Made to Stumble: Devotion for Tuesday in Holy Week April 7, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday in Holy Week April 7, 2020

Topic: Made To Stumble                                     

Text: Matthew 26:31 – 46  

Improper self-confidence, like that of Peter, is the first step to a spiritual fall. We all are prone to be over-confident some times. The reason for over confident is usually based on what John said in 1 John 4:4. But Satan is active, trying to lead us astray and sometimes God leaves us to ourselves, so as to humble us. This over-confidence is the reason Paul warns us in 1 Cor. 10:12. Jesus predicted that His disciples will desert Him (v31).

Peter as usual was quick to react that even though others were made to stumble he will not (Matthew 26v33). Self-confident indeed! Then Jesus told him how he will deny Him (Matthew 26v34). These revelations were to caution him and lead him into prayers but it didn’t do so. This is how some of us behave we God cautions us as a result of over confidence. Don’t think that you are too spiritual to backslide in faith. If Satan can tempt Jesus, know that he cannot spare you? You should be very vigilant and watchful.

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Jesus expected His disciples to pray after the warning in Matthew 26 v 31 as He took them to Gethsemane but He was disappointed. The warning in Matthew 26 v 31 was meant to challenge them into serious prayers for themselves and their Master but it wasn’t so.

How do we take cautions especially from the scriptures? A young man received a caution concerning a sister who was out to seduce one of the brothers in the fellowship. The most senior brother amongst them took it lightly and eventually, he became the victim. Be careful and watchful!

Food for Thought: Don’t be over confident of your spirituality rather be watchful.

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 10:12

Prayer: God may I not be over confident and neglect your warnings in Jesus name.

AWAKE FROM YOUR SLUMBER: Devotion for Saturday October 8, 2016

AWAKE FROM YOUR SLUMBER: Devotion for Saturday October 8, 2016

Text: Romans 13:11 – 14     Memory verse: Romans 13 v 11

Ability to read time and understand is very important not only in the Christian race but also in all our endeavours in this life. Romans 13:11 states, “And do this, knowing the time ...” There, Paul was speaking about love and in this verse he wants believers to realize their constant need to show love, especially considering the time that Christ’s return is near.

Most passages that teach or warn us about Christ’s return centre on our responsibility to be morally prepared, spiritually alert, and diligently serving God and humanity (1 Pet. 4:11; Jas. 5:8; 1 Jn. 2:18). The warnings found in these passages are essentially necessary for our growth and development as Christians. Believers must be vigilant, alert, and not caught unaware and unprepared when Christ returns. Jesus Christ gave us similar warning when He warned us in these passages; Matthew 24:14, 25:13; Mark 13:33 and Luke 12:40.

The reason for this moral preparation and spiritual alertness giving to us by Paul in our text is because the old sinful nature (Romans 13:13) will still cause problems from time to time, but he (Paul) requires believers to wake up from slumber. Clothing ourselves with Christ means we should put on His character; allowing Him to take control of us in all ramifications (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10), and taking over our thought from where our actions originate. Sinful actions and attitudes all start with a single thought. This is the reason behind the admonition in Proverbs 4:23.

Beloved, are you asleep in negligence, works of darkness, revelry and drunkenness, lewdness and lust, strife and envy? Many things are pointers to the fact that we are sleeping. Some of them are seen in us when we find it hard to pray; when we can’t open our mouths to preach the gospel, when our love and commitments to the things of God has waxed cool, etc. Paul is warning you to wake up and put on the armour of light (Isaiah 60:1; Ephesians 5:14) and to righteousness (1 Corinthians 15:34). Remember the return of Christ is certain and inevitable. It is now closer than when we first believed. Be prepared!

Food for Thought: Are you awake or still sleeping?

Prayer: God, help me to be alert and watchful as I await the return of Jesus.

BE SOBER AND VIGILANT: Devotion for Tuesday October 27, 2015

BE SOBER AND VIGILANT            Tuesday October 27, 2015

Text: 1 Peter 5:5 – 8                     Memory verse: v 8

We have here an exhortation on two important duties that are relevant in this age we are living in – being sober and vigilant in all things. There is a reason for this advice. It is because the enemies are at work. As an adversary, the devil opposes us. Satan opposes us in his best interests. He resists our efforts to do anything good. As a roaring lion he adds terror to his cruelty. He goes about seeking whom he may devour because “It grieves the devils, those apostate angels, to find the souls of men appointed to fill up those vacant places in heaven, which they turned themselves out of. It is a delight to them to plunge souls into the same condemnation and misery with themselves” so says William Burkett.

We can see from the words of William Burkett why the devil is against us and why we should be sober and vigilant. Has it now dawned on you that the devil has seen what the Lord has kept for us and will not want us to benefit from them? This should make us to strive in keeping the faith till the end. This should be a source of challenge to you and keep you on your toes till the battle is won. Let not what we see now deceive us.

Food for thought: 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Prayer:  Lord, make me more sober and vigilant even in this end time.