heartbroken.

There are temptations all around a believer; the actual inducements to sin which surround us and lie in wait for us, and fall upon us to hurt us in the course of our lives. There may be enticements to that which is sinful, as, for instance, when we are tempted in business to be dishonest, or when in association with others, we are tempted to lie, to hold malice, and engage in unrighteous conduct of any kind.

On the other hand, the temptations may arise from what is in itself innocent, but which becomes sinful from an improper use of it. Just as the worth of a sailor is tested by the length and the roughness of the voyage, so is every one of us put to the test by the ordinary circumstances of life according to the stuff that we show ourselves to be made of and that determines our worth and reward.

Trial and temptations show whether or not we love God and can be true to our call. If we conquer them, they become instruments for bracing us up and making us stronger than before. At the end we will have the privilege to be with our God in heaven where we will be rewarded with crown of life. We will be blessed if we can prayerfully persevere and overcome this world and become gloriously ready for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Food for Thought: Rewards are given to the winners and they are those who endured in a challenge and end so well; chose to end well today.

Memory Verse: James 1:12

Prayer: Oh Lord, give me the grace to joyfully follow you to the end.

Righteousness Has Rewards

Devotion for Monday June 4, 2018

Sing SS&S 791; Abu 61

Topic: Righteousness Has Rewards 

Text: Proverbs 11:18 – 19 

In our text, we have reward for wickedness and righteousness. Wicked people do deceitful works. The works of the wicked work is like building houses upon the sand, which will deceive them when the storm comes. When the wicked is engaged in various acts of wickedness, it will seem as if it will ever remain the same, but Proverbs 11:19 have it that such person pursues evil to his death. Remember the case of Pharaoh and the Israelites. At the end, that same wickedness will cut his throat when it smiles upon him. He will finally say that sin deceived me, and by it slew me. However, it is not so with the righteous. The rewards of the righteous are many. People who live in righteousness lay up the best securities for themselves. He who sows righteousness, which is good, and continues in it, looking forward to heavenly reward shall surely have them (Hosea 10:12; Galatians 6:8 – 9; James 3:18). “As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death (Proverbs 11v19).” Righteousness can never disappoint us. Its rewards are numerous. Above all, it leads to life eternal which is the desire of every Christian. Psalm 1:1 – 6 gives us a clue into what the righteous man will gain here on earth and in the life to come. If you desire these rewards, then live righteously.

Action: Write down 10 rewards for righteousness in your notebook for future reference.

Memory verse: Proverbs 10:6 

Prayer: Lord, may I live my life in righteousness that I might receive its reward now and in eternity in Jesus name. Amen

There Are Rewards For Sin

Devotion for Tuesday April 3, 2018

Topic: There Are Rewards For Sin

Text: Romans 6:12 – 23

After the admonition to walk in newness of life by Paul as we read yesterday, he went further to speak about the just reward for sin. By just reward, he means that punishment which is right for a sinner who continues to live in sin. He started by saying, “Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (6:12). That was a conclusion of his exhortation in Romans 6:1 – 11. He gave this charge because of the consequences and reward for sin. Most people play with sin as if it has no consequence. If we are dead to sin, how can sin still control us? Christians ought to die to sin, but as long as they live in their mortal bodies, they will have the compulsion to sin. But it is expected that we should develop the willpower to no longer let it control us. Worthy of note is the question in Romans 6:15. Refusal to obey the law in pretence of being under grace and still living in sin is turning the grace of God into wantonness. We shouldn’t use our Christian liberty as an occasion to satisfy the desires of the flesh. This reward of sin is not just physical death; everyone dies physically, believers and nonbelievers alike. This refers to eternal separation from God in hell. This is the wage that a person receives for his or her rebellion against God. But instead of wages, those who believe receive a free gift from God, eternal life. Just as the laborer is worthy of his hire and feels it to be his due, so death is the due for sin, the wages the sinner has formed for himself. The good news is that God has offered us eternal life as a gift. Have you received yours?

Sing A&M 87; Abu 173

Food for Thought: Are you working for a wage or gift from God?

Memory verse: Romans 6:23

Prayer: God your gift for me is eternal life. Grant that I will not miss out in Jesus name.

There Is Always A Reward For Righteousness

Devotion for Sunday March 18, 2018

Topic: There Is Always A Reward For Righteousness      

Text: Psalm 1:1 – 3  

When parents are happy with their children for obeying and carrying out instructions they reward them sometimes. In like manner God is always happy when we obey His commands and He blesses us. When He told Abraham to go and sacrifice his son Isaac and he obeyed, the response of God is in Genesis 22:15 – 18. We have in this psalm a reward for doing what God wants us to do. The theme of this psalm is the permanent prosperity and happiness of the righteous, and the certain destruction of the wicked. The reward for doing what God wants is being blessed which the Psalmist likened to a tree planted by the riverside. The key to doing what God wants is to know what He wants and such knowledge come through meditating on His word constantly. If we so desire to be blessed by God, we must have regard for His word, as the rule of our actions, and the spring of our comforts; and have it in our thoughts night and day. The righteous man takes counsel from God. This is very important for all that desire to please God. How do you take the word of God? What amount of time do you give to reading, study and meditation on it? That is the key to the breakthrough you desire always. 

Sing A&M 305; Abu 221

Food for Thought: The frequency and earnestness in meditating on God’s word is what ensures our growth and bring blessings upon us

Memory verse: Psalm 1:3

Prayer: Help me O Lord to earnestly and frequently meditate on your word to guarantee my blessings in Jesus name.

He Who Scatters Seed …

Devotion for Sunday January 7, 2018

Topic: He Who Scatters Seed …

Proverbs 11:24 – 25 

Today’s topic is similar to that of yesterday.  Proverbs 11:24 speaks about the liberal man and a miser. A liberal or bountiful man will always give to the poor and will never turn away his face from any one in distress. It is on that premise that the Lord blesses his property, and the bread is multiplied in his hand. Scatter as used here means giving alms (charity) or sowing seeds. The reward for the liberal man is also found in Proverbs 11:25. This shows us how wonderful our God is! He gives the property, gives the heart to use it aright, and recompenses the man for doing it as He wants. True Christian liberality is the one broad road to prosperity. It secures God's blessing upon our gain, and makes it profitable to ourselves and to others. With this in mind, we ought to plan to scatter our seeds (talents, wisdom and wealth) this year. How best can you do this? Think about it and write them down in your journal to enable you act on them. Remember that true liberality is a broad way to prosperity. Therefore, choose to be liberal and not miser; choose to be prosperous and not a pauper, choose to live a self-sufficient life and not a beggarly life. The choice is all yours. The decision you make now will affect the life you will live throughout the year and beyond. Sing A&M 483; SS&S 1053; Abu 319

Food for Thought: Psalm 112 verse 9

Memory verse: Proverbs 11: 24   

Prayer: Lord God, teach me the true Christian liberality in Jesus name. Amen.

A Reward For Our Actions

Devotion for Tuesday August 8, 2017

Topic: A Reward For Our Actions

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:9 – 11

This world is world of opposites; good or bad, man or woman, love or hatred, selfish or selfless, angry or happy, etc. God gave to man the will to makes choices at creation. “Man’s power of choice enables him to think like an angel or a devil, a king or a slave. Whatever he chooses, mind will create,” so Frederick Bailes. The power to make choices given to man will be his greatest undoing if we misused it.

Paul charges us here to walk well in our Christian life so as to please God because we shall account of ourselves before the judgement seat of Christ, where He, whose religion we profess will judge us according to its precepts and the grace bestowed on us. We need a conviction that we will stand at the judgement seat of Christ, and receive rewards according to the deeds done in the body, prudent and lead lives that will make us acceptable to Him and this is only possible with Christ-like life we are living here.

We note these facts from our scriptural reading.

1) The necessity of the judgement – We must, willing or unwilling

2) The universality of the judgement – We must all be judged

3) We will be judged by Christ – Whose image we ought to conform

4) It will be based on our person actions and inactions – The things done in the body

5) The reason for the judgement – To be punished or rewarded according to our actions.

Beloved, how prepared are you for this soon coming judgement to reward or punish us?

Food for Thought: The rewards you will receive depend on the way you have lived now. Therefore make good use of your time, talent and treasure to the glory of God

Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5: 10

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to be conscious of the coming judgement so I will live well so as to receive a good reward in Jesus name.

Setting Our Priorities Right

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday May 1, 2017

Topic: Setting Our Priorities Right

Text: Luke 10:17 – 20

One thing that gives us joy in our Christian service and stewardship is going out for evangelism. There is a kind of joy when you come back and reflect on what happened when you were out there preaching to people. This was the kind of joy that the disciples experienced as they saw tremendous results when they ministered in Jesus’ name and with His authority. They were overjoyed by the result from their mission which Jesus shared with them.

Despite sharing in their joy, He helped them get their priorities right, by reminding them of their most important victory which is having their names registered in heaven. This honour was more important than any of their accomplishments.

Today is Workers Day or May Day. A day to celebrate workers but it is proper to remind all workers both in public and private sector that their first major priority is to serve God through humanity. Yes we all need to meet our basic needs but that should not be at the detriment of our faith and morals. There are things that should not be mentioned among Christians. The issue of bribery, kick back, rewards, settlements, budget padding, inflating prices of item purchased, etc, should not be uppermost in our hearts as we serve. Our rewards come from God. At the right and appropriate time, He will reward us.

Just as the disciples were rejoicing and Jesus had to caution them, so it is important that we caution ourselves because a day of reckoning will come when we shall give account of our stewardship to the unseen eye that watched all we did and the services we render. Happy May Day to all workers!

Food for Thought: What is uppermost in your mind as you service in that office, shop, etc.

Memory verse: Luke 10 verse 20

Prayer: Almighty God, help me to understand why you have placed me where I am to serve you through humanity in Jesus name. Amen

THE BLESSINGS IN PERSECUTION

Devotion for Thursday December 22, 2016

Topic: THE BLESSINGS IN PERSECUTION      

Text: Matthew 5:10 – 12                  

As we conclude the study on the Beatitudes, we should note these four ways to understand and imbibe its lessons.

(1) They are codes of ethics for us and a standard of conduct for all Christians. What it means is that we are not to choose the one we want and discard the others rather we are bound to have them and live by them.

(2) They contrast Kingdom values (what is eternal) with worldly values (what is temporary). Most Christians of today are much more interested in the worldly things and their values. We should be careful to understand the things that are needful for us so as not to be carried away by worldly value and we miss heaven at last.

(3) They contrast the superficial faith of the Pharisees with the real faith that Christ demands. What Christ demands from us is what matters even when people do not consider it as normal or they see them as outdated.

(4) They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new Kingdom.

These Beatitudes are not multiple choices to pick from; rather, it must be taken as a whole. They describe what we should be like, as Christ’s followers and how we should relate with God and Man.

In this last of the Beatitudes, Jesus stresses what will mark us out as matured Christians. It takes a high level of maturity to endure temptations and trials without losing your faith. Jesus said we should rejoice when we’re persecuted for our faith for the following reasons.

(1) It takes our eyes off earthly rewards.

(2) It strips away superficial belief,

(3) It strengthens our faith when we endure, and

(4) Our attitude going through it serves as an example to others who follow.

We should be comforted knowing that God’s greatest prophets were persecuted (Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel, etc). The fact that we are being persecuted proves that we have been faithful. Remain faithful because God will reward those faithful by receiving them into His eternal Kingdom, where there will be no more persecution.  Will you be there?

Food for Thought: Persecution strengthens our faith when we endure it.

Memory verse: Matthew 5 verse 10: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (KJV).

Prayer: God, I need your grace to endure persecution, trial and temptations that may come my way in Jesus name. Amen.

GOD REWARDS INTEGRITY

DEVOTION FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2016

Topic: GOD REWARDS INTEGRITY         

Text: Proverbs 20 verse 7

In our devotion for yesterday, we saw that God spelt out the terms and conditions of the covenant He made with us even before we of the present day generation, were born. We also saw that walking under these terms and conditions brings blessings and walking against them leads to curses. When we walk according to the will of God, there are rewards for us. God rewards us according to our deeds (Roman 2:6) be it good or bad deeds.

Here in our scriptural reading for the day is also a promise that God will reward our integrity. Integrity means the ‘quality of being honest and upright in character.’ This is one quality see among early Christians. Unfortunately, integrity and honesty is lacking in our present day churches. If this is not so, why all the evil, corruption, frame up and lies that are rampant in our society? However, when anyone singles himself out and stand out, God will surely reward such person.

Can you mention and write down the names of up to three men/women of integrity that lived in your neighbourhood – dead or alive? What can you say about their children today? Can you see the reward of God upon their families? Is there any truth about God’s word manifesting there? Now can you also list three men/women who were not upright in our neighbourhood too? What is the condition of their children today? Can we say that these words of our text are true or false? Any Christian without integrity is a disgrace to his family, the Church, God Almighty and the world. Regrettably, there are many in society today who lack integrity and our generation are hailing them as achievers.

Before writing this devotion, I read online how members of United Methodist Church in Lagos drove their Pastor away because he impregnated his house maid and sent his wife packing. A pastor will kill, tell lies to extort money from people and commit all manner of evil, how much more ordinary members of his Church. Think of traders, civil servants, teachers, students, bus conductors and their drivers, car/motorcycle owner and their operators, can we find integrity among them? The list is endless. We have the testimony of Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:12 which is a challenge for us; the present day Christians. What does the society know you for; a fraudster, cheat or honest man/woman? Joseph is an example of man of integrity. If you remain upright and honest, God will reward you and your posterity.

Food for Thought: “To be honest as this world goes is to be one man picked out of a thousand”-Shakespeare.

Memory verse: Proverbs 20 verse 7

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to walk in integrity and I bind every spirit of dishonesty in my life in Jesus name.

REWARD FOR BLASPHEMY: Devotion for Thursday April 28, 2016

REWARD FOR BLASPHEMY: Devotion for Thursday April 28, 2016                                             

Text: 2 Kings 19:35 – 37    Memory verse: v 37

This was the just judgment of God for Sennacherib’s blasphemy, that he would be slain before the idol that he preferred to the living God, and by those who should by nature have needed his defence; a reward for blasphemy against God of Israel. According to Adam Clarke, there was a story that “He consulted his wise men how it was that such miracles should be wrought for the Israelites; who told him that it was because of the merit of Abraham who had offered his only son to God: he then said, I will offer to him my two sons; which when they heard, they rose up and slew him.” What a tragedy for a man who had boasted and blasphemed that God of Israel cannot save His people from his hands. God is no respecter of man because whatever position you hold today, He gave to you. Remember how He humbled Nebuchadnezzar.

From our bible text, it is obvious that no one contends with his Maker (Isa. 45:9). God is not a man. He deserves our reverence. We should hold Him in awe because He is a consuming fire. Whatever He says, He performs. One lesson we should learn here is that what God has said about dying in sin will surely come to pass. We shouldn’t discard them with wave of hand. God has reward for every sin. Repent of your sin today before it will be too late.

Food for Thought: "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder" – Matthew 21:44

Prayer: May I never contend with you, O Lord, my God, because it will mean death.  

JUST REWARD FOR SIN: Devotion for Tuesday March 29, 2016

JUST REWARD FOR SIN: Devotion for Tuesday March 29, 2016

Text: Romans 6:12 – 23              Memory verse: v 23

After the admonition to walk in newness of life by Paul as we read yesterday, he went further to speak about the just reward for sin. He started by saying, “Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (6:12). That was a conclusion of his exhortation in 6:1–11. He gave this charge because of the consequences and reward for sin. Most people play with sin as if it has no consequence. If we are dead to sin, how can sin still control us? Christians died to sin at repentance, but as long as they live in their mortal bodies, they will have the compulsion to sin. But only because we have died to sin do we have the power to no longer let it control us. Worthy of note is the question in 6:15. “To refuse obedience to the law, under pretence of Christian liberty; to sin because we are not under the law, but under grace; is a turning the grace of God into wantonness, and to use our Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh” according to William Burkett’s Note.

This result of sin is not just physical death; everyone dies physically, believers and nonbelievers alike. This refers to eternal separation from God. This is the wage that a person receives for his or her rebellion against God. But instead of wages, those who believe receive a free gift from God; the eternal life. Just as the labourer is worthy of his hire and feels it to be his due, so death is the due for sin, the wages the sinner has formed for himself. The good news is that God has offered us eternal life as a gift. Have you received yours?

Food for Thought: Are you working for wage or gift?

Prayer: God, your gift for me is eternal life. Grant that I will not miss out in Jesus name.

REWARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: Devotion for Monday February 29, 2016

REWARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: Devotion for Monday February 29, 2016

Text: Proverbs 11:18 – 19            Memory verse: v 18

The wicked works a deceitful work. His wicked work is like building for himself a house upon the sand, which will deceive him when the storm comes. When the wicked is engaged in various acts of wickedness, it will seem as if it will ever remain same. Unfortunately, it is never so. At the end, that same wickedness will cut his throat when it smiles upon him. He will finally say that sin deceived me, and by it slew me. However, it is not so with the righteous. The rewards of the righteous are many. People who live in righteousness lay up the best securities for themselves. He who sows righteousness, which is good, and continues in it, looking forward to heavenly reward shall surely have them (Hosea 10:12; Galatians 6:8–9; James 3:18).

“As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death – Proverbs11:19.” Righteousness can never disappoint us. Its rewards are numerous. Above all it leads to life eternal which is the desire of every Christian. Ps 1:1–6 gives us a clue into what the righteous man will gain here on earth and in the life to come. Do you desire these rewards? Then live righteously.

Food for Thought: Proverbs 10:6

Prayer: Lord, may I live my life in righteousness that I might receive its reward now and in eternity in Jesus name.      

NO LOSS IN REPENTANCE: Devotion for Sunday February 21, 2016

NO LOSS IN REPENTANCE            Sunday February 21, 2016

Text: Luke 18:28 – 30                     Memory verse: v 30

Most times, people assume that those who surrender their lives to Christ are at a loss because they will no longer ‘enjoin’ the things of the world. This is a wrong notion. There is no loss in repentance. It was this notion that led Peter to ask Jesus what becomes their fate as His followers (18:28). The response of Jesus is in 18:29 and 30. Jesus noted that those who had left all and followed Him, should be no losers; that is, in this world they shall receive manifold blessings;  says  an hundred-fold (Mk 10:30). Job lost all in order to prove his faithfulness in serving God unto Satan and at the end, God restored all he lost while he was still alive (Job 42:10) and I know that his faith will certainly take him to heaven. Is there any lesson for us here in this story of Job?

Beloved, our God is faithful. 1Thess. 5:24 says, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” For this reason, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23). People may have been taunting you concerning your faith in Christ Jesus and calling you names. Don’t mind them. There is a reward for you. The greatest reward we look forward to is the eternal life in heavenly bliss. Are you looking forward to that city? Don’t allow the distractions of the world to keep you out of it.

Food for Thought: There is no loss for the sake of the gospel that is greater than the love God has for us.

Prayer: Lord God, as I have left all to follow you, may I not lose my reward in Jesus name.             

 

A reward for doing what God wants: Devotion for Monday February 8, 2016

A REWARD FOR DOING WHAT GOD WANTS        Monday February 8, 2016

Text: Psalm 1:1 – 3                        Memory verse: v 3

Parents are always happy when their children carry out their instructions to the letter. They usually reward such obedience. In like manner God is always happy when we obey His commands and He blesses us. When He told Abraham to go and sacrifice his son Isaac and he obeyed, the response of God is in Gen 22:15–18 (read it). In this psalm is a reward for doing what God wants us to do. The theme of this psalm is the permanent prosperity and happiness of the righteous, and the certain destruction of the wicked. The reward for doing what God wants is blessing which the Psalmist likened to a tree planted by the riverside. Devotion to God is the way not only of duty, but of safety, prosperity, and happiness. For this reason, God blesses the righteous man.

The key to doing what God wants is through meditation on His word. If we so desire to be blessed by God, we must have constant regard to and for His word, as the rule of our actions, and the spring of our comforts; and have it in our thoughts night and day (Josh 1:8). How do you take the word of God? What amount of time do you give to read; study and meditate on word of God? That is the key to the breakthrough you desire always.

Food for Thought: The frequency and earnestness in meditating on God’s word is what ensures our growth and brings blessings upon us

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to earnestly and frequently meditate on your word to guarantee my blessings in Jesus name.
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