CAC Living Water Daily Devotional For August 29, 2022 : Topic – DON’T OVERSTAY YOUR WELCOME
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday, August 29, 2022
DON’T OVERSTAY YOUR WELCOME
Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
[9]But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
[10]And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
[11]And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
[12]That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
MEMORISE: Seldom set foot in your neighbour’s house, lest he become weary of you and hate you (Proverbs 25:17)
EXPOSITION
The Bible has a balanced approach to all sides of relationship with says, Don’t visit your neighbours too often, or you will wear out others. Today’s memory verse in the New Living Translation taking your welcome. In other words, do not be too demanding, or people’s generosity for granted.
Imagine this story of Mrs. A being a friend to Mrs. B. As the years went by, Mrs. A would need help here or there, which Mrs. B readily extends the needed help. But after some time, the requests slowly become more demanding both financially and time-consuming. Mrs. B would still do what she could, but is not able to help with everything her friend Mrs. A wants, as she would try to explain, usually to no avail. Finally, it seems that Mrs. B is being contacted by her friend only when something is needed, and that seems the constant situation without Mrs. A making any effort to accomplish things on her own or to seem to turn to anyone else. And now Mrs. B is found run down, frustrated, and would no longer answer Mrs. A’s phone calls.
This graphically shows how a person can overstay his or her welcome when one is not considerate of other people’s feelings over incessant demands, visits or phone calls in the name of “I just said I should drop by, or ask for a help again, if you wouldn’t mind!” or the making of thoughtless and hurtful jokes (Prov. 26:18-19), or a continual bringing up of a past matter of someone’s mistake (Prov. 17:9) which do strain relationships. Today, we are counselled to aspire to lead a quiet life, mind your own business, and work with your own hands that you may walk properly toward others (1 Thess. 4:11-12). Go ahead and make it happen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Jesus, You are my Lord, take over my life and be the Master over all my affairs and well-being.
2. Help me, O Lord, to be exemplary in all aspects of my life, thereby attracting more people to Your kingdom.
3. I receive wisdom for mature and godly relationship with people of all strata, in Jesus’ name.
HYMN FOR TODAY: CAC GHB 93
1. To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And open’d the Life Gate that all may go in.
Chorus:
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through
Jesus the Son;
And give Him the glory! Great things, He hath done!
2. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3. Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through
Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport when
Jesus we see.
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Ezekiel 14 – 16