CAC Living Water Devotional For January 11, 2024 : Topic – THE BONDSERVANT

THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2024)

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

DATE: Thursday, January 11, 2024

TOPIC: THE BONDSERVANT

READ: Romans 1:1-6

[1]. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

[2]. which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,

[3]. concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

[4]. and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

[5]. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

[6]. among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

MEMORISE

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1).

EXPOSITION

The Greek word Doulos translated ‘servant’ means “a slave”, one who is entirely, property of his master. The Bible recognises the master-servant relationship and enjoins servants to respect and honour their masters, as unto the Lord. The Bible equally compares the relationship between us and Christ to the master-servant relationship. We are bonded with Christ, our Master, the moment we surrender our lives to Him. Paul, no doubt, was a man of self-will, controlled by his mind, and cared less if someone was hurt by his actions. But the moment he met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), everything about him changed. He became a bondservant of Jesus Christ. Imagine one who was a ringleader (Acts 7:58; 8:1) now was being led by the hand (9:8) because the Great Lord had changed the eyes with which he looked into the world. He was no longer living by himself, but Christ lived in him (Gal. 2:20). No wonder, he worked assiduously for his newfound Master. What a transformed life! Like Paul, servants look for the comfort and will of their masters (Php. 3:10).

We are bondservants of Christ, and His will must be our command (1 Cor. 4:1). Just as Paul recognised himself as the servant of Jesus, we must know and walk accordingly as Christ’s servants (cf. Php. 2:7). Be faithful, submit and be obedient to the Lordship of Christ as His servant. Read Eph. 6:5; 1 Tim. 6:1-3; Tit. 2:9 to know what is expected of servants and masters in the real sense.

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:

CAC GHB: 730

1. “Thine – Thine for ever” blessed: bond

That knits, us, Lord, to Thee;

May voice, and heart, and soul respond

Amen, so let it be.

2. When this world strikes its dulcet harp,

And earth our heav’n appears,

Be “Thine for ever,” clean and sharp,

God’s trumpet in our ears.

3. When sin in pleasure’s soft disguise

Would work us deadliest harm,

May “Thine for ever” from the skies

Steal down, and break the charm.

4. When Satan flings his fiery darts

Against our weary shield,

May “Thine for ever” in our hearts

Forbid us faint or yield.

5. Thine all along the flow’ry spring,

Along the summer prime,

Till autumn fades in welcoming

The silver frost of time.

6. “Thine, Thine for ever,” body, soul,

Henceforth devote to Thee,

While everlasting ages roll;

Amen, so let it be.

Amen.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Lord Jesus, help me to appreciate Your work on the Cross for my sake

2. Lord Jesus, help me to totally surrender my life to serve You and humanity.

3. Pray for the CAC Department of Christian Education, the Director and the staff as led by the Spirit of God.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:

Genesis 28, 29, 30