FOR YOU SAID

Devotion for Wednesday December 14, 2016

Topic: FOR YOU SAID                       

Text: Genesis 32:9 – 12         

The promises of God in the scriptures should inspire us to hold on to Him in prayer in order to claim those promises. They are aimed at challenging us to keep to the conditions of the promises while holding on to God for their fulfilment. Jacob remembered the promise God made to him in Genesis 28:13–15, which included his safety and return to the land of promise. As he was going back to his people, he remembered how he supplanted his brother Esau and was afraid. Faced with uncertainties of what might befall him as he goes to meet him, he then went to God to remind Him of the promise He made to him. With the promise, he encouraged himself in the Lord as David did (1 Samuel 30:6). He knew that despite his weaknesses, God is still able to perfect all that concerns him (Psalm 138:8).

You should know the promises God made to you because they are all there in the bible in your hand. In Luke 18:1ff, Jesus taught us the importance of persistence in prayer. When you discover what God said about that your problem, it will spur you into prayer. This is a way to develop faith.  God is not moved by our tears, complain or grumbling, rather by our faith in His word. Faith in the word of God should be your guiding principle as you approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 11:6). Go to God in prayer to and remind Him about His promises. He will not refuse you for it is His will to bless you always.

Food for Thought: Our faith moves God and not our tears or complaints.

Memory verse: Genesis 32 verse 12

Prayer: God, remember the promises (mention them) you made to me and fulfil them in Jesus name.

DO IT WELL: Devotion for Monday December 28, 2015

DO IT WELL     Monday December 28, 2015

Text: Ecclesiastics 9:10     Memory verse: v 10

Because the feelings of intensity will be stilled at death, do whatever is done with all the zeal and gusto you can muster. This is the advice of Solomon. Whatever you have the opportunity and ability to do, do it with unwearied diligence, and vigour and expedition. Adam Clarke Commentary states what is necessary to be done in this life, in reference to one another “1. Turn from sin 2. Repent. 3. Frequent the ordinances of God, and associate with the upright. 4. Read the Scriptures. 5. Pray for pardon. 6. Believe on the Lord Jesus that you may obtain it. 7. Look for the gift of the Holy Spirit. 8. Bring forth in their seasons the fruits of it-(a) Repentance, (b) Faith; and (c) The Holy Spirit. 9. Live to get good. 10. And to do good. 11. And refer every purpose and act to the eternal world.”

How well are you doing these things? We should understand that the responsibility on us is to use every opportunity to do good, preach the word of God and affect others for good. As you go out today, ensure you do good to someone either by preaching or charity.

Food for Thought: How can you show love and concern for people?

Prayer: Help me O Lord to have genuine concern for your church and Christians at large in Jesus name.

GROW IN GRACE

GROW IN GRACE                   Tuesday April 28, 2015

Text: 2 Peter 3:14 – 18           Memory verse: v 18

Family Bible Notes sagely says that “The grand safeguard against the seductions of error, and the most powerful means of increase in holiness, is increasing knowledge of Jesus Christ; that experimental knowledge which is obtained under the teaching of the Holy Ghost by daily searching the Scriptures.” It is on this premise and understanding of this wise counsel that Peter gave the admonition in our text.

Here Peter advised us to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Religion in general is often represented as grace, since every part of it is the result of grace, or of unmerited favour; and to grow in grace is to increase in that which constitutes true religion. Christians grow in grace as they understand that they are living by God’s grace alone—so everything they do is a result of that grace. That is why Christian religion is all about grace.

They also grow in knowledge as they search and study the Scriptures, pray, listen to sound teachers, and apply that knowledge to their daily lives. Application of the words of God we hear or read is the key to Christian growth. If Christians do these things, they will not need to fear being influenced by false teachers.

Food for Thought: 1 Peter 2:2

Prayer: God, grant me all I need to grow in grace and knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.