Bad Attitude That Hinders Spiritual Growth

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday June 13, 2017

Topic: Bad Attitude That Hinders Spiritual Growth

Text: Matt. 7:24 – 29

Carelessness, carefree, negligence and presumption are very dangerous attitude that every serious minded Christians should avoid and never imbibe. A careless or carefree man can easily fall victim of the evil one. We know the story of Samson how he was so carefree with the instruction from God before his birth.

God’s word serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). It directs and guides us. It guards us against danger and grants us wisdom on how best to live successfully (Joshua 1:7 & 8). When we read or hear the word of God, we should apply them diligently to our lives as evidence we are true disciples of Jesus Christ. This virtue of living out what we hear from the word of God teaches here that we shouldn’t be carefree, careless, negligent or presumptuous of the word we hear. James lends credence to this in James 1:22, 23 and 2:14.

In our spiritual growth, what makes the difference is not how many times you have been through the Bible, but how thoroughly the Bible is reflecting in the life you live. This is what matters in our Christianity. You may have gone through the Bible many times but your character remains questionable.

Does the Bible have any effect on your life? Do you preach and teach the word of God but do the opposite? What is your testimony in your school, office, neighbourhood, etc as a Christian? We should not take God’s word for granted or we end up in hell. It is not just the hearers and preachers that will be saved but the doers of the word.

Food for Thought: James 1:22

Memory verse: Matthew 7 verse 26

Prayer: God, help me to apply your word into my life and not to take it for granted in Jesus name. Amen

No Excuse (V)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday March 16, 2017

Topic: No Excuse (V)

Text: Revelation 3:1 – 6  

The problem in the church at Sardis was spiritual death. In spite of its reputation for being active, the church was filled with sin. Its deeds were evil, which soiled their clothes. There was no word of commendation for it that looked so good on the outside but was so corrupt on the inside. God urged them to obey the truth they had heard when they first believed in Christ and to get back to the basics of the faith.

The reason for this admonition is because He did not find their works perfect before Him. He charged them to be watchful and to strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die (3:2, 3). Where iniquity abounds grace also abounds. God noted that there were few names that did not defiled their garments. This was personal commendation for some members of this church and not general commendation. Is there any lesson for us in this personal commendation? Though it is important to grow in our knowledge of Christ, to deepen our understanding through careful study, we must never abandon the basic truths of our faith.

On facial observation, this church looked good but not so with God. They were only doing ‘maintenance service.’ There were no innovations or improvement on what they had. This gave room for redundancy, complacency and spiritual death. Is such condition obtainable in your church that you have now become spiritually dead? That is no excuse before God. Few people in Sardis still maintained their salvation. Why can’t you remain focused in the faith? Why will you allow the spiritual death of others to affect you? God can’t accept that excuse (Romans 2:1). Repent now and return to God.    

Food for Thought: Do you have the reputation of being alive but you are dead?

Memory verse: Revelation 3 verse 2

Prayer: Lord God, help me to strengthen what is alive in me and to repent of my sins in Jesus name. 

BE FERVENT IN SPIRITUAL MATTERS: Devotion for Friday October 7, 2016

BE FERVENT IN SPIRITUAL MATTERS: Devotion for Friday October 7, 2016        

Text: Romans 12:9 – 13         Memory verse: Romans 12 v 11

Fervent means showing passionate enthusiasm or glowingly hot. In the context of our text, it is being passionately enthusiastic in spiritual matters. To be enthusiastic is to show excited interest. What Paul meant here is that Roman Christians should be excited about spiritual things more than any other thing else. He advised that the professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and deceitful compliments. Again, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful; being zealous, enthusiastic, and not indifferent. We should be ready to entertain travellers and strangers, especially such as are labouring or suffering for Christ as there is occasion and we must welcome strangers.

Those that rejoice in hope are likely to be patient in tribulation. This informs Paul’s advice because our hope as Christian is in heaven, where Christ is. We should not be cold or weary in the duty of prayer. These admonitions will help to improve our commitment to God and our relationship with one another. Christians, who serve the Lord enthusiastically, would never want to be lazy. Paul is not advocating activity for activity’s sake. Rather, we should consistently use our spiritual gifts to serve the body. We have been called (1:6–7), challenged (12:1–2), and equipped (12:4–6) for serving the Lord. We must fight against discouragement, depression, and being negative; we must do our best to keep our spiritual temperature high.

Food for Thought: Christians, who serve the Lord enthusiastically, would never want to be lazy.

Prayer: Lord, rekindle my enthusiasm for your service in Jesus name.

God's Chosen: Devotion for Thursday February 18, 2016

GOD’S CHOSEN    Thursday February 18, 2016

Text: Ephesians 1:3 – 6     Memory verse: v 3

Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; when we have them, our lives can’t be miserable, and when we don’t have them, we will be so miserable. Here, Paul tells the Ephesians that the consequence of their election in Christ is that they should be made holy by separation from sin, being set apart to God, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, which was, the choice Christ made before the foundation of the world. Paul’s use of the phrase “God chose us” was to emphasize that salvation depends totally on God. We are not saved because we deserve it but because God is gracious and He freely saves us. We did not influence God’s decision to save us; He saved us according to His plan. Thus, there is no way to take credit for our salvation or to allow room for pride.

Beloved, God chose us, and when we belong to Him through Jesus Christ, God looks at us as if we had never sinned. All we can do about our salvation is to express our thanks for His wonderful love for us. Have you ever wondered why God chose you as a Christian despite your past and family background? Have you ever wondered why you are in that position where you are today? It is not out of sheer hard work but by His love and grace for you. Therefore, you have to be grateful that God chose you and favoured you just because He loves you. Our appropriate responses for His love towards us are love for Him, worship, and service in thankfulness for His wonderful grace. We must never take our privileged status as a license for sin or abuse it in any way.   

Food for Thought: Why did God choose you to become a Christian?

Prayer: God, as you have chosen me, may I live a life of gratitude for this honour in Jesus name.