CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January- December, 2023) DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Sunday, July 16, 2023 TOPIC: FORGIVENESS: SIGN OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

 CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH 

THE LIVING WATER (January- December, 2023)

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE 

DATE: Sunday, July 16, 2023

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS: SIGN OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

MEMORISE

    And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us (Luke 11:4a).

READ:

Ephesians 4:25-32

[25]. Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 

[26]. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 

[27]. nor give place to the devil. 

[28]. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 

[29]. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 

[30]. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

[31]. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 

[32]. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

EXPOSITION

      That we are Christians doesn't exempt us from offending one another. Yes, we should strive not to hurt others, but as humans, our different personality build-ups would keep clashing. Of course, as our irons sharpen one another (Prov. 27:17), there are bound to be frictions that are anyway meant to help us get better in our relationship. Hence, we would continue to disagree to agree. Having said that, God expects us to always speak the truth about our hurting situations -- no pretence. Be sincere about how your brother/sister has offended you, in the spirit of love. It isn't out of place to be offended or get angry. How you handle that anger is what determines the sinfulness or otherwise. We are enjoined not to sin in our anger. When you are angry and are considering revenge, or become so loose to curse and say derogatory words, you are sinning. When you keep malice with the person who offended you, that is sin!

       Also, considering the time it takes for the sun to rise and set, your anger shouldn't be too long. Be easily appeaseable. Otherwise, you would do what you would live to regret. Learn anger management with the help of the Holy Spirit, lest you be offending God Himself. Avoid all bitterness, anger, clamour, malice and evil speaking for the sake of God and peace. To achieve this, let us be kind to one another, tender-hearted and forgiving, regardless of how angered we are. After all, God in Christ still forgives us, regardless of how terrible we are. Follow suit. It is a sign of spiritual maturity!

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: 

CAC GHB 524

PRAYER POINTS

1. O Lord, heal all my wounds and give me grace to forgive others, unconditionally.

2. Lord, deliver me from the spirit that easily takes offence with people. 

3. Lord, destroy the spirit of offence and malice among workers and ministers in our churches and pastorates

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 

Psalms 119:41-96

AUTHOR

CAC Worldwide

Remain blessed