C.A.C LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR AUGUST 20, 2024 : TOPIC – DANGER OF IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION
READ PREVIOUS DEVOTIONALS HERE
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2024)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Tuesday, August 20, 2024
TOPIC: DANGER OF IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION
MEMORISE: There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it (Proverbs 21:20).
READ: Genesis 25: 29-32
[29]. Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary.
[30]. And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom.
[31]. But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”
[32]. And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”
EXPOSITION
People who spend all their money on funfare when they are young might have trouble when they get old. They might not have enough money to live on. It’s important to learn how to manage your money when you are young so you can have enough when you are old. If you spend all your money on things you don’t really need, you might not have enough for things you really need later on. Esau traded his birthright for food because he wanted immediate gratification. He sold his future willingly because he was hungry. He realised his mistake too late and cried bitterly in his old age (Heb. 12:16-17). What are you doing today that could have negative effects on your old age? Reuben slept with his father’s concubine to satisfy his sexual desire, which caused him to lose his right of first child (Gen. 35:22; 49:3-4). If you don’t control your appetites today, you will face consequences in the future
To do away with immediate gratification, the first step is to have self-control (1 Cor. 7:5, 9; 1 Tim. 2:15). Self-control is a part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23) and sets us apart from animals. With self-control there is nothing we cannot do. But without it, we may be tempted by mundane things. The Holy Spirit produces this quality in believers. So, seek His help and be filled with Him (Eph. 5:18)
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, restore them to me all that are lost in my life through immediate gratification.
2. Pray for quality of self-control for young people who are financially buoyant.
3. Pray for CAC Publicity Department, the Director and the staff as led by the Holy Spirit.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY
CAC GHB: 712
1. Lord, from this time we cry to Thee;
Thou of our youth the Guide shalt be:
Draw near and take us by the hand,
And lead into the goodly land;
With fire by night and cloud by day
Be with us on our pilgrim way.
2. Forth to the wilderness we go,
The tempter’s wiles ordain’d to know;
Though weak our arm, and fierce the fight,
Still may we conquer through Thy might,
Till, every foul assault subdued.
Our souls are fed with angels’ food.
3. In sorrow’s cloud, in trouble’s sea,
Baptized afresh, O Lord, to Thee,
While every joy that round us springs
A Eucharistic gladness brings,
Each journey done, each danger past
Receive us to Thy rest at last.
4. Uphold our footsteps in Thy way,
Nor suffer us in heart to stray;
With patience bear, with counsel guide,
From follies wean, from perils hide;
In suff’ring soothe, in want defend,
Confirm and stablish to the end.
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Isaiah 66, Jeremiah 1, 2