Be Consistent: Devotion for Monday May 4, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday May 4, 2020

Topic: Be Consistent                                

Text: 2 Timothy 4:1 – 8                               

Consistency is one of the bedrocks for excellence. Before you can make your mark that will bring you to the podium for recognition, you would have shown a great deal of consistency in your career.

Today, ‘My Daily Covenant with God’ is gaining popularity because I refused to be discouraged by what people say or do. I have weathered the storm in the past years and refused to give up. These are some of the lessons I learnt from our mentor, Robin Sharma in his book, ‘A Leader who had no title.’ How determined are you to make it to the podium in your career? It demands consistency. Are you already washing your net? Don’t give up. A little more effort will make all the difference in your career in Jesus name.

In our text, Paul was telling Timothy that his call demands consistency in preaching and teaching of the word of God; being ready in season and out of season to preach, teach, discipline, etc., (2 Timothy 4:2). This is the only way he can make his mark as a pastor.

This call to be consistent is not only in the Christian ministerial work. Such consistency is needed in all the careers of life. Before you be known in your career, you would have shown more commitment, zeal, dedication, passion, enthusiasm, etc., more than others you work with.

How passionate, committed and enthusiastic are you in your work as a minister of the gospel; as a Christian, as a teacher, trader, artisan, civil/public servant, etc.? Be consistent because that will bring you to the peak of your career in Jesus name.

Food for Thought: How consistent are you in your Christianity and career?

Memory verse: 2 Timothy 4:2

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to be consistent in my Christian race and career so I will make it to the podium at last in Jesus name.

For Our Enjoyment: Devotion for Friday, January 10, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday January 10 2020

Topic: For Our Enjoyment                  

Text: 1 Timothy 6:17 – 21

There is difference between being financially rich and being rich towards God. Wealth is very uncertain (Proverbs 23:5). Those who are rich should understand that their riches came from God. He alone grants the grace to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly, not having a heart to use them rightly (1 Timothy 6:17).

Riches are meant to be used for doing good deeds (1 Timothy 6:18). Those who have money must be generous, but they must not be arrogant just because they have a lot to give. They must be careful not to put their hope in money instead of God for their security. See Mark 10:24.

Even if we don’t have material wealth, we can be rich in good deeds. No matter how poor we are, we have something to share with someone. These things we have in us are for the enjoyment of ourselves and those we meet or those who come to us on daily basis.

There is the admonition to guard what has been entrusted to Timothy. These things are of two dimensional; his congregation and his talents/gifts. The reason for this is because of false teachers who brought wrong doctrines into the church. We still have many of them now. Beware, so that you will not be deceived.

Food for Thought: How best can you use your wealth in the service of God and humanity?

Memory verse: Luke 12:21

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O God to use my wealth to serve you and humanity.

Are You A Vessel For Honour?

Devotion for Saturday June 16, 2018

Sing A&M 325; Abu 157

Topic: Are You A Vessel For Honour?

Text: 2 Timothy 2:19 – 21

Vessel unto honour literally means a vessel that is useful in honourable way. When God used Assyrians to punish Israel, they were useful in the hands of God but not for honour because they were punished at the end too. God requires us to be vessels unto honour for that was the reason behind our creation and call. In our text, Paul admonishes us to be mindful of how we live our lives because God knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore everyone who is a Christian should depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19). The reason for this advice is in 2 Timothy 2:20 so that we can become vessels unto honour. When we cleanse ourselves from all forms of defilement, we will become “vessels for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” Have you cleansed yourself from all defilement? As a Christian sister/brother who is single and engaged, what is your secret life with your fiancé/fiancée? We can’t serve God and be useful in His hands when we are living in sin and compromising our faith. To be a vessel unto honour we must avoid all form of defilement be it in words, actions, reactions and deeds. Couples should be sincere in their relationships; they should love and be loveable, be at peace with all people and above all be sincere in their worship of God with faith in Christ Jesus.

Food for Thought: A sanctified life is pleasant to God and such is always a reliable instrument in His hands.

Memory verse: 2 Timothy 2:21

Prayer: God may I be a vessel unto honour in your house now and forever.

Price of Godliness (Persecution)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday March 29, 2017

Topic: Price of Godliness (Persecution)

 Text: 2 Timothy 3:10 – 12                    

Godliness has so many price tags which we shall be looking at from now till next week.  In this letter, Paul charges Timothy that if he wanted to live godly in Christ; he must make up his mind to encounter persecution. He asserts that total obedience to God and a life lived for Christ will be persecuted. What Paul meant here is that instead of Timothy thinking of persecution as a stumbling block, he should consider it the portion of the godly which is meant to prepare them for the heavenly glory. He urged Timothy to follow after his way of life, noting how he suffered persecution (2 Timothy 3:10, 11). Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 3:12 was to intimate Timothy that persecution is a process all those who choose godliness will certainly pass through.

Beloved, if you desire to live godly life you should not be surprised when people misunderstand, criticize, and even try to hurt you because of what you believed and how you live your Christian life. They can go extra mile to stop you from serving God or silence you by sending you into the prison. Don’t give up even when they set you up. Continue to live as you know you should. God is the only one you need to please. This should be your aim; to please God always. Remember that there is a reward for you if you will remain steadfast and immovable in your faith and walk with God.

Food for Thought: It is better to incur the world's hatred by speaking against its wickedness than gain its goodwill by going down the stream with it – Henry (PowerBible CD).

Memory verse: 2 Timothy 3 verse 12   

Prayer: Lord, grant me the courage to stand for the truth even in the face of persecution in Jesus name.

PERILOUS TIMES ARE HERE: Devotion for Thursday September 29, 2016

PERILOUS TIMES ARE HERE: Devotion for Thursday September 29, 2016

Text: 2 Timothy 3:1 – 9          Memory verse: 2 Timothy 3:1

Perilous simply means very dangerous. The time we are in fits in to this definition. Paul’s reference to the last days reveals his sense of urgency and the need to intimate Timothy so it shouldn’t take him unawares. Such warnings about the last days were certainly not unique to Paul alone but was a common theme among the leaders of the early church (Acts 2:17; Jas 5:3; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 1:18). Perilous times mean hard to bear, dangerous, troublesome. As Paul used it here it means a period when it will be difficult to be a Christian (2 Timothy 3:1 – Living Bible).

We need to give this warning Paul gave to Timothy the full attention it deserves because we are already in the last days. The ‘last days’ began after Jesus’ resurrection, when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost (see Joel 2:28, 29 and Act 2:17). The last days will continue until Christ’s second coming. Paul speaks about the last days as a present reality (emphasizing the truth that the state of depravity in the world is always ripe for harvest). Paul set out for us these signs of last days in 2 Timothy 3:2–5. 

From the above it means that we are living in the last days. It should not surprise us, then, to see the moral decadence of our society. The example Paul gave from 2 Timothy 3:ff are all manifesting today. People are now lovers of pleasure more than bible Studies, mid week services, etc. We now have children who are highly disobedient to their parents. Our society is now filled with all manner of wickedness; killing, kidnapping, ritual murder, betrayals, etc.

Paul warned us that it would happen, as Jesus Christ did too (see Matt 24). Thus we should run from them (3:5b, Gen. 39), reject their enticement (Prov. 1:10) and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:11). We should be careful and heed to the warning of Paul in Romans 13:12 and 1 Corinthians 10:12.

Food for Thought: We shouldn’t forget the warning of Christ in Mark 13:33 which says, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”

Prayer: Keep me to yourself, O Lord, in this perilous time so I will not backslide into sin.

BE CONSISTENT: Devotion for Wednesday May 4, 2016

BE CONSISTENT: Devotion for Wednesday May 4, 2016

Text: 2 Timothy 4:1 – 8     Memory verse: v 2

Consistency is one of the bedrocks for excellence. Before you can make your mark that will bring you to the podium for recognition, you would have shown a great deal of consistency in your career. Today, ‘My Daily Covenant with God’ is gaining popularity because we refused to be discouraged by what people say or do. We have weathered the storm in the past years and refused to give up. These are some of the lessons we learnt from our mentor, Robin Sharma in his book, ‘A Leader who had no title.’ How determined are you to make it to the podium in your career? It demands consistency. Are you already washing your net? Don’t give up. A little more effort will make all the difference in your career in Jesus name.

Paul tells Timothy in our text, that his call demands consistency; being ready in season and out of season to preach, teach, discipline, etc (4:2). This is the only way he can make his mark as a pastor. This call to be consistent is not only in the Christian ministerial work. Such is needed in all the careers of life. Before you can become known in your career, you would have shown more commitment, zeal, dedication, passion, enthusiasm, etc, more than others you work with. How passionate, committed and enthusiastic are you in your work as a minister of the gospel, as a Christian, as a teacher, trader, artisan, civil/public servant, etc? Be consistent because that will bring you to the peak of your career.

Food for Thought: How consistent are you in your Christianity and career?

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to be consistent in my Christian race and career so I will make it to the podium at last in Jesus name.       

FOR OUR ENJOYMENT: Devotion for Sunday January 10, 2016

FOR OUR ENJOYMENT                        Sunday January 10, 2016

Text: 1 Timothy 6:17 – 21                  Memory verse: v 17

There are differences between being financially rich and being rich towards God. Wealth is very uncertain (Prov.23:5). Those who are rich should understand that their riches came from God. He alone grants the grace to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly and not having a heart to use them rightly (6:17). Riches are meant to be used for doing good deeds to people (6:18). Those who are rich must be generous and must not be arrogant just because they have a lot to give. They must be careful not to put their hope in money, instead they should hope in the living God for their security. This is the reason for the words of Christ in Mk. 10:24.

We can be rich in good deeds even if we don’t have material wealth. No matter how poor we are, we have something to share with someone. These things we have in us are for the enjoyment of ourselves and those we meet or those who come to us on daily basis. There is the admonition to guard what has been entrusted to Timothy. These things are of two dimensions; his congregation and his talents/gifts. The reason for this is because of false teachers who brought wrong doctrines into the church. We still have many of them now. Beware, so that you will not be deceived.

Food for Thought: How best can you use your wealth for the service of God and humanity?

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to use my wealth to serve you and humanity.