CAC LIVING WATER-GOD IS LISTENING

LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL

GOD IS LISTENING
14^TH JANUARY, 2022

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Genesis 38-40

READ: James 5:7-12

7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 

10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 

11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

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MEMORISE:But I say to you that for every idle word men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement . (Matthew 12:36).

EXPOSITION

One can comment or complain when one is having some nasty experiences, or when people around one are into one challenge, or the other. Your attitude, reaction, or conclusion at such time are very important. They determine who are you and how long you would remain in the situation. The reaction of Jesus during His own trying time was very amazing: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do (Lk. 23:34), was what He uttered. He could have said some harsh or destructive words, but He never. May people, who have zero – tolerance for difficult situations, even those that are designed to promote them, would respond differently. Don’t be negative in negativity. Instead, be positive in negative situations. When you do, you are seen as a victor and not the vanquished.

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God heard Job during his own adversity, and the Bible records that in all this, Job neither charged God wrongly, nor sinned with his lips (Job 1:22, 2:10). God wants to hear what your reaction would be in whatever situation you are, most especially, the seemingly unpalatable ones. He waits to see what your response would be, because that would inform your promotion to the next level of His programme for you. Job’s optimism came to the fore in his adversity: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21). God commanded him for his right attitudes, but condemned his friends who were actually trying to condemn him, all in the name of consoling him (Job. 42:7).

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Truly, you can utter anything because you think you own your mouth, but don’t forget that God judges whatever comes out of it. By it, you are either justified or condemned (Matt. 12:36).
What then should you do?
(1) Verify every matter before jumping into conclusion.
(2) Try to let God direct what you say.
(3) Don’t talk because you want people to know that you are eloquent, or full of ideas.
(4) Study the situation to know what God, the Author of all things is up to.
(5) Learn how to say words seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6); speak with grace.
(6) Pray for… the tongue of the learned (Isa. 59:4).
(7) Always be positive, and stay hopeful.

PRAYER POINT:

1. Lord, help me to always guide my words, actually actions and thought in line with Your Word as I see things from your own perspective.
2. Lord, give me the tongue of the learned.
3. Lord, help brethren who are passing through trying times never to fail You, come what may.

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

©2022 LIVING WATERS IS a daily devotional by THE CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH