CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023) DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Thursday, July 20, 2023 TOPIC: THE CARING GOD

 CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023) DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Thursday, July 20, 2023.

TOPIC: THE CARING GOD

MEMORISE

     Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6:25,26).

READ:

Matthew 6:25-34

[25]. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 

[26]. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny

[27]. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 

[28]. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

[29]. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 

[30]. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

[31]. “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 

[32]. But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

[33]. “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 

[34]. But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

EXPOSITION

    The amount of energy dissipated by thinking about what to eat and wear is unimaginable. No wonder God warns against anxiety (Matt 6:24ff. Php. 4:6ff). In fact, a great deal of our earnings goes to feeding, because after feeding, you can now think of projects and programmes. Prior to the creation of man, God ensured that He provided what He would need for life and godliness. What a caring God! The issue of clothing came up later when they sinned and discovered they were naked. It is only the glory of God that can cover man's nakedness perfectly. The costliest attire wouldn't do. In His caring attitude. God still made a covering of skin that came from the killed and flayed animal (a type of Christ's atonement) to replace the temporary fig leaves they made for themselves. God has never stopped loving and caring for the depraved man.

      Till date and beyond, God is still saying, "I care for you" He doesn't forget anyone at all (Isa. 49:15,16). He wants us to forget about anxiety, since He cares for us. Even small creatures like the ants, birds of the air and grasses in the field have their livelihood from the caring Father of creation. How much more are you, the head of God's creation? God wants you to stop worrying, and start to exercise real faith in Him. He says you should seek His kingdom and righteousness first. That is the antidote to unnecessary worries. May God help you to do that. Amen.

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: CAC GHB 567

1. Saviour, like a shepherd lead us,

 Much we need Thy tender care;

 In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,

 For our use Thy folds prepare;

 Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,

 Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;

 Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,

 Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

2. We are Thine; do Thou be friend us,

 Be the Guardian of our way;

 Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,

 Seek us when we go astray:

 Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,

 Hear Thy children when they pray

 Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,

 Hear Thy children when they pray.

3. Thou hast promised to receive us,

 Poor and sinful though we be;

 Thou hast mercy to relieve us,

 Grace to cleanse, and make us free:

 Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,

 Early let us turn to Thee.

 Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,

 Early let us turn to Thee.

4. Early let us seek Thy favour;

 Early let us do Thy will;

 Blessed Lord and only Saviour,

 With Thy love our bosoms fill;

 Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,

 Thou hast loved us, love us still.

 Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,

 Thou hast loved us, love us still.

Amen.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Thank God for His caring heart and provision in your life.

2. Ask Him for the grace to depend solely on Him for sustenance, and not to worry about anything.

3. Pray for the Authority of Christ Apostolic Church, Our Father in the Lord, the President and his lieutenants, and the staff of CAC Secretariat as led by the Spirit of God.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 

Psalms 132:1-135:14

AUTHOR

CAC Worldwide

Remain blessed