MEMORISE
For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8).
READ:
2 Peter 1:1-4
[1]. Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
[2]. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
[3]. as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
[4]. by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
EXPOSITION
How do busy people, with difficult lives, cultivate the character of godliness? By attending church? "Going to church will not make you a Christian any more than going to a garage would make you an automobile, Billy Sunday remarked. Your surroundings, even if they are spiritual, will not necessarily make you godly.
Christ speaks to all of us: *Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent* (Rev. 2:5). Do you still remember when talking about the Lord filled your heart with joy? Prayer was exciting and you felt empowered as you spent time with Him. Bible study was full of life. Sharing your faith with others was the highlight of your week, and your devotion to Christ was consistent, fulfilling, enriching and deep. What has happened to all of these in you? Don't you think you are one of the Ephesian Christians to whom Christ was speaking in Rev. 2:1ff?
Distancing oneself from God is more terrifying because one might not even notice it is occurring! Understand this: God will not quicken His pace to catch up with ours; we are the ones to catch up with Him. God will not talk to us during the commercial break of our favourite television show. We must be sensitive enough to hear Him when He speaks. God cannot be squeezed into the structure of our complex lives; we must place Him first, and keep Him first for our lives to receive His best.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY.
CAC GHB 237
1. Weary of wand'ring from my God
And now made willing to return,
I hear, and bow me to the rod
For Thee, not without hope, I mourn'
I have an Advocate above,
A Friend before the throne of love
2. O Jesus, full of truth and grace
More full of grace than I of sin
Yet once regain I seek Thy face
Open Thine arms, and take me in,
And freely my backslidings heal,
And love the faithless sinner still.
3. Thou know'st the way to bring me back
My fallen spirit to restore
O! for Thy truth and mercy's sake
Forgive, and bid me sin no more,
The ruins of my soul repair
And make my heart a house of pray'r
4. Ah' give me, Lord, the tender heart
That trembles at the approach of sin
A godly fear of sin impart,
Implant, and root it deep within
That I may dread Thy gracious power
And never dare offend Thee more.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. My Father, help me to prioritise You in all aspects of my life, in Jesus' name.
2. Lord, help me to be committed to Your standard of godliness, no matter the risks involved.
3. Lord, put Your fear in the heart of our home, religious, political, traditional, business, and otherwise leaders, so that they can be doing Your biddings, like Cyrus in Persia.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Mark 8:1-10:12
AUTHOR.
CAC Worldwide
Remain blessed
 DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023 TOPIC: GODLINESS: GIVING GOD HIS PLACE IN YOUR LIFE){kind=link}