Faith That Works: Devotion for Sunday June 28, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday June 28, 2020

Topic: Faith That Works                                          

Text: Luke 17:5 – 10                                    

This request in Luke 17:5 was motivated by the difficulty of avoiding and forgiving “offences.” Jesus tells His disciples, that if they have the smallest degree of true faith; lively, operative faith, it will enable them to perform this difficult duty of forgiving injuries, and all other duties, with as much facility and ease as a miraculous faith would enable them to remove mountains and transplant trees.

When we obey Jesus’ instructions, we have only done our duties and should regard it as a privilege. We shouldn’t expect thanks, for we were only doing what we were supposed to do. Jesus used the example of a slave who renders service and does not expect to be thanked to explain what is required of us in carrying out our responsibilities as Christians.

Obedience is not something extra done for God; it is the duty of anyone who desires to be Christ’s follower. We must lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy. How deep is your faith in Christ Jesus? It is not how big your faith is but how deep to counter deep problems of life.

With these words, Jesus was not rendering service as meaningless or useless, nor was He doing away with rewards. He was attacking unwarranted self-esteem and spiritual pride; perhaps such as many of the religious leaders were exhibiting at that time, or what the disciples themselves might be tempted to fall into as they would seek to serve God when their faith has been increased.

Christians should focus their eyes on God with their goal only to serve and please Him. They don’t work for recognition or rewards or even for God to praise them for their hard work. Don’t allow self-esteem and pride for what God is using you to do in your generation enter into your head.

Food for Thought: No obstacle can withstand a confiding faith in God.

Memory verse: Luke 17:6                                                                                    

Prayer: Grant me a strong faith to believe every word that comes from your mouth, O Lord my God.

Our Works Perfect Our Faith

Devotion for Monday May 28, 2018

Topic: Our Works Perfect Our Faith

Text: James 2:19 – 24

Here in our scriptural reading for the day, James presents a proof that faith cannot exist without being active in works of righteousness. He argued that Abraham’s faith in God would have been of no avail to him, had it not been manifested by his works. It was by his works; his obedience to the commands of God that his faith was made perfect and shown to be complete because it produced its appropriate fruit. The idea of James here is that our work is a way of justifying our faith and righteousness. From James position, we can allude that our work of righteousness speaks more of our faith than our profession. There we have a binding obligation to work out our faith so that people will know us more about our faith from our works and not from our confession. This is a challenge for us in this present generation where sin and all manner of evil have become the order of the day. It is only when we establish our righteousness through godly living that we can influence our generation for good. The bible says, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” – Romans 8:19. We must reveal ourselves to the world through the works (actions and words) we do. The works Abraham did by offering his only begotten son made perfect his faith. Likewise will your works make perfect your faith and it all starts from absolute obedience.

Sing A&M 225; Abu 81

Food for Thought: Allow people to know your faith through your works of charity and your obedience to God and not just your confession.

Memory verse: James 2:22

Prayer: Grant, O Lord, my God, that I will justify my faith through the way I live and my obedience to your commandments in Jesus name.

Faith And Action: Two Sides Of The Coin

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday May 20, 2017

Topic: Faith And Action: Two Sides Of The Coin                      

Text: James 1:22

Faith without work is dead so says James in Jas 2:26. For anyone to become a faithful Christian, he/she must developed faith as a virtue in personal life and works. Today, Abraham is called the father of the faithful because by his works he proved his faith. God didn’t tell him where to go, but by the instruction to leave his father land, he left (Gen 12:4). Many of us today will argue with God to tell us where He is sending us. Great heroes and heroines of the Scriptures attained that status because of the faith they demonstrated in their walk with God. Faith goes with action. Both are two sides of coin you can’t do without.  You cannot say you believe in God but has nothing to prove what you actually believed in. It must be substantiated with actions.

James tells us that we should always substantiate our faith by doing what we hear in the word of God. Albert Barnes says “If a man supposes that by a mere punctual attendance on preaching, or a respectful attention to it, he has done all that is required of him, he is labouring under a most gross self- deception.” Unfortunately these words of Barnes are true in the life of some Christians today. They are utterly regardless whether these words have any influence on their lives or not. This is mere hypocrisy. There must be a corresponding action to the faith we confess. We have so many church denominations but its effects are not seen in our daily lives. If we say we are Christians, we should be justified by our action not by our confession alone (Matt.7:21; Lk 11:28 & Rom. 2: 13).

Food for Thought: Is your faith justified by your confession and action

Memory verse: James 1 verse 22

Prayer: Lord God, make me a doer of your word and not hearer alone.

Faith And Action: Two Sides Of The Coin

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday May 20, 2017

Topic: Faith And Action: Two Sides Of The Coin                      

Text: James 1:22

Faith without work is dead so says James in Jas 2:26. For anyone to become a faithful Christian, he/she must developed faith as a virtue in personal life and works. Today, Abraham is called the father of the faithful because by his works he proved his faith. God didn’t tell him where to go, but by the instruction to leave his father land, he left (Gen 12:4). Many of us today will argue with God to tell us where He is sending us. Great heroes and heroines of the Scriptures attained that status because of the faith they demonstrated in their walk with God. Faith goes with action. Both are two sides of coin you can’t do without.  You cannot say you believe in God but has nothing to prove what you actually believed in. It must be substantiated with actions.

James tells us that we should always substantiate our faith by doing what we hear in the word of God. Albert Barnes says “If a man supposes that by a mere punctual attendance on preaching, or a respectful attention to it, he has done all that is required of him, he is labouring under a most gross self- deception.” Unfortunately these words of Barnes are true in the life of some Christians today. They are utterly regardless whether these words have any influence on their lives or not. This is mere hypocrisy. There must be a corresponding action to the faith we confess. We have so many church denominations but its effects are not seen in our daily lives. If we say we are Christians, we should be justified by our action not by our confession alone (Matt.7:21; Lk 11:28 & Rom. 2: 13).

Food for Thought: Is your faith justified by your confession and action

Memory verse: James 1 verse 22

Prayer: Lord God, make me a doer of your word and not hearer alone.

Setting Our Priorities Right

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday May 1, 2017

Topic: Setting Our Priorities Right

Text: Luke 10:17 – 20

One thing that gives us joy in our Christian service and stewardship is going out for evangelism. There is a kind of joy when you come back and reflect on what happened when you were out there preaching to people. This was the kind of joy that the disciples experienced as they saw tremendous results when they ministered in Jesus’ name and with His authority. They were overjoyed by the result from their mission which Jesus shared with them.

Despite sharing in their joy, He helped them get their priorities right, by reminding them of their most important victory which is having their names registered in heaven. This honour was more important than any of their accomplishments.

Today is Workers Day or May Day. A day to celebrate workers but it is proper to remind all workers both in public and private sector that their first major priority is to serve God through humanity. Yes we all need to meet our basic needs but that should not be at the detriment of our faith and morals. There are things that should not be mentioned among Christians. The issue of bribery, kick back, rewards, settlements, budget padding, inflating prices of item purchased, etc, should not be uppermost in our hearts as we serve. Our rewards come from God. At the right and appropriate time, He will reward us.

Just as the disciples were rejoicing and Jesus had to caution them, so it is important that we caution ourselves because a day of reckoning will come when we shall give account of our stewardship to the unseen eye that watched all we did and the services we render. Happy May Day to all workers!

Food for Thought: What is uppermost in your mind as you service in that office, shop, etc.

Memory verse: Luke 10 verse 20

Prayer: Almighty God, help me to understand why you have placed me where I am to serve you through humanity in Jesus name. Amen

Do Your Best All The Time For Someone Is Watching

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - Do Your Best All The Time For Someone Is Watching

Dear friends, as you start this working week, never think in your mind that you are only doing well to your employer by being dedicated and committed to duty. In fact, you are doing yourself more good than your employer when you are dedicated to duty. Unfortunately, many people do have such understanding. When we have the understanding, we will realise that they are much advantages in it more than what we think we would lose by being committed and dedicated to duty.    

Sometime ago, a prospective couple came to me for pre-marital counselling. The man Awele was a young entrepreneur while the lady, Ngozi was a banker. When I asked how they met and what attracted them to one another, the man was the first to speak and he said, "Each time I come into the banking hall, her commitment and dedication toward her job were outstanding. She takes her work as if it is her personal business. After I had observed her for some time, it dawn on me that she is a responsible woman that can be a wife and make a good home. I book a date with her and from there it all started."

When that lady was busy in her job, she never knew that somebody was watching her. All she had in mind was how to be her best in her job and find satisfaction in it. At the end, she found more than satisfaction. She found love, a good home and a lovely husband.

There is another story I shared in my book MY DRIVE TO LEGENDARY STATUS. It was the story of a woman, Chioma who works in CITY DELIGHT CENTRE, a place where they sale drinks, roasted meat (suya), sharwama, and pepper soup. Any time she is on duty, the centre makes more money because of the way she welcomes and attends to customers. Most of the customers noticed her dedication to duty; her commitment, her services and ways of attending to customers and some approached her with the request to withdraw her from there to their businesses with double salary of what she was receiving but severally she refused and for five consecutive years, the CITY DELIGHT CENTRE kept increasing her salary to ward off offers from other places. To her, it was not the salary that kept her there but the privilege to mentor people and make friends.      

Dear brothers and sisters, as you start this week, give yourself more to your work. Don't think that the work you are employed to do belong to someone else and therefore you can behave the way you like. The best way to find joy and peace in your work is to see that job/business as your job or business. Until you begin to see the job you do as your personal job, you won't give yourself more to it and you can never find satisfaction in it.

The Chioma I mentioned earlier, saw the CITY DELIGHT CENTRE as her personal business and she benefitted so much from the goodwill of people towards her more than the salary she receives (You need to read that book – MY DRIVE TO LEGENDARY STATUS. Use your job as a teacher, lecturer, doctor, nurse, waiter, pastor, sales representative, etc to mentor people. Make positive impact on them and you will never regret it.

As you go out to your personal business or job as an employee, ensure you do your best all the time because someone is watching you. You may not immediately reap the benefits of your commitment and dedication to duty but certainly, a day of reckoning is at hand. God will remember and reward you accordingly. ALWAYS BE THE BEST YOU CAN THIS WEEK AND THE DAYS AHEAD.

Have a great week!

Your Friend,

Tabugbo      

Be An Observable Model (In Actions)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday February 3, 2017

Topic: Be An Observable Model (In Actions)         

Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6 – 10    

Here, Paul warned about laziness. He made it clear that they were models when he and his companions were in Thessalonica, saying that they worked hard, buying what they needed rather than becoming a burden to any of the believers. Their rule was, “Whoever does not work should not eat.” This should be the standard of every Christian. Is it pleasing that as a Christian, you should be a burden to people? It is absolutely wrong for us to fold our hand and continue to wait for supply from other people. This is the reason behind Paul’s warning in 3:6. See his example in 2 Cor. 11:9, Acts 18:3 and 1 Thessalonians. 2:9.

Most Christians confuse leisure and laziness but there are differences between them. Relaxation and recreation provide a necessary and much needed balance to our life; but when it is time to work, Christians should jump right in. We should make the most of our talent and time, doing all we can to provide for ourselves and our dependents. Rest when you should be resting and work when you should be working.

Be a model for others the way you work to provide for your family and other dependants. Don’t bring shame to God and His church by lazing about in pretence that you are going for prayers, going for evangelism while your family is dying of hunger. Don’t be a burden to others and the church. That is how you can be a model.

Action: Start doing something from today if you don’t have any job. It may not be what you wanted but from there God will take you to where you will be.   

Memory verse: Acts 20:34 - You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me (ESV).

Prayer: Bless the works of my hands O Lord and give job to those in need so we can’t become burden to people.

An Industrious Lady

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday January 18, 2017

Topic: An Industrious Lady

Text: Ruth 2: 1 – 3                 

We find in this book called Ruth, excellent examples of faith, piety, patience, humility, industry, and loving-kindness, in the common events of life as demonstrated by Ruth and Naomi. Now Ruth had made her home in a foreign land. Instead of depending on Naomi or waiting for good fortune to happen, she took the initiative. She went to work. She was not afraid of admitting her need or working hard to supply it.

When Ruth went out to the fields, God provided for her. If you are waiting for God to provide, consider this: He may be waiting for you to take the first step to demonstrate just how important your need is. This is what most people don’t know about Providence. God is ever working.

Again, He has deposited great talents in us to make a living and be a blessing to our generation. Unfortunately, many of us have been blinded to the diverse opportunities beckoning on us. Just as we saw yesterday, we shouldn’t allow our immediate environment, our lineage, etc., to block our view of what lies ahead of us. Ruth went out to work even in a foreign land. Why can’t you work?

On the day I wrote this devotion, I read the story of Jennifer Adokorach from northern Uganda who was paralyzed at 5years as a result of injection in a hospital, but rose through primary school to a university with that paralysis. As she wasn’t employed after studies because she was paralyzed, she started farming and from the proceeds, she opened a hair dressing saloon. She now takes care of her aged mother and her 3 nephews – two in the university and one in secondary school. She is presently contesting for District Councillorship position and hopes to run for the Parliament in future.

If this woman, Jennifer Adokorach can go this far, what stops you? Think about it and be industrious.

Food for Thought: What are your excuses for not working hard enough?

Memory verse: Ruth 2 v 2 - Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favour.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter” (ESV)

Prayer: Make me industrious, O Lord that I will have enough for my family, dependants and the needy around me. Amen.

HE COMPLETES HIS WORK: Devotion for Thursday July 21, 2016

HE COMPLETES HIS WORK: Devotion for Thursday July 21, 2016

Text: Romans 8:29, 30                 

Memory verse: Romans 8:30 - Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

God doesn’t do His work half way. When He starts a process of someone’s deliverance, He perfects it. He doesn’t stop halfway. Paul asserts here that God did not simply foreknow that they would be His people, but His foreknowledge of them as His people included the gracious purpose of bringing them into a state of salvation, as he proceeds immediately to show in the preceding verses. Our text does not necessarily mean that before the beginning of the world, God chose certain people to receive His gift of salvation as they refer to in Ephesians 1:11. Some believe that God knew in advance who would respond to His salvation. But what is clear is that God’s purpose for us was not an afterthought; it was settled before the foundation of the world. The purpose is that people are to serve and honour God. This was what God decided before the foundation of this world.

In 1993, I had a spiritual problem and it almost cost me my salvation. I wanted to flee away from preaching the word of God again in my hometown. God sent my Pastor friend, Victor Eziuzor to speak to me. January 1, 1994, I went into my Prayer Camp and was there weeping before God. At about 6pm that faithful day, God said, “Go to Philippians 1:6.” That was only the word God spoke to me and that restored peace to my heart. God’s plan for the salvation of those who believe in Christ has three steps: chosen, called, and glorified. When we are finally conformed to the image of Christ, we will share His glory. God’s love is eternal. His wisdom and power are supreme. He will guide and protect you until the day stand you will stand in His presence.

Food for Thought: Philippians 1:6 – Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, complete any impending work in my spiritual life in Jesus name.

2. Almighty God, send your word of peace to every troubled heart doubting his or her salvation in Jesus name.