What do you confess in times of trouble?

My Daily Covenant with God Devotional

Devotion for Monday January 14, 2019

Topic: What Do You Confess In Times Of Trouble

Text: Proverbs 18:21

Most times, we are very careless or carefree with our tongues. We say so many things without recourse and thereafter, we begin to regret our utterances. This is not a good attribute or character of a true Christian. Any Christian who cannot tame his/her tongue and moderate his/her actions is not worthy to answer a Christian. Jesus Christ showed us examples to follow. When He was accused falsely, He didn’t open His mouth. This should be the character of a Christian. We should emulate that. It is my prayer that God will help us in that area in Jesus name.

Our text says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. That means we can speak something to life and command something to die. It also holds that what we confess at any given time invariably affect us. Unfortunately, when some people are in distress, trouble or sick, they tend to forget the power of God and they begin to confess negatively. This also goes a long way to affecting their spiritual and physical life.

Our confession in time of trouble, sickness or crises should be to speak about what God can do and not to speak fear, danger or regret. I have acted like that severally. After the heart operation and second kidney transplant surgery, I came back, hard at hearing. This affected my ministry that I started questioning why I was still alive but today, I have so many reasons to be alive. Our God is a God of all possibilities. He can still use you despite our weaknesses. Remember the case of Paul and his eye problem. He can do far above what we can imagine. Please keep trusting Him in that trouble you are currently going through and certainly, you will come out with testimony.

Food for Thought: Proverbs 4 v 23  

Memory Verse: Matthew 12 v 37

Prayer: Help me O Lord to moderate my thought and words in Jesus name. Amen.

A Useless Religion?

Devotion for Saturday July 28, 2018

Sing A&M 330 (Abu 112) – Thine Forever! God of Love

Topic: A Useless Religion?

Text: James 1:26 - If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

The tongue is a very powerful tool in the life of man; it can bring blessing as well as curse upon a man. A relationship built for years could be destroyed within seconds by the tongue. Marriages have been destroyed because of the use of uncontrolled tongue; families which use to be the envy of others have been shattered by the words of the month.

James said that bridling of tongue is part of our righteous act, and any believer who could not bring restraint to his/her tongue and speech is a deceit. Without control over your words, your religious act is worthless and hypocritical. If Jesus Christ is Lord over our lives He should also be the Lord also over our tongue. Contrary to that, then, there is deception.

For a Christian to maintain his stand with God and man, he should be able to bridle his tongue. A Christian’s use of tongue must be a matter of careful forethought and discipline. Psalm39:1 talked about one being able to restrain one’s tongue before wicked people because all they are after is to get you ensnared in your own words. Christians should not use the tongue with which they bless, to curse.

How do we view gossip, backbiting and slander in the house of God today? St Paul in his letter to the Church in Rome posited that gossip, slanderers and bad-mouths commit the same sin as murders, sexual perverts, and haters of God. He further stated that such sins are worthy of death (Romans 1:28-32). Many Christians have experienced problems and misfortune, or fail to get answers to their prayers, because of the words of their mouth. Above all Christian who wants to enjoy long and blessed life should keep their tongue from evil.

Food for Thought: Psalm 34:12-13                

Memory Verse: Prov. 21:23 - Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

Prayer Point: Help me, O Lord, to keep check on my tongue; help me to have control over the words of mouth so that I will not be ensnared by the words that I speak in Jesus name.

Wisdom For Godly Living

Devotion for Friday January 19, 2018

Topic: Wisdom For Godly Living

Topic: Psalm 39:1 – 4

The best virtue we can develop is the virtue of taming our mouths or observing the oath of silence. Words we speak are very sensitive and can be used against us. James emphasized on the use of mouth when he said, “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” – James 3:8. In our bible reading, David meditates on human frailty and prays for wisdom to live Godly life. He asserts that he must be cautious because of his enemies; he must be patient because of his afflictions; he must be watchful over his tongue, lest he offends God, or give his enemies any reason to speak evil of him. These resolutions David made is what every Christian who wants to live a Godly life should undertake. We run into problem most times when we fail to tame our tongue especially when we are in the public or surrounded by enemies. Just like James noted, the tongue is an unruly evil and full of deadly poison. The ability to tame our tongue will definitely help us to avoid troubles and problems of life. David had shown his desire to live a godly life in this prayer he said here. How do you desire to live your life especially in our world of today where love is confessed but scare? You should adopt the example David gave here so that you will live with wisdom; not falling into problems with people around you. 

Sing A&M 356; Abu 186

Action: Write and paste in a conspicuous position how best you will want to live a godly life this year.     

Memory verse: James 3:2

Prayer: O Lord, my God help me to tame my tongue and to apply wisdom in the life I live in Jesus name. Amen

In The Multitude Of Words

Devotion for Monday November 13, 2017

Topic: In The Multitude Of Words

Text: Proverbs 10:19

Job 6:24 says, “Teach me and I will hold my tongue; cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” The greatest virtue someone can develop in life is the ability to tame his or her tongue. James gave reason for this in James 3:5 – 12.

Our text admonishes us on the importance of governing our tongue which should be our duty for these reasons.

1) It is good to say little, because in the multitude of words, sin doesn’t cease. Usually, those that speak much, speak much idle words which they must shortly give account of (Mathew 12:36).

2). It is therefore good to keep our mouth as with a bridle. See Amos 5:13 and James 1:19. Do you have control over your tongue? James 1:26 says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

The way you talk in the public goes a long way to show the kind of Christian you are. Peter sagely said, “For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit” – 1 Peter 3:10. This is a challenge for us. Many people ridicule their faith by what they say with their mouth. A true Christian chooses his or her words before speaking and not the opposite. Be wise as your faith demands. Have a great day!

Food for Thought: James 1:26

Memory verse: Proverbs 10:19

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the grace to bridle my tongue and to choose my words before I speak so that I will not say idle words.