CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023) DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE:Saturday, June 17, 2023

CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE:Saturday, June 17, 2023

(World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought)

TOPIC: FAMINE OF GOD'S WORD

MEMORISE

"Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD (Amos 8:11).

READ:1 Samuel 3:1-5

[1] Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.

[2]. And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see,

[3]. and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down,

[4] that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!”

[5] So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down.

EXPOSITION

The Bible foretells a time when the true Word of God would be scarce. Amos foresaw it (Amos 8:11); Paul confirmed it (2 Tim. 4:3-4). The time is here that the true biblical preaching is on a major decline. The pulpit ministry has been relegated to second-class status in several churches. Lots of sermons and teachings have been reduced to mere motivational platforms where focuses are on current affairs, political trajectory, business success, and other ephemeral things. Prayers are for the highest bidders who know little or nothing of the God they seek to be blessed of. The true revelation of God's Word has never been more out of season/vogue like today. This is symbolically similar to Eli's condition in those days *... when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was* (1 Sam. 3:2-3).

It is disastrous to be starved of God's Word. God's Word is our daily spiritual food (cf. Rev. 10:9), energy drink (Col. 3:16), and heart cleanser (Jn. 15:3). Don't be swayed by the problem of misinterpretations of the Scripture, neither grow dim eyes and dull hearing (Heb. 5:11). Like Moses, Samuel and Ezra, cling to God's Word unreservedly, so as not to experience the famine of God's Word as today is World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (1 Sam. 3:19).

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: CAC GHB 457

1. Holy Bible, book divine,

Precious treasure, thou art mine;

Mine, to tell me whence I came;

Mine, to teach me what I am.

2. Mine, to chide me when I rove;

Mine, to show a Saviour's love;

Mine, art thou to guide my feet;

Mine, to judge, condemn, acquit.

3. Mine, to comfort in distress,

If the Holy Spirit bless;

Mine, to show by living faith

Man can triumph over death.

4. Mine, to tell of joys to come,

Light and life beyond the tomb;

Holy Bible, book divine,

Precious treasure, thou art mine.

Amen.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Lord, create in me a great and intense hunger for Your Word.

2. O Bread of Life, feed and make me stronger everyday, in Jesus' name.

3. Lord, let an end come to the scarcity of Your Word in churches today.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:

Psalms 45:1-45:12

AUTHOR: CAC Worldwide

Remain blessedness