The volume 13, 2023 daily devotional guide of the church of Nigeria Anglican Communion known as the daily fountain devotional is out to the glory of God. If you are reading the daily fountain devotional for today, it means you are among the blessed ones who saw 2022 ended and you have graciously entered the year 2023. Congratulations and happy New Year. The Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional Sunday January 1, 2023.
The Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional Sunday January 1, 2023
Sunday, January 1, 2023 (Second Sunday after Christmas).
Text: Matthew 2: 1-12
Topic: REORDER YOUR PRIORITIES
Bible Passage:
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
The Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional Sunday January 1, 2023.
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
The Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional Sunday January 1, 2023
Introduction text:
Opportunities come in life and the way we respond to them affect our lives. Jesus was born when Herod was the king of Judea (v.1) and this was a great privilege that would have brought great blessings to Herod and his family. Regrettably, Herod abused the privilege probably because of his quest for power. The wise men were wise indeed; they acted wisely by identifying with the reality of their time. They saw Jesus’ star and went to worship Him as King of the Jews (v.2). The genuine intention of these wise men in observing protocol by visiting Herod as the king exposed the child to risk but God intervened and thwarted the evil plans of Herod to harm the child.
Today, some of us have become slaves of our lifestyles, associations and earthly desires to the extent that we can sacrifice our Christian faith to sustain them. Those things that take away your commitment towards God have become your Herod’s kingdom. In this New Year, reorder your steps and do not struggle with God anymore. Let his interest reign supreme in your life. Allow Jesus to be the Lord of your life, He will keep you, bless you and watch over you.
Prayer: Take time today to rededicate yourself and your family to God.
