12-29-2019, 04:25 PM
LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Sunday, December 29, 2019
PRISONER OR COMFORTER? (I)
READ: Acts 27:21-25
Acts 27:21-25 - But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
MEMORISE:
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you (John 14:26)
EXPOSITION
Paul's trip to Rome was meant to be that of sorrow by those who put him in bondage, but he refused to be caged, whether in word or action. He was the prisoner whom freed men looked up to for courage.
Was God not aware he would be bound to Rome? It was part of his mission, as hundreds of people would be benefiting from the grace of God upon him. Sometimes, what we cry foul of, could be God's design to promote us and glorify Himself. Paul was not crying for his predicament. He wasn't asking, "Why me?" Instead of being pitied, he was pitying them.
Remember Joseph in prison, Jesus on the cross with the thieves, and Stephen, as he was being stoned to death (Gen. 40:5-7; Lk. 23:34; Acts 7:59,60). Like Joseph told his brothers, who knew Paul was allowed to face the trial because of those in voyage on the said ship. Don't give up or become downcast when you face trials, for 'No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it' (1 Cor. 10:13).
Instead of cursing God, let us learn to project Him in good light (Jon. 1:9; Acts 27:23,24). Believers must stand up for Jesus in both joy and sorrow.
'For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us' (Rom. 8:18). Because of Paul, 276 souls were saved (Acts 27:37). Who were they? Mostly unbelievers! He brought them joy, rather than being downcast himself. See God in your situation, to His praise.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, don't allow challenges to make me blind to my responsibilities.
2. Lord, help me to always see You in every situation, rosy or rowdy.
3. Lord, help Your Church to be the succour the world needs in these end times of perils
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Zechariah 6:9 - 10:2; Revelation 19:21 - 21:5
Sunday, December 29, 2019
PRISONER OR COMFORTER? (I)
READ: Acts 27:21-25
Acts 27:21-25 - But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
MEMORISE:
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you (John 14:26)
EXPOSITION
Paul's trip to Rome was meant to be that of sorrow by those who put him in bondage, but he refused to be caged, whether in word or action. He was the prisoner whom freed men looked up to for courage.
Was God not aware he would be bound to Rome? It was part of his mission, as hundreds of people would be benefiting from the grace of God upon him. Sometimes, what we cry foul of, could be God's design to promote us and glorify Himself. Paul was not crying for his predicament. He wasn't asking, "Why me?" Instead of being pitied, he was pitying them.
Remember Joseph in prison, Jesus on the cross with the thieves, and Stephen, as he was being stoned to death (Gen. 40:5-7; Lk. 23:34; Acts 7:59,60). Like Joseph told his brothers, who knew Paul was allowed to face the trial because of those in voyage on the said ship. Don't give up or become downcast when you face trials, for 'No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it' (1 Cor. 10:13).
Instead of cursing God, let us learn to project Him in good light (Jon. 1:9; Acts 27:23,24). Believers must stand up for Jesus in both joy and sorrow.
'For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us' (Rom. 8:18). Because of Paul, 276 souls were saved (Acts 27:37). Who were they? Mostly unbelievers! He brought them joy, rather than being downcast himself. See God in your situation, to His praise.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, don't allow challenges to make me blind to my responsibilities.
2. Lord, help me to always see You in every situation, rosy or rowdy.
3. Lord, help Your Church to be the succour the world needs in these end times of perils
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Zechariah 6:9 - 10:2; Revelation 19:21 - 21:5