This daily devotional which is intended to speak life in the lives of readers is named "Rivers of Living Waters: A Daily Devotional" because water symbolizes Life. The message it contains is intended to be quick and powerful as it speaks to the contemporary issues of life. The spirit of the message it contains is truth. Because the words that we speak are spirit and life, the author suggest that the words of this book be whispered by readers as they read, because when the written word is spoken, it is even more powerful; that is the power of the tongue. A page a day will enrich your life.
Rivers of Living Waters
A Daily DevotionalBy Augustine S. CheaAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Augustine S. Chea
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4520-0029-9Contents
DEDICATION.............................vAbout The Author.......................viAuthor's Note..........................viiAppreciation...........................viiiForeword...............................ix
Chapter One
365 Days Left! January 1st
A Brand New Beginning
Genesis 8:13
"And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the Earth: ..."
No condition is permanent. There is a time and season to every situation. Now that you have made it into the New Year, you can look back over your life and say, thank you Jesus for helping me make a safe transition into a new era! While others were drowning in the river of their spiritual, economic and financial troubles, you survived, only by the grace of GOD. This is the first day and first month of a great year. The flood of hardship is dried up and the trash of the past has been washed away. Now that you have been ushered into a brand new beginning, do you have a resolution?
If so, does it embrace seeking the kingdom of GOD and His righteousness as your priority? You can make this new era a joyful and prosperous one by refusing to repeat the mistakes of the old year. Because they put GOD first in their lives, Noah and his family were saved from the flood of their days. They were ensured a smooth transition into a new and prosperous era. The fact that GOD allowed you to survive the turbulent past is an indication that you have another chance to fulfill your purpose on Earth. Learn from the past and move ahead without hesitation.
364 Days Left! January 2nd
Get Out Of GOD's Way
Genesis 19:22
"Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither ..."
The Scripture quotation above was the word the Angel spoke to Lot. This holy messenger of GOD was on a mission to destroy the cities of arrogant disobedience to divine commandments Sodom and Gomorrah. As a result of divine mercy and favor, Lot was given safe exit. The Angel told him to go to a certain destination, but in disobedience, he chose another. In the process of pleading his case to have his way instead og GOD's will, he briefly caused delay to the wrath of GOD upon Sodom and Gomorrah. His continuous presence tied the hands of the Angel to act quickly.
This is true of many believers today. Because we would not hurry and get out of His way, GOD is delaying in taking certain actions, be it to pronounce blessings or curses. This Scripture also lets the Saints of GOD know how peculiar they are in His sight. Due to divine favor upon your life, a home or city can be blessed by being spared the wrath of GOD. Use your intercessory prayer power to pray for others. If you plead for people just like Abraham did, GOD will listen to your cry. Divine favor is an immeasurable blessing. Do not holdup the move of GOD with your self-will just like Lot did. Get out of GOD's way.
363 Days Left! January 3rd
Quick Sowing And Reaping
Genesis 26: 12 "Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him."
Sowing and reaping are natural and spiritual laws that cannot be manipulated by anyone. Like Isaac, be led by the LORD in your sowing. It is imperative that you sow. Where to plant your seed during a particular season is a matter of listening to divine direction. When famine struck in the land where Isaac lived, he was told by GOD to move to a specific land in which to sow. As the result of his obedience, he reaped not seven, ten or sixty fold, but hundredfold in the same year.
Don't eat your seed. When you give to people in need, you are sowing seed. It is important to note that whatever you say or do, a seed is being sown. According to the laws of sowing and reaping, the sower always reap more than what he or she sows. Because seeds in the form of words or deeds always return to its source. So be mindful of your utterances and actions. Say and do good things to people. If you have no good seed to plant, don't sow at all. If you have good seed but have no immediate fallow ground, wait until you find one. Do not just scatter seeds. Every seed counts.
362 Days Left! January 4th
Hatred Not Tolerated
Genesis 29:31
"And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, He opened her womb:"
When they are unproductive in one area of their lives and you are not, never make mockery of your brothers or sisters. If you cannot intercede to GOD on their behalves, leave them alone. GOD is watching and He does not support or promote neither hatred nor jealousy. You do not know His plans for the lives of your brothers and sisters. Since you do not know what the future holds, never try to pre-judge. Paraphrasing the Bible, the stone you may be rejecting today could be the same rock you would need to be your chief cornerstone tomorrow. Jacob had the right to choose who he wanted as his head wife. However, due to the fact that Leah was hated or looked down upon, GOD blessed her greatly.
Out of Leah came Levi whose descendants were chosen by GOD to the Leviticus Priesthood. She also gave birth to a son whose descendants became the most powerful in Israel the tribe of Judah. You must remember never to allow the way people feel about you to determine how you feel about yourself. It is what Christ feels about you that should matter. Just because others do not value you does not mean you should go to the extreme to get their approval. No matter how people hit you, only seek to please GOD not them.
361 Days Left! January 4th
Wrestling For Your Blessings
Genesis 32: 26
"And he said, let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."
If you are truly desperate to be blessed, no amount of pain or suffering can prevent you from receiving your blessing; Jacob was no exception. Being in a life-threatening situation with Esau his brother determined to kill him, he found himself in the fight for his life by wrestling with an Angel of GOD. To be able to win the battle against his unrelenting brother, he had to be a conqueror in the realm of the spirit. Jacob wrestling with the Angel until the breaking of day was the spiritual breakthrough he needed. Though serious injury was inflicted to his body, he did not let go until he got what he needed; a name and character change.
Perseverance and consistency are major factors to receiving a break through in any situation. Whatever your condition may be, there is hope for you. Only keep up the fight. Give no room to fear or doubt. GOD is faithful and will not let you down. Like in the case of Jacob, GOD may test your faith to see how badly you want to have what you are praying for, but that does not mean He is not in favor of you having it. Know what you want, and go for it. Seize the moment and make use of...