Don’t Be Discouraged

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday February 9, 2017

Topic: Don’t Be Discouraged

Text: Deuteronomy 1:21

Discouragement comes to us on daily basis in the course of our desire to fulfil our life’s dream. When we don’t have discouragement or opposition it will seem as if we are on the wrong part towards realization of our set goals. You may ask, why do people usually discourage us? People discourage us because of the fear they have concerning the risks we undertake in attaining our goals. Some do it due to lack of understanding of your dream. Some do it just to threaten you. While some do it as a result of envy and jealousy.

As part of Moses’ farewell speech to the Israelites at Kadesh-barnea, he shows them how near they were to a happy settlement in Canaan and encouraged them to complete the journey. So many people have missed out in their blessings because they gave up at almost the end of their journey or race. If we have the vision of what will be the result of our set goals, nothing will discourage us. Jesus Christ our example endured all forms of abuse, rejection, suffering and even death on the Cross of Calvary because of the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2). If Christ suffered because He was looking forward to the joy of heaven, why should we be discouraged because we are suffering for the sake of our salvation?

Why are you discouraged on going ahead with that project, etc? Is it because of fear, threats, envy, jealousy or abandonment by loved ones? Beloved, you can make it. A little effort more is all you need to be there. Give it a trial.

Food for thought: Discouragement had denied many people their blessings when they were almost at the line to embrace the tape.

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 1 verse 21

Prayer: God, remove discouragement from my heart and grant me the spirit of faith, boldness and sound mind.

Be An Observable Model (In Utterances)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday February 2, 2017

Topic: Be An Observable Model (In Utterances)         

Text: Matthew 12:35 – 37   

Today and in the next five days, we shall be looking at some observable models from the scriptures; expected of us, that will challenge us to live well to the glory of God. Jesus posited that Christians are light of the world and salt of the earth which by implication demands that we should be models for the world. We shall, in these five days, look at some of the areas we can model our lives of worthy characters from the scriptures.

Ecclesiastics 5:2 says, “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.” This is a great advice for whosoever wants to be a model in terms of spoken words.

In our text Jesus reminds us that what we say exposes the thoughts in our heart. According to Life Application Notes, What comes from our mouth “Is an indication of what is in your heart. You can’t solve your heart problem, however, just by cleaning up your speech. You must allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives; then your speech will be cleansed at its source.”

Are the words that come out of your mouth good enough to edify people (1 Timothy 4:12)? Are you the type that doesn’t have control over your mouth? Remember that “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise – Proverbs 10:19. 

Food for Thought: A vessel is known by the sound, whether it be cracked or not; so men are proved, by their speech, whether they be wise or foolish. –Demosthenes.

Memory verse: Proverbs 10:19

Prayer: Help me O Lord to be a model with the words of my mouth that the words of my mouth will be pleasing to you in Jesus name. Amen.