20/07/2024
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2024)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE
Saturday July 20, 2024
TOPIC:
BECOMING MORE LIKE CHRIST JESUS (1)
MEMORISE
Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
READ
John 8:28-32
[28]. Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.
[29]. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
[30]. As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
[31]. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
[32]. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
EXPOSITION
God's ultimate goal for our lives as Christians is to become more Iike Jesus. It is the highest calling of Christianity. When He was about to finish His earthly ministry. He instructed His disciples: _Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..._ (Matt. 28:19). The ultimate plan of God for His children is to conform to the image of His only begotten Son (Lk 6:40; Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor 3.18). God wants us to develop all of Christ's traits. Our call is to follow Jesus footsteps (lifestyle; way of doing things). Mention some personality traits of Jesus in the Bible. Which of them do you practice accordingly? We need an understanding of these traits of our Lord Jesus. The first to be discussed among His characteristics is obedience
Jesus Himself says, _For I have come down from heaven, not to do My will but the will of Him who sent me_ (Jn. 6: 38). No wonder He became obedient to the point of death, even a painful and shameful death (Php 2:7). As the obedient Son of God, He chose to do the will of His Father (Jn: 8:29. 5.30). When the going was tough for Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, He preferred God's will to its own personal will (Lk. 22:42). To become more like Jesus, you must learn the way of obedience. If it is difficult for you to obey the simple divine instructions/directives in the Bible, you are not a genuine disciple of Jesus (Jn. 8.311). Henceforth, seek to do His will always.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, give my inner man the capacity to become more like Jesus Christ in my thoughts, words and actions, in Jesus' name.
2. Father, make it easy for me to do Your will at all times.
3. Pray to God to allow the spirit of obedience permeate the hearts of all our children.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY
CAC GHB: 524
1. I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek,
For no one marked an angry word
That ever heard Him speak.
2. I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain-top,
He met His Father there.
3. I want to be like Jesus,
I never, never find
That He, though persecuted, was
To any one unkind.
4. I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good,
So that of me it may be said,
"She hath done what she could."
5. I want to be like Jesus,
Who sweetly said to all,
"Let little children come to Me."
I would obey the call.
6. But oh, I'm not like Jesus,
As any one may see;
Then, gentle Saviour, send Thy Grace,
And make me like to Thee.
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY
Proverbs 19, 20, 21