01-17-2020, 10:59 AM
LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Friday, January 17, 2020.
BE ETERNITY CONSCIOUS
Read: Romans 8:12-28
Romans 8:12-28 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
That the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
MEMORISE: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
EXPOSITION
The Bible does not teach that Christians are to be exempted from the tribulations and some challenges that come upon the world. It does teach that Christians cab face tribulations, crisis, challenges and personal suffering BUT with a supernatural power that is not available to the person outside Christ (Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 5:10; cf. 1 Cor. 15:57).
The early Christians experienced joy in their hearts in the midst of trials, trouble and depression. They counted suffering which are allowed and supervised by God not as a burden, or misfortune, but as a great honour and as evidence that Christ counted them worthy to witness to Him through suffering. Christians are expected to suffer for Christ's sake but not as thieves, murders, harlots, smugglers etc (1 Pet. 4:1,15).
In Acts 4:23ff, we see how Peter and other Apostles and disciples were resolute in the face of serious threat and persecution, from the enemies of the gospel.
They didn't bulge, because they had eternity in view. They were ready to obey God against the ungodly commands of men. That is what heaven-consciousness does in the Christian's life. Similarly, how could Paul and Silas, both missionaries, doing the work of the Father conscientiously, after having being unjustly accused and jailed, still be singing praises to God in the inner prison cell, in such a terrible situation, if not for the fact that they were seeing beyond the prison walls? This is what we refer to as heaven-consciousness? (Acts 16:16ff).
Christians can rejoice in tribulation, because they have eternity's values in view. When the pressures are on, they look beyond their present pridicament to the glories of heaven. The thought of the future life with its prerogatives and joys help to make the trials of the present light and transient (Rom. 8:18).
PRAYER POINTS
1. The grace to rejoice in tribulation/persecution for the sake of the gospel, grant unto me, in Jesus name.
2. Father, help me to look forward to the inheritance reserved for me in Heaven every time, so that I am not carried away by the lies of Satan in this World.
3. Lord, let the consciousness of heaven engulf our churches and services, in Jesus name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Genesis 35-36 & Matthew 17
Friday, January 17, 2020.
BE ETERNITY CONSCIOUS
Read: Romans 8:12-28
Romans 8:12-28 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
That the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
MEMORISE: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
EXPOSITION
The Bible does not teach that Christians are to be exempted from the tribulations and some challenges that come upon the world. It does teach that Christians cab face tribulations, crisis, challenges and personal suffering BUT with a supernatural power that is not available to the person outside Christ (Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 5:10; cf. 1 Cor. 15:57).
The early Christians experienced joy in their hearts in the midst of trials, trouble and depression. They counted suffering which are allowed and supervised by God not as a burden, or misfortune, but as a great honour and as evidence that Christ counted them worthy to witness to Him through suffering. Christians are expected to suffer for Christ's sake but not as thieves, murders, harlots, smugglers etc (1 Pet. 4:1,15).
In Acts 4:23ff, we see how Peter and other Apostles and disciples were resolute in the face of serious threat and persecution, from the enemies of the gospel.
They didn't bulge, because they had eternity in view. They were ready to obey God against the ungodly commands of men. That is what heaven-consciousness does in the Christian's life. Similarly, how could Paul and Silas, both missionaries, doing the work of the Father conscientiously, after having being unjustly accused and jailed, still be singing praises to God in the inner prison cell, in such a terrible situation, if not for the fact that they were seeing beyond the prison walls? This is what we refer to as heaven-consciousness? (Acts 16:16ff).
Christians can rejoice in tribulation, because they have eternity's values in view. When the pressures are on, they look beyond their present pridicament to the glories of heaven. The thought of the future life with its prerogatives and joys help to make the trials of the present light and transient (Rom. 8:18).
PRAYER POINTS
1. The grace to rejoice in tribulation/persecution for the sake of the gospel, grant unto me, in Jesus name.
2. Father, help me to look forward to the inheritance reserved for me in Heaven every time, so that I am not carried away by the lies of Satan in this World.
3. Lord, let the consciousness of heaven engulf our churches and services, in Jesus name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Genesis 35-36 & Matthew 17