The Living Water

CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH 

 

*THE LIVING WATER (January- December 2023)*

 

*DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE*

 

DATE 

Monday, September 18, 2023

 

*TOPIC:*

*LIVING AS SAINTS (I)*

 

*MEMORISE*

 

   I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called (Ephesians 4:1).

 

READ:

1 Peter 4: 1-6

 

[1].   Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 

 

[2].    that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 

 

[3].    For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 

 

[4].     In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 

 

[5].    They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 

 

[6].    For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

 

EXPOSITION

 

      Our arch-enemy. Satan, has for so long, blindfolded many believers as regards their rights, privileges and authority in Christ Jesus. This he does using his tools of accusation, condemnation and deception. He understands what it means to be childish-being easily manipulated. A preacher once persuaded, "Quit acting like a sinner and start acting like a saint." This statement reveals two situations. Firstly, I was once a sinner, therefore I lived like a sinner. Secondly, I am a saint, therefore, I know how to live like a saint, in line with Christ's holiness. But can a saint live like a sinner or a sinner like a saint? If truly you are born again, God expects you to live as one. This He makes possible by His grace in us.

 

      Dear devout, are you still eating from your vomit, perhaps less frequently than when you hadn't met Jesus? Or are you entangled in a habit that doesn't align with God's holiness? The text for today partly reads, *Be obedient to God, and do not allow your lives to be shaped by the desires you had when you were still ignorant* (1 Pet. 1:14 GNB). The Word of God admonishes the original recipients of these words as well as Christians today to live a life that measures up to the standard God set when He called us. The world and its culture shouldn't define you. Whether your sphere of influence is in politics, ministry, entertainment, medicine, leadership or followership, walk worthy of the calling to which you were called

 

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: 

CAC GHB 746

 

1. All to Jesus I surrender,

 All to Him I freely give,

 I will ever love and trust Him

 In His presence daily live

 

 I surrender all,

 I surrender all,

 All to Thee, my blessed Saviour,

 I surrender all.

 

2. All to Jesus I surrender,

 Humbly at His feet I bow,

 Worldly pleasures all forsaken,

 Take me, Jesus take me now.

 

3. All to Jesus I surrender,

 Make me, Saviour, wholly Thine,

 Let me feel the Holy Spirit,

 Truly know that Thou art mine

 

4. All to Jesus I surrender,

 Lord, I give myself to Thee,

 Fill me with Thy love and power,

 Let Thy blessing fall on me.

 

5. All to Jesus I surrender,

 Now I feel the sacred flame,

 Oh, the joy of full salvation;

 Glory, glory to His name!

 

Amen.

 

PRAYER POINTS

 

1.    Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me from the power of sin and victory over flesh.

 

2.    I receive the grace to grow to the measure and stature of Christ, in Jesus' name.

 

3.     Pray for our children that they would henceforth live their lives in conformity to Christ's holy standard, wherever they are.

 

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 

Ezekiel 34:25-38:9

 

AUTHOR

CAC Worldwide

Remain blessed