SEPTEMBER 5, 2022 CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL : TOPIC – THE LIFE OF CHRIST’S DISCIPLE (1)
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Monday, September 5, 2022.
(World Teachers Day & World Financial Planning Day.)
TOPIC: THE LIFE OF CHRIST’S DISCIPLE (1)
READ: Luke 9:57-62
[57] And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
[58] And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
[59] And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
[60] Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
[61] And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
[62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
MEMORISE:
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
EXPOSITION
Discipleship is God’s programme for raising people who would be instrumental in furthering the course of Christ’s Gospel. Leader-follower relationship has been an age-long process that has produced many leaders, and assisted our society in no small measure. It is a process where a follower is being guided under the leading, mentoring and tutelage of a leader, master or teacher as today commemorates World Teachers’ Day and World Financial Planning Day. The Church has benefitted immensely from this divine arrangement (cf. 2 Tim. 1:1,2; 2:1-3). The disciple looks to the master for instructions as to what to do, where to go, when to go, etc. (Jn. 6:67-70; 1 Cor. 11:1). Our Lord Jesus made discipleship phenomenal during His earthly expedition (Mk. 1:16-20).
It is a crime to become anything in the Church without being a disciple of Christ. It is Jesus who calls into discipleship, while it behoves the called to be willing and ready to follow faithfully, all the way (Isa. 1:19; 1 Cor. 4:2). True disciples usually turn out to be great leaders because of the level of growth to maturity (Heb. 5:12-6:2).
Today’s text shows that it is not he who wills, but Christ who calls. The person who showed interest to follow Christ wasn’t allowed, while Jesus compelled another to follow. Christ knows and deals with everyone accordingly. When He calls you to follow Him, don’t give excuses (cf. Mk. 1:18). There will always be reasons not to committedly surrender to discipleship. Discipleship entails discipline, commitment, surrendering, love and obedience. If truly you have placed your hands on the plough of discipleship, don’t look back; it can be disastrous!
PRAYER POINTS
1. O Lord, save my soul and make me Your true son throughout the days of my life.
2. Having laid my hands on the plough, Lord, help me not to withdraw, till eternity.
3. Lord, help Your ministers to tailor their church programmes and ministrations towards soul-winning and disciple-making.
HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 231
1. All that draw me I have left behind
Here in Canaan better joys I find;
Peace abiding, blessings unconfined,
For I’m living in Canaan now,
I am living in Canaan now.
Where the showers of blessing abound
Where the riches of grace in plenty are found,
I am living in Canaan now.
2. Sale abiding I will never fear,
For my Saviour ever will be near;
When I call Him He will always hear;
For I’m living in Canaan now.
3. I am drinking from a ceaseless well,
Here in Canaan where I love to dwell,
So to others I am glad to tell,
That I’m liaving in Canaan now.
4. Praises ever I am glad to bring
Unto Jesus, my Redeemer, King
For His mercies I will shout and sing,
For I’m living in Canaan now.
Amen
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Ezekiel 35 – 37
AUTHOR
C. A. C. Worldwide
Remain blessed