DCLM HIGHER EVERYDAY 13 January 2022 — Dead Gods and the Living God
DCLM Higher Everyday 13 January 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Dead Gods and the Living God
TOPIC: DEAD GODS AND THE LIVING GOD
TEXT: ACTS 14:8-17
8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
MEMORY VERSE: “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein” (ACTS 14:15).
MESSAGE:
A notable miracle took place at Lystra where a man who was born a cripple was healed as he heard the gospel preached by Paul. The gospel is truly the power of God to give access to salvation, deliverance and healing.
Idols or dead gods should not be compared with the Living God. The people of Lystra being worshippers of idols, were surprised to see what God did through Paul, and mistook a divine miracle for an act of their dead gods. In their gross error, they saw Barnabas and Paul as representatives of Jupiter and Mercurius respectively.
Also Read Daily Manna Devotionals
There are many youths who still behave like the people in our text. They put their trust in gods and magical powers. Some youths run after occult people in the name of getting power to pass examinations or get quick wealth. By so doing, many have been lured into errors and snares of Satan who is holding them in captivity.
Those who place other things like academic success and talents above the Living God are idol worshippers too. Idol worshippers should repent now to be saved.
QUOTE: Idol worshippers should repent.
CHALLENGE: Turn from vanities unto the Living God.
PRAYER: Help me Lord, to turn to You.
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)
