Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Devotion for Tuesday June 23, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday June 23, 2020

Topic: Fruit of the Holy Spirit        

Text: Galatians 5:22 – 23                              

The fruit of the Spirit is that which the Holy Spirit produces in those who follow His guidance. It is the natural growth and result of the Spirit working in the life of Christian who allows the Holy Spirit to control him or her. The Spirit produces the virtues or character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s controlled life; we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without His help.

In our scriptural reading for the day, Paul spoke of the works of the flesh as many; but the fruit of the Spirit (9 of them) is spoken of as one, many works, but one fruit. There is such a connection and link of graces, “That although they are distinct in their natures, yet are they inseparable in their subject, pull one link of a chain, and you pull all; so he that has any one spiritual grace in reality, or at least in eminency, cannot be utterly destitute of any other; for where the Holy Spirit is, there cannot be a total defect of any holy grace” so says William Burkitt. Is this so in your life as a Christian?

If we want the fruit of the Spirit to manifest and be seen in us, we must join our life to His (see John 15:4-5). We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law, to love God and our neighbours.

Do you have these virtues and qualities in you? If your fruit is not total as we have in our text then there is a problem in your spiritual life. All you need to do is to ask God to help you to bear the fruit of Holy Spirit as expected. Note that the fruit has no plural therefore it must be whole and entire in manifestation in our lives.   

Food for Thought: A society where all people act out these 9 virtues would not need any law again.

Memory verse: Galatians 5:22, 23

Prayer: My Lord and my Father in heaven, help me to bear these fruit of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name.

Manifesting In the Flesh: Devotion for Monday June 22, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday June 22, 2020

Topic: Manifesting In the Flesh                            

Text: Galatians 5:19 – 21                             

We all have evil desires, and we can’t ignore them. Pretences can’t help. We must deal with them or else they will manifest and distort our relationship with God. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we must deal with them decisively by crucifying them (Galatians 5:24).

These desires include obvious sins, such as sexual immorality and demonic activities. They also include less obvious sins, such as hostility, jealousy, and selfish ambition. Those who ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life. Are you one of the people that ignore these sins when they manifest in your life?  

Our fallen human nature (called “flesh”) betrays itself in the work which a man does. These demonstrate that such person is not living under the influence of the Holy Spirit. In our text, Paul enumerated seventeen sins, while he listed only nine fruits of the Spirit as we shall see on Tuesday. Neither list is exhaustive, but both are representative.

The Galatian Christians had come out of a pagan background where sensual sins were not only tolerated but encouraged by the pagan priests and rituals. Thus Paul had to deal with this issue in this way so that they will understand the requirements of true Christianity. Beloved, if you are still living in the flesh, it will betray and disgrace you. Therefore, beware! Mortify that flesh now.

Food for Thought: Living in the flesh is a way of betraying your Christian faith.

Memory verse: Galatians 519, 20 

Prayer: Help me my Lord and my God to crucify flesh so that your Spirit will take full control of my life in Jesus name.

Walk in the Spirit: Devotion for Friday January 31, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday January 31, 2020

Topic: Walk in the Spirit                       

Text: Galatians 5:16 – 18

Paul acknowledged the great weakness of the godly, because they are partly regenerated and exhorts them to remember that they are endued with the Spirit of God. He also exhorts them to walk in that Spirit they have been endued with so as not to give room for the flesh.

The more we obey the new nature, and follow the leading of the Spirit of grace, the more the power of indwelling sin and inbred corruption in us will be mortified and kept under check. Obedience to the Spirit enables us to walk in the Spirit because old nature and new nature cannot dwell together. They “are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” – Galatians 5:7b

Walking in the Spirit is one of the best ways we can live the life that is pleasing to God. By pleasing God, we attract His blessings upon our lives. In this case it is best for us to walk in the Spirit. We can do this well by knowing what God wants us to do through the study of His words.

When the word of God is rooted in us, we will no longer be ignorant about what God expects from us.

Are you walking in the flesh or in the Spirit?

Food for Thought: Walking in the Spirit makes us more like Christ

Memory verse: Romans 8:6

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to walk in the Spirit so as to mortify the indwelling sin and corruption of the flesh in Jesus name.

Walk In The Spirit

Devotion for Monday March 5, 2018

Topic: Walk In The Spirit

Text: Galatians 5:16 – 18     

He acknowledges the great weakness of the godly, because they are but in part regenerated: but he exhorts them to remember that they are endued with the Spirit of God, who has delivered them from the slavery of sin, and so from the Law, inasmuch as it is the power of sin, so that they should not give themselves to lusts. The more we obey the new nature, and follow the leading of the Spirit of grace, the more the power of indwelling sin and inbred corruption in us will be mortified and kept under check. Obedience to the Spirit enables us to walk in the Spirit because old nature and new nature cannot dwell together. They “Are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:17). Walking in the Spirit is one of the best ways we can live lives that are pleasing to God. By pleasing God, we attract His blessings upon our lives. In this case it is best for us to walk in the Spirit. We can do this well by knowing what God wants us to do through the study of the bible. When we have the word of God rooted in us, we will no longer be ignorant about what God expects from us. Are you walking in the flesh or in the Spirit? 

Sing SS&S 485; Abu 203

Food for Thought: Walking in the Spirit makes us more like Christ

Memory verse: Galatians 5:16

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to walk in the Spirit so as to mortify the indwelling sin and corruption of the flesh in me. I ask in Jesus name. Amen  

The Imperative Of Inward Beauty

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 17, 2017 

Topic: The Imperative Of  Inward Beauty

Text: 1 Peter 3:4

God created us in His image. The beauty we portray shows how awesome our God is. He made us beautiful and handsome for His glory but these days, I wonder if being beautiful is a crime. The way most people use their beauty in wrong ways is a cause for concern. Most people spend time and enormous resources trying to beautiful themselves. All these are good only if they are targeted at glorifying God (1 Peter 3:4b).

Here, Peter challenged us especially women whose concern is always what to wear, style to sow, style of hair do, etc, to ensure that we are also “beautiful inside in our hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious to God” – Living Bible. John Wesley Notes gives insight into why this is precious in the sight of God when he said that “A meek spirit gives no trouble willingly to any: a quiet spirit bears all wrongs without being troubled.” Meekness is one virtue that is expected of us as Christian.

Do you attach the kind of importance, time and resources you give to your outward beauty to inward beauty? Beautifying our heart is through constant meditation on the word of God. This helps us overcome temptations and trial (Psalm 119:11), and also accommodate the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 3:16). How beautiful is your heart? Have you corrupted yours with malice, anger, bitterness, evil thoughts etc? If so, repent today. Let the beauty of your heart matter most to you than your outward beauty. 

Food for Thought: The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express. –Bacon

Memory verse: 1 Peter 3 verse 4

Prayer: God, make me beautiful within and help me to maintain inner beauty than my outward beauty in Jesus name.

No More Debtors To The Flesh

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday May 7, 2017

Topic: No More Debtors To The Flesh

Text: Romans 8:10 – 15        

Debtor is noun form of debt. Debt is an obligation, duty, responsibility or commitment. Living in the flesh has never conferred upon us any real good, but always injury. Paul tells us that we are no longer under obligation to the flesh. The flesh or carnal nature in Christians died at repentance and thus we are no longer under obligation to obey its dictates (Rom. 6:11 – 12). His emphasis is that we are to refuse the drives and desires of our crucified sinful nature, to say no to worldly passions and ungodliness. The old, sinful nature may present its demands, based on our past, but we have no obligation to obey.

There are great privileges for us as Christians if only we will obey the dictates of the Spirit. As many as will walk according to the dictates of the spirit, will always see the great manifestation of God. Being debtors to the flesh encompasses depending on your strength, trusting humans and refusing to acknowledge God as indispensable and one you can’t do without. It will actually be suicidal to live in the flesh in this age where everything points to the end time. Always apply the words of Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 32: 8. Know that the enemies who may come to you are with arm of flesh and will all fail but our God can never fail us.

Food for Thought: Romans 8: 6

Memory verse: Romans 8 verse 12

Prayer: Lord, help me to never to live in the flesh or obey its desires. 

THE POOR IN SPIRIT

DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 15, 2016

Topic: THE POOR IN SPIRIT                      

Text: Matthew 5 verse 3                    

Each of the beatitude tells us how God blesses us. Christians should spend time to study the beatitude because some of us have been following the wrong path and when they come to the crossroad (when the blessings they had hoped for didn’t come), they will begin to see the promises of God as not true and subsequently fall out of the faith.

Blessed, means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate and enviable state of believers. It is more of inward and not outward. We shall look at the beatitude for the next 10 days. The poor as used here means the humble, who depend on God in all things, temporal and spiritual, and look to Him for the supply of every want; more especially those who feel their need, as sinners, of spiritual blessings, and look to Jesus Christ to grant them (Isaiah 66:2).

It is proper to understand that being poor as Jesus Christ used it is not those that are poor in estate, or those whom the world has made poor in possession, but those whom the gospel has made poor in spirit, that is, the truly humble and lowly spirits. They have a right and title to the kingdom of heaven. Beloved, what is the effect of the gospel in your life? The gospel should make us do the accepted things in the likeness of Christ. Christ was not keen on material things while on earth but whenever the need arises there is always a provision for that. Though, a King, He live a life of poor spirit. We should emulate Him.      

Food for Thought: True happiness does not consist in external condition, but in the state of the mind.

Memory verse: Matthew 5 verse 3

Prayer: God, grant me the understanding of what being poor in spirit means so I will live to receive the blessings therein in Jesus name.      

SOW INTO THE SPIRIT

DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 9, 2016

Topic: SOW INTO THE SPIRIT       

Text: Galatians 6:5 – 8                        

Sowing and reaping is part of our life; physically and spiritually. We sow through the words of our mouth (our speech/utterance), through what we give and through what we plant. For us to actually benefit from our world and be useful to one another, we need to sow. Sowing is a way of maximizing our gifts and talents. It holds therefore, that we sow seeds, directly and indirectly. Again, it is also a natural law that whatever one sows, he reaps (Galatians 6:7).

Another interesting fact about the consequences of sowing is that we are known by the fruit we bear (Matthew 7:16 & 20). What you sow as seed is what you will definitely get in returns. The life we live is like seed sowing. Some people sow to the flesh, the devil and the world while some others sow to the Spirit. Jesus taught us that where our treasure is there would our heart be also (Matthew 6:21).

Apostle Paul says in our text that flesh yields nothing but corruption. When you sow into the flesh, you will end up reaping greed, selfishness, etc. Its end effect would be destruction because such person can’t please God. His message here is very important for us in this present generation filled with greed and covetousness. How can someone sow to the flesh? See 1 Corinthians 10:6; compare Numbers 11:4 & 34. The flesh, lusts after material/worldly things (Genesis 3:6 & 1 John 2:16). Are these things manifesting in your life? Repent, before it will be too late. Remember what happened to people like Esau, Samson, Judas, etc.

We can sow to the spirit through self-denial (Matthew 10:24) and commitment to the advancement of God’s kingdom with the wealth God has bestowed on us. Can you mention other ways we can sow to the Spirit? Those who want to acquire heaven and earth without investing their wealth for the well-being of others are sowing to the flesh. There are benefits in pleasing God; obeying God and not our flesh. When we please God with our deeds, we are sowing seeds that we will certainly reap in righteousness.

Food for Thought: Sowing in the flesh is carnal indulgence that will end in moral ruin.

Memory verse: Galatians 6 verse 8

Prayer: God, grant me the enabling grace to sow in the spirit and not in the flesh so I will harvest eternal life in Jesus name. Amen.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: Devotion for Monday June 13, 2016

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: Devotion for Monday June 13, 2016     

Text: Galatians 5:22 – 23      Memory verse: v 22, 23 

The fruit of the Spirit is that which He produces in those who follow His guidance. It is the natural growth and result of the Spirit working in a Christian’s life. The Spirit produces these virtues or character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s controlled life; we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without His help. 

Here, Paul spoke of the works of the flesh as many; but the fruit of the Spirit (9 of them) is spoken of as one, many works, but one fruit. There is such a connection and link of graces, “That although they are distinct in their natures, yet are they inseparable in their subject, pull one link of a chain, and you pull all; so he that has any one spiritual grace in reality, or at least in eminence, cannot be utterly destitute of any other; for where the Holy Spirit is, there cannot be a total defect of any holy grace” so says William Burkett. Is this so in your life as a Christian?

If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow and be seen in us, we must join our lives to His (John 15:4-5). We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law, to love God and our neighbours. Do you have these virtues and qualities in you? If your fruit is seen in some as against some, then there is a problem in your spiritual life. Ask God to help you to bear the fruit of Holy Spirit as expected.

Food for Thought: A society where all people act out these 9 virtues would not need any law again.

Prayer: Lord, help me to bear these fruit of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name.

MANIFESTING IN THE FLESH: Devotion for Sunday June 12, 2016

MANIFESTING IN THE FLESH: Devotion for Sunday June 12, 2016

Text: Galatians 5:19 – 21    Memory verse: v 19, 20

We all have evil desires, and we can’t ignore them. Pretences can’t help. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we must deal with them decisively by crucifying them (5:24). These desires include obvious sins, such as sexual immorality and demonic activities. They also include less obvious sins, such as hostility, jealousy, and selfish ambition. Those who ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life. Are you one of the people that ignore these sins when they manifest in your life?  

Our fallen human nature (called flesh) betrays itself by the works which a man does. These demonstrate that he is not living under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Paul enumerated seventeen sins, while he listed only nine fruits of the Spirit. Neither list is exhaustive, but both are representative. The Galatia Christians had come out of a pagan background where sensual sins were not only tolerated but encouraged by the pagan priests and rituals. Thus Paul had to deal with this issue in this way so that they will understand the requirements of true Christianity. A life in the flesh will betray and disgrace you. Therefore, beware! Mortify that flesh now.

Food for Thought: Living in the flesh is a way of betraying your Christian faith. 

Prayer: Help me, my Lord and my God, to crucify flesh so that your Spirit will take full control of my life in Jesus name.

GIVE NO ROOM FOR THE FLESH: Devotion for Saturday June 11, 2016

GIVE NO ROOM FOR THE FLESH: Devotion for Saturday June 11, 2016

Text: Galatians 5:16 – 18     Memory verse: v 16

To prevent the afore-mentioned evils in 5:15, Paul exhorted the Galatians to walk in the Spirit, that is, according to the guidance, direction, and influence of the Holy Spirit. He acknowledges the great weakness of the Godly, because they are but in part regenerated. His exhortation was a reminder that they are endued with the Spirit of God, who has delivered them from the slavery of sin, and so from the Law, so that they should not give themselves to lusts any more. Being led by the Holy Spirit involves the desire to hear, the readiness to obey God’s Word, and the sensitivity to discern between your feelings and His promptings. Paul’s emphasis was that they should live each day controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit who will help them control their selfish desires.

Beloved, what Paul is says here is that we should no longer give room to the fleshly desires and lust but rather we should be filled with the Holy Spirit and the word of God. Giving room for the flesh emanates from emptiness and having wrong desires. Walking in our text means living. When we live in the Holy Spirit, we won’t be doing what our sinful nature craves. When we become Christians, our sinful nature still exists. But God asks us to place our sinful nature under the control of the Holy Spirit so that He can transform it. Are you still under the influence of the flesh? Prayerfully place them under the control of the Holy Spirit and He will transform you.

Food for Thought: Romans 13:14

Prayer: God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, crucify the power of flesh and lust in me in Jesus name.

Renew Your Spirit in Me: Devotion for Wednesday December 16, 2015

RENEW YOUR SPIRIT IN ME   Wednesday December 16, 2015

Text: Psalm 51:7 – 13      Memory verse: v 10

The content of David’s pray here is worthy of note. He prayed that God would cleanse him from his sins and its defilement (51:7). He also prayed that, as his sins are being pardoned, he might have the comfort of that pardon. He asks not to be comforted till first he is cleansed and that he will receive complete and effectual pardon (51:9). He asked for sanctifying grace, for continuance of God's good-will towards him and the progress of His good work in him, restoring divine comforts and the perpetual communications of divine grace towards him.

The two words used in 51:10 make a complete prayer. David asked
God to CREATE what is not there at all and to RENEW that which was there, but in a sadly feeble state. The spirit of God was in him but He was grieved (Ephesians 4:30). This is consequences of sin. Sin demoralizes. It renders us powerless and makes the joy of salvation to depart from us. Are you still under the burden of sin? This prayer of David can help to ease the burden if you can pray it with all your heart. Do it now and don’t procrastinate about it. I wish you a great day.

Food for Thought: God honours humility.

Prayer: Use the memory verse for prayers.