BAPTIST DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Thursday, January 9

1 Peter 2:11-17

LIVING AS GOD'S SERVANTS

Live such good lives among the pagans…1 Peter 2:12, NIV

Living as God's servant in a world highly populated by unbelievers, partial 'believers' and people of diverse faiths is a huge task. It requires living a blameless and open life to both friends and foes. God's servants should be models to various categories of people:

(a) Pagans; though they are always accusing believers, may be proven wrong by your actions and as such glorify God.
(b) Instituted authorities, meant to punish wrongs, should find you blameless and as such commend you.
(c) Foolish men who talk ignorantly should be silenced by your good deeds.
(d) Believers (fellow servants of God) should be encouraged by your life.

The world is in dire need of people who will set standards of moral values today. We believers are in a better position to meet this need because of our faith in Christ whose Spirit indwells us. We should help the world retrace its steps back to God by our exemplary living.
     We can do this by our sobriety, humility, patience, truthfulness and love. Anything outside of these is unacceptable to God and cannot endear sinners to Him.

Examine yourself; are you a servant of God or the devil's right-hand man? 2014 is a year to decide for Christ.

• Birthday Blessing:None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.  Ezekiel 12:28

Read Bible Through Passage:Genesis 23, 24; Matthew 8

The business of our lives is not to please ourselves but to please God. - Matthew Henry

PRAYING WITH GOOD MOTIVES - Dr .Aigbaduma

GOD DESIRING OUR ATTENTION. 
        I had the privilege to partake in this year's HOLY PILGRIMAGE TO ISRAEL  and my experience among the pilgrims to the holy land exhibited the typical attitude of many Nigerian Christians in respect to prayers. We consider Christianity as utilitarian, something that can get us whatever we want or desire. 
      It has been observed that our prayers are more directed at getting something from God rather than an avenue to commune with God, hear Him speak to us about His plans and programs, and enjoy His fellowship among other things.
      Whenever some Nigerian Christian has the opportunity to pray, he feels that God is under obligation to hear him speak first and only, rather than God speak to Him. We thunder at God , pray all manners of prayers and even dare to give Him time limits under which He must perform. But one thing we fail to do is to listen to God speak to us. We fail to realize that prayer is essentially communication, a dialogue between two individuals who talk to one another. Prayer for many of us has become a one way communication, wand we are the only one talking. 
       I had the opportunity to share in a morning devotion with the pilgrims in my group after I observed the way and manner in which they threw themselves on the floor at every holy site during the pilgrimage. No doubt, we had all come to the holy land with our different expectations and grayer needs. There are those in dire need of one miracle or the other. Others are in need of major breakthroughs or turn around in their lives. Yet others I spoke to came for healing for themselves or loved ones.
           Many brought photographs of loved ones who had particular ailments or needs and they believed the pilgrimage will work instant miracles once they touch these hallowed grounds. I made them to realize that more than they getting their prayer answered, God may have deliberately included them on the pilgrimage list in order to get their attention.
        Back at home, we are so preoccupied with daily grinds that we find it difficult to hear God speak to us. 
        Our churches and clergymen make matters worse by filling every day of the week with church programs and activities that there is hardly anytime for personal interaction and fellowship with God. 
     The art of quiet devotion and mediation seems to be missing in our Christian walk.  As a result, we become so dependent on what the man of God says rather than cultivating fellowship with God and hear Him speak to us directly as a Father to His child. God desires to speak and it is important that we listen to God, because a word dropped into our spirit by God may make all the difference and be the solution to all of our needs. 
        Citing the book of Habakuk 2:1-3, the prophet in desiring that God speak to him and His particular situation said, ' I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will see what He will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.' Habakuk had complained to God about  the injustice, corruption and wickedness in His country.        

       God responded that He will send the Babylonians to chastise the Israelites. Habakuk in response, could not understand why God would send a more terrible nation to punish Israel. He continued in His dialogue with God and resolved to hear God speak again to him concerning his concerns And God did.   

   It is desirable that we pray, but it is imperative that we hear God speak to us in our prayers. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says..

Rev. Christopher Aigbadumah, Phd.Moderator,  New Height Baptist Association; andSnr Pastor,  Living Souls Baptist Church,  Agabara.

BELIEVER'S FAMILY: Facing God's Testing by Dr Aigbaduma

       At the popular Alaba International market in the Lagos suburb, there is a section reputable for trading in used imported merchandise popularly called in our local parlance "Tokunbo". In this section you can get almost get anything that you want ranging from household utensils to basic electronic equipments and computers.
         Traders in these scrap items will tell you that they are categorized into 'tested' and 'untested'.  They can vouch for the 'tested' items and guarantee their performance, at least for the immediate time, because they have been worked upon and necessary repairs have been done. Right there they can plug it into the mains, and make you see that it works.
   This cannot be said however of the 'untested', which are barely offloaded from the container and have not been worked upon. Consequently, anyone who care to purchase the untested does so at his or her risk as performance cannot be guaranteed.
        This same principle applies in God's kingdom. There are those who have been tested by God over the years and are guaranteed to perform or deliver.
■They have developed strong and reliable character through their testing and walk with God.
■They are humble and do not arrogate to themselves the power of their successes or achievements.
■They are quick to let everyone know that 'not I but God.'
     One evidence of testing is faithfulness in service to God.There are those who though are high sounding and are about everywhere, are 'untested' and will fail God when it matters most.
       They are described by Apostle Paul as novice (1 Timothy 3:5) or neophyte because they have not gone through the testing that qualifies a man or woman of God.
■Abraham
■Moses
■David
     All had theirs through the wilderness experience and they triumphed later years in leadership. It is true and has been established over  the ages that God never uses a man or woman that has not been tested or worked upon.
         The purpose of testing is like the fire furnace that removes the dross from the gold and makes it shine forth as genuine. Our testing removes the dross of self, ego or pride, world, materialism etc., that prevents the glory of God shining forth through our lives.
       ''The trial  of your faith being much precious than of gold that perisheth, though tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ.'. (1 Peter 1:7).

Are you tested and pliable or untested and obstinate in God's hand?

BAPTIST DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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Wednesday, January 8

Romans 6:16-23

ENSLAVED TO GOD

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are…? Romans 6:16, KJV

   Practically, no one is autonomous. We are all subjects to either God or the devil. The one you obey is the one to whom you pay allegiance.

     Apostle Paul tells us today what obedience to either God or the devil means. He also gives a counsel that should not be ignored by any right thinking person. The truth is, you may not know who you are enslaved to until you take a critical and inward look into your life.
   
If you indulge in sin with impunity, then you are enslaved to the devil. You must pray to get out of that state. Admit your faults, confess them and run to the Lord.

    A life enslaved to God is a life bound to doing things as God wills. It is a life sold out to righteous living; doing what is pleasing to God, beneficial to humanity and makes you (the doer) happy and fulfilled.

Remember, whoever you are enslaved to determines your lot both now and in the future. He even determines your place in eternity. The devil's appeal may seem sweet now but it is ever poisonous; do not be enticed. God's appeal may be unappealing at present, but it leaves you with no regret either now or later.

• Birthday Blessing: The Lord will keep you from all harm…both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8.

Read Bible Through Passage: Genesis 20, 21, 22; Matthew 7

ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

       Covenant is a contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant. God also made covenant with some people (Gen. 15; Jer. 34:18, 19).
    The Lord made a covenant with Abram and changed name Abraham (Genesis 12:4,5; Genesis 17:1-5). The Lord proposed to make of him a great nation and to perpetuate the covenant through his offspring (Genesis 17:6,7).

     This year, the Lagos Central Baptist Conference is concerned about homes as the bedrock of a local Church. As Kingdom people this is  our year of glorious visitation of God to every BELIEVER'S FAMILY. Each home will enjoy DOUBLE PERFECTION through various open doors. Indeed, better days are ahead
   
       The above encompasses the Abraham's covenant blessings given by God when he said " And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Gen.12:2-3)

Abraham blessings are mine/2x
I am blessed in the morning, afternoon and evening, 
Because!
Abraham blessings are mine

Indeed, better days are ahead

BAPTIST DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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Tuesday, January 7

Proverbs 11:3-11

THE RIGHTEOUS AND UPRIGHT

The integrity of the upright shall guide them... Proverbs 11:3, KJV

Integrity is defined as "moral soundness, probity; otherwise known as honesty, wholeness, and completeness; the quality or state of being unimpaired." All these words describe a person who is committed to being above reproach all the time.
    Attaining this level is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. A man of integrity cannot fall into wilful error because he subjects all his decisions to spiritual scrutiny before taking them.
   John Maxwell says "integrity is not a given factor in anyone's life; it is a result of self-discipline, inner trust and a decision to be relentlessly honest in all situations." Integrity is very similar to uprightness and it gives the picture of the heart.
    If your heart is whole, your attitude, action, feelings and all will be perfect all the time. A righteous man stands to enjoy great benefits such as; (a) guidance (b) deliverance (c) direction from the Lord.

A faith-filled life is a potent field for integrity. Until you have faith in God, you will struggle like mere men. Give room for the Lord to work out His best in you and make you whole and blameless in all your ways.

• Birthday Blessing: The root of the righteous shall not be moved. Proverbs 12:3

Read Bible Through Passage: Genesis 18, 19; Matthew 6

Measure your growth in grace by your sensitiveness to sin. - Oswald Chambers

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Monday, January 6

Psalm 7:7-17

JUDGED BY THE RIGHTEOUS GOD

…Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness…. Psalm 7:8b, KJV

If our conscience condemns us not, we shall have a glorious rest. David, having examined his heart, discovered no hidden sin. So, with confidence he asked God to judge him. Not everybody can be confident enough to say this. Before humans, anybody can pretend to be a saint and swear even in falsehood, but with God before whom nothing is hidden, no judgment can be perverted.

With God judgment is according to performance and He cannot be bought over. Place yourself on God's performance scale today and note your level. Can you confidently plead "not guilty" to the devil's charges against you? Be informed that God as the righteous Judge will not judge you unjustly; He is not partial.

      As humans, attaining righteousness could be difficult but the death of Jesus Christ has made it easy for us. Jesus has become our righteousness and through the Holy Spirit, helps us to live rightly. So you can boldly ask your Father (God) to judge you according to Jesus' righteousness in you. And if He discharges and acquits you, no one can convict you.

Birthday Blessing: He will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee; fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

Read Bible Through Passage: Genesis 15, 16, 17; Matthew 5:31-48

Once the will of God to me was a sigh; now it is a song. -Frances Ridley Havergal