The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 26 January 2020 – TOPIC: EXAMINE YOURSELF

Click HERE to Read Previous MESSAGES

TOPIC: EXAMINE YOURSELF

READ : 2 CORINTHIANS 2:12 – 17 (NKJV)12. Furthermore, when I came to Troas to [preach] Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,13. I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14. Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17. For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.*THE MESSAGE:*When purpose is not defined, abuse is inevitable. In verse 12, Apostle Paul was very specific when he said that he came to Troas to preach “Christ’s Gospel.”This is where many of us get it wrong today. Many preachers and their followers no longer care about the source and focus of their message. Many are deceived and as the noise in our places of worship is increasing, the life-giving messages are declining. Whose message are you preaching and whose message are you listening to? Paul had hoped to meet Titus – his trusted partner – in Troas and when he did not find him there, he was worried probably for his safety. He left Troas to search for him in Macedonia where he found him (2 Corinthians 7:6). Paul distinguished true apostles from mere peddlers. Those who truly speak for God should have sincerity and integrity, and should never preach for selfish reasons (1 Timothy 6:5-10).There is well-defined mandate for all of us and that mandate is that we should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3). Today, many use the Church to make quick money – the great value of our faith is bleeding a way! In this generation, we seek miracles and regrettably, end up patronising money-centred compromisers. In spite of his position in ministry, Apostle Paul never lost focus. Is it the same with us? Let us examine ourselves.*PRAYER:* Arise, Oh Lord and let the enemies of the Gospel be scattered and be converted