Our Assurance of Salvation: Devotion for Sunday March 29, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday March 29, 2020

Topic: Our Assurance of Salvation                           

Text: 1 John 5: 1 – 5

Probably John had a challenge that some Christians sometimes doubt their salvation and some still express such doubt today. He had explains to his readers how to know if they are truly saved or not. That is the assurance/evidence of our salvation. Read this passage again and again to gain the needed assurance. John also reviewed Jesus’ mission to this earth and in dying from 1 John 5:6ff. He wrote to reassure Christians about their faith because some false teachers had given them cause to doubt the security of their salvation.

How can we know we have eternal life? John tells us: trust in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:13). Jesus is God’s own Son, the one who came as a human being, died to pay the penalty for our sins, and rose again. His work alone gives Him the power and right to forgive all who confess their sins to Him (1 John 1:9). Anyone who believes in Christ has eternal life (see John 3:16).

Beloved, any time you feel insecure about your salvation and begin to doubt, reaffirm your trust in Christ. It is good to reaffirm our faith on daily basis by confessing our baptismal creed. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour? This is the opportunity for you to do so now.

Food for Thought: Do you still doubt your salvation? Then search yourself and go back to God in prayer.

Memory verse: 1 John 5:2

Prayer: God, help me not to doubt my salvation. Strengthen my faith in you.

A New Thing: Devotion for Tuesday August 1, 2019

Devotion for Tuesday August 1, 2019

Topic: A New Thing

Text: Isaiah 43:16 – 21

The Lord has promised to do a new thing for you in this new month. The new thing will not be delayed because it shall ‘spring forth now.’ My confidence about it hinges on 2 Peter 3:9 which says that the Lord is not slack concerning His promises and Isaiah 40:8 confirm that God’s word will stand forever.

A new thing from God goes with a new song; new title, new office, new privileges, new blessings, new joy, new victory and many more. When you are promoted, your level changes. However, a new thing from God can be positive or negative depending on which divide you belong. Our God will surprise us with new things this month in Jesus name.

In Exodus 14:21 – 28, when God parted the Red Sea, it was a new thing. The Israelites experienced this as a way of freedom. But to Pharaoh and his men, it was a way of total destruction.

When God says to His children that He will do a new thing, it means that He will move them to a level of freedom they have never known before.

It also means that God is about to surprise their enemies beyond recovery. Get ready; it is your season for a new thing that will lead to a new song (Psalm 40:3) in your life, family, business and ministry.

Beloved in Christ, before you hold on to a promise, you should first get to know who made the promise with the terms and conditions.

The one who is making this promise to His own is the one called Jehovah El-Shaddai – the God that is more than enough, the Almighty (Genesis 17:1).

Have you known and accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour? If not, do something now so you could enjoy the new thing packaged for you this season and beyond. Happy new month!

Food for Thought: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Memory verse: Isaiah 43:19

Prayer: Lord God, do a new thing in my life that will lead to a new song this month and always in Jesus name. Amen.

A Living Hope

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday April 22, 2017

Topic: A Living Hope 

Text: 1 Peter 1:3 – 5

The Christian's hope is a living principle, and sustains his spiritual life. Our hope is lived out. It is something that is live out for others to see. This hope gives life and looks for life as its object. We are now born again for a wonderful expectation of life to come but not of this world because we are pilgrims and foreigners here. This expectation we have is based on the assurance that God will keep His promise to raise us because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Christ has made necessary power available for our resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:22). His resurrection makes us certain that we too will be raised from the dead.

This assurance is what makes our hope lively. It keeps us going, striving against all odds so as to gain that which God has promised us. What the resurrection of Christ has done for us is that it has inspired hope and grace in us. It has brought the conviction that we are going to be resurrected. The onus on us now is to live our lives with that inspired hope from the resurrection of Christ. It should make us to be heavenly conscious as we read yesterday. It should inspire a more strong faith in us that God is ever faithful to His promises. Our hope for eternal life promised us shouldn’t die.

We may be experiencing some negative things that are currently challenging our faiths. That notwithstanding, if we know our God, our hope will be renewed every day. We can achieve this by daily searching out God’s promises and laying hold of them as we pray. Don’t allow uncertainties of life deem your hope rather rekindle it daily basis. 

Food for Thought: Our hope for eternal life promised us shouldn’t die. Rekindle it on daily basis as we await the return of our Saviour.

Memory verse: 1 Peter 1 verse 3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to keep the hope of eternal life lively in me in Jesus name.

Christ Died For Our Sins

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday April 17, 2017

Topic: Christ Died For Our Sins

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1 – 11

Our bible reading today can be likened to our statement of faith (The creed) because it contains the summary of what Jesus did to save humanity. Apostle Paul had to write this to allay the fears and doubts in the mind of some Corinthians because some people were teaching that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. He stated that many people saw Jesus after His resurrection at different occasions. He listed some of them to include Peter; the 12 disciples; over 500 disciples (some who were still alive at the time he wrote this epistle); James (the half-brother of Jesus) and finally Paul himself.

The centre of Paul’s message here is that Jesus died for our sins. This should be a source of joy for us above every other thing we can think of in this life. If we understand the consequences of sin and its burden, we will appreciate that ultimate sacrifice of Jesus every day of our lives. That Jesus resurrected is a historical fact.

We should not be discouraged when people doubt or deny Christ’s resurrection. Rather we should be filled with hope because a day will come when all of us shall see the proof on His return. However, on the interim, we should always be grateful to God for sending Jesus Christ to die for us. Have you accepted that ultimate sacrifice by making Him your Lord and Saviour? A time will come it will be too late. Come to the Saviour today and make no delay.

Food for Thought: As Christ died for our sins, how best can we appreciate this kind gesture of God towards us?

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15 verse 3

Prayer: Lord God, help me to appreciate your love for me in dying for my sins.

Truly This Is The Son Of God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Good Friday April 14, 2017

Topic: Truly This Is The Son Of God

Text: Matthew 27:50 – 61         

The events at the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ were pointers that He is truly the Son of God as the Centurion rightly observed in our text. The temple curtain tearing apart, the earthquake, the darkness, rocks splitting, etc, were not ordinary. God used it to show the world that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.

His death, therefore, could not have gone unnoticed. Everyone knew something significant had happened and one of them was the centurion who led the people to crucify Him. He acknowledged that truly Jesus is the Son of God. Luke’s account has it that the centurion attested that Jesus is a righteous man (Lk. 23:47). Jesus yielded His spirit to death because He had to fulfil the desires and will of the Father. He was submissive even unto death. This centurion confessed that Jesus was a righteous man and Son of God after seeing the miraculous signs which happened at His death.

Today, we commemorate His death which led to the forgiveness of our sins. Have you actually known Him as the Son of God? Have you accepted that ultimate sacrifice He made for humanity? It is of uttermost importance that we use this period to assess and re-examine our relationship with Christ. What we have heard and read about Him are enough for us to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. If we don’t do it now, a day will come when we must acknowledge that but then it will be too late. Now is the appropriate time for it. Accept Him as Lord and Saviour.

Food for Thought: What are the implications of Jesus death for Man?

Memory verse: Matthew 27 verse 54

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I acknowledge you now and always as my Lord and Saviour who died for me.

No Excuse (IV)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday March 15, 2017

Topic: No Excuse IV

Text: Revelation 2:18 – 29

Thyatira was a town where many people work for a living. Many trade and artisans were there with specialties in cloth making, dyeing, and pottery. Lydia, Paul’s first convert in Philippi, was a merchant from Thyatira (Acts 16:14). The city was mostly secular, with no particular religion known with them.

In this letter, God acknowledged their works (charity), love, service, faith, and patience. Despite all these, He had few things against them. He accused them of allowing that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce His servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. In the church in Thyatira, a woman taught that immorality was not a sin for believers. Her name may be Jezebel or maybe, John used that name Jezebel to symbolize the kind of evil she was promoting. God pronounced judgement on that woman (Revelation 2:22, 23) after He had given her the grace to repent but she did not (Revelation 2:21). God charged those who were not influenced by this woman’s teaching to hold fast what you have till He comes (Revelation 2:25).  

Beloved in Christ, immorality is a great sin before man and God. Some pastors teach that these things doesn’t matter, insisting that what matter before God is confession of Christ as Lord and Saviour. Sadly, many people believe such teaching because their pastor has said so. Here is an eye opener. God doesn’t compromise and we shouldn’t do so. There is no excuse if we accept teachings of what the bible condemns as sin. Beware because you don’t have excuse before God (Romans 2:1).

Food for Thought: Acts 15:20, 29

Memory verse: Revelation 2 verse 20 - But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Prayer: God, deliver me from contamination with things offered to idol and the teachings of Jezebel in Jesus name. Amen.

A SAVIOUR FOR THE WORLD

Devotion for Sunday December 25, 2016

Topic: A SAVIOUR FOR THE WORLD             

Text: Matthew 1:18 – 25                  

Angel Gabriel had visited Mary with the information that she will conceive to bear a child. Now Joseph having discovered Mary‘s pregnancy was faced with a difficult choice of either marrying her or sending her away. Although he knew that taking Mary as his wife could be humiliating, Joseph chose to obey the angel’s command to marry her. His action revealed four qualities in him we should admire: (1) righteousness (Matthew 1:19), (2) discretion and sensitivity, (3) responsiveness to God (Matthew 1:24), and (4) self-discipline (Matthew 1:25). Jesus was born to save and deliver people from the pollution, power, guilt, condemnation, and punishment of sin. The angel said “He will save His people from their sins," meaning that His Messiahship is spiritual and not physical.  

As we celebrate Christmas, we should reflect on why we are celebrating. Is that your sins have been forgiven and you have received salvation? Jesus means ‘the Lord saves.’ He was born to save us because we can’t save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can’t eliminate the sinful nature present in our lives. Only Jesus can do it and that is why He is the Saviour of the world from the power and penalty of sin. It is not enough to eat, drink, give gifts and make merry in the name of Christmas when you are not sure of your salvation. Are you saved?  Think much about this. Happy Christmas!

Food for Thought: Is Jesus Christ your Saviour?

Memory verse: Matthew 1 verse 21

Prayer: Almighty God, I thank you for sending your Son as my Saviour. Grant that the blessings of His birth will never elude me.

OUR ALL-SATISFYING PORTION: Devotion for Tuesday October 11, 2016

OUR ALL-SATISFYING PORTION: Devotion for Tuesday October 11, 2016

Text: Psalm 16:1 – 7        Memory verse: Psalm 16 verse 6

Of what use will it be to God after blessing you to see those blessings being taken away from you either by devil or by his agents? God’s intent is never to bless us and we lose them to the devil. His intent is never to add any sorrow to the blessings He gives to us. No wonder the bible was clear and emphatic about this very truth that God’s blessings don’t add any sorrow to us (Proverbs 10:22). This should be a source of hope and courage in our work with God as we expect His provisions for our daily needs.

When God is your portion and inheritance, He shields, shelters, provides and protects you. God as our portion offers us all we need or desire depending on His will for us and those things that will benefit us even as John Wesley asserts. In his expression, he rejoices in God as his portion, and desires no better, no other felicity. This is purely a true understanding of God we serve and all He can do for us. About our protection, Jesus testified in John 10:28 and John 17:12.

The Lord’s portion as used in Psalm 16:5 according to Family Bible Notes are, “Those whom He set apart especially for Himself, treated as His peculiar treasure, and from whom He might rightfully expect special revenue of glory.” This is what God expects from us always. Are you one of His portions? Remember that He didn’t call us without endowing us.

We should understand the whole of Psalm 16:6 not literally saying of David's earthly heritage in the land of Canaan, but figuratively of God Himself, as his All-Satisfying portion. This made his lot secured. Having God as his portion, guaranteed and secured his lot. Such secured lot can become yours if you give your life to Jesus accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour. He does not abandon whatever is entrusted to Him. Entrust yourself to God and believe in Him. He will keep you safe and satisfy you with the best portion from His lot. The choice is all yours now – take it or leave it.

Food for Thought: Is God your All–satisfying portion?  

Prayer: Help me, O Lord my God, to depend on you as my portion and lot now and forever in Jesus name. Amen. 

REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS: Devotion for Friday July 29, 2016

REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS: Devotion for Friday July 29, 2016

Text: Colossians 3:1 – 4             

Memory verse: Colossians 3:2 - Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

The essence of going to learn in a school is to improve ourselves and to make us have better understanding of ourselves, and our society. If after leaving school there is no improvement in your understanding of yourself and your environment, it means your efforts in school were wasted. Likewise, when someone repents and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, it is expected that such should have a better understanding of how best to serve God. It is on this premise that Paul started in this chapter by saying, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your eyes on the realities of heaven …” (New Living Translation). This means that before their repentance, their focus were on worldly things. Now it shouldn’t be so. They should begin to focus on Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2).

Because Christians had been raised from sin into life of righteousness, they had a clear responsibility to Christ, who had raised them. They must set their sights on the realities of heaven so as to avoid the distractions of the world. The Greek word for “set” means to seek something out with a desire to possess it. The believers must take their focus off the world and turn it to Christ, who sits at God’s right hand in the place of honour and power. They should concentrate on the things eternal rather than the things temporal, letting their thoughts dwell in the realm of Christ. They were to focus on the Lord Jesus. Thoughts can influence actions, so if the believers would place their thoughts above and not only here on earth, their actions would please God. Are your thoughts focused on Christ now as a Christian or you are still concerned about worldly affairs?

Food for Thought: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

Prayer: Lord God, redirect my focus from the things worldly to the things eternal. Help me to live  in Jesus name.

DIVINE COMPASSION: Devotion for Monday July 25, 2016

DIVINE COMPASSION: Devotion for Monday July 25, 2016

Text: Mark 1:40 – 45                    

Memory verse: Mark 1:41 - Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."

The real value of a person is inside, not outside. Although a person’s body may be diseased or deformed but the real person inside is valuable to God. No person is too disgusting for God’s touch. This was the reason Jesus despised the law to give this leper a divine touch. In keeping with the law in Lev. 13 and 14, it is the Jewish leaders that declare people with leprosy unclean. This meant that lepers were unfit to participate in any religious or social activity. According to laws about leprosy in Lev. 13 and 14, when a leper was cured, he or she had to go to a priest to be examined. Then the leper will give a thanks offering at the Temple. Jesus adhered to these laws by sending the man to the priest, demonstrating Jesus’ complete regard for God’s law.

In a sense, we are all people with leprosy because we have all been deformed by the ugliness of sin. By sending His Son, Jesus, God has touched us, giving us the opportunity to be healed. Have you received that Divine touch? Divine touch is not only for healing of leprosy. It brings salvation, peace, breakthrough, favour, promotion, business opportunities, etc. All that is expected of you is to apply to the Saviour with great humility, and with full submission to His will. I assure you that He will stretch out His hands upon you now for the Divine touch you need for a turn around.

Food for Thought: Jesus’ compassion undermines protocols. 

Prayer: Lord God, break every protocol and law to touch me at the point of my need in Jesus name.

EVER FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD: Devotion for Saturday April 16, 2016

EVER FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD: Devotion for Saturday April 16, 2016

Text: Luke 2:25 – 35    Memory verse: v 29, 30  

Any prayer we make according to the will of God especially those that will bring glory to His name receives answers from Him. This man Simeon was “Just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (2:25). Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he will see the salvation of Israel before death. What a privilege! By the leading of the Spirit, he came into the temple at the dedication of the child, Jesus. Here is the confession of Simeon’s faith, that this Child in his arms was the Saviour, the salvation itself, the salvation God has appointed for the world. God was faithful in keeping him to see that salvation promised (2:29ff).           

There are some lessons for us in this story. 1) Simeon had a good standing with God; a just and devout man, which made God to reveal mysteries to him. What is your standing with God? What testimony can people share about you? Let the life of Simeon challenge you. 2) Another lesson is that God is faithful to His word. He spoke to Simeon about seeing the salvation and consolation of Israel. He kept His word and Simeon saw the consolation of Israel. This shows that God cannot deny us and His word. Whatever He has said about you, He will perform. 3) Thirdly, when we wait patiently on God, He will answer us. Simeon waited for consolation of Israel and he got it. Are you waiting on God for something, be sure that you will not be disappointed.

Food for Thought: God fulfills all his word, keeps all his promises, and NEVER disappoints those who trust in him.

Prayer: As I keep on trusting your word, O Lord, may you fulfill them in Jesus name.    

   

They did not know when it came: Devotion for Thursday December 17, 2015

They did not know when it came: Devotion for Thursday December 17, 2015

Text: Matthew 24:37 – 39                         Memory verse: v 39

In these verses our Saviour, Jesus Christ, declares that Jerusalem's destruction, and the world's final dissolution at the Great Day, would be much like the destruction of the old world in the time of Noah; and that in two respects: 1. In regard of unexpectedness. 2. In regard of security and sensuality. In Noah’s time, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, wholly given up to sensuality and debauchery, and did not know of the flood was coming. They did not consider it, till the flood swept them away. Thus was it in the destruction of Jerusalem, and so it will be in the end of the world. No man can tell. Therefore, we must be very cautious, watchful and prayerful.    

It is good that we don’t know exactly when Christ will return. If we knew the precise date, we might be tempted to be lazy in our work for Christ, hoping that there is still more time. Worse yet, we might plan to keep sinning and then turn to God right at the end. As Christians, heaven is not just our only goal; we also have works to do here and we must keep on doing it until death or until we see the unmistakable return of our Saviour. Keep the light burning like the wise virgins.

Food for Thought: 2 Peter 2:4 – 6

Prayer: Lord, may your second coming not take me unawares.

THE WILLINGNESS OF GOD: Devotion for Saturday November 7, 2015

THE WILLINGNESS OF GOD    Saturday November 7, 2015

Text: Mark 1:40 – 45     Memory verse: v 41

Today’s bible reading teaches that we should always apply to our Saviour with great humility, and with full submission to His will, by saying, "Lord, if you will," without doubting His readiness to help us. Again whatever we expect from Christ; will be according to our faith. The poor leper said, “If you will.” Christ readily wills favours to those who refer themselves to His will. The touch of Jesus, therefore, gave the leper a new conception of divine compassion.

This divine compassion is still at our disposal if only we can appeal to the will of God which is our well-being (3 John 1:3). Are you troubled, sick, worried, facing challenges of life, etc? You should appeal to the will of Jesus just as this leper did and He will readily attend to you because He is ever willing to help us.

Food for Thought: Whatever we believe of the power of Christ we should apply to our peculiar cases.

Prayer: God, help me to submit myself always to your will in Jesus name.

IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE: Devotion for Tuesday September 15, 2015

IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE     Tuesday September 15, 2015

Text: Jeremiah 17:12 – 18          Memory verse: v 17

Jeremiah acknowledged the favour of God in setting up His sanctuary. There is fullness of comfort in God, overflowing, ever-flowing fullness, like a fountain as he asserts (17:13). It is always fresh and clear, like spring-water, while the pleasures of sin are puddle-waters. He prays to God for healing, saving mercy (17:14). He appeals to God concerning his faithful discharge of the office to which he was called (17:16). He humbly begs that God would own and protect him in the work to which he had plainly called him.

Jeremiah pleads with God to be his refuge since he has no human source of protection. God is our Saviour and Judge. He is the one that can destroy or save us. Jeremiah prayed that God should protect him in the day of trouble. This should be our prayer because our help is only in God.

Food for Thought: Jeremiah 16:19a

Prayer: Lord, you are my hope in the day of trouble. Don’t allow any terror on me in Jesus name.