Let Your Light So Shine

Devotion for Saturday April 7, 2018

Topic: Let Your Light So Shine

Text: Matthew 5:14 – 16                           

Light is very important in our existence here on earth. Have you ever imagined what life would be without light? To some of us in Nigeria, it may not mean anything because we are used to darkness but not someone in the Western World. Jesus Christ told His disciples that they are light of the world and should shine for people to see. Jesus later explained this in John 8:12.

Without darkness, we can’t know the importance of light. The basic truth in this is that as light dispels darkness and enables a man to see his way, so the Christian, by his teaching and exemplary life, removes ignorance and prejudice, and discloses the way of life to unbelievers. Christians reflecting the light of Christ is necessary so that its beauty and essence can’t be concealed. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like.

These are some of the ways we can hide our light from shinning. (1) When we keep quiet while we ought to speak. (2) Going along with the crowd and not standing out for Christ. (3) Denying the light, (4) Allowing sin in our lives which dims our light, (5) Not explaining the source of our light to others and (6) Ignoring the needs of others.

Beloved, are you really light in your family, office, school, business and neighbourhood? What being light of the world implies is that we are expected to live lives of high morals to reflect our call as Christians. We should let the light of Christ we have received be seen in us otherwise we are either being selfish or deceitful.

Sing: Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning. Give me oil in my lamp I pray, Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning. Keep me burning till that brighter day.

Food for Thought: Is your light shining for people around you to see?

Memory verse: Matthew 5:14

Prayer: Use the song above to pray.

An Encouragement For Us

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday March 3, 2017 

Topic: An Encouragement For Us

Text: John 16:33

Jesus summarizes His teaching with an encouragement to His disciples by saying that they will enjoy peace through their union with Him because He would overcome the world by rising from the dead. The world and Satan are opposed to God and will definitely give Christians many trials and sorrows. But Jesus has defeated Satan, won the victory, and overcome the world. Jesus asserts that in the world His disciples will have problem but He also gave a remedy to the world’s problem which He says is peace in Him; the serenity of mind, a quiet and calm spirit within. This is the proffered solution to the troubles of the world. Jesus tied together themes from 14:27-29, 16:1-4, and 16:9-11.

With the words in John 16:33, He told His disciples to take courage because despite the inevitable resistance they would face, He would be with them. As the Father did not leave Him alone, so He will not abandon us to our struggles either. Christ's blood has purchased peace for us.

Many of us are currently facing diverse challenges which include sickness, imprisonment, marital problems, hunger, challenges from people of different faiths, etc. This was predicted long before now. All we can do is to have the assurance Jesus gave us in our text behind our minds. He will not forsake you. Allow the inner peace which comes from knowing that He is always there for us, fill your heart. That was what sustained me while I battled for life. God will do it for you too.

Food for Thought: I John 5:4

Memory verse: John 16 verse 33b

Prayer: Lord God, let your words of encouragement cheer me up in time of difficulties of life.

A SAVIOUR FOR THE WORLD

Devotion for Sunday December 25, 2016

Topic: A SAVIOUR FOR THE WORLD             

Text: Matthew 1:18 – 25                  

Angel Gabriel had visited Mary with the information that she will conceive to bear a child. Now Joseph having discovered Mary‘s pregnancy was faced with a difficult choice of either marrying her or sending her away. Although he knew that taking Mary as his wife could be humiliating, Joseph chose to obey the angel’s command to marry her. His action revealed four qualities in him we should admire: (1) righteousness (Matthew 1:19), (2) discretion and sensitivity, (3) responsiveness to God (Matthew 1:24), and (4) self-discipline (Matthew 1:25). Jesus was born to save and deliver people from the pollution, power, guilt, condemnation, and punishment of sin. The angel said “He will save His people from their sins," meaning that His Messiahship is spiritual and not physical.  

As we celebrate Christmas, we should reflect on why we are celebrating. Is that your sins have been forgiven and you have received salvation? Jesus means ‘the Lord saves.’ He was born to save us because we can’t save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can’t eliminate the sinful nature present in our lives. Only Jesus can do it and that is why He is the Saviour of the world from the power and penalty of sin. It is not enough to eat, drink, give gifts and make merry in the name of Christmas when you are not sure of your salvation. Are you saved?  Think much about this. Happy Christmas!

Food for Thought: Is Jesus Christ your Saviour?

Memory verse: Matthew 1 verse 21

Prayer: Almighty God, I thank you for sending your Son as my Saviour. Grant that the blessings of His birth will never elude me.

LIGHT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE: Devotion for Friday October 14, 2016

LIGHT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE: Devotion for Friday October 14, 2016

Text: Genesis 1:1 – 5       Memory verse: Genesis 1 verse 3

Light symbolises God, good, righteousness and godly living while darkness is a symbol of everything evil failure, backwardness, lack of progress in personal endeavours, etc. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life – John 8:12" and of His disciples, “You are the light of the world” Matt. 5:14. This means that He came into the world to give the world direction in this dark world of sin and evil. As for we, His disciples, we are to give direction to the world too. In our text, the bible recorded that God willed, decreed and appointed that there will be light (1:3) and it was so. There was result and darkness went away. Let every darkness around you leave in Jesus name.

Today, many are in darkness because of sin and ignorance. If you are among them, you need the light of God in your life. It is better you repent now before it will be too late. Family Bible Notes says, “God caused the light to shine out of darkness, and He can shine into dark hearts, and give them the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 4:6.” It is the light of God that brings progress, peace and unity in a family. It is what makes the difference in families and lives. Are you surrounded by darkness? God is saying let there be light in your life, your family, business and all you do. Allow the light of the word of God into your life.

Food for Thought: There is no darkness enough in the entire world to put out the light of one little candle” – Epitaph in PowerBible CD.

Prayer: God, remove darkness in my life and let your life shine in my life and family in Jesus name.

REVEALING CHRIST TO THE WORLD: Devotion for Thursday October 6, 2016

REVEALING CHRIST TO THE WORLD: Devotion for Thursday October 6, 2016

Text: John 1:29 – 34        Memory verse: John 1 verse 31

If we, Christians truly appreciate what Christ has done for us, there is no limit to the extent which we can reveal Him to the world. What Christ had done for and is still doing for us are enough for us to shout to the hearing of the world about them on daily basis. Unfortunately, we are too quiet about Christ and all He does for us daily.

When Jesus Christ was commissioning the disciples on the day of Ascension, He solemnly charged them and we the present day disciples (Christians) by extension to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8); to tell the world all we know about Him and all He has done to save humanity. That is the only thing we can do to justify our redemption from the powers of sin, the world and the devil. John saw Jesus coming to him, and pointed Him out as the Lamb of God. His preaching centred on repentance, yet he told his followers that they were to look to Jesus only for the pardon of their sins. John’s purpose for baptizing people was to reveal Jesus to Israel. In other words, the baptism he organised for people was a prelude to the manifestation of Christ to Israel.

Just as John the Baptist had the mandate to reveal Christ to Israelis, so we have been mandated to reveal Christ to our own Jerusalem and to the uttermost part of this world. We can do this through the life of Christ manifesting in us and through the word of God we preach to people. John was a great example to Israel that was the reason they kept asking if he was the Messiah. On our part we should reveal Christ to the world by living out His life in us. This is one of the best ways to reveal Him.

Action: As you go forth into the world today, let the life of Christ be seen in you.

Prayer: God, use me to reveal Jesus to the world through my words and action. 

THE WORD GIVES LIFE: Devotion for Wednesday May 11, 2016

THE WORD GIVES LIFE: Devotion for  Wednesday May 11, 2016

Text: Ezekiel 37:1 – 14     Memory verse: v 7

Many lessons are in this biblical passage 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 Lam 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 (37:12–14). God likened the spiritual 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 give up, pray for renewal, for God can restore it to life. The hope and prayer of every church should be that God will put His Spirit into it (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, etc, may be as dry as bones and there seem to be no more lives in them. Never mind, God is able to turn it around. Go to Him in prayer today.

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

Prayer: Lord God, cause life into any dryness in my physical and spiritual life.         

2. God revive everything in your church especially where I worship.       

WHY THE WORLD HATES YOU: Devotion for Tuesday December 15, 2015

WHY THE WORLD HATES YOU   Tuesday December 15, 2015

Text: John 15:18 – 25     Memory verse: v 19

When we, Christians are hated by the world as our Master was, it should not cause us to fear, and rather it should strengthen and encourage us. Here Christ spoke concerning hatred, which is the character of the devil's kingdom, as love is of the kingdom of Christ. The world will hate us because we are not of the world (15:19) and our words, tempers, actions, are quite opposite to theirs. There is no resemblance. The world will love their own and hate what does not belong to them.

Does it baffle you when you see the world turning against you? It shouldn’t baffle you because you are light and they represent darkness that hates light. They hate Christians because their presence reproves their deeds. Do you weep over neglect and abuse you suffer in your neighbourhood, school, office, market, etc? Cheer up! They did it to Jesus; ours will not be an exception. However, know that God will always fight for His own people.

Food for Thought: Knowledge of our status as foreigners here on earth helps us to live well among those who hate us in this world  

Prayer: God, let not the hatred of the world against me weaken my spirit.