Anglican Daily Fountain 23rd January 2024 (Devotional Today)
Welcome to Today’s Daily Fountain Devotional of the Anglican Church of Nigeria. Daily Fountain is a daily reading devotional for all Anglicans and Non-Anglicans to read, study, share and discuss the Word of God on a daily basis.
TOPIC: CHRIST ABOVE ALL
TEXT: John 3: 22-36(KJV)
3:22. After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
3:23. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
3:24. For John was not yet cast into prison.
3:25. Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
3:26. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
3:27. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
3:28. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
3:29. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
3:30. He must increase, but I must decrease.
3:31. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
3:32. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
3:33. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
3:34. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
3:35. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
3:36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Anglican Daily Fountain 23rd January 2024 STUDY:
In the business world, success comes from the ability to outshine all other rivals in the same industry. New entrants are considered rivals and threats to one’s business. The disciples of John the Baptist held a similar perception. John the Baptist had a successful revival ministry with large followership for which his disciples were happy.
But they became envious when they heard Jesus was baptising and people were going to him! To them, this was a threat to their master’s ministry. But John the Baptist himself was happy because it had been his mission from the beginning to point to Christ and promote Him above all. He therefore told his disciples that,“He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease.” To him, it is Christ that matters.
How about you? Is this the goal and principle of your life -that Christ must increase, and you must decrease? If you have been seeking every opportunity to promote yourself, seek them no more! Seek to promote Christ above all! Speak more about Christ and less of yourself. Turn every compliment, praises, honour and personal success in life into an opportunity to exalt Christ. Be quick to give all credits to Him alone!
PRAYER: Lord, shield me from the spirit manifested by the disciples of John the Baptist, Amen.
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