12-09-2019, 04:35 PM
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER {July ~ Dec., 2019}
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday, December 9, 2019
- International Anti-Corruption Day
TOPIC: AVOID THE ERROR OF BALAAM
Read Revelation 2:12-16
12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
MEMORISE: But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality (Revelation 2:14)
EXPOSITION
The church at Pergamos was commended for holding fast to Christ's name, despite their bitter experiences in the hands of the residents of where Satan's throne is (vv. 12,13). However, Christ observed that some of them were predisposed to Balaam's doctrine. What does that imply?
Sequel to our discussion yesterday, and most importantly, on a day like this, when corruption should be advocated against, Balaam messed up because of his greed for ungodly gain.
This calls for caution on our parts. We must regularly check ourselves, if we are still in right standing before God, gifts (talents) notwithstanding (2 Cor. 13:5). Saul was still on the throne, years after God had rejected and replaced him. That the Spirit of God uses you in prophecy and power demonstration doesn't show you as a child of His. Regularly checking our spiritual temperature will caution us to moderate our spiritual gifts with the fruit of the Spirit. That is the only way to make it to heaven, so that we don't end it up like Balaam.
Also, we should be wary of the so called demonstrators of God's Spirit in prophecies and power demonstration. Character should be placed above charisma. Simon the sorcerer could have deceived so many brethren, but for Peter's sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Don't forget that Simon also believed in the Lord, was baptised, and followed God's servant (Acts 8:13). Yet, he wasn't on the Lord's side (vv. 14ff). Don't fall into such error; it is disastrous. Avoid stupidity of Balaam.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, deliver me from the spirit of Balaam.
2. Lord, help me to avoid and overcome the error of Balaam, regardless of the level of corruption in this generation of mine.
3. Lord, help our church leaders to avoid the error of Balaam, so that the Church in the land would not keep offending You.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Eze. 47:17 - 48:35; Dan. 1:1 - 1:21; 1 Joh. 4:15 - 5:14
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!
THE LIVING WATER {July ~ Dec., 2019}
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday, December 9, 2019
- International Anti-Corruption Day
TOPIC: AVOID THE ERROR OF BALAAM
Read Revelation 2:12-16
12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
MEMORISE: But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality (Revelation 2:14)
EXPOSITION
The church at Pergamos was commended for holding fast to Christ's name, despite their bitter experiences in the hands of the residents of where Satan's throne is (vv. 12,13). However, Christ observed that some of them were predisposed to Balaam's doctrine. What does that imply?
Sequel to our discussion yesterday, and most importantly, on a day like this, when corruption should be advocated against, Balaam messed up because of his greed for ungodly gain.
This calls for caution on our parts. We must regularly check ourselves, if we are still in right standing before God, gifts (talents) notwithstanding (2 Cor. 13:5). Saul was still on the throne, years after God had rejected and replaced him. That the Spirit of God uses you in prophecy and power demonstration doesn't show you as a child of His. Regularly checking our spiritual temperature will caution us to moderate our spiritual gifts with the fruit of the Spirit. That is the only way to make it to heaven, so that we don't end it up like Balaam.
Also, we should be wary of the so called demonstrators of God's Spirit in prophecies and power demonstration. Character should be placed above charisma. Simon the sorcerer could have deceived so many brethren, but for Peter's sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Don't forget that Simon also believed in the Lord, was baptised, and followed God's servant (Acts 8:13). Yet, he wasn't on the Lord's side (vv. 14ff). Don't fall into such error; it is disastrous. Avoid stupidity of Balaam.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, deliver me from the spirit of Balaam.
2. Lord, help me to avoid and overcome the error of Balaam, regardless of the level of corruption in this generation of mine.
3. Lord, help our church leaders to avoid the error of Balaam, so that the Church in the land would not keep offending You.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Eze. 47:17 - 48:35; Dan. 1:1 - 1:21; 1 Joh. 4:15 - 5:14
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!