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St. Mark's Anglican Church Elelenwo District, Port Harcourt (2026)

01/11/2022

MEDITATION & DESTINY CHANGING PRAYERS FOR THIS NEW WEEK/MONTH

HAPPY NEW MONTH!
Our Theme for this Month is: “THE GOD OF THE 11TH HOUR!” - Psalm 126:1

BIBLE TEXTS:
Psalms 126:1
When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Psalms 50:4
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.

Job 36:11
If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

Isaiah 1:19
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Deuteronomy 28:1
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

PROPHETIC PRAYER BULLETS

Let us pray together (Please personalize the prayers)...

- O God my Father, I thank You for bringing me and my entire family and relatives into this 11th month of the year 2022. Receive all the Glory!

- Oh Lord, please forgive me all the mistakes I have made in the past 10 months.

- Oh God my Father, as I step into this new month, help me to determine to be WILLING and OBEDIENT to your commands so that this month of November may be WELL with me and my family.

- Oh God my righteous King, set me high above my circumstances and challenges.

- My Heavenly Father, I pray You in this month, give me the eyes that sees opportunities and the courage to utilize them.

- Oh God my Father, keep me away from alarming dangers and position me in safe areas always.

- Oh God, please make this month to be calamity free for me and for my loved ones.

- I cover myself and my family with the precious blood of JESUS.

- SAFETY, GOOD HEALTH, LONG LIFE AND DIVINE LIFTING COMES FROM THE LORD, therefore as a Church, we declare: this month will bring us a lot of good and pleasant SURPRISES both from EXPECTED AND UNEXPECTED QUARTERS in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

SHALOM

31/10/2022

MONDAY/BEGINNING OF THE WEEK PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

Philippians 2:10 - 11
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This week,

Anywhere your name will be mentioned for evil, the name of Jesus will answer on your behalf.

Every mouth speaking evil of you is today terminated.

Every satanic arrangement or agenda to terminate your life or anyone that has your goodwill at heart is hereby destroyed.

Whatever bears a name that has been programmed against you is hereby scattered and destroyed by fire.

May Heaven release every of your pending miracle and testimony.

THESE PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS ARE IN THE NAME OF GOD THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN

SHALOM

26/10/2022

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL

Date: 2022-Oct-26

TOPIC: GOD CONTROLS TIMES AND SEASONS

TEXT: Ecclesiastes 3:1-23 (NKJV)
1. To everything [there is] a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
2. A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck [what is] planted;
3. A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;
4. A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
5. A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
6. A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
7. A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
8. A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
9. What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?
10. I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied.
11. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
12. I know that nothing [is] better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,
13. and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor -- it [is] the gift of God.
14. I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does [it,] that men should fear before Him.
15. That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past.
16. Moreover I saw under the sun: [In] the place of judgment, Wickedness [was] there; And [in] the place of righteousness, Iniquity [was] there.
17. I said in my heart, "God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, For [there is] a time there for every purpose and for every work."
18. I said in my heart, "Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are [like] animals."
19. For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all [is] vanity.
20. All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.
21. Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth?
22. So I perceived that nothing [is] better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that [is] his heritage. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

STUDY: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” opens this passage. Time, here connotes seasons, dispensations, regimes or tenures. King Solomon opines that we live in a world of changes, attended by several events vastly different from one another with man continually passing between them on a daily basis (vv. 2-9). It also holds that every change concerning us, with the time and season of it, is unalterably fixed and determined by the Controller (God), and we must take things as they come, for it is not in our power to change what is appointed for us (v.11). No human has the ability to stop or elongate time or even determine seasons, except God Almighty. The living only puts up a schedule, taps into the season's window and is at the mercies of the Time-Controller on a daily basis (James 4:13-15). The passage also holds that the two mutually contrary events of life are in revolution and are inevitable (birth time and death time; weeping time and joyous time, etc.); each takes their turn to come into play. Thus, no situation or condition lasts forever. Therefore, as we cross through various seasons of pleasures and pains, both as individuals and families, let us anchor our faith on God, who makes all things beautiful in its time. The seasons of distress shall surely come and pass; joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). On the other hand, we must understand that our time is ticking, thus, we should not be opportunity-wasters. Rather than using our time to create troubles, let us seek God instead; make peace with our neighbours and prepare our earthly exit, for we do not know when our time will be up!

PRAYER: This short lifetime set by the Controller, is the only time to prepare for eternal life hereafter.

03/10/2022

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL

Date: 2022-Oct-03

Bishop Crowther’s Day

TOPIC: FAITH OF OUR FATHERS: LIVING STILL

TEXT: Acts 20:28-38 (NKJV)
28. "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
29. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30. "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
31. "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32. "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33. "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
34. "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
35. "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
36. And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,
38. sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

STUDY: Today’s passage is the continuation of Paul’s admonition to the Ephesian elders. Paul, in his exhortations to the elders in the Church, opened their eyes to the spiritual alertness to what would befall the Church after his departure. To mention but few are: (i) The elders should thoroughly watch over their members against savage wolves, even among the so-called preachers of the Gospel, who have the intention of snatching away their members to establish their own churches (vv. 28-30). (ii) The elders should learn contentment in ministry so that they would not over-burden the church with their needs (vs. 31-34). (iii) They should also support the weak and the less-privileged in the Church through alms-giving (v.35). After Paul’s exhortations, he prayed with them as they all burst into tears while accompanying him to the ship (vv. 36-38).Today, we commemorate the good works of the first African Bishop in Nigeria, Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (Apostle Paul of his time). He was once a slave and later became a rugged preacher of the gospel at home and abroad. His contributions to the Gospel of Christ cannot be underrated till date. He translated the Holy Bible and Hymns to some of Nigerian languages. What a living faith! Christians and Church fathers are enjoined to emulate the admonition of Paul to the Ephesian elders. By so doing, we are setting aglow the faith of our fathers.

PRAYER: Almighty God, give us grace to keep the faith which our Church heroes taught us and follow in their footstep, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

28/09/2022

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL

Date: 2022-Sep-28

TOPIC: ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

TEXT: Mark 9:14-29 (NKJV)
14. And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them.
15. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to [Him,] greeted Him.
16. And He asked the scribes, "What are you discussing with them?"
17. Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit.
18. "And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not."
19. He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me."
20. Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
21. So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood.
22. "And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
23. Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things [are] possible to him who believes."
24. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"
25. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!"
26. Then [the spirit] cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead."
27. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
28. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"
29. So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."

STUDY: As spiritual issues, demonic operations defy common medical solutions as we see in our text. The young boy in our text was badly oppressed and manipulated by evil spirits. It was a power beyond him, his parents and even the disciples. This young man was tormented with deafness, dumbness, suicidal tendencies, and more. Everyone was helpless. When Jesus appeared, the boy’s father said to him, “…But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us” (Mark 9:22). Jesus made it clear to him that all things are possible to him who believes. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit and it left the boy and he was healed. What are your problems: Bad dreams, barrenness, debts, strange sicknesses, delay in marriage, spiritual attacks, poverty, unemployment, etc? Come to Jesus today and He will liberate you! All you need to do is believe; all things are possible to him that believes.

PRAYER: Help our unbelief oh God and deliver us from doubts. Teach us to believe You in all things in Jesus name. Amen.

27/09/2022

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL

Date: 2022-Sep-27

TOPIC: JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD

TEXT: Mark 9:1-13 (NKJV)
1. And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power."
2. Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.
3. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
4. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
5. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" --
6. because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
7. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!"
8. Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
9. Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
10. So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.
11. And they asked Him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
12. Then He answered and told them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?
13. "But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him."

STUDY: In our text today, Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain and was transfigured. The unusual happened; it was a meeting of the living, the dead and the Holy Trinity. The church militant under Jesus was represented by Peter, James and John; from the church triumphant came Moses, the law giver and Elijah, the prophet. Then Jesus was there with the Holy Spirit as God spoke “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him” (Mark 9:7).By this special announcement, God made it clear to all creatures that Jesus Christ is His beloved Son and should be listened to. Therefore, beware of many ‘Jesuses’ today - prophets of doom! Beware of strange gospels and religious founders who appear as angels of light but are wolves and deceivers. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the only son of God. He is the way, the truth and the life. We must listen to and act upon His words. We must resist every doctrine of demons today.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, please help me to listen to Jesus always and obey Him. Amen

22/09/2022

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL

Date: 2022-Sep-22

TOPIC: NEVER JOIN THE MULTITUDE IN COMMITTING EVIL

TEXT: Exodus 23:1-9 (NKJV)
1. "You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
2. "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert [justice.]
3. "You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.
4. " If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.
5. "If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.
6. " You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute.
7. "Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked.
8. "And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.
9. "Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

STUDY: The deeds of a mixed multitude end in death and hell. Christians must not approve whatever the multitude approves but must depart from every iniquity. God’s word in the Bible is His standard for holiness and righteousness. If we must move with God, we must agree with His words and replicate the same in action. In our society today, in family disputes, community disputes, marriage crises, political wars, leadership tussles, etc., we must agree with prophet Isaiah that. “No one enters suit justly, no one goes to law honestly, they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies…” (Isa. 59:4). Therefore, justice is turned back. This is the situation of our nation. What do we do? Our text today has the answer - the antidote! Never utter false reports, resist being a malicious witness, bluntly refuse following a multitude to do evil or pervert justice of the poor, reject partially, keep far from a false charge and be merciful to help lift people’s burdens. Say no to bribery for a bribe blinds the officials and subverts the cause of those who are in the right. This is the truth and God’s standard!

PRAYER: God help us not to walk in the way that seems good unto men but ends in disaster in Jesus name. Amen.

21/09/2022

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL

Date: 2022-Sep-21

St. Matthew the Apostle

TOPIC: SONS AND HEIRS OF GOD

TEXT: Galatians 4:1-6 (NKJV)
1. Now I say [that] the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,
2. but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.
3. Even so we, when we were children, were in bo***ge under the elements of the world.
4. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5. to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

STUDY: In today’s lesson, Paul made it explicit that when the Galatians and indeed all men were helpless children, they were under the servitude of the law. When they believed in Jesus Christ, they became sons and heirs of God. Jesus, the bo***ge breaker redeemed us from the shackles of the law and its slavery. Christ has come and He has set us free; we must not submit again to a yoke of slavery (Gal. 5:1) When a lost, helpless, poverty-stricken, debt-laden sinner repents and believes in Jesus Christ, such a one is washed in the Blood of Jesus, forgiven and adopted into God’s family. What an amazing grace? “And if children then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ…” (Rom. 8:17). Knowing this, we must think more of the things in heaven, meditate more on the realities of things in the city of God, the new Jerusalem, delivered from the lust of mundane things and separated from the most miserable people whose hope is on earthly things. As sons and heirs of God, God is our possession, our inheritance, our righteousness and our deliverance.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, please keep us by Your power, enable us to finish this race strongly to receive our eternal reward in Jesus name. Amen.

19/09/2022

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL

Date: 2022-Sep-20

TOPIC: RESPECTING HUMANITY

TEXT: Exodus 22:16-31 (NKJV)
16. " If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her [to be] his wife.
17. "If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.
18. " You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
19. " Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.
20. " He who sacrifices to [any] god, except to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
21. " You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22. " You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.
23. "If you afflict them in any way, [and] they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry;
24. "and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25. " If you lend money to [any of] My people [who are] poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest.
26. "If you ever take your neighbor's garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down.
27. "For that [is] his only covering, it [is] his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I [am] gracious.
28. " You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29. " You shall not delay [to offer] the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me.
30. "Likewise you shall do with your oxen [and] your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.
31. " And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn [by beasts] in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

STUDY: These series of miscellaneous laws in today’s text reveal God's concern for humanity and His desire that people be not exploited. These include virgins (vv. 16-17; see Deut. 22:23-24), foreigners in the land (v.21), widows (vv. 22-24), and the poor (vv. 25-27). God promises to hear the cries of those who are wronged and defend the poor and oppressed. We must take care of the oppressed and vulnerable in the society especially in the church. This is what James calls true religion (James 1:27). On the other hand, witches and wizards were not permitted to live because they operated with the demonic powers that operated in the god-less religions of the nations around Israel. (See Lev. 19:31; 20:27 & Deut 18:9-12). Modern occult practices are an invitation for Satan to destroy lives. These are abhorred by God and have severe consequences. Furthermore, we are to respect rulers and refrain from cursing them, even as we would refrain from cursing God. According to Romans 13, rulers are ordained by God. If we curse a leader, we are in danger of cursing the God who established the authority of human government. Finally, we have to give our hearts to obeying the law of God.

PRAYER: O Lord, grant me the zeal to obey Your laws at all times in Jesus Name, Amen.

18/09/2022

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL

Date: 2022-Sep-19

TOPIC: RESTITUTION

TEXT: Exodus 22:1-15 (NKJV)
1. "If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.
2. "If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, [there shall be] no guilt for his bloodshed.
3. "If the sun has risen on him, [there shall be] guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
4. "If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.
5. " If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.
6. " If fire breaks out and catches in thorns, so that stacked grain, standing grain, or the field is consumed, he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
7. " If a man delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of the man's house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.
8. "If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges [to see] whether he has put his hand into his neighbor's goods.
9. " For any kind of trespass, [whether it concerns] an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or clothing, [or] for any kind of lost thing which [another] claims to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; [and] whomever the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor.
10. "If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies, is hurt, or driven away, no one seeing [it,]
11. "[then] an oath of the LORD shall be between them both, that he has not put his hand into his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept [that,] and he shall not make [it] good.
12. "But if, in fact, it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it.
13. "If it is torn to pieces [by a beast, then] he shall bring it as evidence, [and] he shall not make good what was torn.
14. " And if a man borrows [anything] from his neighbor, and it becomes injured or dies, the owner of it not [being] with it, he shall surely make [it] good.
15. "If its owner [was] with it, he shall not make [it] good; if it [was] hired, it came for its hire.

STUDY: Restitution is the act of returning what has wrongfully been taken or replacing what has been lost or damaged. From our reading today, Moses dealt with several kinds of thievery, and stated that the thief must make compensation to those who are wronged (v.3). Atonement and forgiveness of the sin is received after restitution had been made to the victim (compare with Neh. 5:10-1. Moses also dealt with property damage caused by animals who eat in a field other than their master's (v.5) or by uncontrolled fire (v.6), and with loss of property entrusted to others (vv. 7-15). From these specific instances, the judges could derive principles that would help them decide cases (Read Luke 19:8). The above teach us that we ought to be careful in all our dealings. We must be aware that what we deliberately or wrongfully damage may require restitution. We must also be aware that there are things that are irreplaceable when damaged such as virginity, loss of lives, etc. Knowing this, we must learn how to live peacefully with one another and ask the Holy Spirit for self-control so as to avoid causing harm and losses to our neighbours.

PRAYER: O Lord, help me to return all things that do not belong to me and to live in self-control in Jesus name, Amen

18/09/2022

DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL

Date: 2022-Sep-18

TOPIC: LOVE IS ESSENTIAL

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (NKJV)
1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2. And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor,] and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4. Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5. does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6. does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7. bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8. Love never fails. But whether [there are] prophecies, they will fail; whether [there are] tongues, they will cease; whether [there is] knowledge, it will vanish away.
9. For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
10. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love.

STUDY: The word charity means love in action. It is not simply an emotion; it is the heart reaching out to others. 'Charity' today makes us think of giving away old clothes or making gifts to charitable institutions. These activities can be Christian love in action, but Paul is demanding much more. The word he uses for love is agape, which is love that sacrifices for the good of others. Notice how he takes up some of the spiritual gifts of I Corinthians12:8-10 and shows their emptiness, aside from love. Tongues without love become mere noise; prophecy without love makes the prophet nothing. This applies to knowledge and faith. Paul is not disdaining these gifts; he simply says that they will achieve nothing unless there is love in the life of the Christian in the exercise of his or her gifts. Love is the measure of all things. The Corinthian Church used their spiritual gifts for competition and not of love. The church was divided! Preaching without love is just so much noise. Is the situation not same with our present-day church? Jesus must be asking the church of today just as He asked Peter, Do you love me? (John 21:17). We must wake up to love - the greatest of all virtues!

PRAYER: O Lord grant me the grace to live a life of love in Christ Jesus name, Amen.

St. Mark's Anglican Church Elelenwo District

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