CAC LIVING WATER DEVOTIONAL FOR JULY 26, 2022: TOPIC – BEAUTY OF A DISCIPLINED CHURCH (II)
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Tuesday, July 26, 2022
TOPIC: BEAUTY OF A DISCIPLINED CHURCH (II)
READ: Acts 5:1-16
[1] But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
[2] And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
[3] But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
[4] Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
[5] And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
[6] And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
[7] And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
[8] And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
[9] Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
[10] Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
[11] And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
[12] And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
[13] And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
[14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
[15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
[16] There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
MEMORISE:
Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly (Acts 5:13).
EXPOSITION
In addition to the benefits of being disciplined in the Church that we discussed yesterday, discipline makes the church pure. After the incidence in Acts 5:1-10, … none of the rest dared join them (v. 13a). Where there is discipline, only those ready to follow Jesus (disciples) would join the church, thus maintaining purity and integrity in the body.
The church is more than a social gathering or family reunion. Sadly, so many pastors love to have crowds in their services/churches, and this, at all cost. Such bother less about the quality of lives of such customers. All they want is the crowd and the attendant gains-financial, fame, etc. Christ sends us to raise disciples, and not crowds of worshippers on their way to hell. The best way to do this is to ensure discipline from the onset.
The truth is: as many as God has ordained to be around you would come if you are doing it the right way-disciplined. It isn’t the number of ‘customers’ you gather here on earth that matters, but the disciples you are able to lead to Christ, now, and in eternity. Are you really working for God, or your purse?
Once again, a disciplined, pure, and chaste church attracts God’s gracious manifestations, inside and outside (vv. 15,16). Those miracles you so desire, with the attendant blessings, would become commonplace in your ministry if, your desire and pursuit are to build candidates of heaven rather than pilgrims on their way to hell. Let us build disciplined and chaste churches showing Christ’s holiness to the stinking world, and magnetising them to the centre of His righteousness.
PRAYER POINT:
1. Lord, make me an agent of discipline and chastity in Your Church.
2. I refuse to complicate the already battered (corrupt) situation in the world; I am God’s representative and solution for, in Jesus’ name.
3. Pray for CAC Anosike Region, our father in the Lord, the Superintendent, and its officers at the various levels, as led by the Spirit of God.
HYMN FOR THE DAY:
CAC GHB 972
1. Lord of the worlds above,
How pleasant and how fair
The dwellings of Thy love,
Thy earthly temples. are!
To Thine abode my hearts aspires,
With warm desires to see my God.
2. O happy souls that pray
Where God delights to hear!
O happy men that pay
Their constant service there!
They praise Thee still, and happy they
Who love the way to Zion’s hill!
3. They go from strength to strength,
Through this dark vale of tears,
Till each o’ercomes at length,
Till each in heav’n appears:
O glorious seat! Thou God our King,
Shalt thither bring our willing feet.
4. God is our sun and shield,
Our light and our defence;
With gifts His hands are filled,
We draw our blessings thence:
He shall bestow upon our race
His saving grace, and glory too.
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Isaiah 10-13
AUTHOR
C. A. C. Worldwide
Remain blessed