A Wise Father’s Exhortation: Devotion for Saturday July 11, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday July 11, 2020

Topic: A Wise Father’s Exhortation                

Text: Proverbs 1:10 – 19                                

The wicked are zealous in seducing others into the paths of their wickedness; they love to have company in their sin and crime. Nevertheless, they have so much the more to answer for (Romans 14:12; Hebrews 4:13). This should make young people to be very cautious. However, their zeal in seducing people to join them is what Christian should think of. If they could put in such zeal in luring people into evil, why can’t Christian put much more zeal in luring sinners out of evil?

"Do not consent" here is all encompassing; do not say as they say nor do as they do. You shouldn’t have any fellowship with them (2 Corinthians 6:14). Their idea of acquiring wealth is very different from God’s ideal. Their desire is to steal and even kill to acquire wealth. This confirms what Jesus said about Satan in John 10:10. It is absurd to think that it is a pleasure for someone to destroy another. It is not a pleasure rather a quick ticket to hell fire. 

Those who choose the wicked as their companions will definitely become like them in character and end. This advice is the best a father can offer to the son. Unfortunately these days, most parents don’t even care to know how their children acquired the wealth they are flashing about in the society. Some parents will even advice their children to do things immoral. Some parents pay for their children to cheat in exams. Some parents encourage their children into immoral relationship with opposite sex.

Dear Christian parents, what advice do you give to your children? Let the advice of Solomon here be a challenge for us.   

Food for Thought: What kind of advice do you give to your children?

Memory verse: Proverbs 1:10

Prayer: Lord God, grant me the wisdom to always give wise counsel to my children and word in Jesus name.

The Key to Salvation: Devotion for Thursday April 16, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday April 16, 2020 

Topic: The Key to Salvation                                        

Text: Romans 10:1 – 11

The Jews built their religious worship on a false foundation, and refused to come to Christ for free salvation by faith. The zeal Israelites had, was not enlightened, wise, or according to truth (Roman 10:2). Some people have great zeal in religion but are blinded and hardened in sin. Right zeal will be in accordance with truth and duty; holy in character, kind in spirit, and useful in tendency.

The strictness of the law showed men their need of salvation by grace, through faith. Based on this reason; Paul tries to point out to them the key to salvation by grace which God has offered us in Christ (10:4ff). He posited in 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” His stand on this is the truth expressed in Romans 10:10.

Two things are necessary for salvation; inward faith in Christ Jesus and public confession of that faith. Paul mentions them because both are necessary for salvation; the inward faith in Christ, and the outward confession of him. It is based on the outward confession of sin that someone is baptised into the body of Christ.

Have you ever been asked, “How do I become a Christian?” Romans 10:8 - 11 give you the beautiful answer: Salvation is as close as your own lips and heart. People think it must be a complicated process, but it is not. If we believe in our heart and say with our mouth that Christ is the Risen Lord, we will be saved. Have you received salvation? If not, this is your opportunity.      

Food for Thought: The basic proofs of our Christian faith are our belief in Christ (inward faith) and confession that Jesus is Lord (outward faith).

Memory verse: Romans 10:9

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I have confessed that Jesus is my Lord, help me to abide by it all the days of my life.

Contrary Behaviour

Devotion for Monday October 30, 2017

Topic: Contrary Behaviour

Text: Titus 1:15 – 16

Contrary means conflicting, opposite, obstructing or hindering progress. Anything we say or do that is opposite of what is ideal can be termed contrary behaviour. In the days of Paul and Titus, there were some false teachers of the word of God even as we have them today. These teachers of Jewish fables and carnal ordinances profess to know and serve God, yet their immoral lives are evidence of denial of Him. Thus they became abominable both to God and man, disobedient to the law and averse to every god work. See Romans 1:28; 2 Timothy 3:5, 8 and Jude 1:4.

Our text for the day teaches us that hypocrites are generally great professors of faith; they profess great knowledge of God and great zeal for Him. Again, our bible reading teaches us that to deny God is a very heinous sin and an abominable wickedness. However, there are some people who are genuinely zealous.

We deny God in two ways: first, in our words and secondly in our actions. Is your behaviour contrary to your profession of Christian faith? Contrary behaviour manifests when we are still living in sin but seriously active in the church. Such person is a deceit and hypocrite. If you belong to that group, turn away from such behaviour (2 Timothy 3:5) because you will be disappointed on the last day. If you have been following such teachers/people whose lives are contrary to the gospel message they preach, turn away from them because they will lead you astray in this Christian race.

Food for Thought: Live well as a Christian because you may be the bible you unbelieving neighbour will have the opportunity to read.

Memory verse: 2 Timothy 3:5

Prayer: Help me O Lord my God, to remove any contrary behaviour in my life