Don’t Copy World’s Standard

Devotion for Wednesday November 22, 2017

Topic: Don’t Copy World’s Standard

Text: Roman 12:1 – 2

Our world of today lacks genius. What we have today are pirated works. People are no longer genuine in production of anything especially in this part of the world. Everyone toes the same way of doing thing even in the church. No one wants to be original. These have robbed us of growth and self-actualization. When we find ourselves in the midst of other people, there is always the tendency to copy what they do and we easily forget that “Evil company corrupts good habits” – 1 Corinthians 15:33. On the other hand, good company also model good habits. This informs Paul’s words in our bible reading for today. He urged the Roman Christians no to conform to the standard of this world; to its sinful spirit, maxims, principles and practices of this world.

On the contrary, Christians should walk singularly and not after the world’s guise. Do you copy unnecessary behaviour, dressings, character, speech, etc., because it is in vogue? Who brought it in vogue – God, man or Satan? Think of the present day style of fashion and dressing. Most of them are ungodly. We should be led by the Spirit as Christians and not by what is in vogue. We should also learn to do things according to the will of God and not the propelling of self. This is a challenge if we hope to make heaven.

Food for Thought: Ephesians 5:17

Memory verse: 1 John 2:15

Prayer: Lord God, help me not to conform to the word’s standard as you renew me through your word.

A Warning To My Christian Sisters

A Warning To My Christian Sisters

The gospel of grace that we preach today is not an excuse for careless living and dressing. What is your gain when you wear a skirt that does not cover your knee and when you sit in the church, bible study or fellowship meetings, you use your handkerchief to cover your laps that have been exposed. Who are you deceiving?

Paul said "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Corinthians 6:20 - NKJV). For God's sake, there are clothes that befit Christians. Decency and moderation should be the basis for Christian dressing. Unfortunately our emphasis is quite different. When you expose the sensitive part of your body through indecent dressing and body hug dresses to show how big your buttocks are or your figure 8, who are you deceiving? Remember that the deceiver and the deceived will be cast into the lake of fire.

In such and many other dressings that expose sensitive parts and contours of your body, where is the glory of God? Where is the glory of God when you wear only one sleeve of cloth instead of normal two? Where is the glory of God when you dress without recourse to what could be termed moral standard? Remember that a day of reckoning is coming when we shall give account of what we have done without bodies.

Oh ye ladies, you are inexcusable if you belong to this group. This is a warning for all of you who think that it doesn’t matter. Devil had seen that the emphasis of some people is on skirt, gown, blouses and wrappers and decided to make the ones that will glorify him and not God. He raised tailors from the spirit world to deceive people with designs that are demonic. Unfortunately, most people don’t care. Check the designs of present day wedding gowns; go to fashion parades, go to boutique and see for yourself what people do and yet Christians patronize them because Miss A wore it yesterday. It has now become a standard. Why is it that there is no more shame in the eyes of our ladies? Where is pride of being a born again child of God?     

Parents should warn their children because if they keep quiet because they feel that such dressing is what is obtainable in the present age, they will be held responsible on the last day. Please shout at the roof top for the world and heaven to vindicate you on the last day.

Dearly beloved of God, let your dress be pleasing to God and not because it is what is in vogue. You shouldn’t join the multitude in doing evil. That everybody is doing it does not mean that you too should do it or that it has become a standard. Who invented it - God or Satan? When Adam and Eve, out of foolishness, made clothes for themselves from fig leaves, God saw that it was not good enough and made for them tunic from animal skin.  

Where is the wisdom of today's Christian men and women?

For the boys, I am coming.

GOD OF EQUITY

DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 2, 2016

Topic: GOD OF EQUITY                     

Text: Numbers 13:1 – 20        Memory verse: Numbers 13 verse 2  

One of the greatest problems confronting us in our nation Nigeria is the issue of justice and equity. This problem is not similar to Nigeria alone. From what I read, United States of America adopted Electoral College as part of the process in choosing a President to ensure equity. God who called the nation Israel knew that equity is one way to ensure peace and progress. Thus in our scriptural reading, he ensured all the tribes were represented among the spies that went to search out the Promised Land.

The command to go and search out the Promised Land was not God’s original plan. He would have had the people go immediately forward under His all- sufficient guidance (Deuteronomy 1:20, 21) but when the people proposed first to search the land, God was pleased to permit the plan, and to give directions respecting the manner of executing it (Deuteronomy 1:22–23). Moses decided to get valuable information before the people could enter the Promised Land (Numbers 13:17 – 20), and he took careful steps to get that information. God, being God of equity instructed that there should be equity in choosing the spies. When you are making decisions or assuming new responsibilities, remember these two important steps. Ask yourself what you need to know about the opportunity, and then obtain that knowledge. Common sense is a valuable aid in accomplishing God’s purposes.

From the instruction God gave, it show His fair dealing with us. He didn’t allow only few tribes to do the spying no matter their population. Every tribe was represented to ensure equity and fairness, and also balance judgment. This is the way He deals with all of us as Christians. He doesn’t favour some people because of their creed or race. This is a challenging example for our leaders in Nigeria with her peculiar nature of diverse tribes. There should not be any room to deny people their rights just because they are few in number. As leaders in various capacities; be it in the church, in government, in organizations, etc, we should not be selective in dealing with people rather we should maintain a fair playing ground for everyone to participate to avoid accusation that their rights are denied.

Food for Thought: God’s standard has remained same for every Christian no matter your creed or race.

Prayer: God, your standard remains the same for every believer. Grant me the grace to live by it and not to assume you will lower your standard in anyway.