Monthly Devotion - May 2024
DEVELOPING THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)
n the month of May 2024, we as His church will commemorate two historic
days for His church, namely first, the commemoration of the day of CHRIST'S
ASCENSION into heaven (May 9 2024), namely after 40 days He declared His
resurrection, which we commemorate in 2024 on March 31 a month prior.
Second, the commemoration of PENTECOST (May 19 2024), which occurred 10
days after the day of His ascension. These two historical days are important
for us, because they remind us of the message conveyed by the angel at
the time of His ascension that Jesus would come again in the same way
(Acts 1:10-11). This also reminds us of the promise given to every follower
of Christ after His ascension and after the Holy Spirit was poured out
to make them and all of us His witnesses (Acts 1:8; 2:38-40). The significance
or meaning of these two historical days still continues to work today,
even until the Lord Jesus comes a second time.
These events also remind us of the birth of the early church and the formation
of the basic principles of life of the first congregation as a family
of God who have the character of Christ (Acts 2:41-47; 1 John 2:6; 3:7)
. These principles of living as members of God's family like Christ are
what we will reflect on throughout the month of May-June. The way of life
of the first congregation shows the way of life of God's family that develops
the character of Christ (Galatians 5:22-23). The main theme in 2024 is
"Becoming a church that is ready and alert" (Luke 12:40; Matthew
24:42) and there are six (6) sub-main themes of this year's main theme
that we will reflect on together. We have gone through two (2) sub-main
points over the past four months and it is hoped that these two sub-topics
can further prepare us to welcome His coming and until He comes we need
to continue developing the character of Christ until we become like Christ.
And in the months of May-June we will reflect further on God's plans for
us, His family. These themes will be discussed interactively both through
the Sunday sermon series and at every PERAK (Family Fellowship) &
PERKASA (Fellowship Between Friends) meeting. Let us remain united to
develop the character of Christ. God has appointed us to be part of His
family which can be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets
with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-20).
Specifically on Thursday, May 9 (the commemoration of Christ's ascension)
to May 18 2024, for 10 days simultaneously we as His congregation will
hold a Day of Prayer & Fasting together by humbling ourselves before
Him. We remember that at the event of Christ's Ascension, His disciples
were commanded to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Father's promise.
The Bible says, “they all persevered with one accord in PRAYER TOGETHER,
with some of the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with the brothers
of Jesus” (Acts 1:14). As God's family, they diligently waited for
the Father's promise and after 10 days passed, God fulfilled what He had
promised. On the day of Pentecost they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,
they proclaimed great deeds to all nations and with the same character
as Christ they were used as His witnesses. This is also our hope. Happy
commemoration of Christ's ascension and also happy Pentecost Day. Lord
Jesus is with us, Amen!
By Pastor Silwanus Obadja M.Th.
...Monthly
Devotion - June 2024