10-02-2019, 02:30 PM
*CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL*
*Wednesday, October 2, 2019.*
*INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE & WORLD FARM ANIMALS DAY*
*THE RACE*
*Read Philippians 3:12-14*
*MEMORISE*
*I returned and saw under the sun that – The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding. Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)*
*EXPOSITION*
Once upon a time, in an animal world Olympic contest, the marathon race saw the rabbit and tortoise making it to the final. The rabbit boasted to come first, while the tortoise bragged of being the best.
The forest was thick with the loud noise of the animals waiting to celebrate the winner. In the early hours of the final competition, the tortoise had a plan to cheat on the rabbit. He had planned to set delicious meals with attractive aroma at every junction; he knew the rabbit enjoyed eating without control. Who would have doubted that the rabbit emerge the winner? Most surprisingly and unfortunately though, the rabbit had great speed, his gluttonous habit prevented him from winning the race.
The above story is typical of Christians who had set their minds/faces on running the race to meet their Redeemer. The rabbit represents Christians who joyfully run the race to heaven, expecting the rapture and running the race to eternity with endurance. The tortoise represents the taproot of the world, the hindrances that block the Christian’s way to heaven. The cunningness of the tortoise represents the devil’s tactfulness at setting distractions on the paths of unsuspecting Christian pilgrims.
Brethren, what is that tortoise in your life as you journey to heaven, preventing you from running? What are the sins in your life that make you lose focus? Many Christians have deviated from their heavenly race through gluttonous habits, bad companies, worldly desires, demonic songs/
dances, carefree attitudes, prayerlessness, laziness in the things of God, etc. They have lost focus and their identity as citizens of heaven. Examine your life today, whether you are still on track (2 Cor. 13:5). If not, call upon the Lord to help you conquer the hurdles on your way to heaven.
*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Lord, I refuse to be distracted in my race to heaven; help me O Lord.
2. Pray for children of God who have backslidden, that God, in His infinite mercy, should restore them.
3. Father, uphold ministers of the Gospel to set their priorities right in discharging their duties, as representatives of God.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Ecclesiastes 5:15 – 8:16; Galatians 5:11 – 6:6*
*Wednesday, October 2, 2019.*
*INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE & WORLD FARM ANIMALS DAY*
*THE RACE*
*Read Philippians 3:12-14*
*MEMORISE*
*I returned and saw under the sun that – The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding. Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)*
*EXPOSITION*
Once upon a time, in an animal world Olympic contest, the marathon race saw the rabbit and tortoise making it to the final. The rabbit boasted to come first, while the tortoise bragged of being the best.
The forest was thick with the loud noise of the animals waiting to celebrate the winner. In the early hours of the final competition, the tortoise had a plan to cheat on the rabbit. He had planned to set delicious meals with attractive aroma at every junction; he knew the rabbit enjoyed eating without control. Who would have doubted that the rabbit emerge the winner? Most surprisingly and unfortunately though, the rabbit had great speed, his gluttonous habit prevented him from winning the race.
The above story is typical of Christians who had set their minds/faces on running the race to meet their Redeemer. The rabbit represents Christians who joyfully run the race to heaven, expecting the rapture and running the race to eternity with endurance. The tortoise represents the taproot of the world, the hindrances that block the Christian’s way to heaven. The cunningness of the tortoise represents the devil’s tactfulness at setting distractions on the paths of unsuspecting Christian pilgrims.
Brethren, what is that tortoise in your life as you journey to heaven, preventing you from running? What are the sins in your life that make you lose focus? Many Christians have deviated from their heavenly race through gluttonous habits, bad companies, worldly desires, demonic songs/
dances, carefree attitudes, prayerlessness, laziness in the things of God, etc. They have lost focus and their identity as citizens of heaven. Examine your life today, whether you are still on track (2 Cor. 13:5). If not, call upon the Lord to help you conquer the hurdles on your way to heaven.
*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Lord, I refuse to be distracted in my race to heaven; help me O Lord.
2. Pray for children of God who have backslidden, that God, in His infinite mercy, should restore them.
3. Father, uphold ministers of the Gospel to set their priorities right in discharging their duties, as representatives of God.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Ecclesiastes 5:15 – 8:16; Galatians 5:11 – 6:6*