Mid-West Archdeaconry Mission to Minnesota

06/06/2026

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2026 & BELOW THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2026.
TOPIC: WE NEED ONE ANOTHER
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/H87a34UIJQA?si=6P7FSAxNBqfh9q-w
READ: GALATIANS 1:18-24
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas[a] and stayed with him fifteen days.
19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.
20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia.
22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
24 And they praised God because of me.
THE MESSAGE:
Paul was a great apostle of all times. He was also a great instrument in the Kingdom of Christ. Our text today clearly rehearses his salvation story. Paul told the Galatians how he went to Jerusalem after his conversion and stayed with Peter for fifteen days and this stay, was for fellowship and encouragement. Peter, though one of the foremost disciples of Jesus Christ, was not as learned as Paul; he was a fisherman (Luke 5:1-3; Acts 4:13). Yet, Paul found it important to stay with him for fifteen days.
Beloved, it is a dangerous thing to attempt to make oneself an island in the practice of the Christian faith. No Christian is independent; we are all inter-dependent (Romans 12: 4 & 5). The educated need the uneducated, just as the rich need the less privileged members of the Church. We all need one another in order to grow in the practice of our faith. God has ordained that none of us functions independently; He delights in our genuine fellowship with one another. Therefore, remember that you need to connect to other believers in Christ so as to grow and maintain a healthy Christian life. Never look down on your fellow believers; do not claim superiority over anyone around you. Even if it is obvious that you are better than someone else, it is by God's grace (1 Corinthians 4:7). We will always need one another; do not look down on anyone.
PRAYER:Father, give me a genuine heart of fellowship without discrimination. Amen.

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: THURSDAY, JUNE 04, 2026
TOPIC: GOD OVERLOOKS OUR TIME OF IGNORANCE
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/zsl1tJWiBVU?si=SaLlp2BwT0nRskWW
READ: GALATIANS 1:11-17
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin.
12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.
14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased
16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.
17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
THE MESSAGE:
There is no doubt that the Apostle Paul was a great man through whom the Lord sharpened the theology and spirituality of the Church. Interestingly, there was a time in Paul's life when he was an enemy of the cross. He was an unrepentant promoter of Judaism and a zealous persecutor of the Church of Christ.
But when God showed him mercy and turned his life around, he became a vessel of glory and honour in the hands of God and the Church till today still celebrates his great work in the Kingdom of Christ (verses 13-17).
Beloved, there is no doubt that God is interested in turning every life around and making something great out of what the devil has corrupted through sin. God is focusing on your life; He wants to change you inside and outside. He wants you to surrender to Him and allow Him make you into the vessel that will bring His glory in your own world. As He used Paul to accomplish great things, so He desires to engage your life as an instrument of change and positive influence in your family, among your friends and in the society. He is calling you to cooperate with Him so He can bring the best out of you. There are greater things God wishes to use you achieve in this world. Allow Him to work His full purpose in you.
PRAYER:Father, give me the grace to make myself ready for your use in my world. Amen.

05/14/2026

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026 & BELOW TUESDAY 12, MAY 2026, MONDAY 11, MAY 2026.
TOPIC: CRAVE FOR INHERITANCE OF FAITH, NOT OF EVIL
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/PD7y5riqNDM?si=yjhSniuUASgTYnBb
READ: GENESIS 4:14-26
14 Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”
15 And the Lord said to him, [a]“Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.
16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of [b] Nod on the east of Eden.
17 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch.
18 To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.
19 Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.
20 And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
21 His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and [c] flute.
22 And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.
23 Then Lamech said to his wives:
“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!
For I have [d]killed a man for wounding me,
Even a young man [e]for hurting me.
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him [f] Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”
26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him [g]Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.
THE MESSAGE:
A young man in one of the churches I pastored lamented about the polygamous nature of his father's family which caused a lot of setbacks, conflicts and disunity. He vowed never to become a polygamist. Few years later however, he had a quarrel with his wife and tried to frustrate all efforts towards reconciliation. He consequently set his eyes on strange women who readily made themselves available. Then, I had to remind him that he was already drifting into the dreadful path he vowed never to tread. In verse 23 of today's reading, Lamech became a murderer, like his ancestor, Cain. Negative habits and curses can be inherited from blood lines. We must be watchful. Have you noticed some bad habits of your father, mother or grand-parents manifesting in your life? Do you notice evil experiences in your life which in times past happened to your parents? You need fervent prayer and carefulness.
Good virtues of faith and glory can also be inherited from blood lines. For instance, Isaac and Jacob inherited the faith and blessings of their father, Abraham (Hebrews 11:9&10). Also, Timothy had an inheritance of faith from his mother, Eunice and grand-mother, Lois (II Timothy 1:5). As Christians, we must be prayerful and vigilant to avoid the paths of sin and evil while we strive for and embrace the good inheritance of faith and glory.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father; by the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit, guide me towards the path of righteousness and glory in Jesus' Name. Amen

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026
TOPIC: BLOOD OF REDEMPTION, NOT OF VENGEANCE
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/yyijl1NFWRA?si=udweM3ueJHmNAKS2
READ: GENESIS 4:1-5
4 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
THE MESSAGE:
Murder, kidnaping, robbery, sexual immorality and other acts of wickedness are not new in our world. They have been part of human existence since the fall in the Garden of Eden. Humanity's desire has always been to do evil and the entire human race has been living perpetually under the slavery of sin. This was the condition of Cain's heart, prompting him to become the first murderer in human history. Abel had offered an acceptable sacrifice to God while Cain's was rejected. Out of envy, Cain killed his brother. Our text says that Abel's blood cried to God whose nature of justice would not allow Him to let a sinner go unpunished. Cain's sin brought a curse on him, and the punishment for his sin was severe (Genesis 4:13).
From Cain's time till now, evil and immorality have continued to thrive. It became so unbearable that God, at a point, decided to wipe out the entire creation but spared Noah and his household who later populated the world (Genesis 6:7-8). Yet, human desires have always been towards sin. This is what led to the shedding of Jesus' blood. However, in contrast to the blood of Abel, the blood of Christ did not call for vengeance but for redemption and deliverance of mankind from the slavery of sin (Hebrews 9:12-15; 12:24). Therefore, anyone desiring freedom from sin and its consequences of death (Romans 6:23) and eternal damnation, may come to the fountain of the blood and be set free (John 8:36).
PRAYER:Dear Lord, by Your blood, set me free from the guilt and curse of my sin. Amen

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026
TOPIC: GIVING GOD OUR BEST, WITH FAITH
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/W3ipTIqFQzc?si=T00THWPt0GWKezGP
READ: GENESIS 4:1-5
Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore [a]Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.”
2 Then she bore again, this time his brother [b]Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And [c]in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord.
4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,
5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
THE MESSAGE:
Rogation Monday, like Rogation Sunday, is a time of seeking God's blessing on our land, work, and communities. It reminds us that all we have comes from God, and we must honour Him with our best. Genesis 4:1-5 tells the story of Cain and Abel, two brothers who brought offerings to God. Abel offered the best of his flock, while Cain brought a lesser sacrifice. God accepted Abel's offering but rejected Cain's because it was not given in faith and sincerity. This passage teaches us that God desires not just our work, but our wholehearted devotion.
Are you offering your best to God knowing fully it comes from God? Do you give to God in all sincerity of mind or out of obligation? As we pray for God's provision today, let us also reflect on the quality of our offerings, whether in our labour, worship, or service. Are we giving God our best, or merely what is convenient? True blessings come when we honour God with faith, gratitude, and excellence in all we do. Remember, God does not just bless the work of our hands but the heart behind it.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to honour You with my work and worship, and may my offerings be pleasing in Your sight in Jesus' Name. Amen.

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 13, 2026 - THE REV'D JERRY P. MARKUSAdvent Cable Network Nigeria is the Televangelism arm of the Church of Nigeria (Anglic...

05/08/2026

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICANCOMMUNION)
DATE: FRIDAY, MAY 08, 2026 & BELOW THURSDAY MAY 7, 2026 // WEDNESDAY, MAY 06, 2026.
TOPIC: THE CARING GOD
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/7iMNngWuzBo?si=GwQlw-ZDpGqx55dT
READ: EXODUS 16:31-36
31 And the house of Israel called its name [a]Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
32 Then Moses said, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: ‘Fill an omer with it, to be kept for your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’ ”
33 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a pot and put an omer of manna in it, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept for your generations.”
34 As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.
35 And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
36 Now an omer is one-tenth of an ephah.
THE MESSAGE:
The story in our text today proves God as Jehovah Jireh. This is in line with the professed faith of Abraham that “God will provide” (Genesis 28:22), as he was heading to Moriah to sacrifice Isaac, on God's order. Our Lord faithfully provided the people with manna for forty years in the wilderness until they entered the Promised Land. This food was tasty and nutritious and that is why the Israelites solely depended on it for 40 years (Joshua 5:12). The first lesson for us here is that Our God is a covenant-keeping God. Similarly, the Lord graciously provided manna and quail, despite the people's grumbling. This shows how merciful our God is and His readiness to meet our needs without minding our unworthiness. However, we should reciprocate His blessings and provision with obedience.
The Israelites were commanded to keep an omer of manna in the Ark of the Covenant as a lasting reminder of the Lord's gracious provision for their physical needs. In the same vein, Jesus refers to this provision of manna in Exodus 16 to describe Himself as the bread of life. He proved this by feeding the 5,000 people. So, we should put our trust in Him for He will take care of us. Let us, therefore, cast our burden and anxiety on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
PRAYER:Lord, give me the grace to put my trust in You and believe that You can meet me at the point of my need. Amen.

CHURCH OF NIGERIA
(ANGLICANCOMMUNION)
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2026-05-07
TOPIC: HONOURING GOD THROUGH REST
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/RjwFCwSnkpc?si=qH86w-VDQI9CcwPs
TEXT : Exodus 16:27-30
Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. 28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you[a] refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? 29 Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.
THE MESSAGE :- In Exodus 16:27-30, the Israelites' response to God's command about the Sabbath reveals their struggle with obedience. Despite clear instructions to rest and stay away from gathering manna on the 7th day, some still went out to collect it (Exod. 16:27). This act of disobedience showed a lack of trust in God's provision and a disregard for the sanctity of the Sabbath. God responded with a reminder of His purpose in instituting the Sabbath: It was a holy day set apart for rest and worship, demonstrating reliance on Him (Exod. 16:29-30). God reaffirms His desire for His people to honour Him by obeying His commands and embracing His provision for their lives.
Christians are encouraged to honour God through intentional rest and trust in His sufficiency. The Sabbath principle teaches us to pause from our labour and recognise that God is the source of all we need (Psa. 46:10). In a fast-paced world that often glorifies busyness, resting in God becomes an act of faith and worship, acknowledging His lordship over our lives. Obedience to God's commands, including giving priority to rest and worship, deepens our relationship with Him and positions us to experience His peace and blessings (Isa. 58:13-14).
PRAYER : Lord, help me to honour you through obedience and rest, trusting fully in your provision and care, in Jesus' Name. Amen!

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICANCOMMUNION)
DATE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 06, 2026
TOPIC: OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S PROVISION
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/ko_pP725EHc?si=SgcCob7jmn3kpg9F
READ: EXODUS 16:22-26
22 And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.
23 Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’ ”
24 So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it.
25 Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”
THE MESSAGE:
The narrative in Exodus 16:22-26 highlights God's provision and His call for obedience. After providing manna in the wilderness, God instructed the Israelites to gather double portions on the 6th day to prepare for the Sabbath, a day of rest dedicated to Him (Exodus 16:23). This command emphasised the sanctity of the Sabbath and the need for trust in God's daily provision. Despite clear instructions, some Israelites disobeyed by seeking manna on the Sabbath, revealing their lack of faith in God's sufficiency (Exodus 16:25-26). This passage emphasises God's desire for His people to honour His commandments and depend on Him fully.
We must learn the importance of trusting God's provision and living in obedience to His Word (Matthew 6:11). In a world driven by self-reliance, we are called to recognise that God is our ultimate provider, meeting our needs in His timing and ways (Philippians 4:19). Observing rest and worship, as demonstrated by the Sabbath, allows us to realign our hearts with God and express our trust in His care. By heeding His instructions, we experience His blessings and peace, even in the midst of life's uncertainties.
PRAYER: Lord, teach me to trust in Your provision and walk in obedience to Your word. Amen!

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 07, 2026 - MRS. AMAKA OGUEJIOFOAdvent Cable Network Nigeria is the Televangelism arm of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Co...

05/05/2026

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: TUESDAY, MAY 05, 2026
TOPIC: PEACE IN CHRIST
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/_GnVfpAY4hs?si=Bm_RgdPkOqKWchm
READ: JOHN 16:29-33
Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.
32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
THE MESSAGE:
In John 16:29-33, the disciples express newfound clarity about Jesus' teachings, declaring their belief in His divine mission (John 16:29-30). However, Jesus gently warns them that their faith will soon be tested. He foresees their scattering during His arrest and crucifixion, leaving Him alone, though He affirms that He is never truly alone because the Father is with Him (John 16:32). Despite the impending trials, Jesus concludes with a powerful promise: "In Me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). This assurance reflects Jesus' victory over sin and death, offering His followers peace amid life's storms.
This passage serves as a reminder for us to seek peace in Christ, and not in worldly circumstances. Challenges and tribulations must come (2 Timothy 3:12), but Jesus' triumph assures us that we are never alone. By anchoring our faith in Him, we find courage to endure difficulties, knowing that His victory secures our ultimate hope (Romans 8:37). His peace sustains us, enabling us to face life with confidence and joy, regardless of trials (Philippians 4:7).
PRAYER:Lord, help me to find peace in You, despite life's tribulations, and to trust in Your overcoming power; in Jesus' Name. Amen!

1 like. "DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 05, 2026 - THE REV'D. FRIDAY ERERENE"

05/05/2026

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: MONDAY, MAY 04, 2026 & BELOW SUNDAY, MAY 03, 2026
TOPIC: CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE
LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/OGYjwiErGGQ?si=qUtOQMpAQqFhS5PN
READ: JOHN 16:23-28
23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
THE MESSAGE:
Today's passage highlights Jesus' assurance to His disciples about the power of prayer in His name. He explains that, through His work on the Cross, they would have direct access to the Father (John 16:23). Jesus emphasises that asking in His name aligns prayers with His will and purpose, guaranteeing divine responses (John 16:24). His teaching reveals the intimate relationship believers can enjoy with the Father, rooted in His love for them because of their faith in Christ (John 16:27). These words point to the transformational power of Christ's mission, which bridges the gap between humanity and God, granting believers the privilege of communion with the Father.
For Christian believers, this passage teaches us to approach prayer with boldness and faith, trusting in the Father's love (Hebrews 4:16). Praying in Jesus' name is not a formula but a call to align our requests with His will and purpose (1 John 5:14-15). It assures us that God listens attentively to those who seek Him through Christ. This confidence inspires a deeper relationship with God, knowing that He delights in answering our prayers and fulfilling our joy (Psalm 37:4). Through prayer, we experience His peace and provision for every circumstance.
PRAYER: Lord, teach me to pray confidently in Your name, trusting in Your faithfulness, in Jesus' Name. Amen!

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: SUNDAY, MAY 03, 2026. (Easter 4)
TOPIC: JOY AMID SORROW
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/6rJ-_8NkV2I?si=Pzddim8c-YZLPiTh
READ: JOHN 16:5-22

5 but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
9 about sin, because people do not believe in me;
10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;
11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy
16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”
18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’?
20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.
22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
THE MESSAGE:
Jesus prepares His disciples for His imminent departure, assuring them that His going away, was for their benefit. He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who would guide them into all truth (John 16:7, 13). While Jesus acknowledges their sorrow at His departure (John 16:6), He offers hope by likening their grief to the labour pains of a woman giving birth, which turns into joy once the child is born (John 16:21).
This analogy emphasizes that their temporary sorrow would result in eternal joy when they see Him again in His resurrected glory (John 16:22). Jesus' words reflect His deep love for His disciples and His desire to prepare them for the transformative power of His resurrection and the Spirit's indwelling.
Christians are reminded that life's challenges often give way to outstanding spiritual joy when we trust in God's purposes. Like the disciples, we may endure seasons of grief and uncertainty, but Jesus assures us of His abiding presence through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27). This hope empowers us to persevere, knowing that our trials produce lasting joy in Christ (James 1:2-3). As we await His return, we are encouraged to live with the assurance of His victory over sorrow and death (1 Corinthians 15:57).
PRAYER:Lord, help me to endure sorrow with hope, knowing that Your joy will fill my heart. Amen!

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 02, 2026 & BELOW FRIDAY, MAY 01, 2026.
TOPIC: STRENGTHENED TO STAND
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/8PnEVTd7Tls?si=Su6oQoKvJTVw0m-g
READ: JOHN 16:1-4
These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.
2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
3 And these things they will do [a]to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
4 But these things I have told you, that when [b]the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
“And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
THE MESSAGE:
The message in John 16:1-4 reveals Jesus' deep concern for His disciples as He prepared them for the challenges they would face. He warned them about persecution and rejection, ensuring they were not caught off guard when the trials would come (John 16:2-3). Jesus' words reflect His role as the Good Shepherd, who prepares and protects His flock (John 10:11). His reminder that suffering for righteousness' sake is a mark of true discipleship aligns with His earlier teaching in Matthew 5:10-12, where He pronounced blessings on those who are persecuted for His sake. The disciples, strengthened by His advice, demonstrated steadfastness and unshaking faith, as seen in Acts 5:1, where they rejoiced in being counted worthy to suffer for His name.
In today's world, Christians face various forms of opposition to their faith. This text assures us that Jesus equips His followers with the grace to endure (2 Corinthians 12:9). Believers are called to remain steadfast, trusting that trials produce perseverance and maturity (James 1:2-4). By abiding in Christ (John 15:4-5) and relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance (John 14:26), we find strength to overcome and testify of His love. Like the apostles, we are encouraged to stand firm, knowing that our perseverance glorifies God and fulfils His purpose in us (1 Peter 4:12-14).
PRAYER: Lord, grant me the courage to stand firm in my faith, even in times of trial, in Jesus' Name. Amen!

CHURCH OF NIGERIA
(ANGLICANCOMMUNION)
DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: 2026-05-01
TOPIC: JESUS: THE WAY TO THE FATHER
WATCH THE DEVOTION VIA THE LINK BELOW
https://youtu.be/hJi0pSp-uME?si=YAY06XogTJHrlvVc
TEXT: John 14:1-14
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
The Father Revealed
7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
The Answered Prayer
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you [c]ask anything in My name, I will do it.
MESSAGE:- In today's passage, Jesus comforts His disciples, revealing Himself as the way, the truth, and the life. This message is particularly significant as we celebrate St. Philip and St. James, two apostles who demonstrated unshaking faith in their discipleship. Philip's question, "Show us the Father" (v.8), echoes humanity's deep longing to know God. Jesus responds by affirming His unity with the Father, reminding His followers that to see Him is to see the Father. St. James, often associated with steadfast faith, exemplifies a life fully devoted to Christ's mission.
Together, their lives encourage us to remain faithful and trust Jesus as the only path to eternal communion with God.
For Christians today, this passage is a reminder to find assurance and guidance in Jesus, amidst life's uncertainties. Faith in Him anchors us, providing peace and confidence in God's promises. As Jesus empowers His followers to do greater works, we are called to live as witnesses of His truth and love. Like Philip and James, we are invited to deepen our relationship with Christ, trusting Him to lead us in the way of righteousness and to strengthen us for the journey ahead.
PRAYER : Lord help me trust fully in Jesus as the way the truth, and the life. Amen!

2 likes. "DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 04, 2026 - THE REVD. CANON CHRISTOPHER OFUNABA"