C.A.C LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 4, 2024 : TOPIC – WHICH FIRE OF GOD DO YOU PREFER?
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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2024)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE : Saturday, May 4, 2024
(Sar Wars Day)
TOPIC: WHICH FIRE OF GOD DO YOU PREFER?
MEMORISE : Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them (Acts 2:3).
READ : Amos 1:1-8
[1]. The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
[2]. And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion,
and utters His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.”
[3]. Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron.
[4]. But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Ben-Hadad.
[5]. I will also break the gate bar of Damascus,
and cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven, and the one who holds the scepter from Beth Eden. The people of Syria shall go captive to Kir,” says the Lord.
[6]. Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they took captive the whole captivity to deliver them up to Edom.
[7]. But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza,
which shall devour its palaces.
[8]. I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod,
And the one who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; I will turn My hand against Ekron,
And the remnant of the Philistines shall perish,”
Says the Lord God.
EXPOSITION
The fire from the Lord serves various purposes. It can be a consuming fire, aimed at eliminating impurities and stubble, or a purifying fire that cleanses and empowers. owers. Your actions determine which kind of fire you experience. In today’s text, we are discussing the consuming fire sent by God to bring lamentation, destruction, and even annihilation. This is a consequence of God’s people repeatedly rebelling beyond their limits. It is often referred to as the fire of affliction. This fire can result in famine, pestilence, enemies’ attacks, and even death. It is the kind of fire that leads to weeping, wailing, and death. Our prayer is that this won’t be your fate; even as today commemorates Star Wars Day.
On the other hand, there is another type of fire that God uses to purify and bring out the gold within you. It is meant to bestow upon you God’s presence, power, grace and gifts. This fire transforms you from the ordinary to the supernatural, propelling you from the back to the front, and bringing about a remarkable change to the glory of God. Look forward to this fire! An example is when Moses spent 40 days on the mountain, and his face radiated after encountering God’s presence (Exo. 34:29, 30). Similarly, the disciples experienced God’s fire at Pentecost, becoming unbeatable and performing remarkable exploits they couldn’t do before (cf. Matt. 17:16; Acts 5:14-16). On the whole, one type of fire is punitive, and the other is a reward. So, choose wisely!
PRAYER POINTS
1. Thank God for His presence in your life.
2. Lord, please purge me of all defilements by Your mercy, and let the fire of Your presence fall upon me for purification and empowerment.
3. Father, send down Your fire into our churches once again.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB: 377
1. Spirit divine, attend our prayers
And make this house Thy home;
Descend with all Thy gracious pow’rs;
O come, great Spirit come!
2. Come as the light: to us reveal
Our emptiness and woe;
And lead us in those paths of life
Where all the righteous go.
3. Come as the fire, and purge our hearts
Like sacrificial flame;
Let our whole soul an offering be
To our Redeemer’s name.
4. Come as the dew, and sweetly bless
This consecrated hour;
May barrenness rejoice to own
Thy fertilizing pow’r.
5. Come as the dove, and spread
Thy wings,
The wings of peaceful love;
And let Thy Church on earth become
Blest as the Church above.
6. Spirit divine, attend our prayers;
Make a lost world Thy home;
Descend with all Thy gracious pow’rs;
O come, great Spirit, come.
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
2 Chronicles 5, 6, 7