CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR JANUARY 31, 2024 : TOPIC – ENDURING CHASTENING

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

DATE : Wednesday, January 31, 2024

TOPIC: ENDURING CHASTENING

READ : Hebrews 12:5-11

[5]. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

[6]. For whom the Lord loves He chastens,

And scourges every son whom He receives.”

[7]. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

[8]. But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

[9]. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

[10]. For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

[11]. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

MEMORISE

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid (Proverbs 12:1).

EXPOSITION

Parenting without discipline is like a cloud without rain. True parents understand the beauty of bringing up their children in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord. To get that done, training with discipline must be employed (Prov. 22:6). Meanwhile, it is one thing to discipline a child, it is another for the child to surrender himself for the discipline. Therefore, only children who are God-fearing and obedient will not resist their parents’ instruction and correction. Any child that is too difficult to be guided and corrected can be termed as illegitimate. Are you a true child of God? One of the attributes you will exhibit as a child of God is readiness to endure chastisement. Enduring chastisement speaks volumes about how teachable, corrigible and obedient you are

Our text today underscores the importance of discipline in the Christian journey. A proof of true sonship is correction, from and by the Lord (Heb. 12:7). The attitude of some believers today easily portrays them as bastards. Hope you are not one of those who lack discipline? When the Lord rebukes you, it shows you are His true child (v.. It is important that you are open to correction because that is the only way you can truly make it in the Lord. Another reason why you have to endure chastisement is that we may be partakers of His holiness (v. 10b). Finally, enduring chastisement yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it (v. 11).

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:

CAC GHB: 816

1. Though the world allure with its gilded charm,

I’m a child of God, whom it cannot harm;

He will me uphold by His mighty arm,

Every moment of my day.

Chorus:

I’ve a friend who will ev’ry need supply,

I’ve a home far beyond the starry sky,

And you know, that is just the reason why,

I am singing Hallelujah!

2. I can ne’er forget how upon the tree

Laid the son of God, there to die for me;

Yet to save my soul, thus it had to be,

There could be no other way.

3. I would e’er be true to my Lord and King,

Every waking hour praise to Him sing,

Knowing that at last He my soul shall bring,

Ever more with Him to stay.

Amen.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Lord Jesus, thank You for my position in You as a bonafide child, billed for Your kingdom.

2. Lord Jesus, deliver me from rebellion and incorrigibility that can ruin the relationship between You and me.

3. Pray for CAC Babalola Region, our father in the Lord, the Regional Superintendent, and the officers at the various levels as led by the Spirit of God.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:

Exodus 28, 39, 40