This Is My Beloved Son

Devotion for Wednesday August 1, 2018

Sing Hymn SS&S (Sankey) No 642 – When we walk with the Lord

Topic: This Is My Beloved Son

Text: Matthew 17:1 – 8

Parents delight in their children especially when they are following their will and instructions for a better future. This is how God the Father has infinite delight in His Son which He expressed in our text and also Matthew 3:17. Such delight has been extended to us too because of our faith in the work Jesus Christ on Calvary.

One of the reasons God the Father chose to make such pronouncement is because He wants His Son to be recognized, obeyed and honoured (John 5:23). This instruction to listen; to obey, to hearken, etc. is designed to help us actualize God’s will for us in this heavenly race.

It is important to obey Jesus for so many reasons.

1) He is the author of our life and faith

2) He knows our yesterday, today and tomorrow

3) He has the key to eternal life which is our main priority as Christian.

4) His counsel is meant for our good and wellbeing. How important is hearing God’s word to you? You cannot claim to have a relationship with God without absolute obedience and compliance to His word.

As we begin this month and in this first devotion for this edition, I sincerely charge you to live more righteously, pleasing God in all things and at the right time, He will certainly declare that you are a beloved son/daughter too. May your life begin to please God and bring joy to heaven in Jesus name! Happy new month!

Food for Thought:

Memory verse: Matthew 3:17

Prayer: O Lord, help me to live the life that will please you so that you will announce me to the world in Jesus name.

Pay Attention To Him

Devotion for Sunday December 3, 2017

Topic: Pay Attention To Him

Text: Matthew 17:1 – 8

It is imperative to emphasis some things for our proper understanding. God emphasizes some things to clear our doubts or to re-affirm what we already know. At transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father said, “This is my beloved Son in who I am well pleased …,” highlighting

1) The dignity of Jesus Christ (He is a beloved Son because of His likeness and conformity to Him.

2) The Excellency of his meditation (In whom He is well pleased. Christ is most pleasing to God the Father and through Him, He is well pleased with us).

3) The Authority of His doctrine (Hear Him, not Moses and Elijah but Christ, commissioned to be the Great Prophet and Teacher). God commanded the Apostles to hear Christ; attend to His instructions and follow Him, an indication that there is authority in His words.

Do you listen to the words of Jesus and do you take instructions from Him? Do you follow Him both in words and deeds? There are lots of benefits we can derive from paying attention to Jesus Christ. His words direct us on the right path; illumine our ways and set us free. His words are spiritual foods for us. It heals us; shows us the best way to serve God and how to make heaven at last. How much do you desire to hear from Him? We should regularly hear from God the Son for our good.

Food for Thought: How much do you desire to hear from God?

Memory verse: Matthew 17:5 - While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me a listening ear to hear from you always.

Divinely Inspired

Devotion for Saturday August 12, 2017

Topic: Divinely Inspired

Text: Matthew 16:13 – 20

If we must make wise decisions that will please God and affect humanity, we have to rely on divine inspiration. Solomon showed such inspiration in the historic judgement between the two harlots claiming a child (1 Kings 3:16ff). It takes walking with God to have divine inspiration. If you are living in sin and disobeying God and His word, you cannot be inspired divinely. Sin drives the spirit of God from us and denies us blessings of His fellowship.

Peter is impetuous and impulsive in character. He is always at the forefront when questions are asked or actions needed which shows his faith. Jesus had asked the disciples a question to know what they think of Him (Matthew 16:15). Peter’s reply, expressed his faith. His confession was an inspiration from God because by then, Jesus had not been transfigured where the voice confirmed that He is the Son of God (Matthew 17:1 – 6). The confession of Peter is the Christian confession and the foundation of the church, into which all saints are built as living stones of the temple (Matthew 16:17 – 19).

Have you sincerely made this confession that Jesus is the Son of God? It is the confession upon which our baptismal creed was made. It we are to rightly apprehend divine truth and absolutely regard it, we should allow God to give us inspiration. We can get inspiration as we study the scriptures, and from direct teaching of God on our minds. How often do you draw inspiration from God by studying your bible? See Joshua 1:8

Food for Thought: “There never was a great soul that did not have some divine inspiration” – Marcus Tullius Cicero.

Memory verse: Matthew 16:16

Prayer: God, grant me the understanding always as I study your word and inspire me to live out all I read in Jesus name. 

A Compassionate God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday July 20, 2017

Topic: A Compassionate God

Text: Luke 7:11 – 17

The city of Nain was about twenty five miles from Capernaum and Jesus travelled that long distance to bring comfort to sorrowing widow. Distance is not a barrier to Jesus in terms of solving problems. Jesus and the crowd following Him met the widow and her crowd as she was going to bury her only child. The Author of life (Acts 3:15) will meet with your dead situation in Jesus name.

Jesus’ compassion for the widow shows His soft spot and care for widows, the needy, the down trodden and people who are hurt. God is the father of the fatherless and the defender of widows who trust in Him. They are under His special care and protection (Exodus 22:22 – 23; Deuteronomy 10:18 and Psalm 149:9). When Jesus saw the widow following her dead son to the grave site, He had compassion on her and restored the dead son back to life.

Christ has concern for the mourners and the miserable that put their trust in Him and often provides them with the blessings of His goodness. Love made Him to undertake the work of our redemption (Isa 63:9). What a pleasing idea it gives us of the compassion of the Lord Jesus and His tender mercies. That is His nature. Adam and Eve sinned and went for leaves of fig tree but in His nature, He made clothes with Goat skin for them. They didn’t request for it. He knew what they needed and the ones that were best for them. So He knows what the best things for you. By virtue of His compassion He will remember and provide for you. Just be patient with God.

Food for Thought: God’s bosom is filled with pity and He pours it into a wounded spirit to console it, causing it to sing for joy.

Memory verse: Luke 7:13

Prayer: Lord, meet me at the point of my need with your comfort and mercies.   

Truly This Is The Son Of God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Good Friday April 14, 2017

Topic: Truly This Is The Son Of God

Text: Matthew 27:50 – 61         

The events at the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ were pointers that He is truly the Son of God as the Centurion rightly observed in our text. The temple curtain tearing apart, the earthquake, the darkness, rocks splitting, etc, were not ordinary. God used it to show the world that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.

His death, therefore, could not have gone unnoticed. Everyone knew something significant had happened and one of them was the centurion who led the people to crucify Him. He acknowledged that truly Jesus is the Son of God. Luke’s account has it that the centurion attested that Jesus is a righteous man (Lk. 23:47). Jesus yielded His spirit to death because He had to fulfil the desires and will of the Father. He was submissive even unto death. This centurion confessed that Jesus was a righteous man and Son of God after seeing the miraculous signs which happened at His death.

Today, we commemorate His death which led to the forgiveness of our sins. Have you actually known Him as the Son of God? Have you accepted that ultimate sacrifice He made for humanity? It is of uttermost importance that we use this period to assess and re-examine our relationship with Christ. What we have heard and read about Him are enough for us to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. If we don’t do it now, a day will come when we must acknowledge that but then it will be too late. Now is the appropriate time for it. Accept Him as Lord and Saviour.

Food for Thought: What are the implications of Jesus death for Man?

Memory verse: Matthew 27 verse 54

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I acknowledge you now and always as my Lord and Saviour who died for me.

The Son of Encouragement

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday February 16, 2017

Topic: The Son of Encouragement

Text: Acts 4:32 – 37

Barnabas means son of consolation (encouragement). He was a Levite (Acts 4:36). His name stands first on the list of prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1). Luke speaks of him as a "good man" (Acts 11:24). He was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He was a native of Cyprus, where he had a possession of land (Acts 4:36, 37), which he sold and gave for the service of God.

He personally took Paul and introduced him to other apostles when he returned to Jerusalem after his conversion (9:27). He was a great link between the Jews and Gentiles. He was Paul’s companion in his first missionary journey. He personally invited Paul to work with him in Antioch. Luke mentioned the name of Barnabas as one of those who sold their lands and brought the money.

New King James Version has it that it was the apostles that gave him that name Barnabas as his name was Joses. Probably they gave him that name because of his contributions to the early church. Some of us are more blessed than Barnabas but we have not deemed it necessary to support the work of the church.

If your priest is to describe you by your activities in the church, will he say you are son of encouragement like Barnabas or you are greedy like Judas Iscariot? What is your testimony in your local church? Barnabas didn’t give money alone; he went on missionary work also. Do you think you are too big for evangelism? Let the life of Barnabas be a challenge to you. Give yourself a name that people will not forget in your church

Food for Thought: The character of Barnabas’ ministry gave him the name. What is the character of your ministry?

Memory verses: Acts 4 verses 36 and 37 - Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Prayer: God, may I live up to the name, Christian that I bear in Jesus name. Amen.

HE’LL RESTORE YOUR LOST FORTUNE

DEVOTION FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 10, 2016

Topic: HE’LL RESTORE YOUR LOST FORTUNE

Text: Deuteronomy 30:1 – 10

God’s love and mercies are unbelievable and far beyond our understanding. If not so, some of us wouldn’t have been Christians much more being a priest in His service. This love God has for sinners made Paul to assert that he was not worthy to be an Apostle if not for the grace God he received.

In our bible reading for the day, Moses told the Israelites that if they go astray, realizes their wrong and are willing to go back to the Lord, He would welcome them back. Even when they walk out on God deliberately, He will still take them back. God’s kind of mercy is what Jesus proved through the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–24). He deliberately walked out on the Father like the lost sheep. Moses told them about God’s love and mercies for them.  

There are lessons for us to learn from this statement of Moses.

a) God is love and merciful (Exodus 34:6 &7)

b) God is always ready to forgive us (Jeremiah 31:34)

c) He will gather us as His people (Jeremiah 32:37; Ezekiel 34:13)

d) He restores our fortunes (Luke 15:22–24; Jeremiah 29:14)

Have you deliberately walked out on God? Is it that you walked out on God as a result of ignorance and now you are finding it difficult to forgive yourself and come back to Him? Why will you continue to carry about your burden of sins when God is ever willing and ready to forgive you when you come back to Him? The place you are now may be the result of the acts of your own mistake just like the Prodigal Son and you have lost so many things. Turn back to God and He will freely welcome you unconditionally (Luke 15:17 & 18). Arise, He is waiting for you to restore unto you all those years you have lost (Joel 2:25) in ignorance and sin because of His love for you. Don’t hesitate or procrastinate.

Food for Thought: All the promises of God in Christ Jesus are Yes and Amen!

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 30 verse 3

Prayer: God, I repent of all sins I have committed. Please restore my lost fortunes in Jesus name. Amen.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Devotion for Friday September 2, 2016

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Devotion for Friday September 2, 2016

Text: Genesis 26:1 – 11               Memory verse: Genesis 26:7

Most behavioural traits of any man are usually transferred to his child. Outside that, most children copy what their father do a lot and grow up with them. Again, most men always like their son to take after them. My dad was a teacher. After my secondary school education, he talked me into going to a Teacher Training College. Then I hadn’t any courage to challenge him. I obliged.

In Genesis 12:10–19 we have the story of how Abram went to Egypt and told lies that Sarai is his sister. In the real sense, Sarah was related to him but now she is the wife and he ought to have acknowledged that. Instead, he talked Sarah into agreeing with him that she was the sister.

God had told him to go to Canaan but due to famine, he left for Egypt. He didn’t ask God before he left. The consequence of that visit was Haggai the mother of Ishmael. Here is a similar lie by his son, Isaac in Gerar, an ancient city south of Gaza in the land of Philistine. Isaac was on his way to Egypt too when God stopped him (26:2, 3). Moses, of the tribe of Levi didn’t enter into the Promised Land because of anger (Num 20:8–11). This was the trait he inherited from his forefathers, Levi (Gen. 49:5, 6).         

Beloved in Christ, we should understand that most of our behavioural traits are transferable. Therefore, as parents, we should be wise to ask God to deliver us from any trait in us that is not godly. Do you have a bad behaviour like anger, hatred, greed, pride, etc? Please ask God to deliver you out of it. Moses lived 120 years and used it to labour for his people. Because of anger, he was not part of the climax of his labour. This was very unfortunate. Had Abram not gone to Egypt, Haggai wouldn’t have come into his house. Are you still living in sin? Then you are like your father the devil (Jn. 8:41–44). Repent now because those who live in sin are not the sons of God.        

Food for Thought: Malachi 1:6

Prayer: God, you are my Father. Deliver me from the power of sin because anyone living in sin is a son of the devil. 

A WISE FATHER'S EXHORTATION: Devotion for Tuesday June 28, 2016

A WISE FATHER’S EXHORTATION: Devotion for Tuesday June 28, 2016

Text: Proverbs 1:10 – 19            

Memory verse: v 10 – My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent

The wicked are zealous in seducing others into the paths of their wickedness; they love to have company in their sin and crime. Nevertheless, they have so much the more to answer for (Rom. 14:12; Heb. 4:13). This should make young people to be very cautious. "Do not consent" here is all encompassing; do not say as they say nor do as they do. It also means do not follow them to do evil.

Furthermore, do not consent means you shouldn’t have any fellowship with them just as Paul warns in 2 Cor. 6:14 which says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” Their idea of acquiring wealth is very different from God’s ideal. Their desire is to steal and even kill to acquire wealth. This confirms what Jesus said about Satan in Jn. 10:10. It is absurd to think that it is a pleasure for someone to destroy another. It is not a pleasure rather a quick ticket to hell fire.  

Those who choose the wicked as their companions will definitely become like them in character and their end. This advice is the best a father can offer to the son. Unfortunately these days, most parents don’t even care to know how their children acquired the wealth they are flashing about in the society. Some will advice their children to do whatsoever their hands can find them so far they come home with a car or build good houses. All these are not evidence of good standing with God. Men may appreciate and speak good of what you have ‘achieved’ but God’s verdict is what matters at the end. Some others will even advice their children to do things immoral. Some parents pay for their children to cheat in examinations. Some encourage their children into immoral relationship with opposite sex. Parents, what advice do you give to your children? Let the advice of Solomon here be a challenge and a model for us.   

Food for Thought: What kind of advice do you give to your children?

Prayer: Lord God, grant me the wisdom to always give wise counsel to my children and wards in Jesus name