Lord Speak To Me That I May Speak

Devotion for Friday July 27, 2018

Sing SS&S 786 (Abu 129) – Lord Speak To Me That I May Speak

Topic: Be Doers Of The Word

Text: James 1:22 – 25

I remember when I was living in a school hostel and seemed very fanatical about the bible. Each time I made a mistake or by any of my group (fellowship members), a particular student would use the statement to scold us. And when she does that, I would feel pain as if I was whipped. It is not just enough to go to church daily, bible study and hold night vigil through the week yet your life speaks the opposite of what you profess. Non-Christians expect us to live like Christ. We know from the bible that Christ our Lord is good; His works are good, His life speaks well and utterances radiate good and there is no wickedness found in Him. The early disciple radiated same charisma and that was why they were called Christians in Antioch.

To be a Christian means to live like Christ so that when you present the Word to unbelievers they will not reject it. We should note that James wrote this to Christians who attend church and hears the word of God regularly not pagans who don’t go to church nor hear the word of God. His intent was to caution those in the church who hears the word of God regularly for them to know that to hearing without doing what they heard is self-deception while the hearers and doers of the word of God are blessed.

How do we take the word we hear? Do you see the word preached as the right message for you or just meant for Mary or John? A woman who has been an old member of a church shook hands with a pastor after service one Sunday morning and said “that was a wonderful sermon, just wonderful! Everything you said applies to someone I know.” James doesn’t want us to apply the word to someone else but to apply it to ourselves. If you want blessing in your life then apply the word of God you hear or read daily into your life.

Food for Thought: Mere hearers of the word of God are self-deceivers; and self-deceit will be found to be the worst deceit at last.

Memory verse: James 1:22

Prayer Point: Help me oh Lord, to do all I hear and to learn from you total obedience to your word in Jesus name.

The Word Of God Gives Life

Devotion for Friday May 25, 2018

Topic: The Word Of God Gives Life

Text: Ezekiel 37:1 – 14

There are many lessons in our bible reading for the day especially when we feel discouraged in life. It shows us the power of God over hopeless situations. It also reveals the power in God’s word and inabilities in man. God alone is the one whose word stands. The bible says in Lamentation 3:37, “Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it?” God used this revelation to illustrate how He will restore Israel from their hopeless situation in captivity to glory in their land (Ezekiel 37:12 – 14). God likened the spiritually dead situation of Israel at that time to dry bones. Your church may seem like a heap of dry bones to you; spiritually dead with no hope of vitality. But just as God promised to restore His nation, He can restore any church, no matter how dry or dead it may be. Rather than giving up, pray for renewal and for God can restore it to life. The hope and prayer of every church should be that God will put His Spirit into it (Ezekiel 37:14). In fact, God is at work calling his people back to Himself, bringing new life into dead churches. On the other hand, your spiritual life; your business, your marriage or other aspects of your life, may be as dry as bones and there seem to be no more life in them. Never mind, God is able to turn it around. Go to Him in prayer today.

Sing A&M 362, Abu 86

Food for Thought: God has answers to dryness in our physical and spiritual lives.

Memory verse: Ezekiel 37:7

Prayer: God, cause life into any dryness in my physical and spiritual life. 2. God revive everything in your church especially where I worship.

The Lord God Is My Portion

Devotion for Friday February 2, 2018

Topic: The Lord God Is My Portion

Text: Psalm 119:57

Any true believer (Christian) takes the Lord for the portion of his/her inheritance and nothing less will satisfy him or her. In our text, we can see the true character of a godly man. 1. He makes the favour of God his happiness. Thus the Psalmist here was happy to assert that God is his portion and nothing else matters to him. Some people place their happiness and pleasure in the wealth and honours of this world. Their portion is in this life; they look no further; they desire nothing more; these are their good things (Luke 16:25). However, a godly man takes the Lord for the portion of his inheritance and his cup, and nothing less will satisfy him. Another character of a godly man here is that he makes the word of God his guiding principle. He had declared his choice: he preferred the word of God to the wealth of the world. It was his firm resolve to keep, that is, treasure up and observe the words of his God (compare John 14:15) because he loves God. Here he confesses his binding obligation of his vow to God.  Beloved, what is your portion and what is it that gives you joy and makes you happy. Is it God and His word or the wealth of this world?

Sing SS&S 811; Abu 227

Food for Thought: Psalm 16:5         

Memory verse: Lamentation 3:24

Prayer: Lord God, you are my portion. Make me to be contented with what you have offered me and will offer me in future in Jesus name. Amen

They Believed God’s Word

Devotion for Wednesday September 20, 2017

Topic: They Believed God’s Word

Text: Exodus 4:31

Today’s text is contradictory to what we have in Exodus 6:6 – 9 as the Israelites did not heed to Moses. Here, they believed but when what they had expected didn’t come – the immediate release from bondage of Pharaoh and his men, they didn’t believe any longer. They had thought that their deliverance would have been so easy but it was not so. This is one of the many problems of men who come to Jesus Christ because they need a good job, spouse, heal

ing, deliverance; fruit of the womb, prosperous business and breakthrough in all endeavours. When they come and didn’t receive what they had desired from God, they will easily give up.

The people believed the word of God through Moses and Aaron that God has appeared for them in mercy and was about to deliver them from bondage. God is better to us than our fears. We overcome difficulties in some o our duties when God appears for us. The yoke which appears to exasperating will be easy and the burden which seems so heavy will be made light (Matthew 11:29 – 30).

The word of God is a source of encouragement. There is nothing that gives joy more than the word of God we hear. As we hear it, it brings comfort, gives directions, removes fear and grant us boldness (Joshua 1:8; Palm 1:1 – 3).

How do you take God’s word you hear? Do you believe it? It is the word of God we hear that will bring miracles and open doors for us. Constant meditation on the word of God will strengthen our faith to believe in God. Please make time to read and meditate on the word of God for that will give you the needed result in life.

Food for Thought: They believed because they saw. Is it same with you?

Memory verse: Exodus 4:31

Prayer: Lord God, help me to always meditate on your word so I can believe in Jesus name.

Gracious Words

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday May 2, 2017

Topic: Gracious Words

Text: Ecclesiastics 10:12 – 15

A Chinese proverb says, “If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words.” The words we speak, show what we are – either wise or fools. It is expected that the words that proceeds from our mouth should be decent and orderly. It should be creditable to the person and also acceptable to those who hear us. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious and minister grace to the hearers while a fool speaks without recourse.

The lips of the fool speak at random. The words that come out from the lips of a fool are not only unpleasant to others but often destructive to themselves. What a fool says comes from his own wickedness and weakness. Their words come from fury to injure others and same over and over again (10:14).

Beloved, how gracious are the words that come out of your mouth? Do your words manifest grace to your hearers and how do you react when abused or accused falsely? You shouldn’t react or speak like a fool who would vent his fury on others through your words. Jesus gave us an example in 1 Pet. 2:21 – 23. We should take to heart the admonition of Hannah in 1 Sam. 2:3. Let this be wisdom for us always.

Food for Thought: “Gentle words, quiet words, are after all the most powerful words; they are more convincing, more compelling, more prevailing” – W. Gladden.

Memory verse: Ecclesiastics 10 verse 12

Prayer: God, grant me grace to speak wisely and not foolishly in Jesus name. Amen

THE POWER IN THE WORD OF GOD: Devotion for Friday November 25, 2016

THE POWER IN THE WORD OF GOD: Devotion for Friday November 25, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 22:11 – 13          Memory verse: 2 Kings 22 verse 11

King Josiah sent message through Shaphan the scribe to Hilkiah the high priest. Shaphan returned words to the king about the book of the Law Hilkiah found (2 Kings 22:8). Shaphan read it to the hearing of the king (2 Kings 22:10). On hearing the words of God written in the book of the Law, Josiah knew that he and his people were in danger of God’s wrath, condemnation and judgment. He tore his clothes on account of the judgments denounced in the law against the people; and to which they were exposed to on account of their idolatry (2 Kings 22:13).

He sent people to inquire of the Lord for him, and for his people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against them, because their fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according to all that, which is written concerning them.

The word of God King Josiah heard started burning in him because he opened his heart to receive it. He didn’t give halfhearted attention to it as some of us do. These words that moved King Josiah unto godly repentance may not move some other persons to even blink an eye. This shows that the effect of the world of God on us depends on how we pay attention to it and how we accept it. If we accept the word of God wholeheartedly, it will yield abundant result of righteousness and fruitfulness for us. 

The word of God is quick and powerful (Heb. 4:12). When we read it with open heart to hear from God, take instruction and gain wisdom, it will surely prick our heart if we have been living in sin. The word of God, whether of law or grace, whether of promise or threatening, imparts to it, His own divine power. It lays open every heart, and detects all hypocrisy and unbelief. This is what the word did in heart of Josiah. Are you living a life of unbelief, hypocrisy and sin? You should yield your heart to God, allowing him to reveal your sin and thereafter repent of them. Are you ready to do that?

Food for Thought: Jeremiah 23:29

Prayer: Lord, empower your word as I read it so that it will bring out in me godly sorrow which brings repentance in Jesus name.

LIVE OUT THE WORD YOU HEAR: Devotion for Sunday September 25, 2016

LIVE OUT THE WORD YOU HEAR: Devotion for Sunday September 25, 2016

Text: James 1:19 – 25        Memory verse: James 1 verse 22

For every trials and problems of life we pass through, there are lessons for us to learn. This is what we should understand. Nothing happens for nothing. When we are under trials, instead of blaming God, we should open our ears and hearts to hear and learn what He teaches by them. This is very important because when we don’t learn from our trials, mistakes, etc, we will eventually fall into them in future. That is why it is important to learn from our past and use them for our future.

Any Christian who could govern his or her tongue could also govern his or her passions. In James’ opinion according to our scriptural reading for the day, mere reading or even studying, God’s word can’t profit us if we don’t obey what it says or teaches us. Our purpose for reading and listening to God’s word should not just be to know it, but also to do it - applying them into our daily living. It will amount to mere foolishness and our undoing when we pride ourselves in the knowledge of Scripture if that’s all there is to it.

The ability to quote bible verse off hand and recite them at will without the words manifesting in our lives; in the way we talk, react, act, etc, we are still far from what God expects of us. “Worthwhile knowledge is a prelude to action; God’s word can only grow in the soil of obedience” so says Life Application Commentary. It is important to hear God’s word, but it is much more important to obey it. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes. Do we put into action what we have studied?

We hear and read the word of God regularly during corporate services, and personal quiet times. It is not how often you hear or read it that matters with God but how much we live out the word. Christians are unbelievers’ Bible. No wonder Christ said we are the salt of the earth and light of the world. We should therefore, give them good message daily and not what will make them question our Christian faith. Christianity should be lived out and not only professed.

Food for Thought: Romans 2:13

Prayer: Lord, help me to become a doer of your word and not hearer alone.

WHEN GOD REPEATS HIS WORDS: Devotion for Friday June 24, 2016

WHEN GOD REPEATS HIS WORDS: Devotion for Friday June 24, 2016

  

Text: Joshua 1:1 – 9                        

Memory verse: v 9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (New King James Version).

In our text, God used the phrase “Be strong and of good courage,” 3 times in verses 6, 7 and 9. God used this phrase repeatedly because that was the area He has endued Joshua but he seems not to have understood that. He wants Joshua to understand that He is with him and has empowered him to lead the Israelis into the Promised Land.

Joshua, though a person of great courage and resolution, had severally proved that he was, yet needs these exhortations. The reason is that his work was great, and difficult, and long, and in a great measure new. Again he needed the exhortation because he had a very mean opinion of himself, especially if compared with Moses; and remembering how perverse and ungovernable that people were, even under Moses, he might very well suspect that the burden of ruling them would be too heavy for his shoulders.

God expected Joshua to make His law, his rule. He was charged to meditate therein day and night, that he might understand it. This is what is expected of us too in our Christian race wherein we face stiff challenges as Joshua faced. How much time do you spend in meditating on the word of God? We show the highest and noblest courage when we faithfully discharge our duties. There is no coward that makes it his great object to obey the known will of God.  

Most times it is in the area of our strength that devil brings fear to intimidate us. Joshua knew that he has the charisma, character and ability to lead the people yet, he was reluctant and unwilling. In the days of Gideon, he was afraid of the Midianites even when he has the power. It was the power in him that made the angel of the Lord to urge him to go in that strength. What are the areas of your strength? Are you using them to its full potential or you are waiting for God to emphasis on it?

Food for Thought: Most times devil intimidates or tempts us based on our strength.

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to recognise my strength and use it for your glory. 

YOU WILL RETURN: Devotion for Wednesday June 22, 2016

YOU WILL RETURN: Devotion for Wednesday June 22, 2016

Text: Isaiah 10:20 – 23        Memory verse: v 21

God keeps to His words. He fulfilled all His promises except when we fail to keep our own part of the covenant. When He told the Israelis, at the bank of Red Sea that the Egyptians they are seeing they will see no more. It was as if it is something very impossible to happen. But God was true to His word. 

Here is the assurance that the remnant will return to their Promised Land. Those who remained faithful to God despite the horrors of the invasion are called the remnant. Once Assyria’s army was destroyed, a small group of God’s people would stop relying on Assyria and start trusting God (10:20). This remnant would be but a fraction of Israel’s former population (Ezra 2:64-65). Have your life been battered by evil, sickness, sin, etc? God is promising you that you will return to the position of good health, prosperity, progress, knowledge of God, etc.   

In spiritual terms, the key to being a part of the remnant was faith in Christ Jesus. These remnants are those that will be raptured to be with the Lord. Being a descendant of Abraham, living in the Promised Land, having trusted God at one time, none of these were good enough. Are you relying on your Christian heritage, the rituals of worship, or past experience to qualify you for belonging to God’s family? The key to being a true Christian is faith in God.

Food for Thought: Will you be among those that will return to God when the rapture takes place?

Prayer: Lord God, keep me rapturable till the day of rapture or my death

EVER FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD: Devotion for Saturday April 16, 2016

EVER FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD: Devotion for Saturday April 16, 2016

Text: Luke 2:25 – 35    Memory verse: v 29, 30  

Any prayer we make according to the will of God especially those that will bring glory to His name receives answers from Him. This man Simeon was “Just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (2:25). Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he will see the salvation of Israel before death. What a privilege! By the leading of the Spirit, he came into the temple at the dedication of the child, Jesus. Here is the confession of Simeon’s faith, that this Child in his arms was the Saviour, the salvation itself, the salvation God has appointed for the world. God was faithful in keeping him to see that salvation promised (2:29ff).           

There are some lessons for us in this story. 1) Simeon had a good standing with God; a just and devout man, which made God to reveal mysteries to him. What is your standing with God? What testimony can people share about you? Let the life of Simeon challenge you. 2) Another lesson is that God is faithful to His word. He spoke to Simeon about seeing the salvation and consolation of Israel. He kept His word and Simeon saw the consolation of Israel. This shows that God cannot deny us and His word. Whatever He has said about you, He will perform. 3) Thirdly, when we wait patiently on God, He will answer us. Simeon waited for consolation of Israel and he got it. Are you waiting on God for something, be sure that you will not be disappointed.

Food for Thought: God fulfills all his word, keeps all his promises, and NEVER disappoints those who trust in him.

Prayer: As I keep on trusting your word, O Lord, may you fulfill them in Jesus name.