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Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 6:18am On Nov 29, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OZF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER, 29, 2019 THEME: STANDING AGAINST EVERY EVIL WORK BIBLE TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 4:1-18 1. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2. Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4. and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 9. Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10. for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica —Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. 14. Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. 16. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! II Timothy 4:1-18 NKJV GUIDE TEXT One of our hymns reminds us not to yet seek repose. We are enjoined to listen to what our guardian angels have to say, and it is this, ‘Thou art in the midst of foes; watch and pray. The Apostle Paul knew clearly that he was nearing the end of his stay here on Earth. He had fought the good fight and had kept the faith. He was waiting for the crown of glory that the Lord Jesus Christ would give him. Yet at this point, he was not relaxing or relenting. He was not ignorant of the devices of the evil one. He was well aware that though he was close to the end of his ministry, the host of darkness will keep attacking. He would not let himself be caught with the 'Last hour Peril' - the danger of losing it when the race is almost done. So, he kept seeking refuge from God, Who alone is able to protect His own from the assaults of the wicked. Till we go to be with the Lord, the enemy of our souls, bodies, household, career, children, and endeavours will keep moving to and fro the earth, roaring like a lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:. He always seeks to attack that which gives us peace, joy, comfort, happiness, hope, aspirations and the like, from every angle, but in Christ Jesus we have the assurance of victory over him and his evil work. Our duty is to never ever give up the fight against the powers of hell that seek to destroy that which is ours; but be on guard in fasting and in prayer. It is written, ‘resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4: 7). Let us also keep seeking refuge from God. We can be sure He will deliver us. PRAYER: Dear Lord, protect me from every evil work and preserve me for your heavenly kingdom, in Jesus Name. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional 1 Like |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 5:01am On Nov 30, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF NOVEMBER 30, 2019 (St. Andrew's Day) THEME: YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR YOUR DECISIONS BIBLE TEXT MATTHEW 4: 18-25 18. And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20. They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22. and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. 23. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25. Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. MATTHEW 4:18-25 NKJV GUIDE TEXT Today is a Saint Day. Saint Days in the Church are set aside to recall the exploits of heroes of faith particularly the Apostles of Christ. Today, we remember the life of Apostle Andrew. According to our text, he was fishing with brother, Simon Peter, when Jesus called out to them saying, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately answered the call. This probably was not the first time He met Jesus (John 1:40-42). He was a disciple of John the Baptist, and his attention was brought to the fact that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. After discovering this, he immediately told his own brother Peter about what he had found. He said, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (John 1:29-41). Both of them became followers of Jesus Christ, and became fishers of men. There was nothing too great, precious, and valuable for him to do away with for the higher calling of Jesus Christ, and for greater exploit. Dear reader, what is that in your hands that hindering you from completely yielding to Christ? John was a good master/teacher but Andrew left him all the same for Jesus Christ the Lord of all. What do you regard as master in your life that has so taken you and makes it appear impossible for you to fully do the will of God? Today we remember St. Andrew for his decision for Christ. Eternal records will bring to remembrance your decisions for Christ in this lifetime: your decision for salvation, your decision for holy living, your decision to make your life in Christ bless other lives around you. PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, help my decisions on a daily basis to yield fully to the call of your Son as my Master. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 3:57am On Dec 01, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019 (ADVENT SUNDAY) THEME: THE END TIME EVENTS BIBLE TEXT: MATTHEW 24:36-44 36. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39. and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. MATTHEW 24:36-44 NKJV GUIDE TEXT The End Time Events As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. Tell us”, they said. When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in responding to the question about the end time and His second coming, made it clear to His disciples and by extension to us today, that the signs are as stated in Matthew 24:4-30. But about the day and hour, they are unknown but are only known by God alone. The return of Christ is a real event that is yet to happen. And so there is that day or hour. There is a fixed day and hour when Christ will return. It is an actual event and not a moonlight story. The day and hour of His return is secret in the sense that no one knows, but only the Father. The return of Christ will be the same way and manner just as in Noahs day. They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the flood came and destroyed them. Christians today should learn from the errors of Noahs days so as not to be taken unawares. PRAYER: Father I ask for your grace to remain faithful to the end in Jesus name. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional HAPPY NEW MONTH.... 24 DAY DAYS TO CHRISTMAS.. ITS ADVENT SUNDAY... |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 4:18am On Dec 02, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-02 TOPIC: CHRISTIAN VIRTUES FOR GROWTH TEXT: 2 PETER 1:1-11(NKJV) 36. " But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37. "But as the days of Noah [were,] so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38. "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39. "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40. "Then two [men] will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41. "Two [women will be] grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42. "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43. "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44. "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. GUIDE STUDY In our text today, Peter is advising Christians to possess certain qualities that would help them to mature spiritually. These include: knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love (2Peter 1:5-7). Possession of these virtues will make a Christian fruitful. It is a charge to keep and meditate upon; it is a charge for Christians to live their lives in accordance with the set standard of God Almighty. And so a Christian is charged to make every effort never to live his or her life outside God's ordained standard. What this means is that present day Christians should have faith, study the word of God and obey Him. This will make them fruitful. This also implies that Christians should show good character in the way they conduct their daily lives, whether in public or private. ' PRAYER: Righteous Father, I pray you to equip me with these virtues to enable me remain relevant in this race in Jesus name. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 4:59am On Dec 03, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: 2019-Dec-03 TOPIC: VITAL THINGS A CHRISTIAN SHOULD REMEMBER BIBLE TEXT: 2 PETER 1:12-21(NKJV) 12. For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding [you,] 14. knowing that shortly I [must] put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease. 16. For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 18. And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20. knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21. for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke [as they were] moved by the Holy Spirit. GUIDE STUDY At the point of Peter's departure, he reminded believers of vital things they are to watch out for. These include (1) False teachings that deny the power and second coming of Jesus Christ (2Peter 1: 16) (2) The glorification of Jesus Christ which he himself witnessed (2Peter 1: 17) (3) That no scripture is of· private interpretation (2Peter 1 :20) (4) The fulfilment of the prophecy (2Peter 1: 19). For a Christian to be steadfast in the faith he/ she must study the word of God, depend on the Holy Spirit for understanding and put the word into practice. Doing this will help such a believer avoid false teachers and prophecies. PRAYER: Righteous Father, grant us knowledge and deep insight of your word in Jesus name. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 4:18am On Dec 04, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-04 TOPIC: THE DESCRIPTION OF FALSE TEACHERS BIBLE TEXT: 2 PETER 2: 1-3(NKJV) 1. But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, [and] bring on themselves swift destruction. 2. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. GUIDE STUDY In this scripture, Apostle Peter says that false teachers would always secretly introduce or bring in destructive heresies into the church. However, they do not do this openly but deceptively, quietly, secretly. Their strategy is to quietly teach their false and destructive heresies in the church and among believers. Any teaching that is contrary to God's word is heresy; it destroys both spiritual and physical lives of the people and leads them to doom. Christians must beware of false teachers and their tactics in the church. If they give attention to these false teachings, they run the risk of losing their salvation. PRAYER: Eternal Father, deliver your church from the hands of false and destructive teachers in Jesus name. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 5:34am On Dec 05, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-05 TOPIC: GOD'S JUDGMENT AWAITS FALSE TEACHERS BIBLE TEXT: 2 PETER 2:4-11(NKJV) 4. For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast [them] down to hell and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5. and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, [one of] eight [people,] a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6. and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned [them] to destruction, making [them] an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7. and delivered righteous Lot, [who was] oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8. (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented [his] righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing [their] lawless deeds) -- 9. [then] the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10. and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. [They are] presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11. whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. GUIDE STUDY From yesterday's reading in 2 Peter 2:3, the bible makes it clear that false teachers will be judged and destroyed. Though it may seem that false teaching goes on and on forever without being corrected or handled by God, one thing is sure no matter how successful or prosperous a false teacher may seem to be, judgment must surely come. A day has been fixed by God where all false teachers will face God's judgment and they must surely pay for all destructive and misleading doctrines they introduce into the church. If the angels did not escape God's wrath when they sinned against God (2Peter 2:4), the false teachers have no escaping route from God's judgment. And so if God judges fallen angels, how much more will He judge men, especially if they teach false doctrines and mislead people (Jude 1:6, Isaiah 14: 12-15)? PRAYER: Father Lord, help me not to fall victim of false teachers in Jesus name. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 5:33am On Dec 06, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-06 TOPIC: THE CHARACTER OF FALSE TEACHERS TEXT: 2 PETER 2:12-22(NKJV) 12. But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13. [and] will receive the wages of unrighteousness, [as] those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. [They are] spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14. having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. [They have] a heart trained in covetous practices, [and are] accursed children. 15. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the [son] of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16. but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17. These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 18. For when they speak great swelling [words] of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known [it,] to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." GUIDE STUDY The scripture says ‘by their fruits, we shall know them.’ In the same vein, false teachers are also known by their character. The following are the conducts of false teachers: (1) They are carl1aIly minded (2) They make light of spiritual things (3) They are deceivers (4) They are adulterers (5) They are covetous and hypocritical. Christians should be firmly rooted in the word of God, and possess the spirit of discernment in order to know when false teachers are at work because we have them within and around us. We must be watchful. PRAYER: Father Lord, expose and expunge false teachers from among us in Jesus name. Amen Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 6:07am On Dec 07, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-07 TOPIC: THE SCOFFER'S ANTICS BIBLE TEXT: 2 PETER 3:1-7(NKJV) 1. Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in [both of] which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2. that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3. knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4. and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of creation." 5. For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6. by which the world [that] then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7. But the heavens and the earth [which] are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. GUIDE STUDY Apostle Peter in 2Peter 3:3 wants believers to know that in the last days, scoffers would come. Their main aim is to ridicule the return of Christ (2Petcr 3:4). For them, it has been thousands of years since Jesus came to the earth the first time, and so they ask in mockery, ‘Where is the promise of Christ's second coming? What has happened to his promise of coming back?’ For them, there has never been a change in the way the world operates; there has not been a change since creation. As a child of God, when you begin to hear these questions from these scoffers, you should know that the second coming of Christ is at hand. You should never allow yourself to be deceived. Watch out for their antics, and get ready! We will soon be going home! PRAYER: Righteous Father in heaven, increase my faith and love for you. I refuse to be influenced by scoffers in Jesus name. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 4:40am On Dec 08, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-08 ADVENT 2 TOPIC: THE GREATEST TESTIMONY BIBLE TEXT: JOHN 5:36-47(NKJV) 36. "But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish -- the very works that I do -- bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37. "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38. "But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40. "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 41. "I do not receive honor from men. 42. "But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43. "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44. "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that [comes] from the only God? 45. "Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is [one] who accuses you -- Moses, in whom you trust. 46. "For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47. "But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" GUIDE STUDY The miraculous works of our Lord Jesus Christ remain the authentic testimony above any other testimonies that prove that Jesus is the Son of God and that he was sent by God. Jesus was appointed by God to carry out God's work and these works testify that He is the true Son of God. These works had never been or ever would be done by any other. The works that Jesus did were unusual and full of power and wisdom, love and care, glory and honour to God. Believers should not look anywhere else for any other proof; the wonderful works of Jesus are not hidden. And so we are without excuse if we fail to see and believe. PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to believe your testimony. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 6:43am On Dec 09, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-09 TOPIC: ONE THING WE SHOULD NOT FORGET BIBLE TEXT 2 PETER 3:8-10(NKJV) 8. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day [is] as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9. The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. GUIDE STUDY Apostle Peter in this last chapter of his second letter to the believers reminds them that God is not slow in fulfilling what He said. Peter also wanted the believers to know that God's calendar is different from man's calendar. He also told them that though God is patient with us, it does not mean that He is weak in fulfilling His word but only wants us to come back to our senses and repent. God's promises are real and must surely come to pass; each one at God's own appointed time. We should not take God's patience for granted. We must repent of whatever it is that is making us think that God is slow in fulfilling His promises and turn to Him now. The day will come when we least expect it when all the things that have taken away our attention from the reality of things will be destroyed. PRAYER: Father, grant me grace to heed to your word in Jesus name. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 8:03am On Dec 10, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-10 TOPIC: AS WE WAIT FOR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST BIBLE TEXT: 2 PETER 3:11-18(NKJV) 11. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12. looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13. Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15. and consider [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation -- as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16. as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable [people] twist to their own destruction, as [they do] also the rest of the Scriptures. 17. You therefore, beloved, since you know [this] beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18. but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and forever. Amen. GUIDE STUDY In concluding this second letter, Apostle Peter asks a thought-provoking question in verse 11, ‘What kind of people ought you to be?’ He asked this question because everything on earth which occupy our attention now, will ultimately be destroyed by fire. Apostle Peter reminds the believer that the Day of the Lord will be a day of destruction by fire. However, for the believer, the Lord promises him/her a new heaven and a new earth. Since we already know these things, the scripture urges us to' be on our guard so that nobody will be carried away by the worldly activities ithin and around us. Every one of us must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and watch against distraction. PRAYER: Almighty God, help me to remain watchful so that your day will not come upon me[right][/right] unprepared in Jesus name. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 5:21am On Dec 11, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-11 TOPIC: THE EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY BIBLE TEXT 1 JOHN 1:1-10(NKJV) 1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life 2. the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us -- 3. that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 5. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. GUIDE STUDY The truth that our Lord Jesus Christ was really in the flesh, that He was no phantom, no shadow mocking the eyes that looked upon him, is exceedingly important, hence John (whose style in this Epistle, is precisely like the style which he uses in his Gospel), begins by declaring that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who in his eternity was from the beginning, was really a substantial man. He says, ‘We have heard him.’ Of course, hearing is good evidence! ‘Which we have seen with our eyes’; again what we see clearly with our eyes is good evidence. We need have no doubt about the reality of Christ's incarnation when we have these clear evidence. We should not behave like Thomas (John 20:27), but endeavour to be among those that believe without seeing, and Jesus said that such are blessed (John 20:29). PRAYER: Father Lord, help me not to doubt your word in Jesus name. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 4:20am On Dec 12, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-12 TOPIC: KNOWING GOD BIBLE TEXT: 1 JOHN 2:1-11(NKJV) 1. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 3. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 7. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. GUIDE STUDY In our text today, Apostle John is anxious that believers should not sin, though he knows they do and that they would be liars if they say they do not. Still the Christian's sole objective is sinless perfection, and though he will never get it till he gets to heaven, it still makes it better because he will always be pressing forward, and never reckoning that he has attained. Again, Apostle John strives to let the believers know that Jesus Christ not only died for Gentiles but also for Jews and all nations and in his atonement is hope for every creature. As believers, we should live our lives in obedience to God. That Jesus Christ died for our sins is not a license to live our lives carelessly and in a carefree manner. We should not take the mercy of God for granted. If we sin, the right thing to do is to turn back to God in true repentance. PRAYER: Eternal Father, grant me grace to live above sin in Jesus name. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 3:41am On Dec 13, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL DATE: 2019-Dec-13 TOPIC: DO GOD'S WILL AND LIVE BIBLE TEXT 1 JOHN 2:12-17(NKJV) 12. I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. 13. I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him [who is] from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. 14. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him [who is] from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. 15. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16. For all that [is] in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. 17. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. GUIDESTUDY In our scriptural reading today, Apostle John explains to the believers the reasons for his writing. He wrote because (1) Their sins are forgiven. (2) They know him from the beginning. (3)They have overcome the wicked one. (4) They are strong, and the ward of God abides in them. Lastly, he warned them not to love the world, for doing so means that they do not have the love of God in them. And so believers should know that all that is in the world are not of the Father in heaven, and more so the world and its lust will pass away, but those who do the will of God will live forever. Believers have no option than to do the will of God so that they can live with Christ forever. We should not make nonsense of the mercy of God by living a deceitful and hypocritical life. PRAYER: Father I want to do your will; please grant me enabling power and grace in Jesus name. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 4:25am On Dec 14, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-14 TOPIC: THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST BIBLE TEXT 1 JOHN 2:18-29(NKJV) 18. Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but [they went out] that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. 20. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 21. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24. Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25. And this is the promise that He has promised us -- eternal life. 26. These things I have written to you concerning those who [try to] deceive you. 27. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 28. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. GUIDE STUDY Apostle John in our text today stated thus: (1) That the issue of antichrists is no longer news; there are many of them around us. (2) That those who have left the church did so because they are not part of us and so there is no way they would have continued with us. (3) That whoever denies Christ is a liar. He therefore encouraged the believer to allow the word of God to abide in him, so that the promise of eternal life will be fulfilled in him. Christians today must be extra careful with the activities of the antichrists. They must make every effort to distance themselves from all that will make them to deny Christ in whichever form. Instead, they should allow the word of God to dwell richly in them so that they will not sin against God (Colossians 3: 16, Psalm 119: 11) PRAYER: Father; please deliver me from the activities of the antichrists in Jesus name. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 4:43am On Dec 15, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-Dec-15 ADVENT 3 TOPIC: AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY BIBLE TEXT: JOHN 1:19-28(NKJV) 19. Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20. He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21. And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22. Then they said to him, "Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" 23. He said: "I [am] 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the LORD," ' as the prophet Isaiah said." 24. Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25. And they asked him, saying, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" 26. John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27. "It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose." 28. These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. GUIDE STUDY In his day, John was questioned by religionists who were suspicious of him. They were sent from Jerusalem, the headquarters of the Jewish religion, as fact-finding commission. In the eyes of the authorities, all the sons of priests were automatically priests by descent because John's Father, Zechariah, was a priest. But John the Baptist was not a priest and so who was he? They wanted to know from him. With all the questions they put to him, John the Baptist simply and humbly said to them ‘I am the voice of the one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'‘ Believers and ministers of the gospel today should learn from John the Baptist the act of humility and not to take the glory of God simply because God is using them to perform miracles. Humility is key to this life's journey. No matter how mighty God is using you, never you take the glory of God. PRAYER: Father please grant me the spirit of humility in Jesus name. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 5:08am On Dec 16, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-16 TOPIC: SIN AND THE CHILD OF GOD TEXT: 1 JOHN 3:1-9(NKJV) 1. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 4. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. GUIDE STUDY Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4) or transgression of God's will, either by omitting to do what God's law requires or by doing what it forbids. Transgression can occur in thought (I John 3: 15), in word (Matthew 5.22), or deed (Romans 1:32). Mankind was created without sin, morally upright and inclined to do well (Ecclesiastes 7:29). A child of God is someone who loves and fears God. The original nature of man is void of sin, but since after the fall of Adam, it has been a struggle for man to live right with God. The most painful aspect of it is that some so- called pastors who are living in sin are deceiving some ignorant people, with the word; 'it does not matter' and 'God understands.' Child of God, you must stay away from sin no matter how little, to avoid staining that garment that has been washed by the blood of the Lamb. No one can avoid sin by his/her own power except through the help of the Holy Spirit, and we can only have this Spirit by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. PRAYER: Lord may I never see any sin as small; rather give me the grace to live above sin in Jesus Christ Name. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 7:03am On Dec 17, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-17 TOPIC: LOVE IN ACTION TEXT 1 JOHN 3:10-24(NKJV) 10. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor [is] he who does not love his brother. 11. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12. not as Cain [who] was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 13. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [his] brother abides in death. 15. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren. 17. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18. My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. GUIDE STUDY Brotherly love is so scarce in our generation despite the multiplicity of churches and ministries; unfortunately the so-called churches and ministries are the major cause of problems in so many families today. However, in the face of this, we all still claim to be Christians. Early Christians demonstrated their love by selling their belongings to help brothers in need. But these days, we claim brotherhood without the willingness to make sacrifices for our brothers. We have become so selfish; only thinking about ourselves and immediate family members, with no concern about what happens to our next door neighbour. Where is the love we confess? Let us not love in word only, but in deed and in truth (I John 3: 18). Love for our neighbour is a must, if indeed we are to be' called disciples of Christ. And that love must be backed up with the willingness to make sacrifices if need be. The level of atrocity - kidnapping, ritual killings, fraud, child trafficking, etc., - we witness in our society today is a clear evidence that there is no love amongst us anymore. Love is the ultimate (1 Corinthians 13: 13). Love compelled Jesus to die on the cross. Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:. Where there is love, there is peace and progress. Let us practise love, for God is Love. PRAYER: Lord teach us to love others as You loved us in Jesus Christ Name. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 3:58am On Dec 18, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-18 TOPIC: BE AT ALERT BIBLE TEXT: 1 JOHN 4:1-11(NKJV) 1. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3. and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the [spirit] of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5. They are of the world. Therefore they speak [as] of the world, and the world hears them. 6. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 7. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. 11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. GUIDE STUDY Children of God are called to be watchful because all that glitters is not gold. This warning becomes more serious at this time when false prophets abound, making it more difficult to differentiate between the godly and the ungodly. Yet despite the similarities, the difference is clear: false prophets are after their stomach and their pockets. The unfortunate thing is that many started well, but along the line, they were bought over by the devil. This may be because they started emulating someone they know nothing about his/her origin and source of power and by so doing, they became the devil's advocates, unknown to many. Their character is to change their message') and call it maturity. Child of God, be steadfast in your faith. Remember that God does not reward success, but faithfulness. Therefore keep on holding unto God; at an appointed time He will manifest His glory in your life. Do not be deceived with their magical acts; rather watch out for the fruit of the Spirit and their character, because charisma can never replace character. Fight on and faint not, for the Lord is at hand. PRAYER: God open my eyes to see from your point of view so that I will not be deceived in Jesus Christ Name. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 3:27am On Dec 19, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-19 TOPIC: VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL LOVE BIBLE TEXT: 1 JOHN 4:12-21(NKJV) 12. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son [as] Savior of the world. 15. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19. We love Him because He first loved us. 20. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21. And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God [must] love his brother also. GUIDE STUDY Love is the summary of the law; the law is divided into two, love for God and love for our neighbours. Whenever a child of God achieves the above, he/she is perfected in law. In our world today, almost everybody belongs to one church or the other. We show much commitment to church activities and claim to love God, yet many of us in our families, are at war with one another. It therefore becomes too difficult to reconcile our claims with our behaviours. Love is only perfect when we love God and that love is manifested in our relationship with our neighbour. No one can claim to love God when he/she is in enmity with his/her brother. 'If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?' (I John 4:20). Show the love of Christ to all! PRAYER: Father of love, may your love for us compel us to love one another to prove to the world that we are your disciples in Jesus Christ Name. Amen Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 7:40am On Dec 20, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-20 TOPIC: THE THREEFOLD WITNESS BIBLE TEXT: 1 JOHN 5:1-13(NKJV) 1. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith. 5. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6. This is He who came by water and blood -- Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. 9. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may [continue to] believe in the name of the Son of God. GUIDE STUDY A popular Christian hymn reads; ‘Courage brother, do not stumble, though your path is dark as night. There's a star to guide the humble; Trust in God and do the right.’ As revealed in today's text, whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and therefore overcomes the world through faith (vs 1 and 4). The scriptures say, ‘Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith ‘(Hebrews 12:2) and ‘without faith (Jesus), it is impossible to please God’ (Hebrews 11:6). How many today can really boast of this faith as to overcome on earth? As children of God, there are three realities that bear witness in heaven as we express this faith on earth: The Father, the Word [Jesus] and the Holy Spirit; and the three are one (vs 7). On the other hand, there are three realities that bear witness on earth as we continue to express this faith on earth: the Spirit (Comforter), the water (Forgiver) and the blood (Redeemer); all also agree as one (vs . This threefold witness both in heaven and on earth can only be made manifest in our lives when we surrender all to Jesus. Let us run to Him today and our lives will never remain the same. PRAYER: O Lord, strengthen my faith that I may overcome always, Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 4:15am On Dec 21, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-21 TOPIC: THE BLESSEDNESS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BIBLE TEXT: LUKE 1:1-26(NKJV) 1. Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2. just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3. it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4. that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. 5. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife [was] of the daughters of Aaron, and her name [was] Elizabeth. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8. So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9. according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12. And when Zacharias saw [him,] he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14. "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15. "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16. "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17. "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18. And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." 19. And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20. "But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time." 21. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23. And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25. "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on [me,] to take away my reproach among people." 26. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, GUIDE STUDY This Bible passage is the familiar story of a priest named Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth. Both of them were advanced in age and were without a child. Despite all odds, there is something very remarkable and revealing about them: they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly (vs 6). In other words, both of them were faithful in their walk with God even in the midst of their difficult moments. They would not give up on their services unto God. And because of this, God was not finished with them even though they were advanced in age. While serving before God in the temple, a divine message was delivered to Zacharias through the Angel Gabriel that he (Zacharias) would become a father and that his wife, Elizabeth, who was called 'barren' would bear a son who would be called John. God indeed remembered them by blessing them with the fruit of the womb. They were blessed for their righteous living and for walking faithfully with God. Can we be found faithful in the sight of God to the point of attracting His blessings? Do you know that God can make dry bones in your life and ministry live again? God can change that mess into a message; that test into a testimony and that gory into glory. Walk with God henceforth and you will forever be blessed. PRAYER: Lord grant me the grace to walk righteously with and for You in Jesus Name. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 6:49am On Dec 22, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-22 ADVENT IV TOPIC: BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN! TEXT: LUKE 1 :26-38(NKJV) 26. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27. to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name [was] Mary. 28. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored [one,] the Lord [is] with you; blessed [are] you among women!" 29. But when she saw [him,] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33. "And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." 34. Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" 35. And the angel answered and said to her, "[The] Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36. "Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37. "For with God nothing will be impossible." 38. Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. STUDY Today's topic, as found in verse 28 of our text, was beyond every expectation, an unprecedented but glorious salutation of Angel Gabriel to a maidservant whom God had granted favour. Mary was just a virgin betrothed to a carpenter named Joseph, of the house of David. At first, she was confounded by the words and manner of greeting by the Angel who came to deliver the Good News of the Messiah to be born. Though she was of a lowly status, yet God chose her to be highly blessed among other women. Mary was fortunate to be blessed among other women as the mother of Jesus not because she was the finest, or smartest or even holiest, but because she availed herself by living a life of humility and purity. Her humble heart and background attracted the favour of God to her. What can God find in us that will attract His blessings to our lives? God is looking for a man or woman He would bless and who would in turn become a blessing to others. Have you any room for Jesus that He may come in and announce to you, 'Blessed are you among people'? Therefore, let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt us in due time (I Peter 5:6). PRAYER: Hymn A&M 89: My Spirit longs for thee within my troubled breast, though I unworthy be of so divine a guest. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional. |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 2:30am On Dec 23, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL DATE: 2019-DEC-23 TOPIC: THE SONG OF MARY (MAGNIFICAT) BIBLE TEXT: LUKE 1 :39-56(NKJV) 39. Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40. and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed [are] you among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of your womb! 43. "But why [is] this [granted] to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44. "For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45. "Blessed [is] she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." 46. And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy [is] His name. 50. And His mercy [is] on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered [the] proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52. He has put down the mighty from [their] thrones, And exalted [the] lowly. 53. He has filled [the] hungry with good things, And [the] rich He has sent away empty. 54. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of [His] mercy, 55. As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever." 56. And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house. STUDY Having received the good news that Elizabeth was heavy with a promised child, Mary wasted no time to journey all the way from the city of Nazareth to visit and share in the blessing of the fruit of the womb in the life of Elizabeth and her husband, Zacharias. Despite the fact that doctors had certified the old couple medically 'unable' to conceive but God was saying, ‘I am able, for with me all things are possible’ (Luke I: 3 7). How often do we share in people's joys and sorrows? The baby in Elizabeth's womb would bear witness to the joy that filled the heart of Mary when she came in and greeted. Verse 44 says, ‘For indeed, as soon as your voice of greeting sounded in my ears, the baby (John) leaped in the womb for joy.’ Consequently, Mary began to sihg to the glory of God. Her song is known in the Christian world as the Magnificat. She had every reason to magnify God for regarding her lowly status and for the fact that all generations would call her blessed. The life we live today is not of our own making. It is not by might or power but by the Spirit of God at work in us (Zechariah 4:6). Sing to the Lord a new song today and He will do more of His words and works in your life. PRAYER: I will praise Him, I will praise Him, I will praise Him forever more. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 3:38am On Dec 24, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-24 *CHRISTMAS EVE* TOPIC: WHAT WILL THIS LITTLE CHILD BE? TEXT: LUKE 1:57-58(NKJV) 57. Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. STUDY John was a child of prophecy and was given birth to, at the fulfilment of this prophecy. On the 8th, the day for circumcision and naming, the neighbours wanted to give him the name of his father. They did not see in John anything beyond his father, after all Zachariah was a priest. What else could one ask for? But his mother (thank God for the gift of a spiritual mother, Luke 1 :5-, chose the name given to them by the Angel Gabriel. At that instance, the neighbours gave the father a slate to write his son's name. Zachariah wrote and spoke for the first time in a year to confirm this unique name for a unique son. It left everyone wondering what this ‘little child’ would become since it was obvious God was with him. Zachariah prophesied at that hour by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He, in his prophecy, tied the destiny of his son to the fulfilment of God's promise and covenant to Israel: redemption, horn of salvation, mercy, deliverance and service to the Lord. What would have been our prophecy on our own unique children if we were the one given the opportunity? We could have prophesied, ‘Being head and not the tail’; ‘money’; ‘death of the enemy’; etc. But Zachariah was thinking and seeing ‘25th December.’ His son would have to usher in the long-awaited Messiah. Abraham, David, and the prophets had waited for this Messiah! ‘What can we do to work God's work’ and to expand His kingdom? PRAYER: May the Lord show us mercy to speak of the propagation of His kingdom and salvation/or our generation, Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 5:56am On Dec 25, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE Date: 2019-DEE-25 CHRISTMAS DAY TOPIC: THE LORD'S GLORY SHONE AROUND THEM TEXT: LUKE 2:10-20(NKJV) 10. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12. "And this [will be] the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14. "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 15. So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17. Now when they had seen [Him,] they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18. And all those who heard [it] marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19. But Mary kept all these things and pondered [them] in her heart. 20. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. STUDY Jesus was born at a time and on a day of great national activity. A national Census was going on throughout the empire. There was a great movement of people to and from their home city. The transport business was on a boom. The hospitality and hotel industry were a beehive of activity. People were experiencing a boom in business, and the empire was at its peak. God had blessed the emperor and the empire. The core Jews, looking for a release from Roman occupation and rule, were downcast as it seemed the contrary was happening: Rome was waxing stronger. Then the Saviour was born! No one took notice; there was no place for him at the inn. He was inconsequential to the movement ofthe time. God was looking for whom to tell and to celebrate with for this epoch- making birth. There was no one found in the city. And as had been from the days of Moses in the wilderness, the angel went out of the 'city of activities' to the shepherds in the field to announce the birth of the Saviour. It was with these shepherds that the Lord stood and His glory shone unto them. The emperor, the governor and people, occupied with the empire prosperity, saw none of God's glory. They had not the presence of God. As men are occupied again today in celebration and feast, it is important that we do not get carried away (Hebrews 13:9-14), so that we do not miss the most important thing - His presence, His message, His joy, and His angelic celebration. PRAYER: May the Lord find us separated enough in order to grace us with His presence and glory today and always, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 6:08am On Dec 26, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEE-26 ST STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR AND DEACON TOPIC: HE LOOKED INTENTLY INTO HEAVEN TEXT: ACTS 7:54-60(NKJV) 54. When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with [their] teeth. 55. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56. and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" 57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58. and they cast [him] out of the city and stoned [him.] And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on [God] and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60. Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. STUDY The first Christian martyr, Stephen, was not one of the apostles neither one of the early and bigger disciples of Jesus. Stephen came to limelight in an obscure manner, as one of the seven deacons selected to 'serve table' (do administration) while the apostles faced more serious matters (of the word of God and prayers). But on the day that Stephen was to be martyred, it became clear what manner of man he was and what measure of the Spirit of Christ that was in him. Faced with an audience set on murder and a biased jury, Stephen became filled with the Holy Spirit and looked intently to heaven. He cast his eyes on heaven, gazing steadfastly and not allowing the present circumstances to discourage nor dissuade him. He was not crying for mercy from an unbelieving crowd. He looked to heaven from where help would come... , Psalm 121) and opened his mouth in prophecy and glorifying God, much to the anger of his traducers. That was the help God granted him. God did not save him from death nor from the blood-thirsty appetite of the killers rather He gave him the spirit to prophesy to his would-be murderers. Even as they were killing him, Stephen's eyes never left heaven. He saw God. He saw Jesus. Pain, death, the angry crowd, pressure, circumstances, false allegations, and hatred could not take Stephen's eyes away from heaven. No wonder he could summarize the history of Israel's disobedience as Jesus stood to welcome him. Where do you look to in the days of trouble? On whom are your eyes fixed? PRAYER: Lord may I cease from today from looking at men, problems and difficulties, but to turn my eyes and thoughts to you just like Stephen did, in Jesus Name. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 6:59am On Dec 27, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-27 TOPIC: FAIR PRICE FOR THE KINGDOM MANDATE TEXT: JOHN 21: 19-24(NKJV) 19. This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me." 20. Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" 21. Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what [about] this man?" 22. Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what [is that] to you? You follow Me." 23. Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what [is that] to you?" 24. This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. STUDY Jesus had just tactfully exacted from Peter a hearty pledge of love and loyalty, and now proceeds to grant him an insight into what he should expect in pursuance of the task ahead. Peter should already know that the road to the kingdom is strait and narrow (Matthew 7: 13). But to hear again that the end would also be turbulent - an unsurrendered soul would have chickened out immediately as this same Peter had done in the heat of the Master's passion. In very plain terms, Peter was told that the journey he was about to undertake wasn't going to be a bed of roses. He still reserved the right to choose to back out. But this time around, he wisely chose the Lord, probably recalling Jesus' words in Luke 9:62; ‘Anyone who puts his hands to the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.‘ But he also had assurance from Jesus that it would all culminate in glory unto God. Evidently satisfied with Peter's positive response, the Lord extended this all-important invitation - ‘Follow Me.’ Peter had received this same invitation three years earlier. The Amplified Version renders this to mean ‘Walk in the same path of life that I have walked.’ It was heaven's second chance to Peter. And he wasn't prepared to quash it again. Would you? We also grasp from Jesus' reproving response to Peter's expressed curiosity on what would become of John his friend and colleague (vs 20-22), that in pursuance of the kingdom mandate, one does not have the liberty of looking back or prying into other people's business. ‘Focus on your own personal mandate and leave whatever becomes of John to Me’, was the Lord's tacit response to Peter and to whoever else would heed to this call- ‘Follow Me.’ PRAYER: Dearest Lord, grant me the grace to follow you through to the very end irrespective of whatever storms that rear their ugly heads on the way. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 5:37am On Dec 28, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-28 HOLY INNOCENT DAY TOPIC: DANGER LURKS: ESCAPE! TEXT: MATTHEW 2:13-19(NKJV) 13. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." 14. When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15. and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son." 16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: 18. "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping [for] her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more." 19. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, STUDY Today we remember the cruel slaughtering of the little boys of Bethlehem by Herod The Great which manifested his reputation as a cruel and unscrupulous despot. Because of hatred and ambition for power among families, and because of Herod's consuming suspicion that someone might usurp his throne, he even executed one of his wives and his three oldest sons. Thus, the act of murdering all of the young male children in the region of Bethlehem in an effort to eliminate the one whom the Magi had called King of the Jews, fits Herod's character (vs.I-16). The commemoration of that event is called the Holy Innocent Day because of the fact of these little children did not commit anything warranting death. However, God had beforehand revealed this impending wicked act of Herod to Joseph in a dream and instructed him to take the Child (Jesus) and His mother (Mary) and escape to Egypt so as to save the child from being destroyed by the wickedness of man (Herod). We live in a cruel and wicked world, a world that desires the destruction of the godly; a world where evil men desire to lure godly people in a most unsuspecting manner so that they will be destroyed; a world of sin where immoral living thrives. In the face of all these, the word of God enjoins us to flee for our safety. We are charged to escape from blood-thirsty and power-hungry men like Herod and seek the face of the Lord, who alone has enduring powers to save. God is constantly calling us to reject the ways and patterns of this world (Romans 12:1) to avoid being destroyed by His anger. Brethren, as Joseph heeded the instructions of God, let us be diligent in obeying God's instructions. PRAYER: Lord God, grant me the heart to obey your word and stay saved always in Jesus Name, Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 5:13am On Dec 29, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-29. CHRISTMAS I TOPIC: CHRISTMAS - GOD'S CURE TEXT: JOHN 1: 14-18(NKJV) 14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' " 16. And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17. For the law was given through Moses, [but] grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared [Him.] STUDY Should you receive this message from your doctor in a very serious voice, ‘please come in as soon as you can. I have something to discuss with you’, you would know there is bad news! Till you get hold of the diagnosis, your world would seemingly stand still. God, our great physician, also has some bad news about man's spiritual condition. When against God's express warning, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden -fruit, God told Adam that all mankind would die spiritually and physically. That's the bad news! God also gave a solution. He promised a Saviour (Genesis 3: 15). The Apostle John tells us ‘Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1: 17). But how does that help? Jesus came that first Christmas to bring God's grace, something that none of us deserved because like Adam, we have all sinned. But Jesus also came to reverse what sin brought. He came to be the truth (John 14:6) that would bring us back to God. He came to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). In the words of an unknown writer, ‘Life is uncertain, death is sure; Sin the cause, Christ the cure.’ Listen to what the Great physician has to say in the Bible about your spiritual condition. Then accept the cure he has provided- the gift of salvation through Christ . PRAYER: Lord I ask that by your grace I will be cured of my sinful attitude and life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Credits : Daily Fountain Devotional |
Re: Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2019 (Anglican Communion) by iammarvellux(m): 6:32am On Dec 30, 2019 |
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2019-DEC-30 TOPIC: DO NOT JUDGE BY HUMAN APPEARANCE TEXT: JOHN 7: 1-36(NKJV) 1. After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2. Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3. His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4. "For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." 5. For even His brothers did not believe in Him. 6. Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7. "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8. "You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come." 9. When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. 10. But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11. Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, "Where is He?" 12. And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good"; others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives the people." 13. However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews. 14. Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. 15. And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?" 16. Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17. "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or [whether] I speak on My own [authority.] 18. "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. 19. "Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?" 20. The people answered and said, "You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?" 21. Jesus answered and said to them, "I did one work, and you all marvel. 22. "Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23. "If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 24. "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." 25. Now some of them from Jerusalem said, "Is this not He whom they seek to kill? 26. "But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? 27. "However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from." 28. Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, "You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. 29. "But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me." 30. Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. 31. And many of the people believed in Him, and said, "When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this [Man] has done?" 32. The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. 33. Then Jesus said to them, "I shall be with you a little while longer, and [then] I go to Him who sent Me. 34. "You will seek Me and not find [Me,] and where I am you cannot come." 35. Then the Jews said among themselves, "Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36. "What is this thing that He said, 'You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come'?" STUDY Our passage focuses on Jesus' encounter with His brothers and the Jews during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. His brothers challenged Him to go to Jerusalem for the feast. Their message was, in essence, You must not miss this great opportunity to showcase yourself. There will be huge crowds there to see your miracles. Sadly, their real motive was to expose Him to the scrutiny of the renowned Jewish scholars. The Bible recorded that even His own brothers did not believe in Him (v.5). Jesus eventually showed up at the Feast when His time had fully come (vs.8-10) and immediately began to teach at the Feast. It was in the course of His teaching that He told the Jews, Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement (v.24). This is because the Jews appear righteous in all ramifications, but yet are not righteous. Moses gave them the Law, yet none of them kept the Law (v.19). If they were righteous as they claimed, they wouldnt have sought to kill Jesus (v.30). It is said that not all that glitters is gold, that is why the LORD looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). In a world full of deception - including those deceiving with the name of the Lord, we need to be careful not to judge by appearances, as Jesus warned. Let us not be in a haste to trust even those who praise us; their motives could be different. Jesus approach to issues of life and ministry should be a guide for us to follow. PRAYER: Dear Lord, You alone know the heart and search the mind; help me not to be deceived by praise-singers but to always be wholly committed to you all the days of my life. Amen. Credits: Daily Fountain Devotional |
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