Skip to main content

SUFFERING ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD

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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, 28TH DECEMBER, 2022 (HOLY INNOCENTS DAY) 

TOPIC: SUFFERING ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD

TEXT: 1 PETER 4:12-19

12.  Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13.  but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed [are you,] for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15.  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
16.  Yet if [anyone suffers] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
17.  For the time [has come] for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if [it begins] with us first, what will [be] the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18.  Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
19.  Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls [to Him] in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
 

MESSAGE: 
Holy Innocents Day commemorates the massacre of the innocent children in Bethlehem by King Herod. These children are being honoured as martyrs or saints. However, the killing of the innocents did not stop with them. Thousands have undergone the same cruelty at the hands of persecutors and thousands are still facing the same persecution. Peter teaches that suffering for Christ’s sake is a participation in the sufferings of Christ and an occasion for rejoicing. If we suffer with Him, we will also share in His glory. Right in the midst of our suffering, the Holy Spirit consoles us. God uses suffering to purify and to prepare His people for the return of Christ. Dear friend, doing God’s will is no guarantee that you will escape suffering. Don’t think it strange that you are suffering or being persecuted. Don’t expect that obeying Christ and doing good will make you healthy, wealthy, and popular. You will face persecution and hardship on account of His name. Your task is to hand over your life to a faithful Creator, knowing that after He has purified you, He will vindicate you just as He vindicated His Son. Like Jesus, hand over to the One who judges justly, when you suffer as the innocent servant of God.

PRAYER: 
Lord, give me grace to endure all hardships and trials for Your name’s sake. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHURCH OF NIGERIA ELECTS NEW BISHOPS AND ONE ARCHBISHOP

The Episcopal synod of the church of Nigeria Anglican Communion has elected six new Bishops, and one Archbishop. The election which took place at the Basilica of Grace Apo, Gudu district in the Diocese of Abuja on Thursday October 29, 2009 has the following:- The Rt. Rev. Friday John Imaekhai Bishop, Diocese of Esan, Elected: - Archbishop of Bendel to replace The Primate elect, The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh The very Rev. Ralph Ebirien of St Stephen’s Cathedral Bonny Elected: - Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese The Venerable Ezekiel Bolarinde Dahunsi of Church of Pentecost FESTAC Lagos Elected: - Bishop Diocese of Ido- Ani The Rev. Canon Justus Emeka Mogekwu of St. Paul’s Kakuri, Kaduna Elected:-Bishop Diocese of Asaba to replace Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh. The Venerable (Prof.) Dapo Folorunso Asaju of the chapel of Light, Lagos (LASU) Elected:-Bishop for Theological Education in the office of the Primate The Venerable James Olaoti Akinola of St. James Iludun Oro, Kwara S
Post a Comment
Read more

EXCERPTS FROM: 24/7 WARFARE PRAYERS AND SUPERNATURAL BREAKTHROUGH MANUAL

INTRODUCTION Right from childhood, the number “SEVEN” has always been an intrigue, an interesting puzzle, a fascination, and a great phenomenon to me. I was actually born on the seventh day of the month; perhaps this was one of the reasons why something leaps inside of me whenever I see the number. But as I grew up in the Christian faith I began to see a regular reference to it the scriptures. I was kind of saying, whoa! Holy bliss! Seven occurs 257 times, or 7 × 41 Seventh, the fractional part occurs 98 times or 7× 14 Seven –fold occurs 7 times. Seventy occurs 56 times or 7× 8 “Seventy” in combination with other numbers occurs 35 times or 7× 5. God is pleased to stamp the number “Seven” with the seal of perfection and completeness. God never down played the importance of the number, because it was the number of God. It is a carrier of God’s mysteries. It pleased God that, the Seventh man from Adam – Enoch sh
Post a Comment
Read more

FIVE NEW FULL FLEDGED ANGLICAN DIOCESES

Five new Dioceses have been created in the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion. The Church's official website - http://www.anglican-nig.org/main.php?k_j=12&d=352&p_t=index.php? posted the information thus: The Standing Committee Meeting of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion has approved the creation of five new full fledged Dioceses at their meeting at the Cathedral Church of St. Stephen’s Umuahia, Abia State. They are Shendam Diocese carved out of Langtang Diocese, Plateau state, Ido-Ani Diocese from present Owo Diocese, in Ondo state, Igbomina West from Igbomina Diocese,Kwara state, Ilesha North East from Ilesha in Osun state and Ijebu South West from Ijebu Diocese in Ogun state. At the presentation, the head of the Committee responsible for creation of new Dioceses, the most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa Archbishop Ibadan Province and Bishop of Ibadan who led a team of four assured the house that the stage is set and the New Dioceses have met all the requirements for creation
Post a Comment
Read more