DCLM Higher Everyday 4 November 2024 — Do Not Commit Suicide
DCLM Higher Everyday 4 November 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Do Not Commit Suicide
Topic: Do Not Commit Suicide
Text: Acts 16:27-34
27And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Key Verse: “But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here” (Acts 16:28).
Message
The text under consideration clearly exposes the suicidal intention of the prison jailor where Paul and Silas were held captive as a result of their expression of faith in the deliverance of the damsel possessed with a spirit of divination. Suicide is an intentional killing of oneself. The prison jailor, on waking up and seeing the prison doors open, attempted suicide supposing the prisoners had fled. Suicide is not, and can never be a solution. Suicide is an express route to hell fire. The rate of suicide is on the increase among youngsters today due to several reasons, ranging from fear, frustration, depression, financial lack, to academic failure.
Also Read: Higher Everyday 3 November 2024 – A Way In The Wilderness
Suicidal thoughts should not be entertained at all. No man has the right to take his life since he did not create it. Thanks be to God for the timely intervention of Paul. Christ is always the solution. The prison jailor accepted the Lord, alongside his household. In like manner, sinners and backsliders are to repent and turn to the Lord before it is too late.
Quote: Do not kill yourself
Challenge: Christ is always the solution.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to trust in You always.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
