You are welcome to the 23rd edition of our devotional where God blesses our people through unique content talking about transformation and newness. We believe that this edition will still be a benefit to you in the name of Jesus Christ. You can also read similar posts on our devotional page of the site.
A Transforming Prayer
Read Psalm 51:2.
Alan Redpath asserts that “it’s Satan’s delight to tell me that once he’s got me, he will keep me. But at that moment I can go back to God. And | know that if I confess my sins, God is faithful and just to forgive me.”
The psalmist admitted his state of helplessness in today’s text. He acknowledged that he was a sinner before he was born and God was right to judge him, but he pleaded for mercy. He asked God to blot out his iniquities and create in him a pure heart and a steadfast spirit. He also begged God not to cast him away from His presence. He clearly stated his desire to continue to enjoy the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. He then promised to teach other sinners the way of God and sing of God’s righteousness.
No matter how far you have strayed from God, you must always find your way back to Him. Never believe the lies of the Devil that God is angry with you. He is our ever-loving Father, who is not just willing to forgive and restore us, but also use us to declare His righteousness among the sinners around us. When you acknowledge your shortcomings before God, He can transform you and make out of the broken pieces of your life an edifice for Himself.
Insight: A life that is entangled in sin is a life without fulfilment.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning, I receive Your mercy today!
A Transforming Testimony
Read John 9:25.
Smith Wigglesworth said, “Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials.”
The testimony of the healed blind man concerning Jesus was intimidating to the Jewish leaders. He told them boldly that ‘He is a prophet”. Even though his parents were afraid to declare that their son was healed by Christ for fear of what the Jewish leaders might do to them, the man was not silent about his experience with the Messiah. His testimony challenged the Jewish leaders and made them feel uncomfortable.
They tried to indict him by asking over and over to see whether he would change his mind, but his testimony remained the same. Many believers find it difficult to speak about their experience of Christ’s power because of fear of opposition. Many are quick to change their words because someone in power may be offended. As believers, we should care less about how our testimony of Christ makes people feel.
The way people react to our testimony must never influence what we say or how we say it. We must remain convinced and unrepentant about our testimony about Christ. This is the only way we will be able to make a lasting change in the lives of those around us.
Insight: Only a convincing testimony can bring about transformation.
Prayer: God, let my testimonies about Jesus bring transformation to others.
A Transforming Death to Life
Read 1 John 3:14.
Graham Tomlin wrote in one of his books, “Love can soften the hardest of hearts, the most rigid minds, the stoniest of souls. Love can do what naked force cannot. When we are loved we can change. When we are unloved we dig in our heels and refuse to budge. Love is the most powerful force in the world. And it is on the cross that we see the most dramatic, powerful and profound act of love: the love of God that voluntarily took all human shame and failure unto himself in the person of his Son.”
Today’s text emphasizes that the proof of someone who has passed from death to life is love. The Scripture describes anyone who hates his or her brother as a murderer. The Scripture describes love in the light of Christ’s sacrifice and expects anyone who claims to love to also make sacrifices for others. John also emphasized that those who claim to love must be open to helping others in need. Love must be expressed not just in words, but also in deeds.
As believers, our love for God must reflect in the way we love other brethren. We should not base our love for others on the premise of their action, but on the nature of God that we have. Ensure that you genuinely love everyone around you today.
Insight: Generous love for God must translate to generous love for brethren.
Prayer: Give me the heart that loves uncompromisingly, O Lord.
A Transforming Faith and Courage
Read Acts 4:20.
Matthew Archbold states “Stories of Christians, who made courageous decisions in the moment of crisis, reveal the courage and inner strength of these individuals who chose life in Christ, even when it meant public ridicule, rejection, or death.” Such was the case of the early Christians, as found in our text of study.
Peter and John were arrested for demonstrating the power of God, which led to a remarkable miracle in the life of a man who was crippled from birth. The man walked and the news spread all over Jerusalem, leading to the arrest and questioning of the disciples. They were commanded to stop preaching or teaching in the name of Jesus by whom the lame was healed. The disciples insisted they could not stop preaching in the name of Jesus.
There are times when our faith in Christ comes under fire, like that of the disciples. At such moments, we are required to take the same stand as the disciples and as Archbold says, we must demonstrate courage and inner strength to choose life in Christ, regardless of the threat we face.
Insight: The strength of believers’ faith is proven through the tests that come their way.
Prayer: O Lord, help me to remain true to You in every situation and circumstance of life.
A Transforming Praise
Read Psalm 113:1.
Charles Spurgeon has this to say, “Whenever we have to praise God, what do we do? We simply say what He is! ‘You are this and You are that.’ There is no other praise. We cannot fetch anything from anywhere else and bring it to God; the praises of God are simply the facts about Himself! If you want to praise the Lord Jesus Christ, tell the people about Him.”
The psalmist enjoined God’s people to praise the Lord in today’s text. He instructed that the name of God should be praised everywhere and every time. He further revealed that God is to be praised for His exalted position over all nations.
He is incomparable to anyone because He sits above, beholding the heavens and the earth. In addition, David justified the reason for praising God because of His ability to lift the poor and needy to a place of honour. He also gives children to barren women.
Do you have reasons to praise God? Looking back at God’s faithfulness in the past can help you discover reasons why you should praise God in the present. If for nothing, being alive is enough reason to praise the name of the Lord.
You do not need to wait for an organized praise concert to give quality praise to God. Today, set aside some time to give God quality praise.
Insight: God deserves praise from all His creatures.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, may my life be a daily expression of Your praise.
A Transforming God’s Witness
A Christian student was invited by the disciplinary committee to testify about the examination malpractice that took place in his class. The people involved in the malpractice were from his hometown. He was called to witness because the committee believed that his evidence would be true. If you were the one, what would you do?
Prophet Isaiah challenged the Israelites on their attitude towards God. He called on the people to prove if any god had saved them in the past, except Yahweh. He also declared that there is no god besides the Lord who saves.
God chose the Israelites to be witnesses of His mighty acts to all the nations of the earth so that they can fear Him. Believers who have experienced salvation in Christ, and other blessings of God, should be bold to witness Christ to people around them.
As a child of God, can your lifestyle point people to Christ? When last did you engage in one-on-one witnessing to unbelievers? Commit yourself to personal evangelism this week as you make an effort to know God more intimately through the study of the Word of God and prayer.
Insight: God’s witnesses testify of His goodness, greatness and grace.
Prayer: Lord, I choose to grow in my knowledge of You, so I can be Your faithful witness.
