C.A.C Living Water Devotional For January 6, 2024 : Topic – REMEMBER MY CHAINS

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

DATE: Saturday, January 6, 2024

TOPIC: REMEMBER MY CHAINS

MEMORISE : Remember the prisoners as if chained with them — those who are mistreated — since you yourselves are in the body also (Hebrews 13:3).

READ: Colossians 4:16-18

[16]. Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

[17]. And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

[18]. This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

EXPOSITION

Children love to honour the memories of their parents who have laboured hard to give them meaningful lives. Paul exhorts his spiritual children and fellow Christians to remember his chains (Col. 4:18). He wrote many of his epistles while in prison for the Gospel’s sake. So, he was exhorting believers to identify with him in his chains. Prisoners are often counted as outcast. Chains may also mean challenges and sufferings for Christ’s sake (cf. Acts 9:16; 2 Cor. 11:23ff). Now, we are left with no option than to remember the sufferings of those who once laboured for the Christian privileges we now enjoy. The onus is on us to obey God’s Word and serve Him wholeheartedly, considering what it costs Jesus to anchor and author our redemption (cf. Gal. 3:13). To reciprocate the agony of Jesus, He also requested that: “Thy life be given, Thy years for Me be spent, Give thou thyself to Me.” As believers, we must wake up to our responsibilities of standing in the gap, beginning those “greater works,” and going to proclaim Him throughout the world (Matt. 28:19,20; Jn. 14:12). Don’t let the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ slip through your fingers! In the same vein, Remember those who are in prison (i.e. _those incarcerated for the Gospel’s sake) as if you were their fellow prisoner, and those who are ill-treated, since you also are liable to bodily sufferings_ (Heb. 13:3 AMP). To do what? Intercede for, and support them in all relevant ways.

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:

CAC GHB: 418

1. Oh, spread the tidings round,

Wherever man is found,

Wherever human hearts

And human woes abound;

Let every Christian tongue

Proclaim the joyful sound

The Comforter has come!

Chorus:

The Comforter has come!

The Comforter has come!

The Holy Ghost from heaven;

The Father’s promise given;

Oh spread the tidings round ;

Wherever man is found;

The comforter has come.

2. The mighty Kings of kings

With healing in His wings;

To every captive soul;

A full deliverance brings;

And through the vacant cells;

The song of triumph rings;

The comforter has come!

3. Oh, boundless love divine;

How shall this tongue of mine;

To wandering mortals tell;

The matchless grace divine;

That I may with Him dwell;

And in His image shine;

The comforter has come!

4. Oh, let the echoes fly;

Above the vaulted sky;

And all the saints above;

To all below reply;

In strain of endless love;

The song that ne’er will die;

The comforter has come.

Amen.

PRAYER POINTS

[1]. Lord Jesus, thank You for all Your sacrifices to save me.

[2]. Oh Lord, I refuse to be an ingrate. I will go all the way for You in spreading the gospel.

[3]. Intercede for as many as are suffering in one way, or the other for the Gospel’s sake.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:

Genesis 16, 17, 18