A Voice Crying In The Wilderness

Devotion for Monday August 14, 2017

Topic: A Voice Crying In The Wilderness

Text: Isaiah 40:3 – 8

Preparation matters so much in everything we do and hope to be successful therein; be it our personal businesses and endeavours or in the things of God. When we prepare ourselves before embarking on any project, it helps to avoid lapses, makes us more efficient and productive. This chapter of Isaiah is titled ‘Comfort for my people.’ It speaks about the set time to favour Zion which demands that the people of God must be prepared through repentance and faith. Our text is a call for preparation for what the Lord will do in Zion (Isaiah 40:4 and 5).

The way of the Lord is prepared through:

1) Repentance from sin; that was what John the Baptist preached to all Judah and Jerusalem (Matthew 3:1 – 6) and thereby made ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17).

2) Confidence in the word of the Lord and not in any creature. The mouth of the Lord has spoken it; the voice as this further to cry he that has ears to hear let him hears it. The word of our God shall stand forever (Isaiah 40:8, compare 1 Peter 1:25).

How are you preparing for the return of Jesus Christ? If there is a revival programme or crusade, how do you prepare for it? A prepared heart will always meet God’s blessings in any personal or church programme, crusade or revival services. Have you repented? Remember the warning of John the Baptist when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to him in Matthew 3:7 – 12. Do not be complacent that you were born into the church or you can read and preach the bible. It is better to search yourself today and start preparing now before it will be too late. Jesus Christ is coming very soon.

Food for thought: “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success” – Alexander Graham Bell.

Memory verse: Mark 1:3  

Prayer: Help me O Lord, my God to prepare the way for you to meet me always and for your return in Jesus name.

ARE YOU AT EASE?

DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 13, 2016

Topic: ARE YOU AT EASE?                

Text: Amos 6:1 – 7

In the book Revelation, one problem with the church at Laodicea was lukewarm. They were neither cold nor hot. What led them into being lukewarm was the wealth they enjoyed (Revelation 3:17). This made God to rebuke them (Revelation 3:19), warning them to repent (See full story in Revelation 3:14 – 22). That story is very similar to our text for the day. Our bible reading centres on dangers of luxury and false security.

Usually, times of continued worldly prosperity and alliance with political leadership are full of danger to the cause of Christianity. There is always the tendency to bring into the church luxury, pride, vain show, and indifference to God's service, with all the gross sins that naturally follow in their train. Thus the professors of godliness dishonour Christ before the world, lose their power over men's consciences, and make it necessary that God should purify His church by His judgments.” This was the reason why Amos denounced those that are at ease in Zion. The people in question are men and women who have so much confidence in their wealth and their connections. This attitude is dangerous and God condemns it whole and entire (see Psalm 146:3 & Isaiah 31:3).

It was on this basis that Family Bible Notes admonished that “The numerous examples on record of great and often very sudden changes from a state of ease and comfort to one of deep affliction, ought to be a solemn warning to us of the present day not to abuse the great prosperity which God is bestowing upon us, lest He cause our sun also to go down at noon, and darken our land in the clear day, as he did with ancient Israel (Amos 8:9).” Do you trust your riches and now complacent on the things of God? Do you belong to the group that feels all is well because you have money and can get whatever you want at beck and call? Know that God is the owner of whatever you have and He is the only one that can connect us and not man. Trust God and not your riches for wealth are deceptive.

Food for Thought: Do you abuse the great prosperity God has bestowed on you?

Memory verse: Amos 6 verse 1

Prayer: God, remove every spirit of complacency in me in respect of serving you and help me not to be at ease because of my wealth in Jesus name.

POSSES YOUR POSSESSION: Devotion for Monday August 17, 2015

POSSES YOUR POSSESSION     Monday August 17, 2015

Text: Obadiah 1:17 - 21            Memory verse: v 17

Any wickedness and persecution against the people of God will definitely be judged and punished by God. Our text is a recompense for Edom. God’s word concerning Edom actually came to pass. The Edomites were routed by Judas Maccabeus in 164 B.C. The nation no longer existed by the first century A.D. At the time of Obadiah’s prophecy, Edom may have seemed more likely to survive than Judah. Yet Edom has vanished, and Judah still exists. This demonstrates the absolute certainty of God’s word and of the punishment awaiting all who have mistreated God’s people. Do you doubt God’s promises concerning you? Let this text encourage you.

When God afflicts His covenant people, it is always for their purification and salvation; in due time He grants them, through Christ, a glorious deliverance from their troubles, and makes them victorious over all that hated and persecuted them. God (Zion) is source of our possession. Let us rely on Him.

Food for Thought: God does honour His word.

Prayer: God, grant that I will posses all my possession and none will elude me. 

SHOWERS OF BLESSING

SHOWERS OF BLESSING        Thursday June 18, 2015

Text: Ezekiel 34:23 – 26               Memory verse: v 26

Rain is a covenant blessing (Leviticus 26:4; Deuteronomy 28:12). Rain seldom fell in Judea except at two seasons--the former rain at the end of autumn, the seed time; and the latter rain in spring, before the beginning of harvest (compare Jeremiah 5:24). Ezekiel affirms that the Jews and Zion, God’s hill (Psalms 2:6), were to be sources of blessing not only to themselves but to the surrounding heathen nations as well (Isaiah 19:24; 56:6, 7; 60:3; Micah 5:7; Zechariah 8:13). 

This promise shows God’s care; not only for the righteous but the unrighteous too (compare Matthew 5:45). The essence of this promise is in Ezekiel 34:27ff. This shows the kind of concern God has for us. It also confirms the words of Jeremiah 29:11. It was this text that was used to write Christian Life Hymnal 342 – There shall be showers of Blessings.

Beloved, God did not create us to abandon us. He knows our needs and ever willing to meet our needs. His desire is to give us the best that will make us serve Him better. Unfortunately, Satan has succeeded in making some of us feel that the best for us is in the world. Our best is not in this world because Satan has corrupted it and God is preparing a place for us. Are you ready to possess it? Showers of blessings God will pour on us are not only in rain but in all things lawful and needful. The only condition to receive them is by faith and obedience. Are you obedient enough and do you have the faith?

Food for Thought: Christian Life Hymnal 342 – There shall be showers of Blessing.

Prayer: Lord, release upon me showers of blessings as promised in Jesus name.