ESOCS Devotional 6 November 2022
TEXT: LUKE 4:16-21
MEMORY VERSE: “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.” Luke 4:16
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
David made two very important statements. He said, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple” (Ps. 27:4); and the other is: “… Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God, and your law is within my heart” (Ps. 40:7, 8). These were wonderful things that poured out from a heart that earnestly yearned for God and His ways. Our Lord Jesus had a custom: He usually went into the synagogue every Sabbath day. For David, being found in the house of God all through life and doing His will was his custom. Our Lord was always in the synagogue every Sabbath. He also said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work” (Jon. 4:34).
What tradition or custom have you set for yourself? What are the guiding principles by which you moderate your life? In most cases, people who do not live according to set principles live a careless lifestyle that negatively affects their overall wellbeing in the long run. Principles enable us to live a disciplined lifestyle. We should evolve positive principles for ourselves in all aspects of our lives: business, career, education, profession, trade, occupation, and any other. But the best of all is the principle to live by the word of God and do His will. That is how we can seek for Him and find Him: When we seek His heart!
Let our greatest desire be to walk with Jesus every day and be with Him in paradise for eternity: a closer walk with Jesus is what we truly need. Let us yearn for the glowing of the light of God in our hearts. Let us long to be in the number that would see the Saviour’s face when He shall come again. Let there be a hunger in our hearts to strive to contribute to the continual growth, development, and expansion of the local branches where we join others to worship God and celebrate Jesus. Let us covet those characters that glorify God and edify us. Let there be an ache in our hearts to see the glory and power of God return to His Church on earth as it was in the times of old. Let us thirst for righteousness and the things that lead to sanctification of our souls. Let us be obsessed with the need and necessity to call others to come to Jesus. Let us crave for the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth. Let us endeavour to ensure that we truly become citizens of God’s kingdom. Let it be a custom in us always do what is right; and also help to spread the gospel of the good news of the kingdom of God, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord. We can do all these if, like David, we allow the zeal for the things of God to consume us. He said, “… zeal for your house has eaten me up” (Ps. 69:9); and “My zeal has consumed me” (Ps. 119:139).
CHALLENGES
- What target have you set for yourself in the kingdom race?
- What motivates you to do things for God and achieve His purpose?
PRAYERS: Pray the Holy Spirit of God to empower you to do exploit for God.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 6 November 2022
