November 27, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional : Topic – REPENTANCE, NOT DEFENSIVE
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER {July ~ Dec., 2020}
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Read previous CAC Living Water Devotionals here
Friday, November 27, 2020
TOPIC: REPENTANCE, NOT DEFENSIVE
Read Matthew 26:69-75
[69]Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
[70]But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
[71]And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
[72]And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
[73]And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
[74]Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
[75]And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
MEMORISE: For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exists,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word (Isaiah 66:2)
EXPOSITION
Repentance is the action or process of being sorrowful, feeling pains or regretting, especially from misdeed or moral shortcomings. It is demanded by God on any break of His commandments. But many today, instead of them repenting of their misdeeds and shortcomings, they put up defence. They blame every other things or person but/except their misdeeds and shortcomings. Penitence is required for forgiveness not defence. Sinners should have a deep feeling of sadness for something done wrong, rather than blaming whatever.
Being defensive compounds issue. It hurts God and man badly than the misdeeds. Don’t hurt man and God the more with your defence. You also need repentance at least because you can’t afford not to do good in life (1 Jn. 1:9). Don’t forget this is only one life you will ever live, the next is in eternity where what you do with your life here/now determines how you will live the life eternal (2 Cor. 5:10). Today is the day of salvation, value your today and consider what becomes of your tomorrow – life to come.
When Adam and Eve sinned, their inability to own up to the reality of their sins did not still stop God from judging them. Owning up will save you a lot of stress, don’t pass the bulk. Open up to God and those that can help.
Peter did not give excuses. He did not put up defence but wept bitterly when he denied Christ. Israelites during the time of the judges took responsibilities for their sins and God’s anger turned each time they repented of them.
Believers are therefore admonished that when we fall into sin, we should be grieved, confessed and ask for forgiveness. ‘Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much’. James 5:16
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, forgive me of all my sins of self-defence, I genuinely ask for Your forgiveness O Lord.
2. Pray that God should restore as many that have fallen out of grace, have mercy on them and save their souls.
3. Pray for the revival of the Word of God and genuine repentance in the fold of Christ.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Ezekiel 27 – 28
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!