Monday 9 June 2014

DAILY DEVOTION

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Monday, June 9
Isaiah 35

A HIGHWAY CALLED HOLINESS
And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. Isaiah 35:8, NIV

Have you ever lost things that were very precious to you? How did you feel? Did you ever think that such things were irreplaceable? How did you cope without those things?

Many times, when we lose precious items, we often wonder how we would cope, but God has a way of comforting us or restoring to us what we have lost.

We are called to encourage one another not to lose hope (vv. 3-4) because our God is coming to help and save us. Even when it seems that all is lost, we will experience the glory of God (v. 2). Love, joy, hope, possession, and so on that have been taken away will be restored by the Lord.

This promise of restoration, however, is for the people of the Lord; those who have surrendered their totality unto Him and have decided to walk with Him in Holiness. Unfortunately, only a few take time to listen to messages on holiness nowadays.

But if you must enjoy God's full measure of blessings, you must be among the people on the highway of holiness. Are you in the number?

• Birthday Blessing: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom." - Luke 12:32

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 24, 25; John 12:23-50

The world would have been a paradise if only you have the same excitement, energy, and dedication for your God as you have for your work. – Anonymous

Sunday 8 June 2014

DAILY DEVOTION

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Sunday, June 8
Haggai 1:12-2:9

OBEYING THE VOICE OF GOD
...and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God.... Haggai 1:12, NIV

God has a word of assurance for someone today; assurance of His presence in the task He committed into your hands. He told the people that He was with them and therefore, they needed to be strong (Haggai 1:13; 2:4). He also promised them His power, glory and provision (Haggai 2:7-8).

Has God given you any responsibility? He is well able to see you through it. Note also that God spoke and His people heard Him and they responded. The people obeyed because they recognised the source of the message.

When you hear God through any of His servants, how do you respond? True hearing does not stop at just hearing. True hearing leads to obedience. In fact, if you have not obeyed Him, you have not heard Him. You will also notice the promptness at which the people in the passage obeyed God. So, let your obedience also be prompt to His Word anytime it comes your way.

• Birthday Blessing: "The angel of the LORD appeared to him. And said… 'The LORD is with, you mighty man of valour!" - Judges 6:12

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 22, 23; John 12:1-22

Man sees your action, but God sees your motives – Thomas Kempis.

Saturday 7 June 2014

DAILY DEVOTION

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Saturday, June 7
Psalm 27:7-14

TAKE COURAGE
...be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14, NIV

Sometimes, we are so overwhelmed by situations that we turn to different persons for solution. The psalmist in today's passage encourages us all to turn to God.
David's confidence in the Lord was so strong that he knew that even when forsaken by his parents, he would not be forsaken by God.

How did he know this? He had seen God deliver him from the fang of lions when he was alone in the bush, shepherding. Again, the Lord delivered him from various attacks on his life. So, he was simply counting on God's faithfulness in the past, and that gave him peace in his present situation.

For the psalmist, no matter what he faced, he had the assurance that God's goodness would not fail. You also need to have this kind of confidence. You need to follow the Lord's instruction to you through David. He says, "Wait on the Lord... take courage...because He will surely do you well".

There is no comfort or solution elsewhere but in the Lord. Hold on to Him, He can never fail. Therefore, take courage, His help is on the way.

• Birthday Blessing: "Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land."     Jeremiah 50:34

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 20, 21; John 11:45-57

Take courage, we walk in the wilderness today and in the Promised Land tomorrow. – D.L. Moody

Thursday 5 June 2014

DAILY DEVOTION

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Thursday, June 5
Deuteronomy 6:17-25

THE FEAR OF THE LORD
Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God and the stipulations and decrees He has given you. Deuteronomy 6:17, NIV

For God's promises to come to fulfilment in our lives, there is a part that we must play. The Word of God enjoins us to, "Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, so that..."
When we do what is right, we are bound to have joy and we will enter into the fulfilment of God's promises for our lives.
It is not enough for us to fear the Lord, God expects us to also teach our children, neighbours, classmates, etc. to fear Him (vv. 20-24).

The fear of the Lord must be passed on from generation to generation so that a generation which does not know the Lord will not arise from us. The situation we are witnessing in the world today is a proof that we are not doing well in this matter. Can God testify of you the way He testified personally of Job (Job 1:8)?

For our up-coming generation to fear the Lord, we have a duty to show them an example. May God help you concerning this matter.

• Birthday Blessing: "And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side."- 2 Chronicles 20:30

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 17; John 11:1-26

In no relation is so much earthly happiness to be found, if it be entered upon discreetly, advisedly and in the fear of God. – J. C. Ryle

Wednesday 4 June 2014

DAILY DEVOTION

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Wednesday, June 4
Leviticus 26:14-26

THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE
...if you reject my decrees...I will bring upon you sudden terror... Leviticus 26:15-16, NIV

As we learnt yesterday, there is always a consequence for disobedience. Sometimes, the excuses we give for not obeying might seem tenable to us, but the truth is: God does not lower His standard for anyone. Just as there are benefits for obedience, punishments await anyone who disobeys.

Today's passage highlights some of these consequences. God categorically states that whoever chooses not to obey will experience sudden terror, terrible diseases, famine and denial of access into His presence. Like David said, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. It is better to be on the Lord's side than to face Him from the other side.

Search your heart and commit your life to God afresh today. Ask Him for the grace to always obey Him. Nobody can cope with the sudden terror that comes from disobedience to God.

Beloved, it is safer and better to be for God than to be against Him. The Lord will help you.

• Birthday Blessing: "They will be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called sought after, the city no longer deserted"         Isaiah 62:12.

• Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 15, 16; John 10:22-42

It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibilities of not doing it. – B. J. Miller

Tuesday 3 June 2014

OBEDIENCE

1 Samuel 15:22 KJV
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

DAILY DEVOTION

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Tuesday, June 3
Leviticus 26:3-13

THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE
If you...are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain... Leviticus 26:3-4, NIV

Life is governed by laws and principles. And these laws often come with conditions, which when flouted could have grave consequences. God gave the children of Israel several laws to guide their conducts and ensure their wellbeing.

He spelt out the condition attached to the obedience of these laws as well as the consequences of doing otherwise. God has also given us laws to live by as He gave to the Israelites. How are you faring with God's laws as found in the Bible? What about the laws of your country otherwise called 'Civil Laws'?

Do you find it difficult obeying the set rules of your institution/organisation? Do you find yourself perpetually disobeying constituted authorities? God does not take disobedience to His laws lightly and He also attaches "fringe benefits" to the obedience of these laws. Law breakers do not have any portion with God.

Therefore, surrender your life to Jesus today; ask Him for the grace to obey Him; ask Him to change your mindset from one that rebels to that which humbly sees an opportunity to obey God at all times. As you do so, you make God happy and you will surely enjoy the blessings that follow.

• Birthday Blessing: "Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the LORD rises upon you." - Isaiah 60:1

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 13, 14; John 10:1-21

By obeying God's commands you will gain more than you can give. – Thomas Brooks