Submit To God’s Will

Devotion for Friday June 1, 2018

Topic: Submit To God’s Will

Text: Luke 1:26 – 38 

There are many reasons why Mary would have rejected the message from Angel Gabriel. The shame as a result of being pregnant out of wedlock, the consequences it will have on her faith, her family and her fiancé. To some people they will choose to avoid such honour rather than bearing the shame like most of us who deny our faith in the face of adversities and temptations. Mary knew she will be ridiculed but like Moses, she chose to suffer affliction of shame, abandonment by friends and loved ones, and reproach, instead of going against the will of God. When Mary said the words in Luke 1:38, she didn’t know about the tremendous opportunity she would have. She only knew that God was asking her to serve Him, and she willingly obeyed. 

Don’t wait to see the bottom line before offering your life to God. Offer yourself willingly, even when the outcome seems disastrous. It will never lead to regret at the end. Please stop battling with God on the need to submit to His will. You cannot battle with your maker. God is saying submit now before it will be too late. 

I knew how I battled with God before resigning from teaching and to start full time church work. It was a real battle in 1995 that lasted months. I thank God I took the right decision at the end and today, I am better off. If not I wouldn’t be alive today. Beloved, submit to God’s will in everything you will do this month and you will never regret doing so. This hymn was the hymn God gave me in 1995 and I want you to share it with me – A&M 357, Abu 193

Food for Thought: Expression of resignation to the will of God, and of faith in His promise is essential in gaining God’s approval and blessings.

Memory verse: Luke 1:38

Prayer: Lord, strengthen my faith in you so that I will always resign to your will for me in all situations in Jesus name. Amen

NO MORE SHAME

Devotion for Monday December 26, 2016

Topic: NO MORE SHAME            

Text: Isaiah 54:1 – 5           

This portion of Isaiah’s prophecy is on the increase of the church through the conversion of the Jews and Gentiles. To be childless is a woman’s great shame and disgrace. Families depend on children for survival, especially when the parents became elderly. Here, God said that Israel (Jerusalem) was unfruitful, like a childless woman, but God would permit her to have many children and change her mourning into singing. This is one thing that the birth of Jesus brought about. God allowed His people to go through this period of unfruitfulness, mockery and shame because of their sin. However, in His compassion and mercy, He is promising them a glorious future devoid of shame and mockery.

Have you been abandoned because of sin by friends and loved ones? Is your past life now haunting you that you have become an object of ridicule because you are unfruitful? Return to God (Hos. 14:1) now, for He is the only one that removes shame. Not only will He remove the shame but He will wipe away the scars on you. Your miracle will spring forth (Isa. 54:2; 2 Kings 4:1–7). That glorious future is now, the dispensation of God’s grace through Christ. He has redeemed us from all the curses that hitherto have brought us shame. This is the period for fruitfulness, which will remove shame. Step into it.

Food for Thought: When God arises for us, nobody remembers our shame.

Memory verse: Isaiah 54 verse 4

Prayer: Arise, O Lord, and wipe out all shame I have suffered in Jesus name.