365 Daily Devotional Book: Volume 2: Golden Nuggets for Daily Living

By Augustine Ampratwum Duah

The release of classical volume 1 of 365 Daily Devotional Book (Golden Nuggets for Daily Living) has set ablaze passion for an uncompromising personal devotional life. Now, here comes the much-anticipated volume 2, which completes in entirety the 365 Daily Devotional Book. You would be challenged and encouraged as you complete the year with this outstanding and superb volume.

Beloved, get ready to unlock the explosive and life-transforming potential within the pages of this volume 2. It will stir your hearts and minds each passing day to pursue an intimate and uncompromising walk with God. As you approach the challenges of each day, meditate and reflect on God's word, which will help you stay focused on spiritual issues of life in order to tower above physical issues of life. Each day
from January 1 to December 31 these two volumes will take you from the valley low in life to the mountain high, where we can feel God's presence and hear God's voice within the pages of God's word.

Pick any day in these complete volumes, it does not matter which, and you will be enlightened, strengthened, encouraged and blessed, leading you to focus on heavenly things never dreamed of before. It is a devotional book that will ignite a spark of spiritual desire in the soul to have a daily intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and ultimately lift you up on a higher plane in life. As you approach the challenges of each day, this devotional book will connect you to God, providing you with daily biblical, motivational and inspiring thoughts to help you focus on God and winning the day beyond your wildest imagination. May you be blessed on this spiritual journey! May you have His wisdom and understanding. May He preserve your way in Him now and throughout eternity. Amen!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Sep 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9780228877837

Augustine Ampratwum Duah

Pastor Augustine Ampratwum-Duah is the Founding pastor of Covenant Bible Family of Churches International, Canada and Ghana. He is the President of International Bible College and Seminary, Ghana. He is the Founder of BYL Christian Ministries International, a ministry committed to providing sound and unchangeable word of God relevant to today's ever-changing world through internet, radio and books. He has authored more than ten books, including The Favour of God, Decision Determines Destiny, Unveiling the Principles of Divine Enlargement, and Winning the Battle of Life. Pastor Augustine's commitment is to teach the complete and unchangeable word of God to encourage and strengthen believers in their faith. He maintained that in order to live triumphantly to overcome the torrential, volatile and fearful world we live in, we need to assimilate and live by faith the unchangeable Word of God.

Book preview

365

Daily

Devotional

Book - Volume 2

Golden Nuggets for

Daily Living

Augustine Ampratwum-Duah

365 Daily Devotional Book - Volume 2

Copyright © 2022 by Augustine Ampratwum-Duah

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise specified, are from the New King James Version. NKJV Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1992. Thomas Nelson Inc.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Copyright © 1977, 1984. Thomas Nelson Inc.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1977 by the Lockman Foundation, and are used by permission.

NLT: New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996. Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from the Living Bible, © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from English Standard Version.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from the MESSAGE Bible by Eugene H. Peterson. Copyright © 1993 by NavPress, Colorado Springs, Colorado. All rights reserved.

GW: God’s Word Translation. Copyright 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society, Ohio. Baker Publishing Group.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-22887-784-4 (Hardcover)

978-0-22887-785-1 (Paperback)

978-0-22887-783-7 (eBook)

Table of Contents

PREFACE TO VOLUME 2

July

July 1: PROTECTING YOUR BOUNDARIES

July 2: MOCKING GIANTS

July 3: GOD PLACES LIMITS ON ADVERSITY IN OUR LIVES

July 4: VOICE OF REASON VS. VOICE OF FAITH

July 5: DECISION OF LOYALTY

July 6: DECISION OF ATTACHMENT

July 7: DECISION OF LOVE

July 8: DECISION OF IDENTIFICATION

July 9: DECISION OF FAITH

July 10: DECISION OF LIFE AND DEATH

July 11: DECISION OF ALLEGIANCE

July 12: TRADING YOUR INHERITANCE?

July 13: BITTERNESS, NOT THE LAST WORD

July 14: FAULTLESS SON OF GOD

July 15: ENTRANCE INTO GOD’S KINGDOM

July 16: OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES TO SEEK JESUS

July 17: EPITAPH [INSCRIPTION] OF A FAITHFUL LIFE

July 18: HOW TO INCREASE FRUITFULNESS IN LIFE

July 19: SEEKING & KNOCKING

July 20: WAITING AND TRUSTING IN GOD

July 21: DIVINE IMMUNITY AND ASSURANCE

July 22: THE GREAT PROMISE

July 23: FRUIT-BEARING CHRISTIANS

July 24: HOW GOD DEFINES WEALTH

July 25: LIFE OF PRESUPPOSITION

July 26: NO PARTIALITY IN GOD

July 27: REAP WHATEVER YOU SOW

July 28: THE CHALLENGES OF GIANTS IN LIFE

July 29: NO COMPROMISE IN LIFE

July 30: SAINTS ARE GOD’S DELIGHT

July 31: KEEP YOUR DREAM ALIVE

August

August 1: TIMES OF IGNORANCE ARE OVER

August 2: JESUS CHRIST AND THE POWER OF HIS WORD

August 3: END OF LIFE MATTERS

August 4: THE BUILDING BLOCK OF LIFE

August 5: DIVINE IMMUNITY

August 6: PRAYER OF IMPACT

August 7: CHRIST JESUS’ PROPERTY

August 8: LOVE OF GOD AND THE FEAR OF GOD

August 9: YOUR SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION

August 10: EXHIBITION OF GOD’S GLORY

August 11: TAKE COURAGE

August 12: EVERLASTING SECURITY

August 13: WIN OVER WORRY BY SEIZING THE DAY

August 14: ATTITUDE

August 15: STAND STILL

August 16: LIVING A PURPOSEFUL LIFE

August 17: FROM BITTERNESS TO SWEETNESS

August 18: LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

August 19: KNOWLEDGE AND GLORY OF GOD

August 20: WIN OVER WORRY BY PRAYER

August 21: YOUR PAST DOES NOT EQUAL YOUR FUTURE

August 22: FELLOWSHIP OFFERING

August 23: LIVING FOR THE HONOUR OF GOD

August 24: PROVIDENCE OF GOD

August 25: DON’T BE PHASED OUT BY JEALOUSY

August 26: BATTLE OF SELF

August 27: LOVING THE UNLOVABLE

August 28: PERSEVERANCE

August 29: THE LORD GOD NEVER FORGETS!

August 30: OUR ULTIMATE SIN-CARRIER

August 31: THE FEAR OF GOD

September

September 1: YOUR WARFARE ARMOUR

September 2: GOD’S POWER CHANGES THE UNCHANGEABLE

September 3: DESTINY OF MAN AND PRAYER

September 4: JOY

September 5: FOR WHOM ARE YOU GLAD IN YOUR HEART?

September 6: DO NOT CONDEMN

September 7: THE PROVISION OF GOD

September 8: SHIELDED BY THE GREAT CAPTAIN OF OUR LIVES

September 9: SIX SPECIFIC THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

September 10: THE BEST BLESSING TO COVET

September 11: PRAISE GOD WHEN THINGS DON’T GO WELL

September 12: OWNERSHIP OF YOUR LIFE

September 13: WHAT CAUSE ARE YOU LIVING FOR?

September 14: CHOSEN BY GOD

September 15: YOU’RE THE LORD’S TABERNACLE

September 16: WHAT SEED ARE YOU PLANTING?

September 17: HUMILITY

September 18: SECULAR PROFIT AND SPIRITUAL

LOSS

September 19: ADOPTED BY GOD

September 20: WHY LOOK BACK IN LIFE?

September 21: TRUE WORSHIPPERS

September 22: LIFE’S FINAL EXAMINATION WHICH AWAITS ALL

September 23: SAINTS EXALTED TO SHINE IN GOD’S KINGDOM

September 24: STRETCH FORTH THY FAITH

September 25: SUPERFICIAL SPIRITUALITY

September 26: GOD’S WEIGHING SCALE OF JUDGEMENT

September 27: UNITY IN DIVERSITY

September 28: JESUS WALKS WITH US

September 29: LIFE AND PEACE

September 30: DIVINE PRINCIPLES

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 1: THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

OCTOBER 2: AFFIRMATIVE DECLARATION OF FAITH AND HOPE IN GOD

OCTOBER 3: BATTLE OF WORDS

OCTOBER 4: GREAT EXPLOITS FOR GOD

OCTOBER 5: SHOOK IT OFF

OCTOBER 6: WATCH OUT FOR THE THIEF

OCTOBER 7: HEART-MOUTH CONFESSION

OCTOBER 8: COMPROMISE

OCTOBER 9: OUR INVINCIBLE HELPERS

OCTOBER 10: NO OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEVIL

OCTOBER 11: NO WASTE!

OCTOBER 12: THE BLESSEDNESS OF BELIEVERS

OCTOBER 13: NOTHING CAN BE AGAINST US

OCTOBER 14: INSEPARABLE LOVE OF GOD

OCTOBER 15: WALKING IN THE WAYS OF GOD

OCTOBER 16: WORLDLINESS

OCTOBER 17: WORDS OF THIS LIFE

OCTOBER 18: LIFE’S IMPORTANT QUESTION, LIFE’S IMPORTANT ANSWER

OCTOBER 19: DO YOU LOVE JESUS?

OCTOBER 20: DOUBT, THE SEPSIS OF ALL TRANSGRESSION

OCTOBER 21: DECEIVER’S GAME PLAN

OCTOBER 22: ENDURANCE

OCTOBER 23: FOCUS ON GOD, NOT OBSTACLES

OCTOBER 24: BE STILL

OCTOBER 25: MOMENTUM OF EVIL INFLUENCE

OCTOBER 26: THE UNGODLY SHALL PERISH

OCTOBER 27: SEALED BY GOD

OCTOBER 28: YOU ARE GOD’S ARTISTRY

OCTOBER 29: SECURITY IN THE LORD

OCTOBER 30: IMMINENT REWARD

OCTOBER 31: WHAT’S YOUR DESIRE?

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER 1: SALVATION AND FEAR ARE INCOMPATIBLE

NOVEMBER 2: CHRISTIAN VALOUR, NOT FEAR

NOVEMBER 3: WALKING IN LOVE

NOVEMBER 4: WALKING IN LIGHT

NOVEMBER 5: WALKING IN WISDOM, PART 1

NOVEMBER 6: WALKING IN WISDOM, PART 2

NOVEMBER 7: REAL AND AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP

NOVEMBER 8: BE STRONG IN THE LORD, NOT

WEAK

NOVEMBER 9: OUR SPIRITUAL FOES

NOVEMBER 10: GOD’S POWER IN OUR WEAKNESS

NOVEMBER 11: PRECIOUS GIFT

NOVEMBER 12: DIVINE EXCHANGE, PART 1

NOVEMBER 13: DIVINE EXCHANGE, PART 2

NOVEMBER 14: THE GREAT PROCLAMATION

NOVEMBER 15: SELF-EXAMINATION AND CONDUCT

NOVEMBER 16: GRACE AND PEACE

NOVEMBER 17: THE CRUCIFIED LIFE: LIFE IN

CHRIST

NOVEMBER 18: THE STEPS OF A GODLY PERSON

NOVEMBER 19: GENEROSITY

NOVEMBER 20: YOU’RE LIKE ONE OF THEM!

NOVEMBER 21: REDEEMED AND FOREVER FREE

NOVEMBER 22: LIFE IS A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT

NOVEMBER 23: OUR WONDERFUL INHERITANCE

NOVEMBER 24: NO BIBLE–NO FOOD!

NOVEMBER 25: UNRIVALLED CHRISTIAN FREEDOM

NOVEMBER 26: RUNNING FROM GUILT

NOVEMBER 27: WELCOME, SON OF GOD

NOVEMBER 28: JUBILATE IN THE LORD AND TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY

NOVEMBER 29: THE LEAVEN OF EVIL INFLUENCE

NOVEMBER 30: THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE

DECEMBER

DECEMBER 1: WONDERFUL JESUS

DECEMBER 2: INDISPENSABLE COUNSELLOR

DECEMBER 3: OUR MIGHTY GOD

DECEMBER 4: OUR EVERLASTING FATHER

DECEMBER 5: OUR PRINCE OF PEACE

DECEMBER 6: THE MOST IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT

DECEMBER 7: WHOM DO YOU LIVE FOR?

DECEMBER 8: THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION

DECEMBER 9: THE GRACE TO REJOICE

DECEMBER 10: FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

DECEMBER 11: DIVINE APPOINTMENT WITH GOD

DECEMBER 12: COMPLETION OF GOOD WORK

IN YOU

DECEMBER 13: THE GREATEST PRIVILEGE AND HIGHEST DUTY OF MAN

DECEMBER 14: LIKE PRODUCES LIKE—REAP WHAT YOU SOW

DECEMBER 15: HOW TO ENDURE IN YOUR FAITH DURING HARD TIMES

DECEMBER 16: FINAL DAY APPEARANCE

DECEMBER 17: GIVER OF GOOD THINGS

DECEMBER 18: SAD ENDING, PROMISING START

DECEMBER 19: PRESS ON, BELIEVER!

DECEMBER 20: SEEK THINGS ABOVE

DECEMBER 21: VICTORS IN LIFE, NOT VICTIMS IN

LIFE

DECEMBER 22: PERSONAL FAITH DECLARATION

DECEMBER 23: LIGHT OF THE WORLD

DECEMBER 24: SEARCHING FOR A SAVIOUR

DECEMBER 25: HELP FROM ON HIGH

DECEMBER 26: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST’S LORDSHIP

DECEMBER 27: THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH

DECEMBER 28: WATCHFULNESS

DECEMBER 29: DISCIPLINE OF GODLINESS

DECEMBER 30: THE PEACE OF GOD

DECEMBER 31: COUNTING YOUR MANY BLESSINGS

SCRIPTURE INDEX

Bibliography

PREFACE TO VOLUME 2

Golden Nuggets for Our Daily Living

Beloved, I believe by meditatively spending qualitative time daily in reading the Daily Devotional Book Volume 1 [January to June], undoubtedly has left indelible imprints in your life. This has sparkled the spiritual desire and therefore you are ready to get hold of Daily Devotional Book Volume 2 [July to December]. Here it comes! Indeed, many can testify that using the Daily Devotional Book Volume 1 has been an exciting spiritual journey which has held many spellbound. Well, the insightful thoughts of God’s Word and its application with full of excitement has captivated the soul and the heart to rejoice in the Lord for each passing day. As we set our hearts to meditate daily on the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit would illuminate the mind to dig more into the truth of God’s Word, which ultimately brings enlightenment and refreshment to the soul. The half-year journey through Volume 1 undoubtedly unearthed hidden treasures in the Word of God and gave spiritual insight to perceive things like never before. One thing which stands paramount as you meditate on each day’s biblical text is the enrichment of your spiritual life, which you will cherish for many, many years to come. Indeed, one can testify as you meditate on the Scriptures; the Holy Spirit would bring alive the truth of God’s Word and its application to the vast array of life. This gives one the courageous spirit, tenacity, spiritual awareness, and preparedness to triumph over every obstacle in life. More than ever, you are about to discover more of the nuggets of gold in God’s Word with another spiritual journey: Daily Devotional Book: Volume 2 [July to December]. Beloved, it will mesmerize you with spiritual buoyancy for each passing day. I vividly recall that many a time in the church covenant fellowship meetings, whenever I shared some of the daily texts from the devotional book, members became electrified. As a result, they were spiritually hungry for more of God’s Word, to the extent that they could not wait to lay hold of the devotional book as an invaluable tool in their daily devotional life. Another volume of new gems, golden nuggets, and pearls of God’s rich Word to equip and empower you to surmount all obstacles in life for a victorious living every day of the year. Beloved, now, it is in your hands! This is an invaluable and useful tool for believers, a real spiritual aid in these perilous times we live in, and may His glorious name be praised for ever and ever! Great praise testimonies are about to happen in your life to the glory of our God. Once again, get ready to enjoy an unrivaled, immeasurable, and spiritual sustenance to bless the soul and to grow daily intimately with your Maker, the LORD God. Beloved, gratefully welcome your testimony written to me. May the glorious name of Jesus Christ be magnified, glorified, and exalted, forever and ever. Amen!

Blessings!

AUGUSTINE AMPRATWUM-DUAH, Author

July

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health,

Just as your soul prospers.

3 John 2

JULY 1

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

PROTECTING YOUR BOUNDARIES

Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. ²And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines.

1 Samuel 17:1–2

The Old Testament story of the encounter between the armies of Israel and the Philistines were the resultant effect of incursion of the forces of Philistines that had waged war into the territory of Israel. The Philistines had come into the territory of the Israelites to wage a war against them, and this assault of the Philistines upon the Israelites was a battle to determine the destiny of the people of Israel. The Philistines were intruders in the land that belonged to Judah. The land was given to the Israelites in a covenantal relationship the Lord made with Abraham, reaffirmed with Isaac and Jacob, and then reiterated to Moses and Joshua to lead His people to the Promised Land. However, the enemy [Philistines] had come into the territory of Israel to wage a war against her, even though the land rightfully belonged to them. The Philistines had infiltrated into the physical territory of Israel, the people of God, and it was there that the giant Goliath was breathing out his defiance. As a result, the people of Israel were fainthearted and trembling at his sight. A sad reflection and vivid picture of the people of God rendered helpless and spineless before their enemies.

Physical territory is real and visible, but we also have the reality of spiritual territory as well. With physical territory, the owner is legally responsible for whatever happens to his or her property. Similarly, with spiritual territory, one is responsible for taking control of his or her own life and guarding jealously against the soul. Spiritually, the enemy is furiously determined to gain access into the territory of your spiritual life. Thus, Peter says, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). It is therefore important that we strategically discern the enemy’s devices to infiltrate into our territory of life. Should we open the gates of our boundaries to the enemy to control and impact our lives? Whatever your territory might be, you need to react to its invasion.

How do you defend your territory of life if there is an incursion? You may be a beautiful person on this earth, but as long as you belong to the Lord, get ready because the enemy will try to wage an incursion into your personal territory of life. Are you going to be helpless? What giants are looming in your life right now? What giants are infringing on your territory to hinder you to live out a purposeful Christian life? Remind yourself of this truth: With the physical territories of Israel, the Philistines intruded into their land though they had no right to be there to possess the land. They were marauders and needed to be driven out. We need to recognize the truth that spiritually, the enemy intends to invade our lives if the gates to our lives are open to him. Essentially, the enemy has no right to invade our lives. But if we don’t take responsibility of our own lives and guard ourselves against the onslaught of the enemy of our souls, we will find ourselves embroiled in the web of the enemy.

It is God’s will that enemies should not be allowed to invade our lives; boundaries should be set for them. Enemies are trespassers and should be resisted at all costs. You have to set boundaries and limits for them! It is an undeniable fact that whoever takes over the territory of your life will possess you. Therefore, you have to take possession of your life’s territory and guard it jealously in order to render the enemy inaccessible to your territory of life. Thank You, LORD, that I am attentive, watchful, and spiritually robust to resist the enemy invasion into my life. Lord, by Your Spirit I am grateful for Your help. Amen.

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 1 Peter 5:8–9; James 4:7.

Prayer

Father Almighty, how grateful I am to know that with Your help, I can win the battle of life. LORD, thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Father, I know that in this battle of life, I am not alone, for the greater One, Jesus Christ, is with me. Father, I believe in Your Word, and with Your help and Your Spirit, I declare war against all marauders and infiltrators intending to invade my territory of life. Today, I declare in the name of Jesus Christ all my enemies inoperative and ineffective. In the mighty name of Jehovah God, I pray. Amen.

JULY 2

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

MOCKING GIANTS

Then he [Goliath] stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. ⁹If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us. ¹⁰And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. ¹¹When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

1 Samuel 17:8–11

This story illustrates the great encounter between Goliath, the giant – the leader of the philistines, and King Saul and the people of Israel. There was a stalemate, and as a result, the Philistine champion, Goliath the giant, threw a challenge to the face of God’s people, the children of Israel. They were then mesmerized with apprehension, and this situation typifies a soul being enslaved to doubt, fear, and hopelessness. How many times do we encounter such situations in life and feel that the challenges we are facing are insurmountable? Again, how many times we do face situations in life and become stagnant? When we face a situation such as the Israelites did, it is a revealing process of what is in the mind, and our attendant behaviours become obvious. The challenges of life are multifaceted; some send a shrill into our spine and we become powerless and incapacitated.

Now, Goliath having thrown down the gauntlet to the children of Israel, it seemed no one was willing to challenge his impudence and bragging, and he was apparently set to win the battle by default. He thus looked upon the people of Israel as no better than slaves. It is so in life when people boast of their accomplishments, positions, and heritage and this could easily render you hopeless, helpless and nonentity in life. You may then feel traumatized and intimidated, and you may forget your God. Remarkably, this was what Goliath did to the people of Israel. He ridiculed them with his war credentials, status, name, and heritage. Remember, Goliath as a descendant of giants [Anakin] and being prideful of his own bravery and that of the ancient conquerors, then compared the people of Israel to servants of Saul who had lost favour with God. Giants mock and ridicule!

When Goliath taunted the Israelites as servants of Saul, he was comparing them to weak elements who were powerless—people no longer in subjection to the Lord. Goliath mocked them to get them to forget about their identity, heritage, and who they were as people of God. By calling them servants of Saul, he humiliated them as cowards, unequal to his status. By calling them servants of Saul, he signified that they had all been enslaved by Saul’s spirit, not empowered by God’s Spirit. Servants of man are subservient to man and manipulated by man; however, servants of God are empowered by God and His Spirit and are conquerors.

Mockers have a way to ply into your ignorance. Mockers in life have a cunning way to hurt your self-esteem. Mockers will always sneer your heritage and religious belief system and purposefully throw some irrational questions and remarks to test your faith. Thus, by calling them servants of Saul, he mocked the children of Israel with words of degradation. The children of Israel saw a giant, a mere man, a great warrior, a champion or fighter; and as servants of God, they easily forgot the Almighty God of Israel whom they served. As children of God, you can easily forget who you are if you are being bombarded with incessant sarcastic words from mockers and enemies. The children of Israel saw a champion and forgot the Champion of Champions. The children of Israel saw Goliath and forgot their heritage as servants of God. Forgetfulness of God’s past deliverance diminishes one’s confidence in the face of present conflict. Whatever giants you may be facing in life; whether emotional, mental, or spiritual: Remember that giants are not giants at all, they are infinitesimal and second-rate standard when you are on God’s side and empowered by God’s Spirit. Amen.

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Romans 8:38–39.

Prayer

Omnipotent LORD, how great, majestic and awesome You are! No one in all the earth is more powerful than You! May You subdue all the giants in my life by Your sovereign power. Father, today, may You rekindle my faith in You, knowing well that all giants in life warring against me are nothing in thy sight, O Lord. I declare, by the authority of Your Word, that all the attacks and devices of the enemy are nonoperational and ineffective. I declare today that I am a winner in life. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God’s name, I pray. Amen!

JULY 3

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

GOD PLACES LIMITS ON ADVERSITY IN OUR LIVES

And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person. . . . And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.

Job 1:12 and 2:6

The texts before us clearly show that God limits the adversity He permits. Satan is permitted to lay hold on all that Job possesses, but not to touch the man himself. Thus, our adversity is limited by the sovereign hand of God. God would not allow us to suffer and be tempted beyond what we are unable to endure. In other words, there is a limit of endurance the Lord places in our lives. Adversity is only permitted for the sake of a greater good and to serve His purpose for our lives. Although God may allow Satan to persecute and accuse us, He places limitations on the enemy’s actions. Satan does not have free access to our lives, unless permitted by God. Only God, who created us, has the right to deal with us at every turn in life. In the case of Job, the Lord stopped the enemy and commanded him, Do not lay a hand on his person (Job 1:12). God issued a divine fiat to Satan, who was obliged to obey.

It is important to know that until God gives commission, Satan has no power over God’s people, nor His people’s estates or anything that belongs unto them. God Himself sets bounds to the afflictions of His people. The Lord allowed his servant Job to be tested but notice that God limited what Satan could do. The Lord is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. Nothing is greater—no sin or disease, no adversity, temptation—than Him. He gave Satan strict instructions to spare Job’s life (Job 2:6), and the enemy had to comply—just as he complies today with God’s limitations on the amount of adversity, suffering, and sorrow we may experience or encounter in life. Beloved, it is of prime importance to know that there is a limit to our adversities. It may seem that perhaps your sorrow will not pass, but they will! Remember that today’s troubles are God’s opportunities for Him to prove His faithfulness. Crises will pass, and circumstances do change. Situations are not eternal and will change. In everything, God works in and through our adversity and brings it to an end according to His plan. The enemy may attempt to wear you down, but you have an eternal source of strength living within you that cannot be defeated – the Holy Spirit of God.

Satan knows that, as believers, we belong to God, and we are saved through His grace and by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, the enemy shifts his attention and seeks to fill our hearts with fear, doubt, and discouragement in an effort to tempt us into giving up. Under extreme pressure, Job’s faith remained firmly set on God, and the same can be true for us. When adversity comes, we do not have to bend or yield to defeat. 2 Corinthians 4:8–9: "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." The Lord will not allow the enemy to destroy us, and therefore, we must continue to trust God and resist the Devil, even when we’re weary. God will not only limit our trials and tribulations; He will draw us deeper into a relationship with Himself and work everything out for our good.

Understand clearly that Satan is boundless in his malice toward the people of God; however, God sets his bounds. As God said unto him, Only do not lay a hand on his person, beloved, it is gratifying to know what Satan did with his limitations. Satan may injure us, but this carries no significant value in the eyes of the Lord, for limitation is placed upon Satan, and he can do no more than what he has been commanded. God may permit Satan to blast our worldly prospects, to wreck our fortunes, and destroy our friendships, however, if we trust in God and uphold our integrity and fidelity, He will not allow him to touch our souls. How disappointed Satan would be—the end result is the very opposite to what he had expected: Prosperous, restoration, and divine elevation from the Almighty God we serve and belong. Give Him the praise. Glory to God.

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Jeremiah 38; Luke 22:31–32.

Prayer

Thank You, LORD, for Your faithfulness toward Your beloved servants who love You and walk in integrity and uphold to the unchangeable Word of God. Heavenly Father, I am Your servant by election and choice! I know, according to Your infallible Word, that nothing can harm or injure me unbeknown to You, my omniscient LORD. Thanks for Your divine observation, O Lord. Heavenly Father, in all my afflictions and adversities in life, Your good purpose for my life would never be obscured by the enemy. Lord I know even when I go through bleak circumstances in life, You are with me. I bless and honour You. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.

JULY 4

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

VOICE OF REASON VS. VOICE OF FAITH

And she [Naomi] said, Look your sister-in-law [Orpah] has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law. ¹⁶But Ruth said: Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God. ¹⁷Wherever you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.

Ruth 1:15–17

It is a fact undeniable that a true confession of faith is not manipulative and empty rhetoric, rather it is a conscious and personal statement arrived at through a process of determination irrespective of the cost. Again, a true confession of faith is a monumental decision because it is a personal declaration rooted in trust and obedience to God. It has a great consequence in life, as it charts the course of future events and destiny. In our crucial moments of decision, however, two voices become discernible to us: the voice of reason and the voice of faith.

This was exactly what Ruth and Orpah faced in life. To Orpah, the voice of reason dictated that she should route her life for a new and better way of life and status. She was young, and so she reasoned it was sensible for her to go back to her own people, to a life of paganism, superstition, gloom, and her own way of self-satisfaction. Well, isn’t what the enemy is always saying to lots of people? Persuading them to stay in a lifestyle of self-satisfaction, one of fun and merry making? The enemy urges them to explore new ways of making themselves happy in life, a new age of worship, and a new life of superstition full of darkness and gloom.

Reason will always have something for you to justify that what you’re doing is right. Reason is not a reality but an illusion. Reason would dictate to you to quit when facing the pressures of life, to give up and to circumvent your own way through any other possible means. You have every reason to follow your own inclinations in life and not be subjected to any other manipulations. Well, you have your own life to live, and that is what reason will always propose to you. In fact, reason will dictate manifold actions and deeds that invariably often end in frustration.

On the other hand, the voice of faith is compassionate, loving, dependable, and self-sacrificing, irrespective of the cost. Thus, what was dictated to Ruth at that crucial moment was the voice of faith. Faith in Jehovah God dictated to Ruth to follow Naomi, not to abandon the weakest person around her but to seek her protection and well-being, though Naomi was bitter in life and tried to shun her. Ruth made a momentous decision, a decision of faith to serve Naomi’s God, Jehovah, and the true worship of Him. Thus, she had come to know that to serve Naomi meant to serve Naomi’s God. A heart ruled by the voice of faith in Jehovah God is truly versatile in all circumstances in life to honour God. Faith in Jehovah God doesn’t give up in times of trial. The voice of faith in Jehovah God made Ruth bound her life together in a new solidarity with Naomi.

That was the turning point in her life. Therefore, she made seven declarations which constituted a vow which she never broke—a covenantal vow. The seven declarations revealed a definite progression in her decision which became a watermark in her life. Therefore, prayerfully, in the next seven days, we would consider these decisions and the definite impact it would have upon our lives. My prayer today is that may all our decisions in life either small or big be brought under the domain of God’s mighty power and His direction. May the voice of faith in Jehovah God direct us in all enterprises of our lives, bearing fruitful and enduring results to the glory of His majestic name. Amen.

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Hebrews 11.

Prayer

Father God, I thank You for the great privilege to have will, conscience, and the mind to reason. Father God, today I submit my will to Your will, and I cleanse my conscience from every dead works by the blood of Jesus Christ. Father, renew my mind by Your Spirit, and I thank You, LORD, for giving me the grace to walk according to Your Word. Blessed be Thy holy name, forever and ever, for giving me the holy faith through Thy only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Father, I honour and glorify You as the only true God. Thank You, Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

JULY 5

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

DECISION OF LOYALTY

But Ruth said: Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you . . .

Ruth 1:16

The above words of Ruth to her mother-in-law [Naomi] constitute a decision of loyalty. She made a resolution not to forsake Naomi, which was a solemn declaration made by Ruth. Power of resolution silences temptation and resists the Devil, forcing him to flee. Ruth was determined to follow Naomi and asked her to cease requesting that she leave. This was not a half-hearted and disloyal decision, but a definitive and loyal decision which extended to all ramifications of life.

All of Naomi’s entreaties could not shake Ruth’s resolute commitment, and therefore, Ruth demanded to hear no more of them. It is of great vexation and unease to those that are resolved for God to be tempted, swayed, and solicited to alter their resolution. Among those who share a throne in your heart is loyalty, and it cannot be discharged without patience and open-mindedness as it is defined by character.

There was something in Naomi’s God that Ruth came to know, and she observed—life. Therefore, nothing could stop her from following that God of Israel she had come to discover. She realized that Naomi possessed something precious—the God of Israel—and therefore, she made a definitive vow not to turn back or walk with a half-hearted decision. At a certain point in our Lord Jesus’ ministry, many of the disciples walked away from Him because His words were hard and incompatible with their religiosity and hidden agendas. The Scripture says, From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’ (John 6:66–68)

Well, our position to follow the Lord Jesus Christ is not on our own terms; it should be a decision of loyalty. It is the willingness of the mind and heart to forsake many things in life that are competing for time, attention, efforts, and resources. Some who make a decision of loyalty to follow Jesus Christ are unaware of its consequence, so they give half-hearted and divided attention in serving Him, thus breaking the covenantal vow of that decision. Do you have the desire to follow our Lord Jesus Christ without turning back to the world and its pleasures? When you make a decision of loyalty to follow Jesus Christ, present trials and encounters do not inconvenience you for you look forward to eternity—a life of hope beyond the present happenings in life.

When Ruth made the decision to follow Naomi, she looked beyond life’s uncertainties to be endured; for she looked to the hope and trust in the God of Israel, and she made a loyal decision that defined her life. Woodrow T. Wilson says, Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice. Loyalty is an asset, independent and scarce, parceled out among different attitudes for success in life. A decision of loyalty is not half-hearted, half-baked, or the result of a spur-of-the-moment decision. It is a purposeful decision made and resolved to withstand every trial, every scary moment, and every circumstance of life. Following Jesus Christ calls for a decision of loyalty in His service. Today, may your words and actions speak and validate your avowed loyalty to Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Thank God for the decision you made, commit to it, and follow through till eternity. Thank You, Heavenly Father. Amen.

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: John 6:60–69.

Prayer

Father God of Israel and Eternal LORD, You never change. You’re the same yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever. LORD Almighty, help me to be loyal in serving and trusting You at all times. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

JULY 6

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

DECISION OF ATTACHMENT

. . . Wherever you [Naomi] go, I [Ruth] will go . . .

Ruth 1:16

This statement of Ruth’s, Wherever you go, I will go, constitutes a decision of attachment, a second declaration of her single-mindedness to follow Naomi. Ruth was determined to go or walk with Naomi wherever she went. Ruth was determined not to allow Naomi to walk in loneliness but to walk side by side with Ruth, sharing life together with her. Have you made the decision to abandon everything you previously had put trust in and to walk with Jesus Christ? The choice is yours today! Decision is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. Ruth sensed that her destiny was tied to Naomi, so she made a decision and wanted to go wherever Naomi went. Have you been involved with a person and realized your destiny was tied to him or her? The decision to attach to someone is consciously weighed; it is not a subconscious determination.

What made Elisha leave home and run after Elijah, his spiritual father and mentor? He realized he could not reach his potential in life without Elijah. He, therefore, determinedly kept himself glued to Elijah, no matter the cost! His decision to attach to his mentor made him a great successor to Elijah. What about Joshua, the military commander who became Moses’ assistant (Exodus 24:13) and later became successor to Moses? Joshua attached himself to Moses, and this attachment made him a well-seasoned successor to Moses to lead the people of Israel to their inheritance.

When one makes a decision of attachment, it involves risking lives and surmounting all besetting hurdles for a greater reward. Well, you might feel that God is drawing you closer to someone, and this should be consciously and prayerfully considered with the wisdom of God. When you sense God’s direction, then make a conscious and bold decision to attach yourself to that person. Attachment is a great fabricator of genuine love; detachment is illusive love on display. The decision to attach yourself to someone could either wreck your life and destiny or make your life achieve its potential. Decision of attachment is superglue, an unbreakable bond. When under duress, you’re unwavering; when there is threat to your life, you’re unbending and hold on to your faith. Decision of attachment in the real sense involves affection with a deeper connection that is enduring as an unbreakable bond. Thus, when you attach yourself to a spouse, it is a conscious decision made, and a bond of affection develops.

If we can make a decision to attach ourselves to an earthly human being in order to propel us to reach our potential, what about the decision to attach ourselves to Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God? Glorious destiny awaits everyone who consciously and definitively makes a decision to attach, stick, and accept the Lord Jesus Christ, as Saviour. What a momentous decision and how blissful, only eternity can tell! Make a decision today if you have not yet trusted in the powerful name of Jehovah God. Amen.

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: John 6:60–69.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit, my divine Counsellor and Governor. My LORD and Father, help me daily to behold Your majesty, power, and love. Father, direct me in every momentous decisions in life, either small or big to keep the heart glue to the love of Jesus Christ, my Saviour. Again, heavenly Father and LORD, help me to abide by Word and the love of Your Word to bond my life unconditionally to Your Son, Jesus Christ, never to forsake Him. Father, help me to avoid anything that could separate me from the love of God. Thank You, Father, for hearing me. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

JULY 7

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

DECISION OF LOVE

. . . And wherever you [Naomi] lodge, I [Ruth] will lodge . . .

Ruth 1:16

This statement of Ruth, "And wherever you lodge, I will lodge," is Decision Of Love, the third declaration of commitment to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth’s decision was to live with her mother-in-law in whatever place Naomi decided to lodge. She would subsequently share the same afflictions under the same roof. She decided to lock her life intimately with Naomi. It was therefore a decision to give up the security of a husband and family in order to help Naomi in a search for a new security. The decision of love affirms a deep commitment and does not randomly sever relationships and commitment. It stands the test of times – good or bad. It does not dissociate itself from unpleasant circumstances of life such as poverty, humiliation, persecution, rejection, trials of faith and so on. The decision of love looks to triumph over every sphere of life with no turning back or disowning. The decision to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is that of love unsurpassed by any other love. It is a commitment made within the confines of your heart, vibrating with joy unspeakable until eternity. Our Lord Jesus Christ after the post-resurrection questioned Peter three times concerning his love for Him when He appeared to the disciples in their fishing business. Thrice Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? (John 21:15-17) It is a question each and every disciple of Jesus Christ soberly has to reflect deeply within the heart. Do you love Jesus because of you want a successful life? Do you love Jesus because of fame or prestige? Do you love Jesus because of manifold blessings that you would get? Many have varied reasons of loving Jesus. However, decision of love for Jesus is not contingent upon what you would get or what you supposedly could achieve in this present life. Beloved, whether in life or death you have to love Jesus. Whether good or bad you have to love Him. Whether in affluence or in scarcity, you have to love Jesus. Whether in comfort or affliction, you have to love Jesus. Jesus Christ’s love for us is unconditional and ours to Him ought to be real commitment with no flip-flop. So, our decision to love people shouldn’t be based on any condition to be met, but unconditional. It should be love shed abroad in our hearts, not in our minds. Decision to love is not coercive; but voluntarily. Decision of love is not a spur of the moment action; decision of love is not an on and off affair. Also, decision of love does not spring from a half-hearted heart. Decision of love is an action of love that emerges from a reservoir of love whereby it never dries out. Again, decision of love is an action whereby Jesus Christ is the fountain of it. May it be our resolve that our decision to love people should be a manifestation of real, conscious and resolute, not phony and peripheral? Thank You LORD of Heaven and the earth. Amen.

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 1 Corinthians 13.

Prayer

Thank You, LORD of Heaven and earth, for Your awesome love manifested to mankind in the person of Your Son, Jesus Christ. LORD empower me through thy Spirit to be committed in my love for You thereby manifesting the same love for people as well. Father help me to be realistic with real love and from pure heart. Father, I thank You for the unconditional love shown to me in the person of Your Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross of Calvary. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for loving me in the person of Your Son Jesus Christ. I will forever give You the praise and adoration. Amen.

JULY 8

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

DECISION OF IDENTIFICATION

. . . Your [Naomi’s] people shall be my [Ruth’s] people . . .

Ruth 1:16

The statement of Ruth, Your people shall be my people, is a decision of identification, the fourth declaration of her willingness to identify herself with the people of Naomi. A decision to leave her people for good meant Ruth was choosing Naomi’s people forever—Your people, my people—and moving into a new community of faith, new people, embracing a new religion, and sharing new religious values and beliefs to shape her life forever. Ruth was willing to break through the age-long barrier of enmity and hatred to bind herself to Naomi’s people—to become one, the people of Israel and the God of Israel. Ruth did not choose the ones with whom she wanted to be connected with, nor whatever country they lived in. She wanted to be identified with the people of Naomi—new mother, new brothers and new sisters, a new national identity, a new spiritual relationship and new spiritual values in life to shape her destiny.

The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ was her God. When we take God as our LORD, we must take His people to be our people in all conditions; though they may be poor despised people, under-privileged people, or people of no means, yet if they be His, they must be ours as well. Decision of identification with God’s people knows no discrimination, no barrier, and no favouritism, but the pre-eminence of spiritual relationship we enjoy together as One Father, One Lord, and One Saviour of us all. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, after His resurrection, said to Mary: I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God (John 20:17). To be a member of God’s family is a decision to identify with people of all nationalities, irrespective of colour, dialect, or background. God’s people are your people. Is it not what we are when we become Christians? We become citizens along with all of God’s people; you are a member of God’s family. Let us make the deliberate, humble, firm, joyful, and immediate choice for God and His saints, belonging to one another, pursuing one God, and belonging to One Father in Heaven. Our spiritual identity and heritage is rooted in Jesus Christ.

Decision of identification is a conscious decision to break forth from an age-long barrier of hatred and enmity that has plagued mankind into a new community of faith, sharing new values, new attitudes, and new relationships. Today, let us reflect upon our relationship with our Father in Heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ, and know that what counts most is: Do