Are You A Vessel For Honour?

Devotion for Saturday June 16, 2018

Sing A&M 325; Abu 157

Topic: Are You A Vessel For Honour?

Text: 2 Timothy 2:19 – 21

Vessel unto honour literally means a vessel that is useful in honourable way. When God used Assyrians to punish Israel, they were useful in the hands of God but not for honour because they were punished at the end too. God requires us to be vessels unto honour for that was the reason behind our creation and call. In our text, Paul admonishes us to be mindful of how we live our lives because God knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore everyone who is a Christian should depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19). The reason for this advice is in 2 Timothy 2:20 so that we can become vessels unto honour. When we cleanse ourselves from all forms of defilement, we will become “vessels for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” Have you cleansed yourself from all defilement? As a Christian sister/brother who is single and engaged, what is your secret life with your fiancé/fiancée? We can’t serve God and be useful in His hands when we are living in sin and compromising our faith. To be a vessel unto honour we must avoid all form of defilement be it in words, actions, reactions and deeds. Couples should be sincere in their relationships; they should love and be loveable, be at peace with all people and above all be sincere in their worship of God with faith in Christ Jesus.

Food for Thought: A sanctified life is pleasant to God and such is always a reliable instrument in His hands.

Memory verse: 2 Timothy 2:21

Prayer: God may I be a vessel unto honour in your house now and forever.

There Is No Loss In Following Jesus

Devotion for Friday June 15, 2018

Sing SS&S 601

Topic: There Is No Loss In Following Jesus

Text: Luke 18:28 – 30                        

Most times, people assume that those who surrender their lives to Christ are at a loss because they will no longer “enjoy” the things of the world. This is a wrong notion. There is no loss in salvation or following Jesus. It was this notion that led Peter to ask Jesus what becomes their fate as His followers (Luke 18:28). The response of Jesus is in Luke 18:29 – 30. Jesus noted that those who had left all and followed Him are no losers; that is, in this world they shall receive manifold blessings in hundred-fold (Mark 10:30). Job lost all in order to prove to Satan about his faithfulness in serving God and at the end, God restored all he lost while he was still alive (Job 42:10) and I know that his faith will certainly take him to heaven. Is there any lesson for us here in this story of Job? Beloved, our God is faithful. 1Thessalonians 5:24 says, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” For this reason, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). People may have been taunting you concerning your faith in Christ Jesus and calling you names. Don’t mind them! There is a reward for you. The greatest reward we look forward to is the eternal life in the bliss of heaven. Are you looking forward to that city? Don’t allow the distractions of the world to keep you out of it.

Food for Thought: There is no loss for the sake of the gospel that is greater than the love God has for us.

Memory verse: Luke 18:30

Prayer: Lord God, as I have left all to follow you, may I not lose my reward in Jesus name.

Salvation Is Possible For All

Devotion for Thursday June 14, 2018

Sing Sacred Songs & Solos (Sankey) 471

Topic: Salvation Is Possible For All

Text: Luke 18:18 – 27                         

This rich young man mentioned in our bible reading came to Jesus seeking eternal life. Jesus pointed out the significance of his use of the word “good” (Luke 18:19), stating that there is no one good. He sought for reassurance from Jesus; a way to ascertain that he had eternal life. He wanted Jesus to measure and grade his qualifications, or to give him some task he could do to be assured of his own immortality. So Jesus gave him a task, the one thing the rich man knew he could not do. The rich man’s problem was that he would not obey Jesus’ final command (Luke 18:22). His riches were only the surface problem; the real problem lay in the love he had for his wealth. This shows that riches are `not bad but love for it instead of God is the problem. “Then who in the world can be saved?” the bystanders asked. No one can be save, by his or her own achievements, was Jesus’ answer. “What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God.” Salvation cannot be earned—it is God’s gift (Ephesians 2:8-10). Have you doubted your salvation? Are you deep into sin and now you think your salvation is no more possible? God who offers us salvation is ever ready to save you and it is open to all who are willing to come to Him. All you need do is to pertinently come to Him and He will forgive you. Are you ready to do that today?

Food for Thought: Salvation cannot be earned—it is God’s gift

Memory verse: Luke 18:27

Prayer: Father, help me to sustain my salvation and not to lose it.

Love, The Greatest Gift

Devotion for Wednesday June 13, 2018

Sing SS&S 1155; Abu 279

Topic: Love, The Greatest Gift 

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:11 – 13

Paul mentioned three virtues that distinguish us as true Christians. They are faith, hope and love but love is the greatest among them. He concludes his teaching that love is the greatest gift that distinguishes us a true Christians. Love is the greatest because it ceases not in the life to come as the rest do, but is perfected and accomplished. Seeing that faith and hope tend to things which are promised and are to come, when we have hold of those promises, to what purpose would we have faith and hope again when the end comes? That was the argument of Paul. Only a true Christian experiences these three things; for without Christ we would have only unbelief, despair, and hatred. Faith is directed toward God; hope is for our benefit; and love flows first to God and then to our neighbours. Love is the greatest of all these because it sums up or includes both faith and hope. Love is the greatest of all human qualities, and it is an attribute of God (1 John 4:8). Love involves unselfish service to others; to show it gives evidence that you care. Faith is the foundation and content of God’s message; hope is the attitude and focus; love is the action. Do you really love God and others? What are the evidences?

Food for Thought: Do you know what true love means?

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 13:10:13

Prayer: Help me to love as you love O Lord my God in Jesus name.

Love Never Fails

Devotion for Tuesday June 12, 2018

Sing SS&S 648; Abu 40

Topic: Love Never Fails

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:8 – 10

Paul expresses the value of love which he said can never be obsolete; it will always have its place. All the spiritual gifts will eventually disappear, but love will last forever. On this earth, outside of heaven, everything is imperfect. No matter how much people may know, they know only a little. No matter how much prophecy is given, it still reveals little. Not until the arrival of God’s Kingdom (the end), will everything be made perfect and complete. At that time, all the special gifts of the Spirit will disappear. Because gifts are given for the building up of the body of Christ, they will no longer be needed. The body will be complete, and God’s Kingdom would have arrived. Yet love will continue (1 Corinthians 13:8), because love is the very essence of God. “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16). God’s love caused Him to reach out to undeserving humanity and send a Saviour. His love saved us and will bring us into His Kingdom to be with Him forever. The Kingdom rests on God’s love. On the other hand, works of love never die too. They outlive us. Love is the gift and virtue that can accompany us to heaven because that is the essence of life of Christianity. The first fruit of the Spirit mentioned by Paul in Galatians 5:22 is love. It shows how important love is in our lives as Christians. Do you actually love God and man? Note that without genuine love for God and man, you are deficient in your character as a Christian. 

Action: As you go out today, use every opportunity you have to show love to someone.

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 13:10

Prayer: Lord God, help me to love you and my neighbours as I ought to in Jesus name.

Don’t Postpone Your Salvation

Devotion for Saturday June 9, 2018

Sing SS&S 1165; Abu 263

Topic: Don’t Postpone Your Salvation

Text: Matthew 8:18 – 22

The scribe mentioned in Matthew 8:19 was too hasty in promising to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. He seems to be very resolute. Unfortunately many resolutions for Christ like this are produced by sudden conviction, and taken up without due consideration and its consequences. They eventually come to nothing at the end. His resolve seems to have been from a worldly, covetous principle; but Christ had not a place to lay His head on, and if he follows him, he must not expect anything better than what Christ had. The other person volunteered to follow Christ only after he had buried the father, Jesus requested that he shouldn’t postpone his salvation. Delay in doing the will of God is as bad on the one hand, as hastiness in resolving is on the other. He asked for leave to attend his father to his grave, and then he would be at Christ's service. This seemed reasonable, yet it was not right. He had not true zeal for the work. This is how some people keep postponing their salvation. I will repent after New Year. I will repent after graduation, etc. Why postpone your salvation. The Bible warns us that now is the time of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). A young man went to a crusade with his girlfriend. After hearing the word of God, had wanted to give his life to Christ but his girlfriend stood against that decision. They left the crusade ground and as they were crossing the road, a vehicle knocked down the man and he died on the spot. He could no longer repent again. Beloved, don’t postpone your salvation. Repent now before it will be too late.

Food for Thought: Have you actually repented? If not, do it right now.

Memory verse: Matthew 8:21

Prayer: O Lord, may I not postpone any act that will make me part of your kingdom at the end of my life here on earth in Jesus name. Amen

Let Your Light Shine

Devotion for Friday June 8, 2018

Sing SS&S 1138; Abu 240

Topic: Let Your Light Shine

Text: Isaiah 60:1 – 8

A true Christian is a light to the world. In the Book of Common Prayer (2007:167), we have in the liturgy for baptism, where the person being baptized will be given a candle light with the following admonition. (One of the sponsors says): Receive the light of Christ to show that you have passed from darkness to light. (The congregation will respond): Shine as light in the world to the glory of God the Father, Amen. This clearly shows what the life of a Christian should be. In Matthew 5:14 – 16, Jesus made it clear that we are the light of the world. What does it imply? It means that we are to show the world things as they are, and give to men right views of them. We are to enlighten, direct, and quicken others. How much are you doing this? In our text, the prophet calls on the nation of Israel to arise and shine because their light has come. God's covenant with Israel is that His word and Spirit shall dwell with her forever. These are mightier than the powers of darkness (v2a); so that in all her conflicts with them it is certain that she will, in the end, prevail (2b). As the light (Christ – see John 8:12; 9:5) is revealed, He will draw Gentiles to it (Epiphany – Matt 2:2). For us Christians of today, as far as we have the knowledge of God in us, and the favour of God towards us, our light has come. It behooves on us to shine the light for others who are still in darkness to see our light and come to it.

Food for Thought: How can you shine your light for others to see?

Memory verse: Isaiah 60:1

Prayer: Father in heaven, let my light so shine before men, that they may see my good works and glorify you in Jesus name. Amen