CAC LIVING WATER DEVOTIONAL FOR AUGUST 18, 2023 : TOPIC – NO PLACE FOR THE DEVIL
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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Friday, August 18, 2023
TOPIC: NO PLACE FOR THE DEVIL
MEMORISE:Nor give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27)
Read: Ephesians 4:27
[27]. nor give place to the devil.
EXPOSITION
There is no gainsaying, the devil is a disgruntled element, who is notorious for causing commotion. In heaven, he tried to steal the throne of God, but ended up drawing two third of the angels with his tail, as he was hauled down. In Eden, he instigated Adam and Eve against their loving Creator. Job would never forget the terrible disaster he brought against him, though with the permission of God, anyway. He does not have the audacity to tamper with God’s children, if he is not permitted to do so. Also, when he showed up in the wilderness, where Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted of him, it took God’s grace for Jesus to prevail against him, through the power of God’s Word. Even when he finally left Jesus, it was for a while. He is a goat. No matter how you deal with a goat, it will still come disturbing. The only preventive measure is either to kill it outright, or set up barricades. The writer of Ephesians admonished Christians to beware and not give place to the devil. How can this be achieved?
1. No conversation: Don’t allow him to open conversation with you, when he tried to do so, cultivate the habit of silencing him, just like Jesus cautioned him, Away with you, Satan (Matt. 4:10).
2. Engage him with the Scripture: The Word of God is the powerful tool to counter the devil whenever he tries to make you do what is contrary to God’s will. Know that the devil will never encourage you to serve the interest of God. So, when you obey whatever he says, and you do not confront him with the Scripture, you are serving his interest (Matt.4:4,7).
3. How can I do this and sin against God: Another strategy to confound the devil is, using the strategy employed by Joseph. Because he loved God, and would not give place to Satan, he concluded, … how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God (Gen. 39:9).
4. No cursing God strategy: Job did not sin, nor cursed God, rather he worshipped (1:20ff). There are times the enemy will just come in like the flood without invitation, when that happens, the Bible says the Spirit of God will lift the standard against them (Isa. 59:19). God Himself defeated the devil for Job, because it was not Job that gave him place in his life. Resolve that there is no place for the devil in your life, home, business, etc. today as you go about your daily activities.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 633
1. Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin
Each victory will help you some other to Win
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue.
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through,
Chorus:
Ask the Saviour to help you
Comfort, strengthen and keep you.
He is willing to aid you
He will carry you through.
2. Shun evil companions, bad language disdain
God’s name hold in reverence, not take it in vain,
Be thoughtful and earnest, kind hearted and true,
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
3. To him that o’er cometh, God giveth a crown.
Through faith we shall conquer,
though often cast down,
He who is our Saviour, our strength will renew
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. No place for the devil in my life, business, home and every endeavour in Jesus’ name.
2. Lord, as You helped Jesus and Joseph to be victorious over the devil, help me to gain victory over him.
3. Help Your Church to adopt strategies that make the devil to flee in Jesus’ name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Isaiah 45-49