CAC LIVING WATER-BE AN ENCOURAGER

LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL

BE AN ENCOURAGER

5^TH , APRIL 2022

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 2 Samuel 3-6

READ: Acts 4:33-37
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 

35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 

37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

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MEMORISE: "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. " –1 Thessalonians 5:14

EXPOSITION

The Scripture in Galatians 6:2 says, 'Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ'. The word, "bear" comes from the Greek word which means, "To carry, to take up, or to take away or carry off." The word "burden" comes from a Greek word which means "a weight." When you put these two words together, "bear" and "burden," it means to take away or carry off the weight someone else is experiencing. Basically, it means to bring relief and comfort to someone else's life when faced with adversities.

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Barnabas is adjudged the "Son of Encouragement." He lived to the meaning of his name by what he did outstandingly, by alleviating the sufferings of the early church saints who were in dire financial needs in Jerusalem then. This is practical Christianity. If a Christian brother or sister is weighed down or menaced by some burden or threat financial, mental, bodily health, marital crisis, joblessness or the loss of a loved one, be alert to that, and quickly do something to help. No gossip please! Do not let them be crushed or destroyed under the weight of such difficulties.

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Yes, bearing one another's burdens can be difficult and clumsy, for it takes deep courage, faith, and trust to offer timely help. However, since burdens are not limited to financial help alone, even when it is, the load can be made lighter when we know Who to trust (God), and He alone we give the other person's burden to, so the encourager (you) is not crushed under it.

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To put all burdens into earnest prayers before God is to trust Him for an outcome that we cannot control. This shows that we trust the Lord who loves us more than we do, and we are readily available as encouragers (unreserved helpers), just like Barnabas did, believing God to command someone else to bear our burdens too.

PRAYER POINT:

1. O Lord, use me as a timely encourager to those in distress.

2. I rebuke and chase you spirits of selfishness, greed and self-centredness out of my life, in Jesus' name.

3. Pray for CAC Hanson Region, our father in the Lord, the Superintendent, and its officers at the various levels, as led by the Spirit of God.

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

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