April 3, 2021 CAC Living Water Devotional : Topic – REMEMBER MY CHAINS
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Saturday, April 3, 2021 – Holy Saturday
REMEMBER MY CHAINS
Read: Isaiah 53:5
Colossians 4:7-18 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),
and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
MEMORISE:
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. (Colossians 4:17).
EXPOSITION
In the final greetings of Paul to the Colossians, there are people who were free to move around expect himself and few others. Having dictated the letter to be penned by someone, he signed it with his own hand as a sign of authenticity. He then gave instructions to the Colossians to remember his chains and his imprisonment. Paul was not saying this to covet their sympathy or set a table for pity-party on his behalf. What did he want them to remember, then?
They should remember what brought him to prison—the preaching of the person of Jesus, His virgin birth, His works and miracles, His sufferings and death, His resurrection, ascension, and coming back. Listen to him: Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! (2 Tim.2:8-9).
We hear of some people who lay claim to the Church of God and its assets today because they believe they have “suffered” too much and “spent” too much for the church, therefore, they are entitled to own and personalised it. We remember Apostle Ayo Babalola of Christ Apostolic Church and his chains. We recall the sufferings, mental and physical, of the progenitors of Christ Apostolic Church. Yet, they directed people’s attention away from themselves onto the Cross of Christ. This is what they want us to remember and this is what Apostle Paul wants us to remember—Remember my chains.
What would you want to be remembered for? Many houses, many children, the fleet of cars left behind, secular, cultural and religious titles? Paul said: Remember my chains. Have a rethink.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, help me to focus my eyes on You in all circumstances.
2. Pray that no one will stumble from the faith because of you.
3. Pray that God should grant us the ruggedness to keep following the Lord Jesus despite the challenges on the way.
EXTRA READINGS FOR TODAY: Joshua 2:19-6:2; Luke 6:23-6:44