Bible Institute

MORNING DEVOTION

Sun, 4th Aug, 2024

TOPIC:
Choose This Day

TEXT:
..choose for yourselves this day whom will you serve... (Joshua 24:15, NIV)

Everyday, we make thousands of choices. Some choices have more impact on our lives than others. Some require more thought. Some may even require the input of others. Making Jesus the Lord of your life is the best choice you could ever make! However, once you do, you have the opportunity each day to make choices that support that choice. For example, are you choosing to serve the Lord with your attitude? Are you choosing to serve Him with your finances? Are you choosing to serve the Lord by what you say? What you watch on TV? What you listen to?

Today, take time to examine your thoughts and actions. Choose this day to honor Him in everything you do. As you submit your ways to Him, He promises to direct your steps and lead you in the abundant life here on earth and in eternity!

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
Father, today I choose You. Search my heart and mind and show me anything in my life that is displeasing to You. Help me to serve You with my whole heart, mind, will and emotions in Jesus name. Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: 1Chr 19 - 1Chr 21
NT: 1Cor 1:18 - 1Cor 2:5
Psalm 91:1-8

*MORNING DEVOTION*

Tue, 23rd July, 2024

TOPIC:
This Day

TEXT:
That day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life... (Joshua 4:14, NIV)

I love the promise that God gave to Joshua. He said, “Joshua, today I will begin to make you great in the eyes of all the Israelites.” He was saying, “Today, I’m going to start releasing more of My favor, My blessings, My increase.” But notice, there was a set time that God began to release favor in a new way.

Friend, God wants to do the same thing for you. He wants to release His blessings and favor in such a way that it makes you a great parent, a great spouse, a great leader, a great employee, a great friend, a great business person. He is saying to us what He said to Joshua, “This day, I’m going to begin to make your name great. This day, I’m going to begin to release My favor in a new way. I’m going to open doors that no man can shut.” It is a set time of God’s favor. Get ready! Make room in your thinking. Stay open to Him and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy because this day, God has something amazing in store for you!

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
Father, I bless You today. You alone are worthy of all glory and honor. Thank You for pouring out Your favor and blessing on me. I open my heart and mind to receive everything You have in store for me this day in Jesus name. Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: Hosea 10 - Hosea 11
NT: Rom 8:18-39
Psalm 89:1-8

MORNING DEVOTION

Mon, 22nd July, 2024

TOPIC:
The Paradox Of Ephraim

TEXT:
The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle (Psalm 78:9)

The French Foreign Legion is said to have a motto that reads, "If I falter, push me on. if I stumble, pick me up. If I retreat, shoot me”. This is a statement of commitment that befits all soldiers of the Lord. Its implication is clear: turning back is not an option. This is why, in the Christian armour, there is no provision for the back.

The children of Ephraim acted out the direct opposite of what it means to be committed and courageous. Many Bible scholars have attempted to pin down the particular historic incident in the annals of the Jews that verse 9 of Psalm 78 refers to. But such details are not as important as the lessons that leap from the verse. The children of Ephraim had a most wonderful pedigree, occupied a significant spot in Israel and were reputed for gallantry. Here, they were kitted with the best armour of their day, but in the day of battle, they cowardly turned back. They lost honour and reward.

The experience of the children of Ephraim is not far from what we see in the lives of many professing believers today. They are gifted with spiritual resources necessary for an overcoming life. But in ”the day of battle" when it matters most, instead of gallantly standing up for Jesus, they yield or turn back. How did Ephraim come into such a terrible state? They had apparently lost their moral and spiritual bearing - as reflected in the subsequent verses. Their life had become characterized by unfaithfulness and ingratitude to God who had done so much for them.

No matter how spiritually and intellectually fortified we are, if we relapse into compromise and sin, we are bound to suffer defeat. Sin weakens the very fabric of our being (Proverbs 28:1). But consistent life of holiness gives us the spine to face daunting challenges and the enemy.

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
Weapons are only as useful and effective as their users.

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: Hosea 8 - Hosea 9
NT: Rom 8:1-17
Pro 17:25 - Prob 18:6

MORNING DEVOTION

Sun, 21st July, 2024

TOPIC:
The Ultimate Peace

TEXT:
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you... John 14:27

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Where does peacemaking begin? How can we become peacemakers? Can peace be discovered within ourselves? Freud has told us that peace is but a mental attitude. Cast off our phobias, shed our neuroses, and “bingo!”-we’ll have the coveted peace we long for. I respect psychiatry for what it can do. Unquestionably, it has helped many. But it certainly is not satisfactory as a substitute for the peace which can come only from God. If psychiatry leaves God out, ultimately we shall see psychiatrists going to each other for treatment. There can be no peace until we find peace with God. The Bible says, “He is our peace.”

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
The balm of Your peace pours over my soul and I humbly praise You, almighty God.

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: Hosea 6 - Hosea 7
NT: Rom 7:7-25
Psalm 88:10-18

MORNING DEVOTION

Sat, 20th July, 2024

TOPIC:
FULFILLING GOD'S PURPOSE V

TEXT:
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Proverb 15:20

Let me start by clarifying something about being alone. Being alone could be in two ways, by solitude and by loneliness. Solitude is by being alone on purpose; an international separation from people from a period, such a person can be alone by the river side or watching television without being lonely. There is a biblical basis for solitude (Exodus 33:7, 11; Luke 5:16; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12-13; Luke 22:41), therefore, solitude could be a good thing. However, loneliness is usually never desired. Prolonged loneliness may sometimes is usually never desired. Prolonged loneliness may sometimes lead to desperation. Being alone is the very first aspect of creating that met with God’s disapproval and His harsh judgment of not being good, and 1st Corinthians 1:25 says, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

Therefore, God’s assessment of “being alone” should be taken seriously. God in His infinite wisdom decide to solve the problem of being alone by providing a “help meet for the man”. A perfect companion that is suitable for him, one that will cancel out the negative effects of ‘being alone’. Now, fulfilling the purpose of God in life in general and marriage in particular depends largely on our understanding and total submission to the manufacturer’s instructions. A simple, direct, Holy Ghost inspired and time tested meaning of this passage is clear to all. Help refers broadly to aid or assistance, the word ‘helper’ may connote subordinate, but does not necessarily imply inferiority. Hosea 13:9 refers to God as Israel’s helper, also, Genesis 2:18-25, describes how God provided the suitable helper for the man.

The declaration of Adam, that Eve is the bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh is a pointer to the fact that marriage creates the closest of all human relationships and should be cherished as such. We are to note also that only one Eve was created and not several Eves or another Adam. This is a confirmation that God established heterosexual monogamy as the divine pattern for marriage at creation. However, the language of Ephesians 5:22-25 is probably clearer on the God given roles of husbands and wives. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

Every child of God that is determined to fulfil God’s purpose must live according to the order of marriage ordained by the Almighty God. Marriage is the foundation of life according to the Bible. Consequently, marital failure may as well translate to failure in life and ministry.

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
Father, Please help me to be obedient in all things and help me to fulfil your purpose for my life in Jesus' name.

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: Hosea 3 - Hosea 5
NT: Rom 6:15 - Rom 7:6
Psalm 88:1-9

MORNING DEVOTION

Fri, 19th July, 2024

TOPIC:
Love Never Fails

TEXT:
Love never fails... (1 Corinthians 13:8, NIV)

We all have people in our lives that are difficult at times. Maybe it’s someone you work with, a family member or even your spouse. Relationships can be complicated, but remember: love never fails. The Word of God clearly defines love in 1 Corinthians 13. It says that love is patient and kind. It doesn’t seek its own way. Love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. And most importantly, love never fails. Notice that this chapter doesn’t talk at all about how you feel. God’s love isn’t about feelings. It’s a choice. You can choose to be patient, even when you don’t feel like being patient. You can choose to be kind, even when you don’t feel like being kind.

No matter what situation you find yourself in, you can choose love. You are never more like God than when you are walking in love. And when you are walking in love, you will never fail because love never fails. Open your heart to God’s love today. Receive His love and ask Him to show you how to love others better because love never fails!

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
Father, thank You for Your love which never fails. Thank You for loving me so that I can be free to love others. Empower me, by Your Spirit, to walk in love no matter what I may face today in Jesus name. Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: Hosea 1 - Hosea 2
NT: Rom 6:1-14
Psalm 87

MORNING DEVOTION

Thur, 18th July, 2024

TOPIC:
When "Better Than" Is Not Enough

TEXT:
And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made (2 Kings 3:2)

An athlete desirous of winning in a race will rather focus on the finishing line than on fellow competitors. Even so, winning athletes do glance at their competitors’ progress to determine their performance. In life also, there is an irresistible tendency to measure our performance by comparing ourselves with our peers. In the Christian race, it is not so. Our eventual rating is not relative to other people's performance. It is measured on God’s standard only.

Jehoram fared better than his parents, Ahab and Jezebel because he, at least, put away the image of Baal set up by them. He also performed more impressively than Ahaziah, his predecessor. Ahaziah was a devotee of Baalzebub and also lacked the courage to confront the Moabites who rebelled against Israel as soon as Ahab died. Unlike his parents and brother, Jehoram subscribed to the worship of the God of Israel. When Moabites withdrew their annual tribute to Israel, Jehoram rose to the occasion. He arranged a confederacy to subdue Moab to compliance.

Verse 2 of our text, however, opens with a verdict that summarizes the performance of Jehoram ”...he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD”. One major area where he failed was the sustenance of the worship of the golden calves set up by king Jeroboam in his bid to cut Israel clear from Judah where true worship was domiciled. Jehoram’s comparative goodness was not enough to earn him a place in the hall of fame of godly leaders. Neither was his half-measure of piety enough to stave off the judgment of God earlier pronounced on his family which was fulfilled in his days.

We cannot serve God half-heartedly and expect to be approved of Him. Compromise weakens the will and renders one unsuitable. God demands whole-hearted devotion from all. it is only when we give it that we will enjoy His presence, presentation and power.

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
Nothing but absolute devotion is good enough for God

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: Amos 8 - Amos 9
NT: Rom 5:12-21
Prob 17:15-24

MORNING DEVOTION

Tue, 16th July, 2024

TOPIC:
FULFILLING GOD'S PURPOSE IV

TEXT:
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

The Bible declared the father as the head of the home – head of the mother and the children. As such, fathers have complete authority within the household to direct the affairs of the family, and to administer discipline when necessary. However, Apostle Paul admonishes that fathers should handle authority over their children with care; they are to be careful not to provoke their children to wrath. Some fathers are guilty of using their authority unreasonably in ways that cause their children to harbour resentment. However, fathers have the responsibility to bring their children up in the way of the Lord. In many cultures today, parents have submitted and completely relinquished their God given responsibility to raise godly children to school teachers, Sunday schools teachers, pastors, or governmental institutions. Every Christian parent should know that God will hold them responsible for the success or failure of their wards. Children are God’s heritage, we have an awesome responsibility and authority over them, we are responsible for them before God, and we will surely render our account to God over them.

Are there any particular reason(s) why parents, particularly fathers, are called by God to play such a crucial, God ordained role in the upbringing or discipleship of their children? Ephesians 6:1-4 given us a clue.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”.

God knows that from childhood, little children gradually learn to love and trust their parents because of the relationship they have. Children normally grow up to receive love and care from their parents in the form of feeding, clothing, washing, and protection from cold and other harmful circumstances. Therefore children naturally gravitate towards their parents. For the same reasons, children are more likely to learn the ways and manners of their parents by default. Most children would choose to learn from their parents because parents are the first heroes’ children. God in His wisdom is fully aware of these factors; He therefore designed the family to take advantage of the opportunity provided by nature.

The Bible provides a very good balance here; children are to obey their parents, while parents are to treat their children with respect so that they will obey them without coercion. God expects children to obey their parents for Christ’s sake, even if their parents are not believers. Also, children should not commit any sinful act just because their parents command them to. When faced with a choice between the two, children must obey God rather then man.

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
Father, please make me a successful parent; don't let me fail You over my children.

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: Amos 5
NT: Rom 4:1-15
Psalm 86:1-10

MORNING DEVOTION

Mon, 15th July, 2024

TOPIC:
Follow Him Daily

TEXT:
Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me'. (Luke 9:23, NIV)

Every day there are things that come against us, distractions that would try to pull us away from our faith in Christ. That’s why Jesus said that every day we have to make the choice to follow Him. Sometimes it’s easy to think, “Well, I go to church regularly,” or “I read my Bible on Sundays.” But really, the Christian life isn’t about how we live on the weekends, it’s how we live every single day. Are you spending time with Him, daily? Are you reaching out and putting others first, daily? Are you sowing seeds to help those in need, daily?

If you know you need to make some adjustments in your daily walk with Him, the good news is that you can start right now, today. Just simply turn to Him and make the commitment to follow Him moment by moment. Let Him direct your steps and follow that inner prompting of the Holy Spirit. Make the choice every day to follow Him and watch what He will do on your behalf!

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
Father, thank You for another day to serve and follow You. Search my heart and mind right now and remove anything that would keep me from You. I choose to set my mind on You as I daily follow Your steps in Jesus name. Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: Amos 3 - Amos 4
NT: Rom 3:9-31
Psalm 85:8-13

MORNING DEVOTION

Sun, 14th July, 2024

TOPIC:
Between The Heart And The Tongue

TEXT:
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth (Proverbs 10:20)

It was the English non-conformist, Puritan preacher and author, Thomas Brooks, who observed thus: "We know metals by their tinkling, and men by their talking”. This truth remains real today as it was in the seventeenth century when Brooks made the assertion. It serves to highlight the close connection between the tongue and the heart.

The book of Proverbs is full of contrasts between good and evil or virtues and vices. Today's text has a lot to say in relation to the tongue of the righteous set in contrast with that of the unrighteous. The mouth (or tongue) of the righteous is associated with positive influences and outcomes. First, it is ”a well of life” - a spring that constantly issues forth refreshing words that edifies people. It is seasoned with wisdom. It is properly bridled. It is choice silver (precious) and, therefore "feed many” (useful and impactful). On the contrary, the mouth of the unrighteous is marked by violence, hatred, foolishness, destruction, malice, flattery and talkativeness.

Observe that verse 20 contrasts the outcome of the tongue of the righteous, not with the tongue but with the heart of the wicked. This only goes to show that the tongue does not act independently of the heart (Matthew 12:34). The tongue is the key outlet of the heart. Incidentally, the heart of man is so depraved that education, exposure and civility are not enough to fix it. It takes a heart regeneration that comes through spiritual rebirth to fix the problem of the heart.

You may, today, use what sincerely comes out of your mouth and their effects on people to measure the state of your heart. If they do not match the characteristics associated with - the righteous, you will do well to penitently take your heart to God for a spiritual heart transplant. Managing it not only makes you less useful to others, but will eventually land you in
eternal damnation.

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
The problem of a faulty tongue is in the heart.

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: Amos 1 - Amos 2
NT: Rom 2:17 - Rom 3:8
Prob 17:5-14

MORNING DEVOTION

Sat, 13th July, 2024

TOPIC:
Chosen by God

TEXT:
..you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life... Colossians 3:12 (TLB)

Modern writers depict the pessimism of our time and many of them throw up their hands in despair and say, “There is no answer to man’s dilemma.” Hemingway once said, “I live in a vacuum that is as lonely as a radio tube when the batteries are dead, and there is no current to plug into.” Eugene O’Neill in “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” typifies the philosophical attitude of our day. He says, “Life’s only meaning is death.” I say to Hemingway and to O’Neill, who have already gone on, “There is more to life than death.” There is more to life than a radio tube that needs a place to plug into. Jesus taught us the dignity and importance of being a person. God put us on this earth for a purpose, and our purpose is fellowship with God and to glorify God.

PRAYER/MEDITATION:
Loving Father, Your love for me transcends the hopelessness of this life and gives me the purpose I so desperately need.

DAILY BIBLE READING:
OT: Jonah 1 - Jonah 4
NT: Rom 2:1-16
Psalm 85:1-7