May 5, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :- DIVINE ASSURANCE
Read previous CAC Living Water Devotionals here
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER {Jan ~ June, 2020}
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
TOPIC: DIVINE ASSURANCE
Read Acts 18:1-11
[1]After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;[2]And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.[3]And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.[4]And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.[5]And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.[6]And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.[7]And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.[8]And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.[9]Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:[10]For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.[11]And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
MEMORISE: For I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city (Acts 18:10)
EXPOSITION
One of the inhibitions to evangelism and soul-winning today is, the fear of being lynched or harmed in the process, by the enemy of the gospel. Even some ministers have refused to report to their places of posting, simply because they heard about the wickedness being perpetrated there. The encouragement today, is that, you are not alone. He that sent you is with you, and will go before you, making crooked ways straight, in Jesus’ name.
Had the message of today come earlier, many ministers who have gone on A.W.O.L. would have thought otherwise. Let us pick some lessons from Paul when faced with a similar situation. When he departed Athens and came to Corinth, he had several difficulties in reaching the people, especially, the Jews, with the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result, he decided to withdraw to the Gentiles, and many of them (Corinthians) believed and were baptised. With that success, Paul still was sore afraid of the opposition, and of being lynched. He needed more than mere personal courage; he needed God’s assurance to continue to stay and preach. He definitely got God’s assurance of protection.
Compare the message of Acts 18:9, 10 with Matthew 28:20. The promise of God (…lo, I am with you always) is still standing, today and forever. As a child of God and minister of the gospel, you have the divine assurance of God’s backing and security. So, don’t be afraid. Just make sure you are at the centre of His will. As God was with Joseph in the prison, Moses before Pharaoh, and the three Hebrews in the Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace, He will be with you. He won’t rescind on His Word.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, continually avail me enjoyment of Your protection and divine backing as I labour unto Your glory.
2. Lord Jesus, don’t allow the enemies of the gospel to prevail in our land.
3. O Lord, help Your ministers/missionaries to continue to enjoy divine backing, so as not to labour loss.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 1 Samuel 29 – 31 & Romans 10
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!