Prove Your Patriotism

Devotion for Sunday January 21, 2018

Topic: Prove Your Patriotism        

Text: Nehemiah 1:5 – 11              

Nehemiah’s prayer was nationalistic in nature which is a clear evidence of his patriotism. He started his prayer by recalling the attributes and promises of God (see Exodus 20:6). He was specific about the deplorable condition of Jerusalem which he attributed to sin of the Israelites (Nehemiah 1: 6 & 7 see Deuteronomy 28:15). He didn’t exonerate himself and his family. He remembered the promise of God concerning repentance and restoration (Nehemiah 1:8 – 10 see Leviticus 26:33, 39; Deuteronomy 4:25-27, 29; 28:64). He prayed for favour in the eyes of the king he serves. We should note that the best way to obtain favour from men is to plead with God in whose hand lie the hearts of men. His approach to national problem of Israel is a challenge for us Christians of this generation. 

We are the major contributors to the problem of corruption, insecurity, political violence and all manner of social vices that are affecting us today by our inability to pray and to do what is expected of us. How often do we even care to know what is happening in our nation? Nehemiah asked and that prompted him into prayer. When we hear of national issues, does it prompt us to pray or do we begin to analyze it, blaming people at leadership position and exonerating ourselves? It is our duty to pray for our nation. Let this be uppermost in our hearts. Sing SS&S 1138; Abu 240

Food for Thought: How often do you pray for your nation and the challenges confronting her?

Memory verse: Nehemiah 1:7

Prayer: Lord, lay a great burden in my heart and hearts of other Christians in this nation to pray for her always in Jesus name. Amen

Good Influence of Godly Citizens

Devotion for Monday January 15, 2018

Topic: Good influence Of Godly Citizens

Text: Proverbs 11:11 (The Living Bible)

This passage of the scripture has a very important message for today’s Christians in our country. Many Christians of our time are not what they actually confess to be. I have continued to wonder whether we have the understanding of what our social responsibilities are. Our text speaks about the goodly influence expected of us as citizens of this country. The Living Bible translates this verse thus: “The good influence of godly citizens causes a city to prosper but the moral decay of the wicked drives it downhill.” The good influence of godly citizen comes in form of praying for the city, living by example and speaking against evil. Before 1980s, when neighbour sees your child misbehave in the public, he will punish the child and immediately and comes back to report to you. You will even commend him for such kindness toward your family. However, it is no longer obtainable in our society. When you try such, the kind of abuse and condemnation you will receive will drive cold into your marrow. Today, our society has become worse because there is no influence of the godly citizens. There are so many ills ravaging the society and check the names of people involved, you will see Christians among them. Who are the people that cheat; throw their bins into gutters, hide people’s files in offices, give and take bribes and many other evils of our time? Where is your influence as a Christian? What kind of words comes out of your mouth about this country? Do you spread hates and bitterness instead of love, peace and unity? Sing A&M 349; Abu 170

Food for Thought: What influence has your Christianity on your neighbours and neighbourhood?

Memory verse: Proverbs 11:11

Prayer: God make my Christianity influential on my neighbourhood in Jesus name. Amen.

Our Social Responsibilities

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday March 5, 2017

Topic: Our Social Responsibilities

Text: Exodus 23:4 – 7a

Before writing this devotion, I read a post on Facebook where a young man berated Nigerian Pastors. My comment was that he shouldn’t have generalized what he said about Nigerian Pastors in terms of social responsibilities, whose emphasis is always on giving, seed sowing and prosperity messages, even neglecting the main message of Christianity which is on salvation.

I had to make an opinion poll thus: Is Religion the problem of this country, Yes or No. People who believe that religion is our problem were greater in number. The application of sentiments, bitterness, resentment, deceit in our religion is the major problem facing us not religion itself. If religion is a problem, why are people in Ghana and other countries living peaceful despite their practice of Islam and Christianity? In our present day, people no longer see a spade and call it a spade. Truth is far away from us.

We (Christians) have social responsibilities towards one another. We depend on one another to live well. The responsibilities include taking care of the animal that belongs to your enemies, never to abuse and oppress the poor and strangers, and never to take bribe. Unfortunately, these things are common among Christians. Who care to rebuke a neighbour’s child these days? Some civil servants deliberately hide people’s files and only bring them out when the person had parted with money. What God requires from us and our greatest obligation is love for one another. It entails being our brothers’ keeper. How much do you love people you meet on daily basis? Do you faithfully perform your responsibilities towards them? Think about this.

Food for Thought: Are you your brother’s keeper?

Memory verse: Exodus 23 verse 5

Prayer: God, help me to love my neighbours as myself in words and deed.