Monthly Devotion - April 2024
LIFE IN HIM MAKES REAL LIFE CHANGES
" Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.“” (John 4:39-42 NIV)
The Lord Jesus said to the Samaritan woman in John 4:21-22, 'Believe
me, woman, the hour will come when you will worship the Father not on
this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know, we worship
what we know, because salvation comes from the Jews." And then He
said as written in the devotional verse last month, verses 23-24. When
the Lord Jesus died on the cross and was then resurrected on the 3rd day
about 2000 years ago, He became the door to salvation not only for the
Samaritan woman, but also for the Jewish people in Samaria and also for
all mankind. And in the days leading up to His second coming, He is still
looking for individuals who want to be changed, namely those who want
to worship the Father in spirit and truth. After Christ Jesus rose on
the third day, then appeared to His disciples for 40 days and finally
ascended to heaven, His disciples experienced a real change in their lives
as His followers. God's Word in Luke 24:52 (NIV) says, "Then they
worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy." They are
always in the Temple and glorifying God.” This is the worship lifestyle
of God's disciples which experienced a real change after His resurrection.
Acts 1:14 (NIV) also writes, that "They all joined together constantly
in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with
his brothers." The prayer, praise and worship of these followers
of Christ then gave rise to great spiritual visits and revival. They were
moved by God to witness His great deeds after God poured out the Holy
Spirit on all His disciples (Acts 1:8; 2:7-11). The early church was born
because of the work of the Holy Spirit. The early church persevered in
the teachings of the apostles. Prayer, praise and worship carried out
in spirit and truth always characterized the worship life of the early
congregation (Acts 2:41-47). I believe, this is what then forms the pattern
of their worship life which ultimately makes big changes. There were so
many souls that were harvested and that God added to the early church
at that time. Whenever they faced struggles, they would be united and
united in prayer, so that when they were praying, ... the place where
they were gathered was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,
then they preached the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31) . God was pleased
with the worship meetings of the early church. This teaches us to be able
to build, improve, strengthen and increasingly appreciate the values of
a life of worship which can bring major changes in the end times as God
wills. This could be the key to the revival and growth of our church.
A true worshiper can be used by God to win a person, a group, a region
or a city (John 4:39-42). Amen! Jesus bless you.
By Pastor Silwanus Obadja M.Th.
...Monthly
Devotion - March 2024