Rend Your Hearts

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday May 3, 2017

Topic: Rend Your Hearts

Text: Joel 2:12 – 17 

God hates mere outward religious observance that does not reflect in the spirit. What God desire so much from us is not our outward show (sacrifices) as much as broken and contrite heart (Ps. 51:14–19, see Isa. 1:11, 13 & Jer. 6:20). It is only when we have truly repented that our sacrifices will be accepted (Ps. 51:19). Remember what Samuel told Saul in 1 Sam. 15:22. Joel spoke to the Israelites about the need to mortify their affections and serve God with pureness of heart, and not with ceremonies. His focus was that they should not merely rend their garments, but let their hearts be truly contrite.

Merely external worship and hypocritical pretensions will only increase the evil, and cause God to meet them with heavier punishment. Let there be the inward sorrow of heart, and not the mere outward manifestation of it by "rending the garment" (Josh. 7:6) because our God is gracious; good and benevolent in His own nature. He is also merciful; pitying and forgiving us when we repent. He is slow to anger. However, when He gets angry, it is fearful to fall into His hands (Heb. 10:31). God desire our true and genuine repentance, and not showing off with our presence, prayers, offering, tithes, etc, when our hearts are actually far from Him. Let there be genuine rending of our hearts.

Food for Thought: A pretender can deceive people as much as he wants but can never deceive God.

Memory verse: Joel 2 verse 13

Prayer: God, make to repent truly and never to be a pretender in your presence.

Place of Choristers in Worship

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Wednesday February 22, 2017

Topic: Place of Choristers in Worship

Text: 1 Chronicles 16:4 – 7

David brought the Ark of Covenant into Jerusalem because he knew what the presence of God can do. God’s presence assures us of victory, protection and guidance. He used the occasion to show how much he cares about God by making sacrifices as we saw yesterday and by appointing choristers to sing before the Ark.

As soon as the Ark was deposited in its tent, the Levites, who were to officiate in the choir before it, entered into their duties. A select number of the musicians were chosen for the service from the list (15:19-21) of those who had taken a prominent part in the recent procession. The same arrangement was to be observed in their duties, now that the Ark again was stationary.

Two lessons are here for us – the importance of praise in our relationship with God and importance of choristers in our worship. Praise and thanksgiving should be a regular part of our routine, not reserved only for celebrations. We should praise God for His love, mercies, and provision for us, his grace and faithfulness daily.

Again, our text reveals the place of Choristers in worship. They have a place in the position where the Ark of Covenant is. Thus they should always consecrate themselves as they come into the presence of God. They shouldn’t come into the presence of God defiled. The best way to express our gratitude to God’s love and faithfulness is to thank and praise Him always. Learn to do it always.

Food for Thought: The only occupation in heaven is praising God and you can only learn it here on earth.

Memory verse: 1 Chronicles 16 verse 4

Prayer: Teach me to praise you, O Lord my God, as a way of appreciating your love and faithfulness upon my life. 

CONSEQUENCES OF IDOL WORSHIP: Devotion for Sunday June 5, 2016

CONSEQUENCES OF IDOL WORSHIP: Devotion for Sunday June 5, 2016

Text: Judges 6:6     Memory verse: v 6

The situation in the land of Israel at this time was embarrassing. It was the result of their disobedience and sin of Idol worship which God warned them earlier. Sin has it grievous consequences. When the Israelis went out to war against Ai, they were humiliated (Josh.7:1–5). We also know how the Israelis were humiliated in the days of Eli when the Ark of Covenant was seized by the Philistines and God had to fight for Himself (1 Sam. 4:1–11). Sin stays the hand of God from fighting our battles; it stays the hand of God protecting us, from providing for us and from answering our prayers. The land of Israel was impoverished because of the siege from their surrounding neighbours. I can imagine the level of kwashiorkor in that land then.

Beloved, don’t undermine the consequences of sin especially idol worship. God detests idol worship and has vowed to punish people who are involved in it even to the fourth generation. Many of us indulge in willful sin thinking we have time to repent. We should not forget Ananias and Sapphira. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31) because He is a consuming fire. He devours without mercy. It is now we can enjoy His mercy. Therefore, let us not abuse the privilege we have.

Food for Thought: Those that forsake the true God wander endlessly after false ones.

Prayer: God, may I not forsake you and start wandering after idols.

LOVED MUCH BY GOD: Devotion for Tuesday November 24, 2015

LOVED MUCH BY GOD        Tuesday November 24, 2015

Text: Daniel 10:10 – 15       Memory verse: v 11

Daniel was in a state of shock and dismay as a result of events mentioned in 10:1 – 9 when a hand touched him. Then the comforting words of 10:11 – 15 followed. The angel told him about God’s love for him and how he has been sent to help him out of the troubles of Prince of Persia who stood against his prayers. The words of 10:12 is worthy of note. Daniel set his heart to seek God and to understand the time but Satan and his agents stood against him. Is there any lesson for us here?

Daniel was loved much by God because he set his heart to worship God even in exile where he was privileged to serve in the palace. That would have been a enough reason to back out from worshipping God but not Daniel. He gave everything about his life to God. This pleased God. From here, it is worthy to state that when we set our hearts to please God, He will love us and grant our request no matter the ways the enemies are trying to hinder us.

Beloved in Christ, cheer up. God still hears and answers our prayers. As you apply your heart to seek Him, He will remove every obstacle to your salvation, prayers and blessings in Jesus name. Have a great day.

Food for Thought: What can you do to attract God’s love?

Prayer: Father, help me do the things that will attract your love for me

Betraying Christ

BETRAYING CHRIST       Saturday July 25, 2015

Text: Luke 22:47 – 48      Memory verse: v 48

Everything about Jesus from His birth to death and burial are all against law of nature. While kings were born in hospitals, He was born in a manger. All that He used during His earthly ministry were borrowed including the grave where they laid Him. His own disciple, Judas, who ought to be His ambassador turned and became the one that betrayed Him. As we know, kiss is sign of affection and love but Judas used it to betray Jesus. This was the height of disloyalty and hypocrisy from Judas. How loyal are you to Jesus in your thoughts, words or deeds? Are you one of those who stabs Him at the back through your betrayal or denial?   

“Persons who, knowingly, for their own selfish ends, express towards Jesus Christ that which they do not feel, imitate Judas the traitor; and unless they repent and are forgiven, it will be true of them as it was of him, that it would have been better for them if they had not been born (Matthew 26:24)” so says Family Bible Notes. Are you one of the persons mentioned here? Is your commitment to Jesus true? Do not betray Him with your lackadaisical worship, hypocrisy, etc? Jesus deserves the best of commitment and worship because He paid the ultimate price to save us. Therefore give Him the best of commitment, devotion, love and worship. 

Action: Write down some ways Christians betray Jesus. It will help you to avoid doing same.

Prayer: God, grant me the grace never to betray you in any form.