C.A.C Living Water Daily Devotional For March 6, 2023 : Topic – Settle The Strife(II)
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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Monday, March 6, 2023
TOPIC: SETTLE THE STRIFE(II)
READ: Genesis 13:5-8
[5]. Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents.
[6]. Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.
[7]. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.
[8]. So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.
MEMORISE:
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasurè that war in your members? (James 4:1).
EXPOSITION
Yesterday, we looked at how the peaceable and tolerant Abraham managed the crises that would have marred the long term relationship that had existed between himself and Lot, his nephew. It is a pity, how some people had allowed once good relationship to turn sour, due to lack of conflict management skill. Hope you are still in good term with Jesus Christ, your Lord. No matter what, do not turn your back at Him, Who shed His blood for you on the cross. The good relationship Abraham had with the Lord impacted seriously on how he managed the relationship with Lot, and his herdsmen. Did his kind gesture and peace mindset go unnoticed? That is what we want to look at today.
When you follow the way of peace, what happens? When you are the first to take the step for settlement, what happens? It is generally believed that he who calls for settlement first is the weaker. That is not true.
1. It showcases you as peacemaker. The Bible calls them blessed… for they shall be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9). Abraham took the step of being a peacemaker and did not regret it.
2. God steps into action: Having allowed Lot to choose any part of the land first, God intervened. God stepped into action, because Abraham settled the strife. God is peaceable and He wants His children to follow suit. You are a child of God when you master the art of peace, and are ready to make peace with all men (Heb. 12:14).
The land that looked useless to Lot, because God took it for Abraham, became a land of peace and prosperity as a result of Abraham’s peaceable mentality. Whereas, the land that looked like the Garden of Eden to Lot, became a land of trouble and strife, which was eventually set on fire because of the wickedness of the people of the land. The lesson for us: Settle the strife before it goes out of hand (Matt. 5:25). Peace-making does not make you weak. In fact, it shows character strength.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 520
1. By cool Siloam’s shady rill
How sweet the lily grows!
How sweet the breath, beneath the hill,
Of Sharon’s dewy rose!
2. Lo! Such the child whose early feet
The paths of peace have trod,
Whose secret heart with influence sweet
Is upward drawn to God.
3. By cool Siloam’s shady rill
The lily must decay,
The rose that blooms beneath the hill
Must shortly fade away.
4. O Thou whose infant feet were found
Within Thy Father’s shrine,
Whose years, with changeless virtue crowned,
Were all alike divine;
5. Dependent on Thy bounteous breath,
We seek Thy grace alone,
In childhood, manhood, age, and death,
To keep us still Thine own.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, save me from selfish tendency that makes me seek my own things only at the expense of others.
2. Lord, let me be possessed with Your Spirit to let go of everything that is contrary to Your will.
3. Lord, deliver Your children who are being victimised and oppressed from the hand of their oppressors.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Deuteronomy 32:15-34:12;
Joshua 1:1-9
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Remain blessed