Anglican Daily Fountain 3 October 2023 (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: FAITHFULNESS IN LEADERSHIP
TEXT: Acts 20:28-38(KJV)
20:28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
20:29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
20:30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
20:31. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
20:32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
20:33. I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
20:34. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
20:35. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
20:36. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
20:37. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
20:38. Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Anglican Daily Fountain 3 October 2023 STUDY:
Christians generally, whether in a leadership or followership position, should emulate the characteristics of Christ in service: In humility, He left His glory to come and die a shameful death for humankind. This is the mind that should be in us all (Phil. 2:5-8)-to obey the Great Commission of ‘Go ye’ (Matt. 28:19-20). This was the attitude found in Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (the first black Bishop). He is a bishop, evangelist and missionary. He sacrificed his life, comfort and all to see to the spread of the gospel of Christ in West Africa and particularly in Nigeria, even in the face of opposition and challenges. This is serious example for us as leaders in various spheres of life(v.28).
We should be conscious of our responsibility to heed to God’s instruction in feeding, tending and taking care of the sheep of God purchased with the blood ofJesus (vv. 28,33-35;John 21:15-21;1Pet.5:2-3). We are to ensure that none gets missing, either by their own ignorance and carelessness or as prey to the enemy. We are in perilous time (vv. 29-30) where false teachers who distort the word of God are everywhere (Matt. 7:15; 2Pet. 2:1; 1 Tim. 4:1-2).
There is therefore the need for stability in the word of God and maintenance of a balanced gospel. Again, we should be good examples and imitators of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; 4:16; Phil. 3:17) like Apostle Paul and Bishop Ajayi Crowther. We must examine our attitudes towards wealth and comfort (Luke 12:15)and learn to care for brethren. When we do this, we attract others to Christ and fulfil the ministry of reconciliation given to us, just like Bishop Ajayi Crowther.
PRAYER: Lord, give me the strength and grace to be an effective witness in advancing your kingdom.
