You've Got My Back - Devotion for January 1, 2020

Devotion for Wednesday January 1, 2020

           

Topic: You’ve got My Back                     

Text: Matthew 28:16 – 20

We give all glory to God for making us part of this year 2020. 

Our text was the parting words of Jesus Christ with His disciples on the day of His ascension. He told them about the authorities bestowed upon Him through His death and resurrection (Matthew 28:18). 

He commissioned the Apostles and other disciples by extension to go forth among all nations. The salvation they were to preach is a common salvation; whoever will, let him come, and take the benefit; all people from every race are welcome to Christ Jesus (28:19, 20a). He concluded the commissioning with assurance that He is with them till the end of age.

Proper understanding this assurance is very necessary for us at the start of a new year like this. The year is filled with uncertainties. Some people are usually anxious at the beginning of the year because they have spent themselves up at the end of last year and are now faced with various responsibilities. Some are curious about their chances of survival in this New Year. 

However, we should approach each year with faith in God (Mark 11:22) and optimism bearing in mind this assurance that God is backing us. God has given us His words about the New Year here. 

All He requires of us is to trust Him and He will continue to lead (Proverbs 6:22), guide (Psalm 32: 8; Isaiah 58:11; John 16:13), guard (Isaiah 58:8), protect, defend (Psalm 5:11) and bless us this year. Welcome to 2020!

Food for Thought: "The Lord is my Shepherd," not was, not maybe, not will be.  "The Lord is my Shepherd"-is on Sunday, is on Monday, and is through every day of the week; is in January, is in December, and every month of the year; is at home, and is in China; is in peace, and is in war; in abundance and in poverty. -Taylor

Memory verse: Matthew 28:20

Prayer: Almighty God, may your hands uphold me every hour and all days of this year. Be with me and bless me according to your promise

Ask Me And I Will Tell You

Devotion for Tuesday January 16, 2018

Topic: Ask Me And I Will Tell You

Text: Jeremiah 33:1 – 5

God is so loving and merciful. He knows how best we can live and serve Him better. He doesn’t want to wander aimlessly in the dark. He is the light and wants us to be and walk in the light too. Whatever will bring doubt in us and make us afraid, He will want to eliminate such. Hence, His words form the topic for the day. Life is full of uncertainties. Even this day, we are not sure of what will happen in the next hour. Because of such uncertainties, God calls on us in our bible reading for the day to ask and He will tell us what lies ahead, how best to handle issues, the ways to attain success and the best way to serve Him and humanity. Jesus Christ also gave same assurance in Matthew 7:7. Beloved, do you know what lies ahead of you this year? What do you think will bring success and progress for you? How best do you think you can serve God? How do you want to handle that troublesome

neighbour? If really you don’t have answers to these and many more questions agitating your mind, then you should ask God to tell you. Nothing takes God unawares. He knows your tomorrow and what it holds for you. He is in the right position to advice you. Remember that he who asks for direction never misses his way. Ask God for direction on ways to go, how to do things today and all the days of your life, and you will always meet with progress and success. Sing SS&S 319; Abu 249

Food for Thought: Someone who asks questions never misses his way

Memory verse: Jeremiah 33:3

Prayer: Grant, O God that I will always seek your counsel whenever I am confused or in doubt in Jesus name. Amen.

Price Of Godliness (Self Exile)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday April 3, 2017

Topic: Price Of Godliness (Self Exile)

Text: I Samuel 27:1 – 7

Some commentators interpret David’s action as lack of faith but I don’t belong to such group. Staying in Israel at that time with the level of threat from Saul would have amounted to tempting God or committing suicide. It was God’s leading because it wouldn’t have worked. Again, David went to the greatest enemies of Israel at that time and was welcomed. They would have killed David, a man that killed their champion Goliath but that was not to be as they befriended him and gave him a choice place to stay (see Prov. 16:7).

He fled from Israel to preserve his life. Saul as the king of Israel had authority over all the land and would have gotten David. The sin of David was his desire to live a godly life or else when he had the opportunity, he would have killed Saul and all his problems would have ended but he left everything in God’s hand. The choice of Ziklag by David was a smart one. Apparently he had won a large degree of trust from Achish one of the co-rulers of the five cities of Philistine. Being out of the king’s eye would free him from the risks of exposure as a double-dealer, or of jealousy on the part of Achish, or of becoming a burden on the king’s hospitality.

Jesus Christ told His disciples to flee from cities where they are not welcomed (Lk 10:10 – 12). What Jesus suggested here was right use of wisdom and discretion in time of crisis and uncertainties. We should be wise enough to understand when to stay and when to flee when our lives are being threatened by the enemies.

Food for Thought: If David had stayed put in the land of Israel, do you think he would have escaped from Saul’s desire to kill him?

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 27 verse 2

Prayer: When persecution arises due to godly living, grant me the grace O Lord to know when to flee and when to stay in Jesus name. Amen