WHEN WE SHOW TRUE REPENTANCE: Devotion for Saturday November 26, 2016

WHEN WE SHOW TRUE REPENTANCE: Devotion for Saturday November 26, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 22:14 – 20               Memory verse: v19

When we read the word of God and it pricks our heart, we should repent and ask God what we should do. This was the case when Peter preached on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37). If there is any place to weep, it should be in the presence of God for He alone is the one that can help us and not Man. Man may sympathize but can never give you the needed help because he doesn’t have right over his affairs. Have you wept before man and failed to receive what you asked for? Never mind, with Jesus, it is a different case. He knows the necessities of our hearts, when we cry to Him; He saves us (Ps. 34:18). Josiah heard the word of God and it grieved his heart (compare Judges 10:15, 16). Godly sorrow leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). How do you react when you hear the word of God? Does it prick your heart (Acts 2:37 & 7:54)?

Unfortunately, we are in a time where the word of God doesn’t touch the heart of many. The preachers are no longer preaching the raw and undiluted word of God. They preach what the congregation wants to hear. This is the reason we see people clapping hands when the word of God is coming forth instead of mourning for their sins. Most of us in this generation have hearts and consciences that have are dead.    

As a leader in the home, office, church, company, etc, how do you react to advice or correction? Does the action of Josiah challenge you? No matter how hardened our hearts may be, it must prick us when we hear the undiluted word of God (Heb 4:12). As you go to God with broken and contrite heart, He will hear and avert that evil He intended (Ps. 51:7). Josiah’s repentance saved him from dying in the war. Though he was wounded in war according to the warnings of the book but he didn’t die there. It would have been worse if not that he repented. 

Food for Thought: Mourning and weeping makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.

Prayer: Lord, grant me true repentance as I hear your voice so I will not die in this battle for eternal life in Jesus name.

WEEP NOT: Devotion for Monday August 22, 2016

WEEP NOT: Devotion for Monday August 22, 2016

Text: Revelation 5 verses 1 – 5         

Memory verse: Revelation 5 verse 5

John the beloved saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, a scroll sealed with seven seals. This represented the secret purposes of God about to be revealed which no one could know except God, and those to whom He should reveal them. John wept because he knew that the unopened scroll would mean that the closing scene of history could not begin; thus, evil would continue unabated on the earth, and there would be no future for God’s people. However, one of the elders (Revelation 4 verses 4 and 10) told John not to weep any longer, because someone was worthy to open the scroll; the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.

The Messiah, Jesus Christ, has proved Himself worthy by living a perfect life of obedience and total submission to the will of God by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. Rising from the dead, He demonstrated His power and authority over evil and death. Only Christ conquered sin, death, hell, and Satan. So He is the only one that can open the scroll and break its seven seals, setting in motion the forces that will bring about the final destruction of all evil. Until the seals are broken and content of the scroll revealed, evil and death would not be destroyed. This means that evil and death will continue to dominate over man. This was the reason why Apostle John the beloved wept.

This story should be a source of consolation for us when we are faced with challenges and we weep because we feel there is no way out. We should remember that Jesus Christ has conquered and He alone is the one who can save us from all problems of life. Beloved, weep no more because of that problem, sickness, etc. There is hope because Christ has prevailed.

Food for Thought: Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. No matter the circumstances you pass through, have the hope and consolation that it is not forever. Deliverance, rescue, healing, favour and salvation will certainly come your way.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for conquering sin, death, Satan and hell, and you are able to solve my problems. Remember me at the point of my needs.