God’s Mysterious Ways: Devotion for Monday September 28, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday September 28, 2020

Topic: God’s Mysterious Ways

Text: Exodus 14:21 – 31                                 

This story is an instance of God’s wonderful favour to His people, Israel. God showed His Almighty power, by opening a passage through the waters, some miles over for them to pass through. There was no apparent way of escape, but the Lord opened up a dry path through the sea.

This shows that God can bring His people through the greatest difficulties, and force a way for them where He does not find it. They went through the sea; they walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea. This was done, in order to encourage God's people in all ages to trust Him in the greatest straits. What cannot He do who did this do for you if only you trust Him to do so?

Sometimes we find ourselves caught in a problem and see no way out. Don’t panic; God can open up a way. What is the trap before you that there is no way of escape? God will make a way for you. When challenged and trapped, let this story and the words of this song by Don Moen encourage you.

 

God will make a way, Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me

He will be my guide, Hold closely to His side

With love and strength for each new day

He will make a way, He will make a way

 

By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me

And rivers in the desert will I see heaven and earth will fade

But His word will still remain; He will do something new today

   

Food for Thought: The parting of Red Sea was done in order to encourage God's people in all ages to trust Him in the greatest straits.

Memory verse: Exodus 14 v 31

Prayer: God, make way for me today as I go forth into the world. Open doors and gates of opportunities for me in Jesus name. 

He Keeps Us On Our Way

My Daily Covenant with God (2017 Edition) January 1, 2017                    

Topic: He Keeps Us On Our Way   

Text: Exodus 23:20 – 31         

Happy New Year and welcome to 2017! In today’s text is a promise directly from God that He will send His angel to guide His people, Israel through the wilderness to the Promised Land with a condition of obedience attached to it (Exodus 23:21 and 22). How possible would it have been for Israelites to walk through to the Promised Land without God guiding them? That would have been a mission impossible. But God who called them and initiated the movement knew the task ahead and decided to lead them through. They needed courage to continue the journey. God made three promises in 23:20; to send his Angel, to guide His people in the wilderness and to bring them into the Promised Land. 

These are the three promises God has for you as you start this year that He will send His Angel to go before you throughout the year, to guide and guard you and to bring you promises of good health, peace, progress and all the heavenly blessings. God has made these promises; the fulfilment depends on your ability to keep to the conditions attached to them. Just like He told Joshua, so He is telling you today to “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Let this assurance from Josh. 1:9 be your courage this year and beyond.

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 (PowerBible CD)

Memory verse: Exodus 23 verse 20 

Prayer: Pray for the year 2017 and ask for God’s grace, favour, peace and blessings in your life, family and career.

WHEN YOUR WAY PLEASES GOD

DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2016

WHEN YOUR WAY PLEASES GOD            

Text: Proverbs 16:7                          

Have you ever wondered why people look up themselves on the mirror after dressing and want to go out? It is because we want people to like us and we can do anything possible to please them in order to win their approval. We wear make-up, perfume, good clothes and shoes, etc just to appeal to people. That is the extent we can go to get the approval of man. Unfortunately, the energy we channel towards trying to please men is not channeled towards pleasing God.

God requires us to channel all our energy and the resources at our disposal into pleasing Him for it is the only way to guarantee our peace with people including our enemies. How can we please the Lord? List some ways you can please the Lord in your study note for future references. Adam Clarke said something interesting about this our text. He asserts that “God is the guardian and defence of all that fear and love Him; and it is truly astonishing to see how wondrously God works in their behalf, raising them up friends, and turning their enemies into friends.” Isn’t this very interesting that God works in our favour and turning our enemies into our friends? This should make us to please Him the more with our lives, our time and our resources.  

Does it costs anything to please God and do you think you will lose in doing so?  Absolutely nothing and no loss! Rather, it comes with unspeakable blessings, which are uncommon. In 1 John 3:22, we have a reward for pleasing God. Again, Jesus Christ, our example said something challenging in John 8:29. Find out what He said in that bible passage. When any of our children do what is pleasing to us we can do anything for them. So it is with God. Remember the case of Herod who granted the desire of the daughter for dancing by beheading John the Baptist. If Herod can go to that level to please fellow human being, how much more God; who have heaven and earth at his disposal? Determine to please God from today and He will command love to flow from your enemies.

Food for Thought: Does it actually cost anything to please God? Think about it.

Memory verse: Proverbs 16 verse 7

Prayer: God, grant me the heart of obedience to your word so I can please you always in Jesus name.

WHEN YOU WAY PLEASES GOD: Devotion for Saturday September 10, 2016

WHEN YOU WAY PLEASES GOD: Devotion for Saturday September 10, 2016

Text: Genesis 26:26 – 33                  Memory verse: Genesis 26:28 

Today’s bible passage confirms Proverbs 16:7 which says, “When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” This was the case of Isaac in our bible reading of today. We have seen this happen in so many places. David who killed Philistine giant and champion Goliath was offered asylum by Achish one of the Philistines kings who would have seen the coming of David as an opportunity to avenge the death of their champion but it was not so as he openly and warmly welcomed David and his men. He didn’t stop at that, he also gave him the power to choice the place he will stay and David opted for Ziklag to go out of his daily sight.

The bible asserts that the kings' hearts are in the hands of God, which, when it pleases Him, turns their hearts to grant favour to His people. A good man will always be peaceful. That was the case of Isaac. He never insisted on avenging the unfair treatment he received from the Philistines. Rather, he chose to forgive them and to enter into a new relationship and friendship with them.

Our Christian faith teaches and expects us to be good and friendly neighbours with people in our neighbourhood. It always expects us to live peaceably with all men as we have in Hebrew 12:14. For what Isaac did in making forgiving and making peace, providence smiled upon him and God blessed his labours. This persuaded the people of Gerar to come to Isaac.

With Isaac’s enemies wanting to make a peace treaty, Isaac was quick to respond, turning the occasion into a celebration. We should be just as receptive to those who want to make peace with us. When God’s influence in our lives attracts people; even enemies, we must take the opportunity to reach out to them with God’s love. Insisting on wrongs done to us can never bring God’s blessing upon us. Those that God has blessed and favoured have enough reason to forgive those that hate them, since they cannot do them any real harm. Are you willing to forgive those who offended you?

Food for Thought: “Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging one, makes you even with him; forgiving it sets you above him” -Nylic Review.

Prayer: Lord, grant me the heart to forgive those who offend and hurt me in Jesus name.