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NO NEED FOR UNHEALTHY COMPETITION - THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

DATE: WEDNESDAY, 16TH FEBRUARY, 2022 

TOPIC: NO NEED FOR UNHEALTHY COMPETITION


TEXT: JOHN 3:22-36 


22.  After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.

23.  Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

24.  For John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25.  Then there arose a dispute between [some] of John's disciples and the Jews about purification.

26.  And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified -- behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!"

27.  John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

28.  "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.'

29.  "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.

30.  "He must increase, but I [must] decrease.

31.  "He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

32.  "And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.

33.  "He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true.

34.  "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.

35.  "The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.

36.  "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."


MESSAGE: 

John the Baptist, from the beginning, clearly stated that he was just a voice in the wilderness proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah on the scene (Mat. 3:1-3). People continued to make comments that could lead John to start competing with Jesus (vs. 25-26). John was very careful and never allowed himself to be drawn into such line of thought. He stated in verse 30, thus, "He must increase, but I must decrease." Jesus' ministry was not to compete with John to know who would baptise the more. He came purely to call men to repentance.


Many disputes and misunderstandings in the Church and the general society usually arise from people who sow seeds of discord through comments and insinuations which sometimes are unguarded. John| the Baptist, from the word go, declared his mission. Side comments or comparisons of his ministry with that of Jesus could have distracted him if he was not focused. What role are you playing in that dispute in your family, church or office? Are you sowing seeds of discord among men of God around you by unnecessary comparisons that can lead to unhealthy rivalry? There is no need for unnecessary competition. The sky is wide enough to contain all birds. Concentrate on your ability and area of specialisation and the work will go on smoothly. Shalom! 


 PRAYER: 

Every competition spirit hindering the work of God in any church be uprooted now in the name of Jesus! Amen.

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