An Encouragement For Us

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday March 3, 2017 

Topic: An Encouragement For Us

Text: John 16:33

Jesus summarizes His teaching with an encouragement to His disciples by saying that they will enjoy peace through their union with Him because He would overcome the world by rising from the dead. The world and Satan are opposed to God and will definitely give Christians many trials and sorrows. But Jesus has defeated Satan, won the victory, and overcome the world. Jesus asserts that in the world His disciples will have problem but He also gave a remedy to the world’s problem which He says is peace in Him; the serenity of mind, a quiet and calm spirit within. This is the proffered solution to the troubles of the world. Jesus tied together themes from 14:27-29, 16:1-4, and 16:9-11.

With the words in John 16:33, He told His disciples to take courage because despite the inevitable resistance they would face, He would be with them. As the Father did not leave Him alone, so He will not abandon us to our struggles either. Christ's blood has purchased peace for us.

Many of us are currently facing diverse challenges which include sickness, imprisonment, marital problems, hunger, challenges from people of different faiths, etc. This was predicted long before now. All we can do is to have the assurance Jesus gave us in our text behind our minds. He will not forsake you. Allow the inner peace which comes from knowing that He is always there for us, fill your heart. That was what sustained me while I battled for life. God will do it for you too.

Food for Thought: I John 5:4

Memory verse: John 16 verse 33b

Prayer: Lord God, let your words of encouragement cheer me up in time of difficulties of life.

Jacob Prevailed

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday February 18, 2017        

Topic: Jacob Prevailed

Text: Genesis 32:24 – 28

Struggle is part of human existence. Struggle (for something) is to try very hard to do something when it is difficult or when there are lots of problems.

Jacob struggled in life perhaps because of the covenant of God to Abraham that had to be fulfilled. From birth Jacob struggled (Genesis 25:21). He “took hold of” (possessions of others) – his brother’s birthright (Genesis 25:29-34), his father’s blessing (Genesis 27:1-29), and his father-in-law’s flocks and herds (Genesis 30:22-43; 31:1) just to make sure that he succeeded in life. He had an encounter with God at Haran were God assured him of His presence and fulfilment of the covenant (Genesis 28:10-22).

Though God would have fulfilled his covenant without Jacob struggling but the lesson here is that we should not give up in our heavenly race. All we need to do is to persist against all opposition so as to obtain the crown at the end. Don’t give up in the struggle to doing the will of God. His promise and covenant are sure and will surely be fulfilled in your life.

At the ford of Jabbok, Jacob was alone (Genesis 32:24). At night, he was engaged in a wrestling with angel of God. In the process the socket of Jacob’s hips was put out of joint as he struggled with this mysterious stranger, but he refused to release his grip on him until he was given a blessing. He was unrelenting and his struggling earned him a new name (Israel). As you struggle with God through your prayer and faith, it’s my prayer that it will lead to irrevocable blessings and prevailing testimonies in Jesus name. Amen.

Food for Thought: Fervency and perseverance in prayer greatly influence God to act in our favour.

Memory verse: Genesis 32 verse 28 - Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to always struggle and prevail in prayers.

MAKE MORE EFFORT: Devotion for Friday October 9, 2015

MAKE MORE EFFORT                                Friday October 9, 2015                        

Text: Philippians 3:9 – 14                        Memory verse: v 12

In life, we have to take chances, sometimes they are worth it and sometimes they are not, but I tell you now, you will never know until you try. Harvey Keitel says, “The way I see things, the way I see life, I see it as struggle. And there is a great deal of reward I have gained coming to that understanding – that existence is struggle.” If actually we hope to get the reward kept for us (Philippians 3:12) we must see our Christian life and race from the perceptive Harvey had for life. Paul says here that he does not see himself as one who has attained his zenith or now perfect, rather, he still pursues what Christ has kept for him, striving to obtain it. This makes him to discipline his body so he might not run out of track (1 Corinthians 9:26, 27).

If we hope to attain our life’s goal, we must make extra effort. Don’t think you are already there. You must improve yourself. You must be willing to struggle the more to read the word of God, pray and please God with the life you are leading. The perception that there is only one winner in a race should make us more dedicated, purposeful, determined and committed. These will definitely help us to attain that which God has kept for us.

Food for Thought: Strive for excellence because if you achieve something without struggling, it will not give you a sense of satisfaction.

Prayer: Grant me the grace I need, O Lord so I will not run this race in vain.