C.A.C Living Water Daily Devotional For September 1, 2024 : Topic – YOU ARE CHRIST’S EPISTLE
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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2024)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Sunday, September 1, 2024
(World Letter Writing Day)
TOPIC: YOU ARE CHRIST’S EPISTLE
MEMORISE: Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
READ: Corinthians 3:1-3
[1]. Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?
[2]. You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;
[3]. clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
EXPOSITION
The word “epistle” comes from Greek, epistolé (“letter,” “message,” or “dispatch”), even as today marks World Letter Writing Day. In Hebrew, it is iggerah, also meaning “letter” and mainly used for missives (communiqués)-long, official, formal letters, usually from someone in an important capacity. In the NT, epistles were initially written as letters to the early Christians. Paul emphasised to the Corinthian brethren that the Lord God chose them to be a message for the world. God has chosen to use Christians as His letter to the world, conveyed in their actions and attitudes. Do you believe this applies to you today? Can the world perceive God’s true nature and Power through your words and actions? Paul’s letter to Timothy emphasised his role as a representative of Christ, commanding Timothy to follow his teachings and leading by example (2 Tim. 3:10-15). This underscores the idea that Christianity is more than mere rituals, but a way of life centred around Christ. We are compared to a letter written by preachers, widely recognised and read by all, and most importantly, a letter from Christ that revealed God’s nature to the world (2 Cor. 3:2; 5:18-20). Therefore, it was crucial for Timothy to accurately portray God through his actions. What are you doing with life. What signal are you sending to the world around. Consider these things.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, help me to always remember that I am to represent You in this world.
2. Here am I, O Lord God, use me entirely for Your glory alone.
3. Pray for our children in schools and on campuses to always remember that they are representing God wherever they are.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB: 793
1. Shining for Jesus everywhere I go
Shining for Jesus in this world of woe
Shining for Jesus, more
Like Him I grow
Shining all the time for Jesus.
Shining all the time
Shining all the time
Shining for Jesus,
Beams of love divine
Glorifying Him every day and hour
Shining all the time for Jesus.
2. Shining for Jesus when the way is bright
Shining for Jesus in the darkest night
Shining for Jesus, making burdens light
Shining all the time for Jesus.
3. Shining for Jesus in a world of sin
Shining for Jesus bringing lost ones in
Shining for Jesus, glorifying him
Shining all the time for Jesus.
4. Shining for Jesus when He gives me grace
Shining for Jesus, while I run the race
Shining for Jesus, till I see His face
Shining all the time for Jesus.
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Ezekiel 4, 5, 6