Awake From Sleep: Devotion for Friday October 9, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday October 9, 2020

Topic: Awake From Sleep                               

Text: Ephesians 5:12 – 20                         

As Christians, we should stand for the truth; we shouldn’t get caught up in gossip about the shameful actions of sinful people (Ephesians 5:12). We should not promote or dignify sin by even so much as discussing it. What the ungodly people do in secret becomes clear for how evil it is as light shines on them. Nothing can hide from the light piercing through darkness. Believers are the “rays” of that light. By our actions (Ephesians 5:8 – 12), we become instruments of light, exposing the dark acts of sin.

Apostle Paul instructs us to expose these deeds, because our silence may be interpreted as approval. God needs people who will take a stand for what is right. Christians must lovingly speak out for what is true and right. This is not optional.

It is for this reason the Apostle calls on compromising Christians to wake up from sleep (Ephesians 5:14) and begin to live for Christ. What Paul was stressing here is that the Ephesians should wake up and realize the dangerous condition into which some of them had been slipping into. Are such things not seen in our present day Christendom where we pretend and are nonchalant to our call to rebuke evil and sin? Are we not unperturbed and senseless in the darkness, and pollution of sin, and sometimes rename sin so as to cover our unrighteousness?

We should wake from death in sin to a sense of our guilty, lost condition, and look to Him who died for us, and He will make us light. We should redeem the time we have lost while asleep by being active for God. God is waiting for you to act. Start now (Isaiah 60:1)!   

Food for Thought: Romans 13:11 & 12

Memory verse: Ephesians 5 v 14

Prayer: Almighty God, give us grace to cast way the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility so that on the last day, when He shall come again in His glorious majesty: to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through Him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever (Collect for Advent Sunday). 

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

Your God Will Be My God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday January 16, 2017

Topic: Your God Will Be My God

Text: Ruth 1:11 – 18       

The story of Ruth took place sometime during the rule of the judges that is one reason the book is found immediately after Judges in then scriptures. The period was dark days for Israel, when “the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). That was a clear evidence that the people had forgotten God and the covenant they have with Him. But during those dark and evil times, there were still some who followed God.

In this book of Ruth, Naomi and Ruth were beautiful examples of loyalty, friendship, and commitment; to God and to each other. Within the brief sojourn of the family of Elimelech in the land of Moab, Ruth might have observed them worshipping the God of Israel. That might have left an indelible impression in her and that might have motivated her to kept faith with Naomi despite the ordeals she has passed through occasioned by the death of her husband.

The way we act during ordeals, afflictions, trials and temptations go a long way to affecting people around us either positively or negatively. We shouldn’t undermine what the effect our actions and reactions will have on others. Therefore we should be very mindful of our actions and utterances

Read the words of Ruth to Naomi in 1:16, 17. What could have inspired such words and vow from Ruth? Outside divine revelation, she had noticed the difference between her god and God of Israel. She had also seen the kind of faith exhibited by Naomi.

As Christians, wherever we find ourselves, whether in our locality or outside our locality, we should live well because someone is watching. Do not think you are out of view of your pastor or parents and you can now behave the way you like. Christian lives are gospel message to the world. Our actions speak louder than our voices. Therefore we should be mindful of what we say or do. Our words and actions can either win people for Christ or chase them away.

Food for Thought: Our lives preach better messages than our words.

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 16 - But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God (ESV).

Prayer: Almighty God and my Father may my life be a challenge to people I meet on daily basis in Jesus name Amen.

Return To Your People

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday January 15, 2017

Topic: Return To Your People

Text: Ruth 1:6 – 10  

There was almost nothing worse than being a widow in the ancient world even in our present day society. They are still not recognised. They are to be seen and not heard. Widows were taken advantage of or ignored as in the days of Naomi. They were almost always poverty stricken. Some were denied of assess to their late husband’s wealth.

It was for the above reason, God’s law, therefore, provided that the nearest relative of the dead husband should care for the widow; but Naomi had no relatives in Moab, and she did not know if any of her relatives were alive in Israel. However, she decided to go back to Israel.

As she set to go, the daughters’ inlaw, Orpah and Ruth decided to go with her. Though she had right over Orpah and Ruth as daughters in law, she didn’t want to stick to that right. That is a challenge for us in the action of Naomi. Most times, we stick to our right as Christians and that doesn’t work well in most cases. She encouraged them to return to their people to start live anew. This is a selfless attitude that is required to live well as a Christian. Even in her desperate situation, Naomi had a selfless attitude. She would have stood on her right at least to have someone live with her. As she had decided to return to Israel, she encouraged Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab and start their lives anew, even though that would mean hardship for her.

Like Naomi, we (Christians) must consider the needs of others and not just our own. As Naomi discovered, when you act selflessly, others are encouraged to follow your example. This led to the reaction of Ruth as we shall see tomorrow in our devotion. We should note that service to others is the justification for our existence and self-sacrifice is our highest moral duty, virtue and value which we should show to people we meet on daily basis.

Food for Thought: Selfless acts are always good examples for people especially the goodly, to follow.

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 8 - And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord, to consider the needs of others as I take decisions concerning my welfare in Jesus name. Amen.