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The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 24 August 2024 | Greatness Through Service
TOPIC: Greatness Through Service
READ: Luke 22:24-30 (NKJV)
Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
“But not so [among] you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.
“For who [is] greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? [Is] it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
“But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
“And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed [one] upon Me,
“that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
THE MESSAGE:
Today is St. Bartholomew’s Day. He was one of the apostles of Jesus (Mark 3: 18). Our text talks about the strife among the disciples. Rather than show concern over Christ and His sufferings, which is the matter of discourse in the preceding verses (Luke 22: 14-22), the disciples strove over who would be the greatest. Jesus corrected them that greatness comes through service. Strife is manifested in many religious circles over position, power and authority. Strife is a distraction that takes away our attention from the Lord and His business. We give glory to God for the many denominational Churches in our time, yet some are traceable to strife and are born out of strife. It is with us as in the days of Apostle Paul where “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and STRIFE…” (Philippians 1:15a).
Christian leadership is a call unto service not lordship. Team spirit is needed for the furtherance of the Gospel and the wrecking of the kingdom of darkness. Therefore, “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). Avoid strife wherever you are and humbly serve others always.
PRAYER: Help me LORD to take up the yoke of Christ and in His lowliness, may I be like Him.
PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2024
TOPIC: GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE
Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for the grace to see this day in good health and sound mind.
Father, thank You for the special gift of life, many wished to see this day, but they couldn’t.
Thank You Jesus for being there for us, Your children.
Thank You Lord for Your plans for me this month and this year. They are plans of good, not of evil, to give me a successful and good end.
Father, please forgive me all my known and unknown sins, and give me power to overcome sin and its lustful desires, in Jesus’ name
Lord Jesus, please correct my wrong ambitions, in Jesus name.
I kill you, spirit of strife at work in the body of Christ, in Jesus’ name
Holy Spirit, guide me in the right service that will lead me to greatness, in Jesus’ name
Holy Spirit, revive the spirit of team work within the body in of Christ, in Jesus’ name.
I receive grace to avoid strife wherever I am, and to humbly serve others always, in Jesus’ name.
LORD, help us to get it right in Nigeria, and let Your perfect will be enforced on us in Jesus’ name.
Heavenly Father, let Your peace reign in this country,
Whether the devil likes it or not, I will make heaven and receive my eternal rewards in Jesus’ Name.
This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Personal and family prayer requests.
Confession: God bless the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), God bless the Universal Church, and bless our country Nigeria -1 Chronicles 17:27.
Thank You Lord for answered prayers, in Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen.
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Prayer of Salvation:
Lord Jesus, I come before You today, acknowledging my need for Your grace. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Savior, believing in my heart that You died for my sins and rose again to give me eternal life. Thank You, Lord, for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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