For Our Enjoyment: Devotion for Friday, January 10, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday January 10 2020

Topic: For Our Enjoyment                  

Text: 1 Timothy 6:17 – 21

There is difference between being financially rich and being rich towards God. Wealth is very uncertain (Proverbs 23:5). Those who are rich should understand that their riches came from God. He alone grants the grace to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly, not having a heart to use them rightly (1 Timothy 6:17).

Riches are meant to be used for doing good deeds (1 Timothy 6:18). Those who have money must be generous, but they must not be arrogant just because they have a lot to give. They must be careful not to put their hope in money instead of God for their security. See Mark 10:24.

Even if we don’t have material wealth, we can be rich in good deeds. No matter how poor we are, we have something to share with someone. These things we have in us are for the enjoyment of ourselves and those we meet or those who come to us on daily basis.

There is the admonition to guard what has been entrusted to Timothy. These things are of two dimensional; his congregation and his talents/gifts. The reason for this is because of false teachers who brought wrong doctrines into the church. We still have many of them now. Beware, so that you will not be deceived.

Food for Thought: How best can you use your wealth in the service of God and humanity?

Memory verse: Luke 12:21

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O God to use my wealth to serve you and humanity.

Use Your Wealth Wisely

Devotion for Saturday March 31, 2018

Topic: Use Your Wealth Wisely

Text: Matthew 27: 57 – 66           

Joseph from Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin who became a disciple of Jesus. He was a member of the council of Jewish leaders. According to Luke, he was a good and just man, who never consented to their decision to kill Jesus. He was also waiting for the kingdom of God (Luke 23:50, 51). This was the man God used to give Jesus a befitting burial. Jesus acquaintances (Matthew 27:49) stood afar off; they had no money to bear the charge neither the courage to bury Him decently; but God raised one that had both. Joseph made himself available for God to use in the burial of Jesus Christ. If the known disciples were the ones that asked for His body, the Roman Soldiers would have turned down the request. God is wisdom and He does His things wisely. Despite his riches, he was humble enough to serve God. The reason he went and asked for the body of Jesus was because he wants to bury it honourably otherwise, by the Jewish customs; He would have either been burned, or buried in the common place appointed for executed criminals. To others how do you use your wealth? Is it for the good of humanity or to the glory of God? What areas do you channel your riches – to intimidate neighbours, to abuse people or to help the needy and humanity? Joseph of Arimathea showed he loved God. What about you? Sing A&M 210; Abu 34

Food for Thought: “He that will not permit his wealth to do any good to others while he is living prevents it from doing good to himself when he is dead” – Colton.

Memory verse: Matthew 27:58

Prayer: Lord, grant me the right understand of the essence of wealth and talent you have bestowed on me so I can use them wisely.

Money Cannot Save

Devotion for Saturday December 9, 2017

Topic: Money Cannot Save

Text: Zephaniah 1:18

Jesus Christ is the only source of salvation (Acts 4:11 – 12). His salvation is all encompassing as Paul asserted. The salvation from God is not just salvation from sin unto eternal life alone but also from poverty, sickness, bondage, curse and spell, etc.

God spoke through Zephaniah to the Israelites that their wealth cannot save them from the impending judgement. God posited that neither their silver nor their gold in which they trusted, and from which they expected happiness shall profit them on that awful day. This warning was to challenge them not to be asleep because they were enjoying the patience of God. When men’s iniquity is full, certainly, His justice will overtake and overcome them.

Many wealthy people have engaged all forms of security outfits. They have the police, all kinds of security dogs, well fenced and electrified walls, personal guards, bullet proof vests and cars, etc. Unfortunately, all these cannot save especially when it comes to God’s judgement and verdict. “Riches do not profit in the day or wrath, but righteousness delivers from death (Proverbs 11:14).” On the Day of Judgement, wealth will no longer count as it will not save neither can we place value on them (see Ezekiel 7:19). Again, some donate money to the church to secure salvation. You can’t bribe God to have salvation. It is not so! Salvation is of God alone and He is the one that grants it to us.

Food for Thought: Acts 4:12

Memory verse: Proverbs 11:14

Prayer: My Father in heaven, help me never to put my trust in my wealth for there is no salvation in them.

To Their Hurt

Devotion for Sunday November 12, 2017

Topic: To Their Hurt

Text: Ecclesiastics 5:13

Money is good but not everything. There are some things money cannot buy; it cannot buy freedom from sin, peace, secure the future, stop death from coming to them, etc. Many rich people think that they will secure their future and that of their children with their wealth. Unfortunately, it is not so. Solomon sees riches as source of hurt to its owner. This may be the source of hurt to the owner because

1. He may make an improper use of them or lose his health by them

2. He may join in an unfortunate partnership and lose all

3. His riches may excite the desire of robbers and he may spoil him of his goods and even take away his life.

4. He may leave them to his son, who turns profligate, spends the whole and ruins both his body and soul.

For riches to hurt the owner is one vanity of wealth that after a life of toil and care in accumulating it, it will either be lost or become source of the owner’s death. The rich oppressor’s wealth provokes enemies and robbers. The antidote to this hurt is contentment.. Many people hurt themselves in pursuant of wealth at all cost. This is very unfortunate as it is even seen among Christians who have been admonished to set their minds on the things that are above and not below (Colossians 3:1 – 2). When we understand this, it will help our orientation and perception about wealth. Think about this and take a good stand now before you will hurt yourself so badly.

Food for Thought: Wealth, heaped up out of covetousness will always result clashes of interest among heirs.

Memory verse: Ecclesiastics 5:13

Prayer: God help me to reorder my priorities in life so that I will not pursue wealth at the detriment of my salvation and hurt in Jesus name. Amen.

The Rich Man And Lazarus

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 24, 2017

Topic: The Rich Man And Lazarus

Text: Luke 16:19 – 31

There are so many inspiring lessons for us in this story. One mistake people make in life is to think that money is everything. It is not so. Again, wealth is not a perimeter to judge God’s blessings and favour. The Pharisees considered wealth to be a proof of a person’s righteousness but Jesus shocked them with this story in which a diseased beggar was rewarded and a rich man was punished. The rich man did not go to hell because of his wealth but because he was selfish, refusing to feed Lazarus, take him in, or care for him. The rich man was hard-hearted in spite of his great blessings.

The amount of money we have is not as important as the way we use it. What is your attitude toward your money and possessions? Do you hoard them selfishly, or do you use them to help others? There is something worth noting in Luke 16:22. Lazarus died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom while the rich man was buried. This shows that no amount of burial changes the final destination of man.

What determines our final destination is the way we live when we are alive. Therefore beware of the way you live and use your wealth. The rich man thought that his five brothers would surely believe a messenger who had been raised from the dead. But Abraham asserted that if they did not believe Moses and the prophets, who spoke constantly of caring for the poor, not even a resurrection would convince them. Are you like this rich man? Don’t wait for the messenger from the dead. Repent now and accept Jesus as your Saviour. 

Food for Thought: What is your attitude towards your money and possessions?

Memory verse: Luke 16 verse 22

Prayer: Lord God, help me to accept your message of salvation now and not to wait for a message or messenger from the dead in Jesus name.

FOR OUR ENJOYMENT: Devotion for Sunday January 10, 2016

FOR OUR ENJOYMENT                        Sunday January 10, 2016

Text: 1 Timothy 6:17 – 21                  Memory verse: v 17

There are differences between being financially rich and being rich towards God. Wealth is very uncertain (Prov.23:5). Those who are rich should understand that their riches came from God. He alone grants the grace to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly and not having a heart to use them rightly (6:17). Riches are meant to be used for doing good deeds to people (6:18). Those who are rich must be generous and must not be arrogant just because they have a lot to give. They must be careful not to put their hope in money, instead they should hope in the living God for their security. This is the reason for the words of Christ in Mk. 10:24.

We can be rich in good deeds even if we don’t have material wealth. No matter how poor we are, we have something to share with someone. These things we have in us are for the enjoyment of ourselves and those we meet or those who come to us on daily basis. There is the admonition to guard what has been entrusted to Timothy. These things are of two dimensions; his congregation and his talents/gifts. The reason for this is because of false teachers who brought wrong doctrines into the church. We still have many of them now. Beware, so that you will not be deceived.

Food for Thought: How best can you use your wealth for the service of God and humanity?

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to use my wealth to serve you and humanity.

CAST OFF EVERY WEIGHT Thursday October 8, 2015

CAST OFF EVERY WEIGHT       Thursday October 8, 2015

Text: Hebrews 12:1 – 3                   Memory verse: v 1

There are some things that can hinder our progress in the way to heaven. According to William Burkett, by every weight, it is generally understood to mean “The world, its riches, honours, pleasures, preferment, which often times are a peculiar obstruction to steadiness and perseverance in the profession and practice of Christianity.” These weights must be laid aside, by mortifying our hearts and affections towards the world and all that are in it (1 John 2:15, 16), for it is unreasonable to love these things which give us their weight and burden. Excessive care for the present life, or fondness for it, is a weight that pulls us down when we should soar upwards, and pulls us back when we should press forward thus making our duties harder and heavier than they would be.

Some of the weights that hinder us summed up as love for the world may not necessarily be sin as our text suggests, rather they are some attachments that can make us lose focus and commitment. They could be a formed habit, association, some things that appeal so much to us, etc. Search yourself and know the weight you are carrying.

Food for Thought: Colossians 3:8

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to lay aside every weight that is hindering my commitment to and walk with you in Jesus name.