EYN Devotions Jan 1-17, 2015

DAILY LINK WITH GOD 2015EYN Devotions graphic
A Daily Devotional Guide from
EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria)

EYN leaders in Nigeria believe prayer is one of the most important ways to support the Nigerian people and the Church.  These daily devotions were written by EYN members and published by the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria. Reading them daily is a powerful way we can be in solidarity and connect with our brothers and sisters caught in this crisis.  EYN’s daily devotional for 2015 will be posted here a week at a time, appearing mid-week for the following week.

EYN Devotion Blog Jan 1-10 2015

EYN Devotion Blog Jan 11-17 2015

ABOUT THE DEVOTIONAL BOOK (Written By EYN)
Every church has the zeal for the spiritual growth of her members. That is why there are many spiritual devotional books in circulation. EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) has seen the need for her members to have a devotional book that will build them spiritually. It is for this reason that this daily devotional guide is published. This devotional material is called “Daily Link with God.” The President encourages every EYN member to use Daily Link with God in order to build their family spiritually and mentally.

To achieve this, the 2015 Daily Link with God which is the fourth publication since the inception of the RPC is centered on “Knowing God and His full Purpose.” The Committee realized that having dealt with the subject of worship in the previous years, knowing God and His full Purpose will be the sustaining force of the Church. In the midst of persecution, the killing of members, destruction of worship places as well as business places. The activities of the enemies of the Gospel and the Church of Jesus which has displaced hundreds of thousands of EYN members, it is obvious that what will keep the church from disappearance as the blood thirsty people could want is the knowledge of God and His full purpose which will in turn propel members to complete devotion and acceptable worship of Him.

The Church devotional guide is divided into twelve months January to December with general and monthly introduction to make it unique. There are daily readings for each day with some explanations, lessons and prayers. This is made easy for the reader as we already know the need of our church members and clergy. It is our desire and prayer that anyone that reads and concentrates on this devotional book would be linked to God and grows spiritually. By so doing it will enhance the church spiritually, morally and otherwise. Worthy of note is that the Daily Link with God is not meant to be limited only for the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, EYN) but for every believer in Christ Jesus. As you study God’s word daily, you will surely be blessed.

Stories from Nigeria: Daniel

By Cliff Kindy, Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteer reporting from Nigeria

Daniel has been a driver for EYN travelers since 2002. He is married with seven living children and lives with a brother who is also married and with one child. His mother is still living and is caring for nine other extended family members.

When Boko Haram raided EYN headquarters on October 29th Daniel escaped with all his family and ended up in Jos where he continues to work as a driver with EYN. But he had fields of beans and ground nuts near Mubi ready to harvest when he fled. He does not know if loose livestock have destroyed his harvest.

Daniel’s mother crossed into Cameroon for safety when Boko Haram ransacked the areas surrounding Mubi. Her group of ten has faced difficult conditions in the mountains of Cameroon because there has been no relief agencies or government assistance coming to the aid of these refugees. As returnees have reported, “We lived on leaves.” The ten people in her group just returned to the Yola area and are living in the IDP camps that have dramatically increased the usual Yola population. Daniel was able to visit his mother one day while the group he drives for was conducting a trauma healing workshop at an EYN congregation.

Though some families are slowly returning to Mubi, Daniel has his job in Jos which helps support the members of his and his brother’s families. He faces a difficult choice between the income-producing job in central Nigeria and the possible harvest and extended family back in the eastern part of Nigeria. What would you do if you were in his shoes?

Star rising

AWAKE_ADVENT_4Matthew 2:1-12

Question for reflection:

What signs of Jesus have stood out for you during this Advent and Christmas season? Where have you witnessed the Light of Christ disrupting the darkness and shining brightly?


Prayer for the day:

Once again we have traveled the road of God’s promise, arriving at a simple manger occupied by an infant child. This, this is the light of the world? Thank you, God, for humble beginnings through simple servants. We marvel at your creativity and courage, entering this world as a human. We see Jesus, and we give you praise! Amen.

~ Jonathan Shively, Executive Director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Last word and testament

AWAKE_ADVENT_4


Luke 6:27-31

Question for reflection:

Where do you see conflict in your life today? What would a loving response look like?


Prayer for the day:

God, enemies are real. Help me to respond with an honest and grace-filled love to those who injure me. Show me when I make others into the enemy, and turn my violence and resentment into patient perseverance. Let Christ-like love penetrate the world through me. Amen.

~ Jonathan Shively, Executive Director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Lord willin’

AWAKE_ADVENT_4James 4:11-17

Question for reflection:

How do you listen for God’s will? What do you hear God saying to you for this day?


Prayer for the day:

God, I want to trust your intentions for my life. My desire is to live a life consistent with your will. But sometimes it is hard to hear, to know, and to do. Forgive me for my sin. Grant me grace to be better today. Amen.

~ Jonathan Shively, Executive Director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Cost of complacency

AWAKE_ADVENT_4

Proverbs 1:20-33

Question for reflection:

Where in your life are you resisting God through complacency? What change might you initiate to proactively mend and make amends, with God and with those around you?


Prayer for the day:

Give me ears to hear your direction, God, and then grant me courage to live beyond my complacency. Make me wise enough to discern your ways and follow your advice. Thank you for the safety of your promises. Amen.

~ Jonathan Shively, Executive Director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

CCEPI Distribution

By Cliff Kindy, BDM volunteer reporting from Nigeria

CCEPI Distribution 1.2.15 blog

Photo: Dr. Rebecca Dali (on left), Director of CCEPI, leading the distribution.

On December 10th the Center for Caring, Empowerment, and Peace Initiatives (CCEPI) team gathered food supplies outside the temporary headquarters of EYN in central Nigeria. Displaced families had gathered and were already registered for ease in distribution. CCEPI is one of the EYN-connected NGOs that is being funded by Brethren Disaster Ministries through its Nigeria Relief appeal.

There was a rope outlining the area for supplies and CCEPI team to operate. Rebecca Dali, Director of the NGO, called out names and as families came to the rope each family received a plastic bucket, a large mat, twenty kilograms of maize, a blanket, two soaps and a bag of beans.

It was a colorful scene with bright scarves, children being nursed, other children playing in the clusters of people, a corner of elderly folks sitting patiently to receive some assistance and other hopeful, unregistered displaced folks waiting to see if supplies would stretch for them as well.

In the background the regular routine of the busy compound continued its usual pattern. EYN staff were in and out of their offices which were being spruced up with furniture to allow a more functional facility. A private school had delivered a huge load of relief supplies to the headquarters earlier that day. There were stacks of yams, toiletries, dried food goods and other edibles ready for distribution to the people displaced from the northeast of Nigeria.

Back at the rope around the CCEPI distribution circles of people were sharing with each other. An EYN pastor from Michika who had been hit by three bullets as Boko Haram moved into his home area in September was there, still healing. Though he had not registered he was hoping supplies would stretch to him.

A Church of Christ pastor and his wife were among those waiting. He had just finished an office management course and was returning home when Boko Haram reached his region. The family fled to Yola and then on to Jos when rumors of an impending attack on Yola spread. He was the one in the crowd advocating for the group of elderly patiently waiting at the edge of the circle. It seemed these elders were not on the registration list and he wanted them to get first opportunity at any extra supplies.

The distribution went smoothly for the over one hundred families. Having it off the road in a closed area with sufficient staff facilitated the process. Only a singing ZME choir (EYN women’s group) would have improved the setting!

Life at hard labor

AWAKE_ADVENT_4


James 3:13-18

Question for reflection:
Who in your life do you need to treat with more dignity and respect? What specific steps could you take to build up the community through that relationship?


Prayer for the day:

God, help me to be a better friend to _________. Make me gentle and reasonable. I want to overflow with blessings and mercy. Give me strength to do the hard work of community, with dignity and humility befitting a follower of Jesus. Amen.

 

~ Jonathan Shively, Executive Director, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Year of our Lord, 2015

AWAKE_ADVENT_4

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Question for reflection:
To “finish well” implies a conscious decision to use the resources of our lives by offering the very best gifts and talents to glorify God in ministry and service to all people. What can you offer in the New Year that is the very best of who you are for God’s glory? Imagine how your life might add to the “Life-Light” of Christ. If there is a season for everything, what would keep you from sharing your best efforts for achieving Christ’s peace right here and now?


Prayer for the day:

God,
We stand at life’s window, pondering last year’s events. We are grateful for each breath; for each loved one near and far; and for your son, the Savior. We also wonder what else could have been done to bring about different outcomes for people enduring the troubled and violent situations here and around the world. Open our eyes and hearts God. We seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, so that we might be empowered to consistently offer the best our lives have to offer in ministry and service to all humankind and creation.
AMEN

~ Stanley J. Noffsinger, General Secretary

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.