The Price Tag of Salvation: Devotion for Monday August 24, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday August 24, 2020

Topic: The Price Tag of Salvation            

Text: Luke 15:1 – 10                               

The parable of the lost sheep is very applicable to the great work of man's redemption whereby God left His heavenly throne to come down to this sinful world to seek for us.

The two parables were given by Jesus to answer the question posted by the Pharisees and Scribes in Luke 15:2. The tag of salvation is likened to the sacrifice of the Shepherd dutifully and diligently looking for his lost sheep and the woman looking for the lost coin. 

The lost sheep represents the sinner as departed from God, and exposed to certain ruin if not brought back to Him, yet not desirous to return. Christ is earnest in bringing sinners home.

In the parable of the lost piece of silver, that which is lost is one piece, of small value compared with the rest. Yet the woman seeks diligently till she finds it. This represents the various means and methods God makes use of, to bring lost souls home to Himself, and the Saviour's joy on their return to Him. How careful then should we be that we do not take our repentance for granted!

God’s love for each individual is so great that He seeks each one out and rejoices when he or she is found. Jesus associated with sinners because he wanted to bring the lost sheep; people considered beyond hope to the God’s Kingdom.

Just as the shepherd took the initiative to go out and find the sheep, so Jesus actively seeks lost souls. These tax collectors and sinners (Luke 15:1) with whom Jesus was associating were like sheep that had strayed away from God and needed to be returned.

More than that, they needed the salvation that Jesus offered. We that are saved should also endeavour to bring other to know God too.

Action: As you go into the world today, endeavour to share the gospel with anyone that needs salvation.

Memory verse: Luke 15 v 4

Prayer: God, you paid the price to save me. Help me to live my life according to your will so that the sacrifice of saving me will not be in vain.

Antidote to Worry (2)

My Daily Covenant (2017 Edition) Devotion for Friday January 6, 2017                  

Topic: Antidote to Worry (2)

Text: Psalm 23:1 – 6                

Yesterday, we started series of teaching on antidote to worry. It will last till Sunday. If you missed yesterday’s devotion, look for it and read. It will help you so much.

This antidote to worry in our text is proper understanding of our relationship with God and the tenets of His covenant with us. What God means to you will determine the kind of benefit you will receive from Him. Such understanding is a great advantage in reaping from His promises and blessings just as David expressed in this Psalm 23.

In describing God as his Shepherd, David wrote this out of his personal experience because he spent his early years caring for sheep (1 Samuel 16:10–11). Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance, care and protection. Sheep doesn’t doubt the competence and ability of the shepherd. It subjects itself to the command and authority of the shepherd. It is not disturbed or perturbed by threat of the enemies around.

In Gen 17:1, God introduced Himself as Almighty God, meaning All-powerful; having supreme unquestionable power over everything. This introduction was necessary because Abraham needed to understand the God that called him. From that moment, his walk with God changed. Beloved, if you must avoid worries, then you should have God as your shepherd. You must know Him as the Almighty God with whom ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

In John 10, Jesus said that He is the Good Shepherd. If we have proper understanding of the work of a shepherd, we will not stress ourselves with cares for worldly things because He knows all we need and will provide them at the appropriate time. At the start of the New Year like this, it is proper to have God speak to us just as He spoke to Abraham. That will help us to live our lives less of worries because we will come to understand that He is the Almighty, with whom all things are possible. Trust Him as you go out today to take care of all those cares and worries.

Food for Thought: Worry is an insult on God that He can’t fulfil His promises.

Memory verse: Psalm 23 verse 1 - ​ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want (English Standard Version).

Prayer: Lord God, help me to understand that you are the Almighty with whom all things are possible in Jesus name. Amen.

He Keeps Us On Our Way

My Daily Covenant with God (2017 Edition) January 1, 2017                    

Topic: He Keeps Us On Our Way   

Text: Exodus 23:20 – 31         

Happy New Year and welcome to 2017! In today’s text is a promise directly from God that He will send His angel to guide His people, Israel through the wilderness to the Promised Land with a condition of obedience attached to it (Exodus 23:21 and 22). How possible would it have been for Israelites to walk through to the Promised Land without God guiding them? That would have been a mission impossible. But God who called them and initiated the movement knew the task ahead and decided to lead them through. They needed courage to continue the journey. God made three promises in 23:20; to send his Angel, to guide His people in the wilderness and to bring them into the Promised Land. 

These are the three promises God has for you as you start this year that He will send His Angel to go before you throughout the year, to guide and guard you and to bring you promises of good health, peace, progress and all the heavenly blessings. God has made these promises; the fulfilment depends on your ability to keep to the conditions attached to them. Just like He told Joshua, so He is telling you today to “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Let this assurance from Josh. 1:9 be your courage this year and beyond.

Food for Thought: "The Lord is my Shepherd," not was, not maybe, not will be. "The Lord is my Shepherd" – is on Sunday, is on Monday, and is through every day of the week; is in January, is in December, and every month of the year; is at home, and is in China; is in peace, and is in war; in abundance and in poverty – Taylor (PowerBible CD)

Memory verse: Exodus 23 verse 20 

Prayer: Pray for the year 2017 and ask for God’s grace, favour, peace and blessings in your life, family and career.

LET NO MAN'S HEART FAIL: Devotion for Sunday August 14, 2016

LET NO MAN'S HEART FAIL: Devotion for Sunday August 14, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 17:31 – 39       

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17:32

A man who knows His God speaks with boldness and confidence. David knows the God He serves and all His promises of protection, favour, fighting for His people, etc. He knows that God is able to use him especially when it involves the “uncircumcised.” A shepherd boy, who came the same morning from keeping sheep to see his senior brothers in the Israeli’s army camp, had more courage to challenge the Philistine giant than all the mighty men of Israel. This was a very sad and unfortunate case.

God does great things for Israel, by the weak and foolish things of the world. Remember the devotion of Thursday July 28 2016 – NOT THE SPECIAL TYPE where we read that God does not use the perceived great, wise and intelligent people of this world. Rather He chooses the weak, unintelligent and poor people of this world as His instruments so as to shame the wisdom of men. God remains a mystery worth knowing.  

By all standard military wise and stature, David cannot be compared to Goliath but he was the only man in Israel at that time that has the spirit and mind of God in him. Confidence in God is a source of the highest and noblest courage, the most self-sacrificing devotion to duty, and the most exalted virtue. David had no single iota of fear about Goliath. He told Saul and his captains, “Let no man's heart fails because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

As a child of God, what kind of message do you give to people when they face challenges of life? Do you speak faith into them or you bring more fear? Because David had the spirit of God in him, he was calm, confident and relaxed amidst the threat of Goliath. Is your heart troubled because of problems of life? Are you trouble because you are in prison; sick, unable to pass that examination, etc? Never mind, Jesus is saying "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me,” John 14:1.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 20:1 – 4

Prayer: Lord God, send your spirit to comfort me in areas I am troubled. Grant me the courage to confront all my fears and troubles of life the way you encouraged David to confront Goliath in Jesus name. Amen.

THE PRICE TAG OF SALVATION: Devotion for Tuesday July 26, 2016

THE PRICE TAG OF SALVATION: Devotion for Tuesday July 26, 2016

Text: Luke 15:1 – 10                        

Memory verse: Luke 15:4 -What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

The two parables were given by Jesus to answer the question posted by the Pharisees and Scribes in 15:2. The tag of salvation is likened to the sacrifice of the shepherd dutifully and diligently looking for his lost sheep and the woman looking for the lost coin. The lost sheep represents the sinner as departed from God, and exposed to certain ruin if not brought back to Him, yet not desirous to return. Jesus Christ is earnest in bringing sinners home. In the parable of the lost piece of silver, that which is lost is one piece, of small value compared with the rest. Yet the woman seeks diligently till she finds it. This represents the various means and methods God makes use of, to bring lost souls home and His joy on their return to Him. How careful then should we be that we do not take our repentance for granted! Unfortunately, most of us are yet to understand that it cost God so much to save which should elicit more commitment from us to His service.

God’s love for each individual is so great that He seeks each one out and rejoices when he or she is found. Jesus associated with sinners because he wanted to bring the lost sheep; people considered beyond hope to the God’s Kingdom. Just as the shepherd took the initiative to go out and find the sheep, so Jesus actively seeks lost souls. These tax collectors and sinners (15:1) with whom Jesus was associating were like sheep that had strayed away from God and needed to be returned. More than that, they needed the salvation that Jesus offered. We that are saved should also endeavour to bring others to know God too.

Action: As you go into the world today, endeavour to share the gospel with anyone that needs salvation and don’t stay this day without sharing your faith with someone.

Prayer: God, you paid the price to save me. Help me to live my life according to your will so that the sacrifice of saving me will not be in vain and grant me the grace to share the good news of salvation with people always in Jesus name.

ARE YOU FOLLOWING? Devotion for Monday November 16, 2015

ARE YOU FOLLOWING?                  Monday November 16, 2015

Text: John 10:22 – 30                     Memory verse: v 27

In our scriptural reading for the day, Jesus described the gracious disposition and happy state of His sheep; they heard and believed His word, followed Him as His faithful disciples, and none of them will perish. Jesus posited that He and the Father are one. Thus He is able to defend His sheep against all their enemies, which proves that He has divine power and perfection equally with the Father. The effect of His assertion of having divine power and perfection with the Father, led to the reaction of the people in John 10:31.

All sincere and faithful Christians are Christ's sheep, and He is their great and good shepherd. This relationship with Christ implies tender affection, powerful protection, and plentiful provision. Christ's sheep hear Christ's voice, and answer the call of their great Shepherd. They hear the voice of Christ speaking to them in the scriptures, in the ministry of the word, in their own conscience, in providences, etc and they respond by following the Shepherd. Have you responded to the call? Are you following the Great Shepherd or your own discretion? Have a great day.

Food for Thought: Evidence of true sheep is that it is loyal to the Shepherd. 

Prayer: As my Shepherd, may I keep following you, O Lord.

FAVOUR BRINGS INSTANT PROMOTION

FAVOUR BRINGS INSTANT PROMOTION    Thursday October 22, 2015

Text: 1 Samuel 16:10 – 13                            Memory verse: v 12

God doesn’t favour our children according to our fond partiality, but often he honours and blesses those who have been least regarded. This was true of David. Samuel came to Jesse’s house to anoint a King to replace Saul. All the sons of Jesse were at home except David who was in the field with his father’s flock. He was nothing in the family. However, God who sees the heart knows that he is an instrument he will use. He saw his love for him despite his status as the last born and being young. Josephus says he was about 10 years then while some commentators say 15 years. Thus he was chosen by God and anointed by Samuel. A herd’s boy turned out automatically to be a King. The favour of God gave him instant promotion. May the favour of God locate and promote you.

Are you being despising and ignored in your family, office, church, etc because they feel you are nobody, no certificate, etc. God has not given up on you. Samuel didn’t object the meanness of David’s education, his youth, or the little respect he had in his own family, but, in obedience to the divine command, took his horn of oil and anointed him. That God will surprise your critics and enemies with your sudden rise to greatness in Jesus name.   

Food for Thought: Genesis 41:41 – 43

Prayer: Father, may your favour upon my life steer up my promotion instantly.

HE IS ALWAYS WITH US

HE IS ALWAYS WITH US         Monday August 24, 2015

Text: Psalm 23:1 – 6                Memory verse: v 4

This Psalm is expression of confidence in God's grace and care. The words of this Psalm are inspirations for us to always express our confidence in the care of our great Pastor, the Redeemer and Preserver of humanity. Here, a shepherd illustrates one who serves as a leader, companion, guide, and provider (Psalms 23:1). The shepherd uses the rod as a weapon of defense to drive off prey and the staff to lean upon as well as to guide straying sheep (Psalms 23:4). The confidence of the Psalmist is that with God, goodness and mercies will be our rear guard. Do you have such confidence?    

For us Christians the valley of the shadow of death will be illuminated with the presence and favor of God so that we can’t fear any evil. You may be facing though times of your life at this moment thinking God has forsaken you. However, be assured that He is always with you (Matthew 28:20).

Food for Thought: Do you have the assurance of His ever presence?

Prayer: Grant O Lord that your presence will always be with me.