The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1 October 2024 — Apostle Paul: A Roman And Heavenly Citizen
TOPIC – Apostle Paul: A Roman And Heavenly Citizen
READ: Acts 22:24-30 (NKJV)
- the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him.
- And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
- When the centurion heard [that,] he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”
- Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.”
- The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born [a citizen.”]
- Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
- The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from [his] bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
THE MESSAGE:
Apostle Paul met with challenges in his evangelistic missions. An angry mob wrongly accused him of teaching heresies and defiling the temple. A Roman Commandant arrested him and ordered him flogged without trial. Paul asserted his Roman citizenship which stopped this illegal action. Citizens of any country enjoy certain rights and privileges; sadly, the abuse or denial of these rights due to bad governance has been evident in our nation since independence. The experiences of Paul show that Christians can meet with challenges when discharging their duties. Adequate knowledge and proper use of these rights can be used with wisdom if necessary.
As born again Christians, we are entitled to rights and privileges such as peace amidst storms, God’s presence and counsel, good health, security, etc., in Christ. Paul’s knowledge and assertion of his right as a Roman citizen saved him from an unjust punishment. Similarly, adequate knowledge and proper use of our sonship rights in the word of God is necessary to cope with life’s challenges. Are you a citizen of heaven? Repent and give your life to Jesus today to qualify for sonship rights in Christ. Today, as we celebrate the 64th anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence, decide to uphold the rights and privileges of those under you and pray for God’s intervention for our leaders to always do the same and rule with justice.
PRAYER: O Lord, help our leaders at all levels to lead with justice and grant citizens their right as we remember our 64th independence as a nation.
PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2024
TOPIC – APOSTLE PAUL: A ROMAN AND HEAVENLY CITIZEN
- Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for the grace to see the first day of this month in good health and sound mind.
- Father, thank You for the special gift of life, many wished to see this day, but they couldn’t.
- Thank You Jesus for being there for us, Your children.
- Thank You Lord for Your plans for me this month and this year. They are plans of good, not of evil, to give me a successful and good end.
- Father, please forgive me all my known and unknown sins, and give me power to overcome sin and its lustful desires, in Jesus’ name
- Father Lord, please, help all the missionaries out there to overcome their challenges, in Jesus’ name
- Help me Lord, to overcome every challenge, in Jesus’ name.
- Throughout this month, I claim peace of mind, God’s presence, good health, security, wealth and unending joy, in Jesus’ name
- Holy Spirit, fill me with the knowledge of my right as a citizen of this country and heavenly citizen, in Jesus’ name.
- O Lord, help our leaders at all levels to lead with justice and grant citizens their rights as we mark our 64th independence as a nation, in Jesus’ name
- LORD, help us to get it right in Nigeria, and let Your perfect will be enforced on us in Jesus’ name.
- Heavenly Father, let Your peace reign in this country,
- Whether the devil likes it or not, I will make heaven and receive my eternal rewards in Jesus’ Name.
- This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
- Personal and family prayer requests.
- Confession: God bless the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), God bless the Universal Church, and bless our country Nigeria -1 Chronicles 17:27.
- Thank You Lord for answered prayers, in Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen.
