Men's Christian Fellowship St James Anglican Church Awkuzu

Men's Christian Fellowship St James Anglican Church Awkuzu Men's Christian Fellowship is a religious organization of Men in the body of Christ ...FELLOWSHIP wi

12/01/2022

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2022
*TOPIC: THE LIMITATION OF MAN'S WISDOM*
READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-31

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,
29 so that no one may boast before him.
30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.

*THE MESSAGE:*

Over the centuries, human beings have been in the quest to find out the origin of life, which resulted in the "Theory of evolution." They tried to explain how man evolved from inanimate to the animate and from the lowest of tiny living beings to human beings.

Indeed, that exposed the foolishness of man as he tried to exclude God from creation. Who has witnessed such evolution till date? And because human wisdom cannot explain the existence of God, faith comes in (Hebrews 11:6). It is by that faith that we equally know that the worlds were created by the word of God (Hebrews 11:3).

As men struggle vainly to build self-righteousness through human effort, we learn here that it is only through acts of believing (exercising faith in Jesus and His finished work) that we attain the righteousness of God and acquire life, just like those who believed in the brazen serpent made by Moses survived (John 3:14&15). Here lies a great miracle; that man is saved by merely believing the message of salvation which he fails to attain through personal labour and human wisdom. The wisdom that comes from God leads us to believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead while confessing with our mouth that "Jesus is Lord" (Romans 10:9).

*PRAYER:* Lord, grant us the wisdom that will help us to truly confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that You raised Him from the dead.

08/01/2022

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: SATURDAY, JANUARY 08, 2022
*TOPIC: GOD WANTS US TO LIVE A LIFE FULL OF LOVE*
READ: 1 JOHN 4:7-21

7. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
8. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
9. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
10. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
14. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
15. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
16. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
17. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.
18. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19. We love because he first loved us.
20. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
21. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

*THE MESSAGE:*

Do you know that God loves you? If you do, do you really believe it? The beloved disciple, John, who wrote this knew the love of God and believed it. This gave Him tremendous strength through all the trials he experienced. The knowledge of God's love ought to give us strength and grace to survive the world with its troubles. God is at work through the believer's experiences. You cannot be defeated because of God's love. God is love. Everything about God is filled with love. Heaven is full of love and so is the earth, as far as the children of men will live in obedience to Christ's teaching. God wants us to live a life of love too. Love is the greatest of all (1 Corinthians 13).

The whole commandments are summarised in one word: 'LOVE.' Love God and love your neighbour (Mark 12:28-31). If there is love, there will be no corrupt people, murderers, su***de bombers, adulterers, thieves and robbers, kidnappers, etc. Do you live a life of love? If you are a believer, this is the parameter with which to gauge your spirituality. If you are yet to appropriate the love of God in your life, open your heart by faith and ask Jesus Christ to come into your life.

*PRAYER:* Thank You Lord for Your love for me despite everything I am passing through now. Help me Holy Spirit to live a life of love, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

06/01/2022

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 06, 2022
(Epiphany Day)
*TOPIC: THE SAVIOUR APPEARED FOR THE SALVATION OF ALL NATIONS*
READ: JOHN 1:29-34

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’
31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[

* THE MESSAGE:*

John the Baptist presented Jesus as the Promised Messiah. John understood the messianic role that Jesus would play for the redemption of humankind. He therefore announced that Jesus was the Lamb of God, the Saviour of the world. Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is the offering for sacrifice provided by God for redemption. In the Old Testament, the Jews were taught to offer sacrifices for almost every aspect of life for the atonement of their sins. Sacrificial animals included pigeons, lamb, etc. When animals are sacrificed, the blood was thought to have a special effect in appeasing God as a sweet-smelling savour (Leviticus 2: 9). Furthermore, when a lamb is used, it is usually without blemish - an offering for sacrifice provided by God for man's salvation.

Today, we don't offer sacrifices again, because we believe that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice in dying for us; and His blood was shed as an atonement for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). We must appropriate this sacrificial work through faith by believing in the Saviour of the world.

*PRAYER:* Dear Lord, I acknowledge You as the hope of the Gentiles and the Saviour of the world. Please take away my sins and make me a new creature in Jesus' Name. Amen.

05/01/2022

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 05, 2022
*TOPIC: THE ZEAL FOR MY FATHER'S HOUSE*
READ: JOHN 2:13 - 25, NKJV

13. Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
15. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.
16. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”
17. Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”
18. So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”
19. Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20. Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
21. But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
22. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
23. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.
24. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,
25. and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

*THE MESSAGE:*

The Jews who came to make sacrifices in the temple had come from distant lands (Acts 2:5 - 11). The currencies of their different countries needed to be changed to Jewish money; and also, they needed to buy sheep, cattle, and doves (verse 14) for their sacrifices. The traders whom Jesus Christ drove out were rendering services with their foreign exchange businesses and the sale of animals for sacrifices. Jesus Christ drove them out for turning the court of the gentiles, the only space allocated to Gentile's worshippers (John 12: 20) into their marketplace. And to make matters worse, they did not do clean business (Matthew 21:13): They shortchanged the unsuspecting foreigners. It tells how some of our actions may have good beginnings and intentions, but economic considerations may become our priority later.

Consider fund-raising in our Churches today and the way we manipulate members to give more and more. How can we ensure we do not turn God's house into a marketplace or a den of robbers? How do we react to practices we consider unbiblical in the Church: Quit and start a new congregation? Or, worse still, abandon Church altogether? Notice Jesus' reaction (verse 15) and his reason (verse 17). Zeal for our Father's house from within should drive us to righteous action. We need discernment and wisdom as well as knowledge of the authority we have. Doing the right thing in the wrong place or in the wrong manner can make Jesus angry with us. Can you think of other examples? Check your own life!

*PRAYER:* Deliver me, Lord, from serving mammon or allowing it to take over decency and decorum from my life. Amen.

03/01/2022

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: MONDAY, JANUARY 03, 2022
*TOPIC: SHARE YOUR TESTIMONIES*
READ: JOHN 1: 43-51

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

*THE MESSAGE:*

The testimony of Philip concerning Jesus was what was inquired to introduce Nathaniel to the Author of life. How often have we shared our testimonies of Christ among family and friends? Notice show of doubt in Nathaniel (verse 46): "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" The world has found it difficult to believe that the Author of life could have such a poor beginning and die such a shameful death. Notice that Philip did not argue with Nathaniel when he doubted but only said in himself, "Come and See!"

At times, we engage in arguments and reasoning in trying to convince sinners, but it is unnecessary, because the message of the Cross does not make sense to the natural mind; however, it is still the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1: 16). Our commitment to witnessing is all that God needs to draw the unsaved to Himself. Always share your testimonies.

*PRAYER:* Dear Lord, help to share Your goodness to me and with everyone. Amen.

02/01/2022

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 02, 2022
(Second Sunday After Christmas) *TOPIC: TELL YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS ABOUT THE SAVIOUR*
READ JOHN 1:35-42 (NIV)

35. The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
36. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37. When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
38. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” _(which means “Teacher”),_ “where are you staying?”
39. “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
40. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.
41. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah”, (that is, the Christ).
42. And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

*THE MESSAGE:*

John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God, to his followers. Andrew presented Him to his brother Peter as the Messiah. There is a need for every believer to share the Gospel of Christ with his or her families and friends. Once men are introduced to Jesus, the ground is watered for their conviction by the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist presented Him as the Lamb of God, meaning the one God Himself will use as sacrifice; no wonder his two disciples wanted to hear from the horse's month. Andrew called Him the Messiah.

It is your turn to present Him to your neighbours, families and friends. When you tell people about Christ, the Holy Spirit will take it as a platform to do great work in the hearts of your hearers.

*PRAYER:* Lord, please, reveal Yourself more and more to me. Amen.

02/01/2022

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE* *CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: SATURDAY, JANUARY 01, 2022
(Naming and Circumcision of Christ)
*THEME: HIS NAME IS JESUS*
READ: LUKE 2: 15-21 (NIV)

15. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

*THE MESSAGE:*

Happy New Year! God has graciously and purposefully brought us thus far - He is good and faithful indeed. We thank Him also for Jesus' birth, which is arrival of peace on earth. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem while His parents were trying to fulfil their civic duty to the government of the day symbolises something special. It is special in the sense that Jesus came as the face of salvation in human form. In order to carry along the humans for whom He came, the Angel of the Lord came upon some shepherds who were keeping watch over their flock by night and announced to them that God had conquered fear.

With the strong belief and acceptance of this good news, these shepherds who were supposed to be looking after their flocks, left everything they ought to be doing to step out of their comfort zone, simply as an act of conquering fear bearing in mind that the information from the angel was far too more important than every other thing. Their statement of faith in the good news is found in their confirmation of the angel's shared information. Note that these shepherds became the first evangelists who went about sharing what they heard and saw about the newly born Jesus. Jesus' mother, Mary, on the other hand, like most mothers, kept faith with what transpired between her and the angel of the Lord concerning Jesus' name, which came before His birth.

*PRAYER:* Dear Lord, we believe You can take care of our cares. Help us to build stronger faith in You this year in Jesus' Name. Amen.

31/12/2021

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021
*TOPIC: GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST*
READ: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-28 (NKJV)

16. Rejoice always,
17. pray without ceasing,
18. in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19. Do not quench the Spirit.
20. Do not despise prophecies.
21. Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22. Abstain from every form of evil.
23. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24. He who calls you [is] faithful, who also will do [it.]
25. Brethren, pray for us.
26. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
28. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.

*THE MESSAGE:*

Generally, we often picture God's will as something complicated, impressive or some painful sacrifices. However, verses 16-18 give us three simple things that are part of God's will for us. The first is that we rejoice always. This doesn't mean denying your feelings of sadness and putting on a fake happy face. We rejoice because we know that God is completely in control. The second is to pray without ceasing. We are not to pray non-stop, but frequently and persistently. Through prayers, we lay hold on the riches that we have in Christ, which are the source of true joy. The third is to give thanks in everything

God's will is not simply moral obligations for our spiritual wellbeing but the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that awakens and sustains rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving in a believer's life. As this year ends and we look forward to a New Year, there is no guarantee that every day of the New Year will be great and smooth without moments of difficulties. In all these, God's will for you in Christ is that you rejoice always, pray always and give thanks in all circumstances. God will work good out of evil!

*PRAYER:* Father, thank You for Your faithfulness this year. Help me by Your Spirit to do Your will today and in the New Year. Amen.

30/12/2021

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2021
*TOPIC: WHILE WE WAIT*
READ: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:12-15 (NKJV)

12. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13. and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

*THE MESSAGE:*

Christians are members of the Body of Christ and so members of one family. As the bride of Christ, we are looking forward to the day our Lord Jesus - the Bridegroom - shall come to take us home. In the meantime, we have an obligation towards one another. Paul in this passage mentions such to include: - recognising and acknowledging those who serve us in different capacities - teachers, evangelists, etc.

Those who have been placed over us, who admonish us such as elders, bishops and pastors, are to be esteemed and regarded highly. We are to respect and love one another, living at peace with all people while we wait for the coming of the Lord. Those in need are to be taken care of. Some may not know they have need of help or be aware of their need, yet our duty remains. We are to warn the unruly, comfort and encourage the fainthearted, uphold the weak and be patient while doing good to all people. As we wait for the coming for the Lord, we are not to wait alone. As you go out today be careful to recognise and respect others for their God-given responsibilities while fulfilling your own obligation towards them.

*PRAYER:* Lord, help me to be more prepared as I await Your return. Amen.

29/12/2021

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021
*TOPIC: READINESS FOR THE LORD'S RETURN*
READ: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-11 (NKJV)

1. But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
4. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
5. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6. Therefore let us not sleep, as others [do,] but let us watch and be sober.
7. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
8. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation.
9. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10. who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

*THE MESSAGE:*

In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul discussed the comfort that there is in the coming of Jesus Christ. In this last chapter, he tells us how to prepare for His coming in view of the fact that the Lord's coming will be a surprise for many, as a thief in the night. For some, that day will be a day of destruction but for others, it will be a day of rejoicing. It will depend on the preparation people make for His coming.

Knowing that the return of the Lord is not only at hand but unknown, we are called upon to prepare for that day. The first thing to do is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as our Lord and Saviour. This is important because God has appointed us to salvation only through Jesus Christ. We are to walk in the light being sons of the light and of the day, casting off all works of darkness. We are to be watchful and sober, being prayerful and living a penitent life. We are to put on the whole armour of God, living by the word of God and actively participating in the Lord's Church.

Are you prepared? Will He find you ready when He comes? Will you be ready should you die before He comes?

*PRAYER:* Lord, help me by Your grace to be prepared for Your Second Coming. Amen.

23/12/2021

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021
*TOPIC: REPENT AND TURN TO GOD*
READ : MATTHEW 3:1 -17 (NKJV)

1. In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2. and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
3. For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' "
4. And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him
6. and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8. "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
9. "and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as [our] father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
10. "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11. "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
12. "His winnowing fan [is] in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
13. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14. And John [tried to] prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"
15. But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit [it to be so] now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him.
16. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17. And suddenly a voice [came] from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

*THE MESSAGE:*

John the Baptist's mission in life seems to be to introduce Jesus as God's promised Messiah. In this passage, he called people to repentance because of their sins and wickedness. His message was an announcement that the kingdom of heaven was near. The King was soon to appear and John did not even consider himself worthy to carry His sandals. The people listening to John didn't need to be told what to repent of. They already knew and so many came forward to confess, repent and be baptised. John also used the opportunity to warn those who trusted in their biological link to Abraham.

This message is still relevant today. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming again and this time it will be to judge men. He has commanded us to preach to people and to warn them that He is coming to judge the living and the dead. People need to repent and forsake their evil ways. What area of your life is not under the full lordship and authority of God? Is there any habit you have that is not pleasing to Him? If so, you need to repent and turn away from such today! Surrender yourself fully to God. Take advantage of His grace, which is available today. It is your only hope.

*PRAYER:* Lord, I confess and repent of all my sins. Cleanse me and draw me to Yourself. Amen.

22/12/2021

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE*
*CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)*
DATE: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021
*TOPIC: GOD WILL GUIDE AND GUARD YOU*
READ: MATTHEW 2:19-23 (NKJV)

19. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20. saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead."
21. Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee.
23. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

*THE MESSAGE:*

In this passage, God directs Joseph three times by dreams as to when to escape into Egypt with the little child; when to return to Canaan (after Herod and others that sought Jesus' life had died), and in what city to dwell. By this we see Joseph charged with the committed care of the infant Saviour and of His mother.

God often inflicts judgments on those who persecute His people. But He guides and protects His people. Several persecutors have died in the manner that Herod did, and others have been cut off suddenly in God's wrath. The kindness shown to Joseph and the Christ child gives us reasons to expect and trust God to guide His people when they are perplexed and guard them when in danger. True believers are dear to God as the apple of His eye - and those who dare to hurt or mock them are detested. Does the environment you live in seem hostile and life threatening? Trust in God and do His will. Trust no chariots or horses. Remember it is God's part to direct, and ours to obey. Learn to dwell in the secret place of the Most High and the Lord will guide and guard you. Don't be too anxious or distracted by the Herods of our time.

*PRAYER:* Father, guide and guard me through life's challenges and deliver me from evil.

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