I welcome Everyone to this New thread of our Journey into the Daily Fountain Devotional Guide 2024. May the Good LORD continue to answer our prayers and bring to fulfilments all of our good heart desires in the New Year in Jesus Mighty name Amen.


HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* MONDAY 1ST JANUARY, 2024 _*(New Year Day)* *(Circumcision of Christ)* *THEME:* THE REAL MAJESTY

*TEXT:* PSALM 8: 1-9

*BIBLE READING* (NKJV)

1. O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
2. Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
3. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4. What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
5. For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7. All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
8. The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
9. O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

*MESSAGE:*

2022 passed as one of the very significant years of our generation. One of the events that marked the year was the passing of Queen Elizabeth II the longest reigning monarch in British history. Her funeral service, watched by billions of people on earth, was one of the final parts of the public ceremony of her burial. However, one thing that stood out throughout the whole event was the majestic ways that Her Majesty' was mourned and buried. Watching aspects of this, I couldn't help but think of the real majesty' - the Lord Himself! When you think of the word 'majestic', you will have such image words like imposing, grandiose, magnifcent, splendid, resplendent, superb, and impressive in your mind, and this wil give you an idea of what God's name implies.

God's name cannot be separated from who He is and what He does. A person's name carries his authority, personality, character and nature. This should help us in appreciative worship. Heaven's intention is that all over the earth, God's name should cause such reaction of godly reverent awe! What is more?! His glory, splendour and beauty, are above the heavens! In other words, nothing on earth is sufficient to describe the wonder and magnificence of God. Next time you take time to worship, just remember that He is basically above whatever you can say or imagine. This should make us fall before this awesome God who is the real Majesty!'

*PRAYER:*
Indeed, Lord, Your name is truly Majestic in all the earth! _*Amen*_

*QUOTE OF THE DAY:*
God says

_"But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;."_ *Psalm 103: 17*



*WELCOME TO THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2024*

As you journey with the Lord in this New year 2024, His Mighty Right Hand will cover and heal all your past pains. He will replace sorrow with laughter, wailing with joy, disappointment with approval. God will turn around your afflictions and you shall enjoy peace within and without in Jesus name. Amen.

*HAPPY NEW MONTH & NEW YEAR*

✝️📗DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2024-JANUARY -02
🎯TOPIC: RECOUNT HIS DEEDS



✝️TEXT: PSALM 9: 1-20(NKJV)
1)I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
2 )I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
3 )When my enemies turn back,
They shall fall and perish at Your presence.
4 )For You have maintained my right and my cause;
You sat on the throne judging in righteousness.
5 )You have rebuked the nations,
You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6) O enemy, destructions are finished forever!
And you have destroyed cities;
Even their memory has perished.
7 )But the Lord shall endure forever;
He has prepared His throne for judgment.
8 )He shall judge the world in righteousness,
And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.
9 )The Lord also will be a refuge[c] for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
10 )And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

11) Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.
12) When He avenges blood, He remembers them;
He does not forget the cry of the humble.

13)Have mercy on me, O Lord!
Consider my trouble from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
14)That I may tell of all Your praise
In the gates of the daughter of Zion.
I will rejoice in Your salvation.

15)The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made;
In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught.
16)The Lord is known by the judgment He executes;
The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.
Meditation.
17)The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the [h]nations that forget God.
18) For the needy shall not always be forgotten;
The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.
19) Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in Your sight.
20) Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know themselves to be but men.

✝️🗒️ STUDY: David understood the importance and power of giving thanks to God,if you're like me,it is far easier to ask God for the things I need than to stop And praise him.for example,I find that my words are much more when I am "asking' than when I am 'thanking';I notice that when I am making request my words are usually more;the words just keep flowing as I pour my heart to God.But when it's time to give thanks,few words,and I would seem lost on what next to say.
in today's passage we see clearly that David was a man who over came the above challenge during he's surjourn here on earth, he boldly and resolutely declared:"I will give thanks to the lord"(v.1;ESV).This should be one of our firm resolves this year.like David,insist on giving thanks,no matter what the situation would seem to present,until you make your mind and insist on giving thanks,Satan will always show you reason's why you cannot give thanks. second,it should be"with my whole heart"(v.1;ESV).insist on giving thanks with all your heart.Be sincere;be focused;be deliberate.third,do it by recounting all his deeds(v.1,ESV)you will be amazed at how much you will have to sincerely say to God in genuine worship,when you take time to recount his deeds.

✝️🙏 ACTION:Today," Tell among the people his deeds"(v.11).

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* WEDNESDAY 3RD JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* BE SINCERE WITH GOD

*TEXT:* PSALM 10: 1-18

*BIBLE READING* (NKJV)

1. Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2. The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.
3. For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.
4. The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.
5. His ways are always prospering; Your judgments are far above, out of his sight; As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
6. He has said in his heart, “I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity.”
7. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.
8. He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
In the secret places he murders the innocent;
His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.
9. He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; He lies in wait to catch the poor; He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.
10. So he crouches, he lies low, That the helpless may fall by his strength.
11. He has said in his heart, “God has forgotten;
He hides His face; He will never see.”
12. Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble.
13. Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, “You will not require an account.”
14. But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, To repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You;
You are the helper of the fatherless.
15. Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man;
Seek out his wickedness until You find none.
16. The Lord is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land.
17. Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear,
18. To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.

*MESSAGE:*

When Jeremiah said to God: _“O LORD, You have deceived me, and I was deceived; You are stronger than I, and You have prevailed, I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me”_ (Jer. 20: 7), I thought he had gone too far. And I was surprised that God did not kill him, though He eventually corrected him. Throughout Scriptures, saints that have gone before us found times and occasions to be very sincere with God. The Psalmist was troubled that God seemed to be standing far away from him; he could not understand why God would 'hide' Himself in his time of trouble. At one point or the other, we may be in situations where it seems God is so far away, particularly in great troubling times or time of extreme lack or sickness. At such points, it may seem God does not care. But it is nevertrue; God never abandons His own.

Whenever you're in such situation, remember the answer for the Psalmist in verse 14, “But you do see.” God sees; He hears. He is never unaware of your real situation; He is never uncaring about what you are going through. His timings are not necessarily ours, so it would sometimes seem He is late. But He is never late. Again, we learn from the same verse that He is the helper of the fatherless. He is ever willing to aid you, ever willing to help you, even willing to carry you when your own strength fails.
You can sincerely tell Him how you feel and watch Him come through for you.

*ACTION:*
Today, ask the Lord to help you.

*QUOTE OF THE DAY:*
God says

_"Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love."_ *Ephesians 6: 24*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* THURSDAY 4TH JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* WHERE DO YOU TAKE REFUGE

*TEXT:* PSALM 11: 1-7

*BIBLE READING* (NKJV)

1. In the Lord I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”?

2. For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.

3. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?

4. The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold,

His eyelids test the sons of men.

5. The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.

6. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup.

7. For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness;His countenance beholds the upright.

*MESSAGE:*

I watched as she went from the grave of the husband to that of the son and the daughter, pouring sand as the words were read: 'Dust to dust, ashes to ashes.' I've judged it my most difficult ministry assignments so far Burying this sister's entire family who died in a car crash. The pain, the tears, even the silence, is better imagined than experienced. I did not know what to say to her. But to God's glory, she has survived (8months since the incident) and I believe she will pull through. One clear thing I remember I said, and have kept saying to her is: 'I leave you in God's hands! I am learning that it is the most reasonable thing to do. It has worked; He has kept her.

Where do you take refuge? What, or who is your first resort when in trouble? Where do you first resort to in times of danger? Where lies your confidence in paddling through the sea of life? For some, they think of more money; others may think of someone to run to; yet for some others, 'going to their village' to find out the cause and solution, is the right thing to do. Over time, these have all failed! For David, "In the LORD I take refuge” (v.1). God is more than sufficient, child of God. Take refuge in Him; He never fails.

*PRAYER:*
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher
than I. *Amen.*

*QUOTE OF THE DAY:*
God says

_"The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"_ _*Psalm 27: 1*_

✝️📗DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2024-JANUARY -05

🎯TOPIC: OLD AGE CONCERNS



✝️TEXT: Psalm 71: 1-24(NKJV)
71:1. In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame.
71:2. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me.
71:3. Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You [are] my rock and my fortress.
71:4. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
71:5. For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; [You are] my trust from my youth.
71:6. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother's womb. My praise [shall be] continually of You.
71:7. I have become as a wonder to many, But You [are] my strong refuge.
71:8. Let my mouth be filled [with] Your praise [And with] Your glory all the day.
71:9. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
71:10. For my enemies speak against me; And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together,
71:11. Saying, "God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for [there is] none to deliver [him."]
71:12. O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
71:13. Let them be confounded [and] consumed Who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered [with] reproach and dishonor Who seek my hurt.
71:14. But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
71:15. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness [And] Your salvation all the day, For I do not know [their] limits.
71:16. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
71:17. O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this [day] I declare Your wondrous works.
71:18. Now also when [I am] old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to [this] generation, Your power to everyone [who] is to come.
71:19. Also Your righteousness, O God, [is] very high, You who have done great things; O God, who [is] like You?
71:20. [You,] who have shown me great and severe troubles, Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
71:21. You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.
71:22. Also with the lute I will praise you -- [And] Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
71:23. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed.
71:24. My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; For they are confounded, For they are brought to shame Who seek my hurt.

✝️🗒️ STUDY: “I have encouraged her to get pregnant and have one or two children that will look after her in old age.” This conversation with someone I believed was 'a spiritual elder' got me thinking. Was she really asking this dear sister who was experiencing delay in marriage to look for someone to get her pregnant without being married? Yes, she was doing exactly that! I realised that concerns for old age can make us prepare in some ways that may negate express instructions of the Bible. For some, it may come in the form of insisting the children study particular courses termed 'lucrative' in the university; yet for some, it may come like insisting on the children marrying certain suitors that can be an 'insurance.'
For the Psalmist, this concern was directed to the Lord, and this should apply to us. He prayed: "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent" (v.9). Everything else and everybody else can fail, but God never fails. The elderly must look to God, but a responsible Christian should also note that looking after aged relatives is godly and actually expected. Choose to be an answer to the prayers of the elderly.

✝️🙏 PRAYER: Am I treating elders around me the way I'd like to be treated when I become an elder?

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* SATURDAY 6TH JANUARY, 2024 _*{The Epiphany}*_ *THEME:* TWO NEEDS OF A LEADER

*TEXT:* PSALM 72: 1-14

*BIBLE READING* (NKJV)

1. Give the king Your judgments, O God,
And Your righteousness to the king’s Son.
2. He will judge Your people with righteousness,
And Your poor with justice.
3. The mountains will bring peace to the people, And the little hills, by righteousness.
4. He will bring justice to the poor of the people;
He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.
5. They shall fear You
As long as the sun and moon endure, Throughout all generations.
6. He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing,
Like showers that water the earth.
7. In His days the righteous shall flourish,
And abundance of peace,
Until the moon is no more.
8. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.
9. Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, And His enemies will lick the dust.
10. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles Will bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba Will offer gifts.
11. Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.
12. For He will deliver the needy when he cries,
The poor also, and him who has no helper.
13. He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy.
14. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.

*MESSAGE:*

Two things are important for leaders at all levels - justice and Righteousness. Solomon's prayer today is quite instructive. _“Give the king your justice, O God”_ (v.1). As king, he was desperate in asking God to give His _"love of justice"_ (NLT) to him (Solomon). Every Christian leader must love justice if he will be effective and godly. One wonders how many Christians in politics, for example, understand and are pleading with God for this. A casual look at the practice of democracy in Nigeria since 1999 will reveal an array of very selfish politicians who have led, or are leading, without recourse to genuine justice. Sadly, some of them are professing Christians. This is inconsistent with biblical expectations of a leader. Solomon understood how much God hates injustice and he made it a primary plea.

The second thing is righteousness; Solomon also asked for this. Righteousness has to do with being in a right standing with God as a result of being upright and decent in living and handling affairs. Again, every leader must have this attribute to lead well. Please note that leadership is at different levels and that God has placed leaders at these levels: Homes, churches, offices, local government areas, states, and the national level. If you are a leader at any of these levels, bend your knees until these two things become manifest in your leadership otherwise, you will end in failure. If you're not a leader already, know that you will grow into it soon. Prepare!

*ACTION:*
Pray for leaders at the different levels.

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence."_ *Proverbs 10: 11*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* MONDAY 8TH JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* LIVING FOR HIS GLORY

*TEXT:* JOHN 1: 1-5

*BIBLE READING* (NKJV)

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2. He was in the beginning with God.

3. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

4. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

*MESSAGE:*

I found it a bit uncomfortable the first time I was to teach _Evolution._ Evolutionism has even affected the study of religion in universities, particularly the social anthropological studies of religion. As I prepared, I pondered: Should I just say that life developed from simple to more complex forms, to these freshmen and leave it there? I wondered
afterwards how far man is willing to gojust to disprove the simple words of the Bible that God created the world. Verse 1 of our text is such a powerful expression of the truth, and believing it saves us much confusion. John
identified the Word as Jesus, who is Himself God; God created all things through Him (Jesus), and in Him was life!

Simple as the above may sound, it is the basis upon which life makes ultimate meaning. But it also has profound implications. For example, if all things were made through Him, then it follows that man was also made through Him. The same John wrote in Revelation that He created all things for His glory; 'all things' will include you and me. Is your life bringing Him glory? Are you living to please Him only? Do you have another agenda for existing? What are you living for? If living is not for Him, then you have missed the purpose of your creation; you are malfunctioning!

*THOUGHT:*
Am I living for His glory?

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says
_"... But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name."_ *John 1: 12*

✝️📗DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2024-JANUARY -14
(Second Sunday after the Epiphany)

🎯TOPIC: CREATED TO GLORIFY GOD



✝️TEXT: Psalm 19: 1-14(NKJV)
19:1. To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
19:2. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.
19:3. [There is] no speech nor language [Where] their voice is not heard.
19:4. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
19:5. Which [is] like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, [And] rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
19:6. Its rising [is] from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
19:7. The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple;
19:8. The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes;
19:9. The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether.
19:10. More to be desired [are they] than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
19:11. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, [And] in keeping them [there is] great reward.
19:12. Who can understand [his] errors? Cleanse me from secret [faults.]
19:13. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous [sins;] Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
19:14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

✝️🗒️ STUDY: Today, we've been shown that the purpose of all creation is to honour and glorify God. First, we must understand that the heavens, the sun, and all creation are always busy proclaiming the glory of God. How do the elements in creation glorify God? They do so by simply functioning in the exact way, manner and purpose for which God created them. The sun, for instance, glorifies God simply by rising every morning and giving light and heat to God's earth.
In the same way, you and I, created by God, are placed on earth for the purpose of glorifying Him. When we seek a daily relationship with God through Jesus Christ and live to do all things in accordance with His will, God is glorified. However, God is never glorified if our daily efforts and intentions are to fulfil our own selfish ambitions and seek self-glorification. In verses 7-13, we understand that the word of God is very critical in guiding us daily to live for God's glory. The word of God is described as: The law, testimony, precepts, commandments, rules. The word of God also gives so much: It revives the soul, makes the simple wise, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes and leads us in righteousness. God's word calls us to ethical and moral responsibilities, and it is only when we allow ourselves to be guided by it daily that we can fully glorify God.

✝️🙏 PRAYER: Lord, may I love Your word always.

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* MONDAY 15TH JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* JESUS, THE LAMB OF GOD

*TEXT:* JOHN 1: 29-34

29. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

30. This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’

31. I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”

32. And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.

33. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

34. And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

*MESSAGE:*

Several terms are employed in the Bible to refer to Jesus Christ, especially in reference to His priestly roles. Among the many titles that describe Hím, one that stands out is 'the Lamb of God. John tells us that the purpose of this Lamb of God is to take away the sin of the world (v.29). The truth of Scripture is that every man on earth is naturally a sinner from conception (Rom. 3: 23), and by that sinful state, we are all enemies of God. But the good news is that God loves us all beyond human comprehension and decided to reconcile us to Himself, by sending Jesus to be the Lamb for the sacrifice!

John tells us that this provision is available not just for a few people or for some chosen section, but for the whole world! The same John later points out: _"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life"_ (John 3:16). This is the greatest news for all humanity! God loves you deeply and dearly! God has made every provision for your salvation and eternity! Christ has died for your sins and paid the full price for your freedom from the consequences of your sins! Have you accepted Him?

*PRAYER:*
I worship the Lamb that was slain.

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes."_ *Isaiah 40: 11*

✝️📗DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2024-JANUARY -16

🎯TOPIC: WE HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAH



✝️TEXT: John 1: 35-42(NKJV)
1:35. Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
1:36. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"
1:37. The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
1:38. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?"
1:39. He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).
1:40. One of the two who heard John [speak,] and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
1:41. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).
1:42. And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).

✝️🗒️ STUDY: Today's passage continues to build on the previous ones, in which we see John the Baptist continuing in his ministry of pointing people to Jesus. On this occasion, some of the people who were profoundly affected by his message were two of his own disciples, Andrew and one other disciple. The two immediately left John and permanently began to follow Jesus. John the Baptist didn't mind at all that he was losing his disciples to Jesus!In fact, he later declared that it was for this very purpose that he had come: "He must increase, but Imust decrease" (John 3: 30). Oh, that we all would strive to imbibe this same attitude of John: That Jesus be glorified even at our own expense! Meanwhile, Andrew, having been impacted by the life and message of Christ, went and brought his brother Peter: "We have found the Messiah"(v.41), he said to Peter. There is a strong connection between our attitude towards sinners who need Christ and our own personal encounter with Christ himself. If you have truly encountered the Messiah, are you passionate about drawing others, by word and deed, to that same Messiah whom you have encountered?

✝️🙏 PRAYER: Lord, please draw me into a deeper encounter with you today, and give me a passionate heart for sinners! Amen.

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* WEDNESDAY 17TH JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* SOMETHING GOOD OUT OF NAZARETH!

*TEXT:* JOHN 1: 43-51

43. The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.”
44. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46. And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
48. Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
49. Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
50. Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”
51. And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

*MESSAGE:*

lt is very often said that God specialises in bringing beauty out of ashes. This is very true One of the reasons why many of the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah was because of His connection with the city of Nazareth; a place despised and looked down upon. It was the divine arrangement to orchestrate the exaltation and popularisation of the despised city that the parents of Jesus were led to move to live in Nazareth. God showed His power by bringing a Messiah out of Nazareth!Mary, in the Magnification, said, "He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate" (Luke 1:52).

Today, if you are feeling downcast, despised or worthless, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he might lift you up in due time (1 Pet. 5:6). It is in Christ that every lost self-worth and self confidence can be restored and lost identity regained. People around you may have written you off as "nothing", as inconsequential, but a complete surrender and dependence on Jesus Christ can turn all that around. In Christ, there is grace that can turn situations around for your good and to God's glory.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, may I receive Your power to turn every humiliating situation
in my life around. _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."_ *Lamentations 3: 22-23*

✝️📗DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2024-JANUARY -18


🎯TOPIC: DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU



✝️TEXT: John 2: 1-10(NKJV)
2:1. On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
2:2. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
2:3. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."
2:4. Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."
2:5. His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do [it."]
2:6. Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.
2:7. Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim.
2:8. And He said to them, "Draw [some] out now, and take [it] to the master of the feast." And they took [it.]
2:9. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.
2:10. And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the [guests] have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"

✝️🗒️ STUDY: One of the biggest challenges to our faith as Christians is the challenge of obedience. Yet Scriptures have made it very clear that the blessings of the Lord will always be a reward for our obedience. Our passage today tells us of a dicey situation. At this wedding where Jesus, his disciples, and his mother were present on invitation, the wine suddenly ran out. But thank God, Jesus was present! Just imagine the embarrassment if Jesus had not been around to save the day!
If you have Jesus in your life, you are truly covered. When the mother of Jesus solicited for His intervention, she knew He would act. However, the obedience of the servants to Jesus' instructions was key in bringing a solution to the problem. Thank God these servants fully obeyed Him, even when His methods of meeting the need at hand were quite strange and unexpected. Many times, God's instructions to us can be strange, unexpected, hard and even seemingly irrational. Our willingness to trust His love, faithfulness and power and to fully obey whatever He tells us is what will pull us through. Quite often, we hear God's word and are not willing to obey because it makes us uncomfortable. God's instructions do not come to make us comfortable, but to bring solutions to our problems!Do whatever He tells you!

✝️🙏 PRAYER: Almighty God, please give me grace to always act in total obedience to Your word. Amen.

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* FRIDAY 19TH JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* THE PURPOSE OF HIS MIRACLES

*TEXT:* JOHN 2: 11-12

11. This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

12. After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

*MESSAGE:*

Very often, success and glory, not problems and adversities, are the real tests of faith and humility that we face. It is very easy to get lost in the euphoria of God's favour, blessings and interventions that one can forget that God's blessings are not primarily for our own sakes. At the wedding at Cana in Galilee, Jesus saved the day by miraculously turning water into wine. No doubt people drank and enjoyed the sweet wine that God had graciously provided and the bridegroom and his new bride _(and perhaps their relations)_ went home that night heaving long sigh of relief that they had been saved from a huge embarrassment. But note that what Jesus did was that He _"manifested His glory."_ This also strengthened the faith of God and assisting the needy and His disciples.

If God brings a miracle of whatever kind into your life, let it result in acts and testimonies that direct glory back to Him and edify the faith of His people; otherwise, the purpose of that miracle would be defeated. God's power and blessings in your life are not to stir up pride and arrogance but to be handled with humility, resulting in glory for him and the building of the faith of many. God's answer to your prayers is never because of how strong and special you are, but only about Him seeking to glorify Himself through you. Do not steal God's glory!

*PRAYER:*
Loving Father help me to always remember to give glory to you for all you do in me and through me. _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_“Have faith in God,”_ Jesus answered. _“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."_ *Mark 11: 22-23*

✝️📗DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2024-JANUARY - 21
(Third Sunday after Epiphany)

🎯TOPIC: CONFIDENCE IN TIMES OF CRISES


✝️TEXT: Psalm 23: 1-8(NKJV)
23:1. A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.
23:2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
23:3. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
23:4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
23:5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
23:6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

✝️🗒️STUDY: The passage today is David's personal testimony of his experiences with God. Having come close to death severally and yet obtaining God's deliverance, he testified to the fact that God is an unfailing Shepherd of His people. As a result, he was confident about his present circumstances and of grace in the future. He believed that 'valley times' were appointed for His good. Therefore, he stayed close, and trusted in God's protection and guidance all the way saying, "The Lord is my shepherd."
In this life, problems will not be absent; your very existence will even be threatened. However, a child of God must let his/her confidence be in God at such times. There is no dark valley that you will go through alone. The Lord-your Good Shepherd-will be with you. Only fix your eyes on and stick close to Him. Be confident in this-that your Shepherd knows the way through the valley and has good reasons for taking you through such route. Something better is waiting for you on the other side of the valley. However, be sure you enter a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This alone, is the basis for your confidence.

✝️🙏 PRAYER: Father, help me to find my confidence in you and rise above every storm in my life, Amen.

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* MONDAY 22ND JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* LOOK UP TO JESUS TODAY

*TEXT:* JOHN 3: 1-21

1. There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

3. Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4. Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

5. Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

8. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9. Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

10. Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

11. Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.

12. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

13. No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

14. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

15. That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

17. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

21. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

*MESSAGE:*

The Lord reminded Nicodemus of the bronze snake in the wilderness to help him (and us) link the story to the offering up of Jesus on the cross for the salvation of those who believe in him. In both stories, the people were in danger of death because of their sins and we see God providing the agent of salvation (the bronze serpent and His Son). However, while a look at the lifted bronze snake prolonged their physical life, a look at the lifted Christ makes eternal life possible.

Friend, if you are still in sin, you are under divine condemnation and in danger of eternal death. You need to be rescued so you can spend eternity with God. God loves you and has made a provision for your rescue and salvation by giving His Son - that by looking up to him by faith, you will be saved and not be condemned. This same God of love will send the same Jesus a second time to judge the world for sin. Have you trusted him for your salvation? What is the first thing you do each morning? Do you look at the news, social media, your problems and trials, or do you look up to Jesus that you may live eternally?

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to make a new commitment to look up to Jesus for encouragement, hope and salvation, _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."_ *Hebrews 12:2*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* TUESDAY 23RD JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* CHRIST ABOVE ALL

*TEXT:* JOHN 3: 22-36

22. After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.
23. Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.
24. For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25. Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification.
26. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
27. John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
28. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
29. He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
30. He must increase, but I must decrease.
31. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
32. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.
33. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true.
34. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
35. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.
36. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

*MESSAGE:*

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? It 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.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods."_ *1 Chronicles 16: 25*

✝️📗DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2024-JANUARY - 24

🎯TOPIC: COME FOR A DRINK



✝️TEXT: John 4: 1-26(NKJV)
4:1. Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John
4:2. (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples),
4:3. He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.
4:4. But He needed to go through Samaria.
4:5. So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
4:6. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from [His] journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
4:7. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink."
4:8. For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
4:9. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
4:10. Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."
4:11. The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?
4:12. "Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?"
4:13. Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,
4:14. "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
4:15. The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."
4:16. Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here."
4:17. The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,'
4:18. "for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."
4:19. The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.
4:20. "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you [Jews] say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."
4:21. Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.
4:22. "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
4:23. "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
4:24. "God [is] Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
4:25. The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things."
4:26. Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am [He."]

✝️STUDY: On His way to Galilee through Samaria, Jesus sat by the well of Jacob while his disciples went to buy lunch. A Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well and an encounter ensued between her and Jesus. Jesus skillfully showed her that she needed the living water, which only He can give. This living water refers to the new birth (salvation), which the Holy Spirit imparts. He invited her to ask Him for the living water that will forever quench her spiritual thirst. And the woman wasted no time in requesting for it (v.15).
Jesus seeks thirsty sinners to give them the living water which satisfies the thirsty soul for time and eternity. No sinner is excluded from the offer of this water. Jesus didn't exclude the Samaritan woman from it and He doesn't exclude you either! To receive this gift of living water, you must recognise that you are thirsty and that you can never satisfy that thirst by yourself. Then come to Jesus for a drink. His drink does not only satisfy thirst but it becomes a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. If you continually drink from the world's sources, you will thirst again. So, why not come to Him for a drink

✝️🙏 PRAYER: lord jesus,give me this water of life that i may notbe thirsty again . Amen

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.*
CHURCH OF NIGERIA
_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* FRIDAY 26TH JANUARY, 2024 _*{Timothy & Titus: Companions of St. Paul}*_ *THEME:* CHRIST CAN USE YOU

*TEXT:* MARK 16: 14-20

14. Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

15. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

17. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

18. they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19. So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

20. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

*MESSAGE:*

Today, just a day following the Conversion of Saint Paul, we celebrate Saints Timothy and Titus, close companions of the Apostle Paul. Both of them were Greeks who came to know the Lord and later accompanied Paul on various missionary journeys. They brought in theiryouthful enthusiasm to their call. Timothy later helped Paul to establish churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the Jerusalem Apostolic Council meeting. He was later sent on urgent missions to Corinth and was entrusted with the organisation of the Church in Crete. In each case, these young men preached the Gospel, proving themselves faithful, reliable and worthy ambassadors of Christ.

The point here is that Jesus' disciples have a responsibility to proclaim the good news of the salvation proVided by Christ Jesus. That good news is the offer of forgiveness of sins and the ofer of eternal life. The Lord of the harvest is in the busıness of sending people into the harvest fields to reap souls (Mark 16:15). Will He find you available and willing like Timothy and Titus? It doesn't matter your level of education or exposure; Christ equips all of His disciples to serve Him in different capacities and does extraordinary things through them. He can use you too if you are available.

*PRAYER:*
Dear Lord, help me to go about the task You have assigned to me, _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"... For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."_ *Jeremiah 29: 11*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA

_(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* SATURDAY 27TH JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* THE CHANGING POWER OF THE GOSPEL

*TEXT:* JOHN 4: 27-38

27. And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”
28. The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men,
29. “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30. Then they went out of the city and came to Him.
31. In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
32. But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”
33. Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?”
34. Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
35. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36. And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
37. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’
38. I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

*MESSAGE:*

Jesus was hungry but He had spiritual passions that needed to be fulfilled. His greatest desire was to do the will of the Father and to please Him. In His conversation with the Samaritan woman, He built a spiritual bridge to her - confronting her sin, and finally revealing to her that He was the Messiah. The woman left her water pot and went and called people to come see Jesus. Her mundane task of fetching water was not that important any more. Her priorities, interests and desires changed. She came to the well to draw water and left the well without water. The effects Jesus had on this Woman spread to others and they too sought him. Thus, for the sake of the gospel, cultural barriers were broken. When the gospel is received and believed, it quenches thirst and satisfies hunger (vv. 31-34).

The Gospel has been changing the world for over 2,000 years; have you allowed the gospel of Christ transform you? Remember, it still can and we are its voices. Every one of us can do our part. When we evangelise, it affects others around us. The gospel changes our passion and purpose. When God's word is applied, it satisfies people's hunger and thirst. Is that your experience?

*PRAYER:*
Thank You, heavenly Father, for giving us Your word to change us. _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"... For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."_ *Roman 1: 16*

✝️📗DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2024-Jan-28
(Septuagesima Sunday)

🎯TOPIC: THE KEY TO STANDING FIRM



✝️TEXT: Psalm 34: 11-18(NKJV)
34:11. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
34:12. Who [is] the man [who] desires life, And loves [many] days, that he may see good?
34:13. Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
34:14. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
34:15. The eyes of the LORD [are] on the righteous, And His ears [are open] to their cry.
34:16. The face of the LORD [is] against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
34:17. [The righteous] cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.
34:18. The LORD [is] near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

✝️STUDY: We face troubles and threats in life daily. However, even in such situations, we can stand and still live long. David in his days of trouble, learnt the secrets of deliverance from fears and troubles and shares them with us here. He desires that people come to know and enjoy the service of God, which produces a long and happy life and deliverance. This will enable us to stand firm in our faith and not grow weary. The first of these secrets is a departure from evil- to fear God (vv. 12-14). The second is to always remember that God loves and is near those who completely put their trust in Him(v.15). Finally, we need to know that the wicked shall not prosper (vv.16-18).
Do you want to stand? Do you want your faith to be strong? Then be ready to depart from evil and wickedness. Remember, anyone who rejects Christ is an enemy of God and is wicked! Such shall not stand or prosper. Regardless of your good works, tithes, or faithfulness, as long as you keep living in sin, you will one day hear, 'Depart from me, I never knew you!' Therefore, forsake and shun evil and pursue what is right. The fear of the Lord remains the key to deliverance, the key to joy in life, as well as long and happy days.

✝️🙏PRAYER: Lord, teach me to shun evil and stand firmly in you, Amen.

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA _(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* MONDAY, 29TH JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* HARVEST MINDSET

*TEXT:* JOHN 4: 39-42

39. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.”

40. So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.

41. And many more believed because of His own word.

42. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

*MESSAGE:*

The Samaritan woman was excited on discovering the Messiah. She left her water jar and hurried to town to tell her neighbours about Him - the One who uncovered her past. Her story opened up the whole Samaritan village to faith in Jesus Christ as the people rushed out of the city to meet Jesus, and many believed in Him. See how God uses an unlikely person to witness! The Samaritan woman was a new convert with no sound doctrine or training, yet she effectively evangelised her entire village for Christ! God uses witnesses who are excited about Jesus, and who have a harvest mindset, thereby inviting others to come to Jesus.

What are you doing about the spiritual need of your neighbours and family members? Don't you know it's your responsibility to reach out to them? God has put you there to be an effective witness to them. But in order to do this, you must be saved yourself because the testimony of a transformed person is extremely powerful in drawing friends and acquaintances to Christ. I invite you to come and encounter the Lord now if you haven't. Jesus will save and use you as an effective witness to invite others to come to Him and be saved.

*PRAYER:*
Father, give me a harvest mindset to put Your will and work above everything else, _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"... Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,"_ *Hebrews 6: 1*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA _(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* TUESDAY, 30TH JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* WRONG OR RIGHT REASONS

*TEXT:* JOHN 4: 43-45

43. Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee.

44. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

45. So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.

*MESSAGE:*

Jesus entered Galilee after two days of fruitful ministry in the Samaritan village where many people believed His word. Though He knew that He would not be honoured in His own country, Jesus still went. But the Galileans were happy to have Him in their midst. Therefore, they honoured and welcomed Him-not because they recognized Him as the Saviour of the world, but as a miracle worker.

Many people honour, believe and receive Christ for the same wrong reasons-for miracles and material blessings! However, Jesus did not come to give temporal material blessings we could wish for. He often meets us at our points of need, but that is just the beginning. His miracles are supposed to lead us into a deeper relationship with Him. He wants us to honour, believe and receive Him as the Christ, the Son of God, so that we might have eternal life. What reasons do you have for believing in Christ? If the reasons are wrong, then you are a heartbeat away from eternal condemnation. But you don't need to go to hell! Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ-the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and you will be saved.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to go beyond the shallow Galilean faith, to believe
and receive You as Lord and Saviour, _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"... For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."_ *Ephes

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA _(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* TUESDAY, 30TH JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* WRONG OR RIGHT REASONS

*TEXT:* JOHN 4: 43-45

43. Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee.

44. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

45. So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.

*MESSAGE:*

Jesus entered Galilee after two days of fruitful ministry in the Samaritan village where many people believed His word. Though He knew that He would not be honoured in His own country, Jesus still went. But the Galileans were happy to have Him in their midst. Therefore, they honoured and welcomed Him-not because they recognized Him as the Saviour of the world, but as a miracle worker.

Many people honour, believe and receive Christ for the same wrong reasons-for miracles and material blessings! However, Jesus did not come to give temporal material blessings we could wish for. He often meets us at our points of need, but that is just the beginning. His miracles are supposed to lead us into a deeper relationship with Him. He wants us to honour, believe and receive Him as the Christ, the Son of God, so that we might have eternal life. What reasons do you have for believing in Christ? If the reasons are wrong, then you are a heartbeat away from eternal condemnation. But you don't need to go to hell! Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ-the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and you will be saved.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to go beyond the shallow Galilean faith, to believe
and receive You as Lord and Saviour, _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"... For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."_ *Ephesians 2: 8-10*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA _(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* WEDNESDAY, 31ST JANUARY, 2024 *THEME:* CRISIS AS OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK JESUS

*TEXT:* JOHN 4: 46-54

46. So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.
47. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
48. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”
49. The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!”
50. Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.
51. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”
52. Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.”
53. So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.
54. This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.

*MESSAGE:*

One of the crises we face in life is illness. Where illness occurs, especially if it is terminal, family members are usually concerned and troubled. This is the case with the royal officer who rushed in from Capernaum to invite Jesus to his house to heal his son who was at the point of death. Jesus did not accept to go with the man, instead He said to him: "Go, your son lives" The man obeyed and by the time he got home, his son was healed and at the exact time Jesus made the pronouncement. This miracle led to the salvation of the whole household, as they believed the Lord Jesus (v.53).

We all face crises of different kinds in life-unemployment, poverty, illness, persecutions, hardships, family unrest, disappointments, deaths, etc. However, each crisis is an opportunity to seek the Lord for His intervention and salvation. God often makes use of such crises in our lives to make us seek Him in ways that we would never have done if the crises had not occurred. His promises are yea and amen and should be believed. When you seek and believe Him in such difficult times, God will not only intervene in the crisis, but also draw you into deeper relationship with Him.

*PRAYER:*
Dear Lord, incline my heart to fervently seek You, not only during
crisis but even after, _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His Faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass."_ *Psalm 37: 3-5*

✝️📗DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2024-Feb-01

🎯TOPIC: JESUS SAVES



✝️TEXT: John 5: 1-9(NKJV)
5:1. After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
5:2. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep [Gate] a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.
5:3. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.
5:4. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
5:5. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.
5:6. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been [in that condition] a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?"
5:7. The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me."
5:8. Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk."
5:9. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.

✝️STUDY: In our text for today, we see Jesus going to the Bethesda pool in Jerusalem. In the vicinity of the pool lay many people with different health challenges, waiting for the moving of the water by an angel, in order to be healed as the first entrant into the troubled water. When Jesus saw a man who had been sick for 38 years lying there, He asked him if he wanted to get well. After the man complained that he had nobody to help him enter the pool at the right time, Jesus commanded him to rise up, take his bed and walk. The man was healed immediately and he took his bed and went away on that Sabbath day.
Jesus showed love, care and concern to the sick man although he could not answer His question correctly. Jesus heals because He was anointed by God to do good and to heal all who are oppressed by the devil (Acts 10: 38). Do you have a spiritual or physical sickness? Jesus can heal you today! He can set you free from that sickness or bondage. Call on Him today and receive your healing (Jer. 33: 3).

✝️🙏 PRAYER: Abba Father, heal me spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially in Jesus' name.

*HAPPY NEW MONTH*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA _(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* FRIDAY, 2ND FEBRUARY, 2024 *_{The Presentation of Christ in the Temple}_* *THEME:* LED BY THE SPIRIT

*TEXT:* LUKE 2: 22-35

22. Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
23. (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
24. And to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
28. He took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29. “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30. For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31. Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33. And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
34. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against
35. (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

*MESSAGE:*

The earthly parents of Jesus Christ brought Him to the Temple in Jerusalem to:
(1) present Him to the Lord, and
(2) to offer a sacrifice, according to the Law of the Lord.
A Just and devout man called Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit to come into the Temple at that time. The Holy Spirit had already revealed to him that he would see Christ before his death. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, for the presentation ceremony, Simeon carried Jesus in his arms and spoke prophetically concerning his death, his ministry and His sacrificial death.

The leading of the Holy Spirit is critical in the Christian's life. His presence reveals the identity of the child of God (Eph. 4: 30). The Holy Spirit also guides Christians into all truth and gives them revelations. As a Christian parent, you must strive to bring up your children in the fear and nurture of God (Prov. 22:6). As a believer, you should seek to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit in all you do every day. Obedience to the Holy Spirit is the key to victorious Christian living.

*PRAYER:*
Help me O Lord to be guided and controlled by the Holy Spirit today and every day in Jesus' name. _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground."_ *Psalm 143: 10*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA _(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* SATURDAY, 3RD FEBRUARY, 2024 *THEME:* AVOID SIN!

*TEXT:* JOHN 5: 10-16

10. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”

11. He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”

12. Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?”

13. But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place.

14. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”

15. The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

16. For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.

*MESSAGE:*

The man who was healed by Jesus was asked by the Jews why he was carrying his bed on the Sabbath day. His response was that the man who healed him told him to do so. When the Jews inquired of the identity of his healer, he could not answer. Thereafter, Jesus saw him in the temple and advised him to avoid sin. When the man informed the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him, they wanted to kill Jesus because He had healed someone on the Sabbath day.

The advice of Jesus to the healed man seems to suggest that his sickness was caused by sin. Sin does not only cause sickness but leads to death (Rom. 6: 23). Some girls have died because of the sin of abortion after they indulged in illicit sex. People who indulge in immorality reap sexual diseases. Are you living in bondage of sin such as lying, stealing, alcoholism, fornication, adultery, masturbation, cheating, examination malpractice, bribery and corruption? Jesus advises you to avoid sin from today. Repent of your sin and confess them to God right now, for forgiveness and for your salvation (2 Cor. 6: 2). Stop sin before it stops you!

*PRAYER:*
Father in Heaven, search my heart and help me to confess and avoid sin in Jesus' name. _*Amen*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"...For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."_ *Romans 6: 23*

✝️📗DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
Date: 2024-Feb-04
(Sexagesima Sunday)

🎯TOPIC: IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE



✝️TEXT: TEXT: Psalm 77: 1-15(NKJV)
77:1. To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God with my voice -- To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me.
77:2. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted.
77:3. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah
77:4. You hold my eyelids [open;] I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
77:5. I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times.
77:6. I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search.
77:7. Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more?
77:8. Has His mercy ceased forever? Has [His] promise failed forevermore?
77:9. Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah
77:10. And I said, "This [is] my anguish; [But I will remember] the years of the right hand of the Most High."
77:11. I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
77:12. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.
77:13. Your way, O God, [is] in the sanctuary; Who [is] so great a God as [our] God?
77:14. You [are] the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
77:15. You have with [Your] arm redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

✝️STUDY: The Psalmist writes about his experiences in the day of trouble. He did the following: (1) He cried unto God. (2) He sought the Lord. (3) He remembered God. (4) He was awake and speechless. (5) He reflected on times past. (6) He considered why God seemed silent at a time like this. (7)He resolved to remember the works of God's hand in past years and his miracles. ( He pledged to meditate on God's works and testify of His mighty acts and wonders. Encountering trouble is an integral part of this life. No matter how you try to avoid it, you are bound to experience trouble someday. What is your response when trouble comes? Do you cry unto God or do you resort to the arm of flesh? The day of trouble is a time to seek God for His solution. It is a time to remember God and His past deliverances and miracles in your life. It is a time to meditate and testify of His mighty works and wonders, so that He will do it again for you! What trouble are you experiencing now in your life? Take it to the Lord in prayer. Call upon His name and he will deliver you (Jer. 33: 3).

✝️🙏 PRAYER: Help me O God, to trust and seek Your face in the day of trouble.

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA _(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* MONDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY, 2024 *THEME:* THE FATHER AND SON WORK

*TEXT:* JOHN 5: 17-30

17. But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
18. Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
19. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
20. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
21. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
22. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,
23. That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
24. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.
26. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,
27. And has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
28. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice
29. And come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
30. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

*MESSAGE:*

In the text, Jesus told the Jews that His Father and Himself have been working. This angered them and they really wanted to kill him because He broke the Sabbath and by calling God His Father, made Himself equal to God. Jesus also told them that:
(i) The Son does what He sees the Father do.,
(ii) The Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He does and will show Him greater works.
(iii) As the father gives life to the dead, the Son also gives life to whom He wills.
(iv) The Father has committed all judgment to the Son.
(v) Men should honour both the Father and the Son.
(vi) Both the Father and Son have life in themselves.
(vii) Jesus' judgment is righteous because He seeks the Father's will.

We notice a very special relationship between God the Father, and Jesus Christ, the Son. They cooperate in the area of work as the Son does similar works as the Father. Do you have a relationship with God as your Father? You need to cooperate with your Heavenly Father in all that you do in your home, work, business and society. Seek to do God's will today wherever you go.

*PRAYER:*
Help me, O God, to do Your will in all that I do or say. _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”_ *Psalm 40:8*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA _(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* WEDNESDAY, 7TH FEBRUARY, 2024 *THEME:* SEARCHING WITHOUT REVELATION

*TEXT:* JOHN 5: 39-47

39. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
40. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
41. “I do not receive honor from men.
42. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.
43. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
44. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?
45. Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust.
46. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
47. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

*MESSAGE:*

In this passage, Jesus tells His Jewish critics that the Seriptures they search for eternal life, actually testify of Him; but they are unwilling to come and get life from Him. Jesus confronts them that they do not have God's love and have rejected Him who came from God, since they do not seek the honour that comes from God. He also told them that Moses whom they trust would accuse them to the Father, and since they did not believe His Words, they did not really believe Moses or his writings.

Although the Jews searched the Scriptures for eternal life, they failed to get the revelation that Jesus Christ is eternal life, and whoever has the Son has life (1 John 5: 11-12). Many people who go to church search the Scriptures but fail to receive God's revelations. This means there is a problem. Have you received Christ into your life? If not, you better repent of your sins and call on Him to save you. Are you interested in seeking earthly titles, positions, degrees, appointments and possessions, but do not Seek the honour that God gives? Please set your priorities right and seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matt. 6: 33).

*PRAYER:*
Father please open my eyes to see Jesus as I search the Scriptures,
_*Amen!*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law."_ *Deuteronomy 29: 29*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA _(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* THURSDAY, 8TH FEBRUARY, 2024 *THEME:* THE COMPASSIONATE JESUS

*TEXT:* JOHN 6: 1-14

1. After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
2. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.
3. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.
4. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.
5. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”
6. But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
7. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”
8. One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,
9. “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
10. Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.
12. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.”
13. Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
14. Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

*MESSAGE:*

A great multitude followed Jesus while He and His disciples went up and sat down on the mountain. Though already knowing what to do, He asked Philip where they could buy food for the large multitude. However another disciple, Andrew, informed Him that a young boy had five barley loaves and two small fish. Jesus instructed that the about 5000 men be made to sit down. He took the loaves, gave thanks to God and gave His disciples to distribute to the men. He did same for the fish. After all the men had eaten and we're filled, twelve baskets of bread fragments were recovered, and the men testified that the expected Prophet had come.

Out of great compassion, Jesus gave hospitality to about 5000 men. An observant Andrew informed Jesus of some available loaves of bread and fish. A young boy sacrificed his lunch to Jesus for a miraculous feeding of the multitude. Are you a hospitable person that readily receives visitors into your home? Are you observant of what happens in your home, work place or church? Learn from Andrew and the boy. Please give useful information to your parents or leaders at school, ofice, the church or community. Show compassion to others. Give something to someone today!

*PRAYER:*
Grant me a compassionate heart, O God. _*Amen.*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"...For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."_ *Hebrews 4: 15*

*THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL.* CHURCH OF NIGERIA _(ANGLICAN COMMUNION)_

*DATE:* FRIDAY, 9TH FEBRUARY, 2024 *THEME:* AN UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE

*TEXT:* JOHN 6: 15-21

15. Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.
16. Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,
17. Got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
18. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.
19. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid.
20. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
21. Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

*MESSAGE:*

The account of this incident as rendered by John supplements those by Matthew and Mark (Matt. 14: 22-32; Mark 6: 45-51). As Jesus went to pray alone on the mountain, the disciples took a boat to cross the sea of Galilee. As it was already dark, a great wind was blowing and they had already rowed about 5.5km in the sea in troublesome waters, before they saw Jesus walking on the sea towards their boat, and they became afraid. They must have been afraid because they might have initially thought that Jesus was a ghost. However, Jesus reassured them not to be afraid.

This uncomfortable experience of stormy weather at sea came after the disciples had experienced the fifth of seven miracles of Jesus. as recorded by John, proving that Jesus is God. Have you gone through an unexpected challenge after doing the will of God? It shows that doing the will of God will not prevent difficulties from coming into our lives. Remember that Jesus will always be there to tell you not to be afraid and bring calm to that situation. Keep trusting and obeying God in all you do today and you will overcome your stormy seas.

*PRAYER:*
Dear Lord, help me overcome my hard situations now and always in Jesus name. _*Amen*_

*QUOTE FOR THE DAY:*
God says

_"... For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."_ *Isaiah 41: 13*