CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023) DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Sunday, August 6, 2023 TOPIC: OFFERING THAT TEARS THE POCKET

 CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH

THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023)

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE 

DATE: Sunday, August 6, 2023

TOPIC: OFFERING THAT TEARS THE POCKET

MEMORISE

      Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders (Matthew 27:3).

READ:

Matthew 26:15-25

[15]. and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 

[16]. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. 

[17]. Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

[18]. And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’”

[19]. So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

[20]. When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 

[21]. Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”

[22]. And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”

[23]. He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 

[24]. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

[25]. Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”

EXPOSITION

      Though man can get rich through godless means, like trampling upon people's rights, oppressing the less privileged, doing the odds/crimes, etc., he may not live to enjoy whatever he gathers. There are some who forcefully get others properties, e.g. Ahab- Naboth case (1 Kgs. 21). Don't do what God doesn't like. Our focus in today's devotion is Judas' betrayal and the unworthy gain he didn't live to spend. Betrayers, like Judas, give up others for godless gains. They supplant (cf. Psa. 41-9). The devil lured Judas to sell his Lord for 30 pieces of silver (like Joseph was sold by his own brothers), but didn't tell him he wouldn't live to spend the money, and he would end up in hell. He had not spent the money before he realised he had been robbed of his eternity, and instead of seeking God's mercy, he took his own life. What a tragic end!

       Brethren, some things may look glittering and inviting, yet they are snares to death and hell (Prov. 14:12). Be careful! Watch your desire for wealth, power, position, and stardom. Seek nothing outside of God's will. Judas didn't just regret his action; he died shamefully, and the money he returned was wasted on buying a burial site, because it was blood money that wasn't fit for the temple's treasury (Matt. 27:3- 5). Joseph's brother later regretted their actions, just as Hophni and Phinehas died the same day with their father, because they loved pleasure to the detriment of their souls. What shall we say of Gehazi who went for the offering rejected by his wise and godly master? May you never seek gains that will earn you untimely and eternal death, in Jesus' name.

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: 

CAC GHB 816

1. Though the world allure with its gilded charm,

 I'm a child of God, whom it cannot harm;

 He will me uphold by His mighty arm,

 Every moment of my day.

Chorus:

 I've a friend who will ev'ry need supply,

 I've a home far beyond the starry sky,

 And you know, that is just the reason why,

 I am singing Hallelujah!

2. I can ne'er forget how upon the tree

 Laid the son of God, there to die for me;

 Yet to save my soul, thus it had to be,

 There could be no other way.

3. I would e'er be true to my Lord and King,

 Every waking hour praise to Him sing,

 Knowing that at last He my soul shall bring,

 Ever more with Him to stay.

Amen.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Lord Jesus, forgive all my past atrocities and illegal acquisitions.

2. Lord, help me to do the right restitution regarding the godless acquisitions I have made in life, just like Zacchaeus promised to do.

3. Lord, help deliver our youths who treading the destructive paths of rituals, ill-gotten wealth, exam malpractices, etc. and bring them back to Your true way. 

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 

Ecclesiastes 9-12; 

Song 1-2 Song 3-8; 

Isaiah 1:1-9

AUTHOR

CAC Worldwide

Remain blessed