CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR Sunday, August 23, 2020 ; Topic – NEED A CHANGE?
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Sunday, August 23, 2020 – International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition
NEED A CHANGE?
Read: Acts 9:1-19
Acts 9:1-19ESV “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”
MEMORISE:
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes (Proverbs 21:1).
EXPOSITION
Desire change! Wanting to be better? Want to please God the more? Wish to be the Christian the Bible prescribes? You need Jesus. He is the game Changer. He has power to change all about you. He changed the status of the fishermen, tax collectors, etc. to fishers of men. Their relationship with Christ made them turn their world around for better.
When Apostle Paul met with Onesimus – the runaway slave boy, he had a change of character; he became a useful tool in the hand of his master, Philemon and Paul. Onesimus’ offence attracted capital punishment during his time as a slave. He was not only forgiven of his sins, but was also accepted by his master as a brother in Christ. This reference is relevant as the world celebrates the abolition of slave trade today. What a great change. No one changes himself but God. True changes come from the heart that knows Him.
God can do more for you only if you will desire a change. Change to be godly. Change to please Him. Change to love Him and all He represents more than the pleasures of the world. Don’t be satisfied with whom and what you are; it can be better – better parent; better spouse; better Christian. Saul the murderer, through the God-occasioned change, became Paul the great evangelist and preacher of the gospel he once opposed. The encounter he had with the Man of Galilee was the game changer. Have you truly and genuinely met Him? Otherwise, there won’t be any real change, but pretence.
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and ask letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem… Immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God (Acts 9:1-2,20). We can change. If we allow Christ to deal with the areas that needs change in our lives. Change brings unbelievable positive restructuring of life. Anyone who allows or cooperates with God will experience the change.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Oh Lord our Father, change my life and family for Your good.
2. Let the enemies of the nation be arrested now for the expansion of Your Kingdom, oh! Lord.
3. Lord Jesus, give the Church the boldness to penetrate difficult areas in this nation.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Psalms 67 – 69; Revelation 18