The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 23 November 2019 – KEEP THE FAITH
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DATE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2019
TOPIC: KEEP THE FAITH
READ: II TIMOTHY 1:13-18 (NKJV)
13. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
14. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
15. This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;
17. but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me.
18. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
THE MESSAGE:
In our text yesterday, Paul was more concerned about Timothy’s personal walk with God. As an experienced minister of the gospel, Paul knew with strong conviction that there is a possibility for a believer to swing away from the faith. One of the prophecies revealed by the Apostle in this letter is that in the last days, many will deny the faith. They will not endure sound teaching. Timothy was warned not to associate himself with such men of depraved minds (II Timothy 3:5). Dr. Steve Farrar, the founder and Chairman of Men’s Leadership Ministries, in his book, ‘Finishing Strong’, wrote about three vibrant evangelists, Chuck Templeton, Bron Cliford and Billy Graham. These three young evangelists in their mid-twenties were said to be the most gifted and extraordinary preachers of the gospel of their time, (in the 40s). Within the period of ten years, only one out of the three could still hold on to faith in Christ Jesus, and that was Billy Graham. Steve writes – In the Christian life, its not how you start that matters. It’s how you finish.
Falling away from the faith is very deadly. It is a spiritual problem. It does not happen arbitrarily and is never a sudden tragedy. The devil in his cunning ways knows how to get people out of the track. He does that with the aim of ultimately removing his victim away from the purpose of God. He who thinks he stands should take heed lest he fall (I Corinthians 10:12). No one is immune to Satan’s suggestions and trick; he will never be in a hurry or wearied to achieve his purpose. To keep the faith in this perverse world of ours, calls for daily spiritual x-ray, that is, constant self-examination.
Therefore, one needs to stand firm as he/she stays close to the word of God and keeps his/her heart close to Jesus.
PRAYER: Lord, I pray You to keep me moving in You and enable me to end up my race with You in eternity through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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