Let Your Light Shine: Devotion for Wednesday May 6, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 6, 2020

Topic: Let Your Light Shine                          

Text: Isaiah 60:1 – 8                                   

A true Christian is a light to the world. In Book of Common Prayer (2007:167), we have in the liturgy for baptism, where the person being baptized will be given a candle light with the following admonition. (One of the sponsors says): Receive the light of Christ to show that you have passed from darkness to light. (The congregation will respond): Shine as light in the world to the glory of God the Father, Amen. This clearly shows what the life of a Christian should be.

In Matthew 5:14 – 16, Jesus made it clear that we are the light of the world. What does it imply? It means that we are to show the world things as they are, and gives to men right views of them. We are to enlighten, direct, and quicken others. How much are you doing this?

In our text, the prophet calls on the nation of Israel to arise and shine because their light has come. God's covenant with Israel is, that His word and Spirit shall dwell with her forever. These are mightier than the powers of darkness (Isaiah 60:2a); so that in all her conflicts with them it is certain that she will, in the end, prevail (Isaiah 60:2b). As the light (Christ – see John 8:12; 9:5) is revealed, it will draw Gentiles to it (Epiphany – Matt 2:2).

For us who are Christians of today, as far as we have the knowledge of God in us, and the favour of God towards us, our light has come. It behooves on us to shine the light for others who are still in darkness to see our light and come to it. It is a command. Therefore, ensure you do it through godly living; through the words of your mouth and through your actions.

Food for Thought: How can you shine your light for others to see?

Memory verse: Matthew 5:16

Prayer: Father in heaven, let my light so shine before men, that they may see my good works and glorify you in Jesus name.

Let Your Light Shine

Devotion for Friday June 8, 2018

Sing SS&S 1138; Abu 240

Topic: Let Your Light Shine

Text: Isaiah 60:1 – 8

A true Christian is a light to the world. In the Book of Common Prayer (2007:167), we have in the liturgy for baptism, where the person being baptized will be given a candle light with the following admonition. (One of the sponsors says): Receive the light of Christ to show that you have passed from darkness to light. (The congregation will respond): Shine as light in the world to the glory of God the Father, Amen. This clearly shows what the life of a Christian should be. In Matthew 5:14 – 16, Jesus made it clear that we are the light of the world. What does it imply? It means that we are to show the world things as they are, and give to men right views of them. We are to enlighten, direct, and quicken others. How much are you doing this? In our text, the prophet calls on the nation of Israel to arise and shine because their light has come. God's covenant with Israel is that His word and Spirit shall dwell with her forever. These are mightier than the powers of darkness (v2a); so that in all her conflicts with them it is certain that she will, in the end, prevail (2b). As the light (Christ – see John 8:12; 9:5) is revealed, He will draw Gentiles to it (Epiphany – Matt 2:2). For us Christians of today, as far as we have the knowledge of God in us, and the favour of God towards us, our light has come. It behooves on us to shine the light for others who are still in darkness to see our light and come to it.

Food for Thought: How can you shine your light for others to see?

Memory verse: Isaiah 60:1

Prayer: Father in heaven, let my light so shine before men, that they may see my good works and glorify you in Jesus name. Amen 

Let Your Light So Shine

Devotion for Saturday April 7, 2018

Topic: Let Your Light So Shine

Text: Matthew 5:14 – 16                           

Light is very important in our existence here on earth. Have you ever imagined what life would be without light? To some of us in Nigeria, it may not mean anything because we are used to darkness but not someone in the Western World. Jesus Christ told His disciples that they are light of the world and should shine for people to see. Jesus later explained this in John 8:12.

Without darkness, we can’t know the importance of light. The basic truth in this is that as light dispels darkness and enables a man to see his way, so the Christian, by his teaching and exemplary life, removes ignorance and prejudice, and discloses the way of life to unbelievers. Christians reflecting the light of Christ is necessary so that its beauty and essence can’t be concealed. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like.

These are some of the ways we can hide our light from shinning. (1) When we keep quiet while we ought to speak. (2) Going along with the crowd and not standing out for Christ. (3) Denying the light, (4) Allowing sin in our lives which dims our light, (5) Not explaining the source of our light to others and (6) Ignoring the needs of others.

Beloved, are you really light in your family, office, school, business and neighbourhood? What being light of the world implies is that we are expected to live lives of high morals to reflect our call as Christians. We should let the light of Christ we have received be seen in us otherwise we are either being selfish or deceitful.

Sing: Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning. Give me oil in my lamp I pray, Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning. Keep me burning till that brighter day.

Food for Thought: Is your light shining for people around you to see?

Memory verse: Matthew 5:14

Prayer: Use the song above to pray.

Bear Much Fruit

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday July 10, 2017

Topic: Bear Much Fruit

Text: John 15:1 – 8

Nothing gladdens the heart of any farmer that we he sees his efforts bearing fruits as expected. It makes him so happy and He will want to do more. In the same way, nothing pleases God more than when his children are doing His will and bearing fruits for His kingdom. In fact God expects us to bear fruits as He charged Adam in Genesis 1:28. God loves those that obey and glorify Him. This is the secret Jesus revealed in this our text, that those that obey God and do His will are glorifying Him.

The best way to glorify God is to bear fruits. This is what is expected of us as Paul charged that we should abound in good works (1 Corinthians 15:58). The Spirit of God stimulates good works in us as we have in John 15:5 and being fruitful is an evidence or demonstration of true discipleship.

What fruit are you bearing? We have the fruits of the flesh (Galatians 5:19 – 21) and also the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 – 23). In your office, do your words and actions show that you are a Christian, and do you bear fruit for Him there? As a driver, do you connive with the Motor Mechanic to defraud your boss? Do you make unnecessary claims for the money of the work you didn’t do?

Our fruits should glorify God and edify man.  Jesus Christ said that we are the light of the world and He also charged us to let our light shine. Are you among those whose lights appear dim or those whose lights are shinning for others to see? Therefore, live as Jesus Christ charged us in Matthew 5:16

Food for Thought: Whatever that is worth doing at all is worth doing well – Lord Chesterfield

Memory verse: Matthew 5:16

Prayer: Help me O Lord to bear fruits that will glorify you through my words and deeds in Jesus name. 

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE: Devotion for Friday May 6, 2016

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE: Devotion for Friday May 6, 2016

Text: Isaiah 60:1 – 8        Memory verse: v 1

A true Christian is a light to the world. In Book of Common Prayer (2007:167), we have in the liturgy for baptism, where the person being baptised will be given a candle light with the following admonition. (One of the sponsors says): Receive the light of Christ to show that you have passed from darkness to light. (The congregation will respond): Shine as light in the world to the glory of God the Father, Amen. This clearly shows what the life of a Christian should be. In Matt. 5:14 – 16, Jesus made it clear that we are the light of the world. What does it imply? It means that we are to show the world things as they are, and give to men right views of them. We are to enlighten, direct, and quicken others. How much are you doing this?

In our text, Isaiah calls on the nation of Israel to arise and shine because their light has come. God's covenant with Israel is that His word and Spirit shall dwell with her forever. These are mightier than the powers of darkness (60:2a); so that in all her conflicts with them it is certain that she will, in the end, prevail (60:2b). As the light (Christ – Jn. 8:12; 9:5) is revealed, it will draw Gentiles to it (Epiphany – Matt 2:2). For us Christians of today, as far as we have the knowledge of God in us, and the favour of God towards us, our light has come. It behooves on us to shine the light for others who are still in darkness to see our light and come to it.

Food for Thought: How can you shine your light for others to see?

Prayer: Father in heaven, let my light so shine before men, that they may see my good works and glorify you in Jesus name.

BE AN ILLUMINANT: Devotion for Friday February 12, 2016

BE AN ILLUMINANT    Friday February 12, 2016

   

Text: Matthew 5:14 – 16      Memory verse: v 14

An illuminant is source of light – something that gives off or provides light. Jesus Christ told His disciples that they are light of the world and should shine as the light of a city on the mountain which could be seen from afar and it cannot be hidden. Jesus later explained this in Jn. 8:12. Without darkness, we can’t know the importance of light. The Fourfold Gospel says that “As light dispels darkness and enables a man to see his way, so the Christian, by his teaching and example, removes ignorance and prejudice, and discloses the way of life.” The church, reflecting the light of Christ, is necessary as conspicuous body, so that neither its blemishes nor its beauty can be concealed.

If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ looks like. We hide our light by (1) being quiet when we should speak, (2) going along with the crowd, (3) denying the light, (4) letting sin dim our light, (5) not explaining our light to others, or (6) ignoring the needs of others. Be a beacon of truth; don’t shut your light off from the rest of the world. 

Beloved are you really light in your family, office, school, business and neighbourhood? What this passage implies is that we are expected to live a life of high moral standard to reflect our call as Christians. We should let the light of Christ we have received (as we have in our liturgy for baptism) be seen in us otherwise we are either being selfish or deceits.

Food for Thought: Is your light still shining?

Prayer: Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning. Give me oil in my lamp I pray, Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning. Keep me burning till that brighter day (Song). Use this song to pray.