This daily devotional which is intended to speak life in the lives of readers is named "Rivers of Living Waters: A Daily Devotional" because water symbolizes Life. The message it contains is intended to be quick and powerful as it speaks to the contemporary issues of life. The spirit of the message it contains is truth. Because the words that we speak are spirit and life, the author suggest that the words of this book be whispered by readers as they read, because when the written word is spoken, it is even more powerful; that is the power of the tongue. A page a day will enrich your life.

Rivers of Living Waters

A Daily DevotionalBy Augustine S. Chea

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Augustine S. Chea
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4520-0029-9

Contents

DEDICATION.............................vAbout The Author.......................viAuthor's Note..........................viiAppreciation...........................viiiForeword...............................ix

Chapter One

365 Days Left! January 1st

A Brand New Beginning

Genesis 8:13

"And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the Earth: ..."

No condition is permanent. There is a time and season to every situation. Now that you have made it into the New Year, you can look back over your life and say, thank you Jesus for helping me make a safe transition into a new era! While others were drowning in the river of their spiritual, economic and financial troubles, you survived, only by the grace of GOD. This is the first day and first month of a great year. The flood of hardship is dried up and the trash of the past has been washed away. Now that you have been ushered into a brand new beginning, do you have a resolution?

If so, does it embrace seeking the kingdom of GOD and His righteousness as your priority? You can make this new era a joyful and prosperous one by refusing to repeat the mistakes of the old year. Because they put GOD first in their lives, Noah and his family were saved from the flood of their days. They were ensured a smooth transition into a new and prosperous era. The fact that GOD allowed you to survive the turbulent past is an indication that you have another chance to fulfill your purpose on Earth. Learn from the past and move ahead without hesitation.

364 Days Left! January 2nd

Get Out Of GOD's Way

Genesis 19:22

"Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither ..."

The Scripture quotation above was the word the Angel spoke to Lot. This holy messenger of GOD was on a mission to destroy the cities of arrogant disobedience to divine commandments Sodom and Gomorrah. As a result of divine mercy and favor, Lot was given safe exit. The Angel told him to go to a certain destination, but in disobedience, he chose another. In the process of pleading his case to have his way instead og GOD's will, he briefly caused delay to the wrath of GOD upon Sodom and Gomorrah. His continuous presence tied the hands of the Angel to act quickly.

This is true of many believers today. Because we would not hurry and get out of His way, GOD is delaying in taking certain actions, be it to pronounce blessings or curses. This Scripture also lets the Saints of GOD know how peculiar they are in His sight. Due to divine favor upon your life, a home or city can be blessed by being spared the wrath of GOD. Use your intercessory prayer power to pray for others. If you plead for people just like Abraham did, GOD will listen to your cry. Divine favor is an immeasurable blessing. Do not holdup the move of GOD with your self-will just like Lot did. Get out of GOD's way.

363 Days Left! January 3rd

Quick Sowing And Reaping

Genesis 26: 12 "Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him."

Sowing and reaping are natural and spiritual laws that cannot be manipulated by anyone. Like Isaac, be led by the LORD in your sowing. It is imperative that you sow. Where to plant your seed during a particular season is a matter of listening to divine direction. When famine struck in the land where Isaac lived, he was told by GOD to move to a specific land in which to sow. As the result of his obedience, he reaped not seven, ten or sixty fold, but hundredfold in the same year.

Don't eat your seed. When you give to people in need, you are sowing seed. It is important to note that whatever you say or do, a seed is being sown. According to the laws of sowing and reaping, the sower always reap more than what he or she sows. Because seeds in the form of words or deeds always return to its source. So be mindful of your utterances and actions. Say and do good things to people. If you have no good seed to plant, don't sow at all. If you have good seed but have no immediate fallow ground, wait until you find one. Do not just scatter seeds. Every seed counts.

362 Days Left! January 4th

Hatred Not Tolerated

Genesis 29:31

"And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, He opened her womb:"

When they are unproductive in one area of their lives and you are not, never make mockery of your brothers or sisters. If you cannot intercede to GOD on their behalves, leave them alone. GOD is watching and He does not support or promote neither hatred nor jealousy. You do not know His plans for the lives of your brothers and sisters. Since you do not know what the future holds, never try to pre-judge. Paraphrasing the Bible, the stone you may be rejecting today could be the same rock you would need to be your chief cornerstone tomorrow. Jacob had the right to choose who he wanted as his head wife. However, due to the fact that Leah was hated or looked down upon, GOD blessed her greatly.

Out of Leah came Levi whose descendants were chosen by GOD to the Leviticus Priesthood. She also gave birth to a son whose descendants became the most powerful in Israel the tribe of Judah. You must remember never to allow the way people feel about you to determine how you feel about yourself. It is what Christ feels about you that should matter. Just because others do not value you does not mean you should go to the extreme to get their approval. No matter how people hit you, only seek to please GOD not them.

361 Days Left! January 4th

Wrestling For Your Blessings

Genesis 32: 26

"And he said, let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."

If you are truly desperate to be blessed, no amount of pain or suffering can prevent you from receiving your blessing; Jacob was no exception. Being in a life-threatening situation with Esau his brother determined to kill him, he found himself in the fight for his life by wrestling with an Angel of GOD. To be able to win the battle against his unrelenting brother, he had to be a conqueror in the realm of the spirit. Jacob wrestling with the Angel until the breaking of day was the spiritual breakthrough he needed. Though serious injury was inflicted to his body, he did not let go until he got what he needed; a name and character change.

Perseverance and consistency are major factors to receiving a break through in any situation. Whatever your condition may be, there is hope for you. Only keep up the fight. Give no room to fear or doubt. GOD is faithful and will not let you down. Like in the case of Jacob, GOD may test your faith to see how badly you want to have what you are praying for, but that does not mean He is not in favor of you having it. Know what you want, and go for it. Seize the moment and make use of every opportunity. Without surrendering, wrestle for your blessings today! Put up a good fight.

360 Days Left! January 6th

Fear Of Rejection

Exodus 4:1

"And Moses answered and said, but, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee."

Moses fear of what his pears and followers would think and say about him being a true messenger of GOD was understandable. It is a common human tendency for an individual to sometimes worry about how others feel about him or her in a particular state of affairs. Sometimes when the LORD gives we the Saints of GOD messages for His people, we doubt that they will lend us any credibility; especially, if we had no previous track record known to them. We would give one hundred and one reasons or excuses as to why people won't believe us.

When GOD ask you to do something and you know for sure that it is the LORD, you better go right ahead and be obedient. Nothing should matter more than executing the will of GOD. People will always be people no matter where you go. If you worry about what they will think or say about what you know for sure the LORD told you, you will become just like them; stumbling block to the fulfillment of GOD'S purpose. They may call you names, but that cannot be compare to the valuable blessings you will receive from obeying the voice of the LORD.

359 Days Left! January 7th

Divine Leadership

Exodus 13:17

"And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt."

The shortest or easiest way to reaching one's goal is not always the best. After about four hundred years of slavery under the wicked hands of Pharaoh, GOD delivered the Israelites from bondage. To make it harder for them to return to their former slave master when challenges arose, during their exodus from Egypt, He took them through the longest route. GOD did all in His power to make them willing not to return to Egypt.

Never complain about the rough or long route the LORD is leading you through. He knows you better than you know yourself. Because it is for your good, do not murmur. He sees what you do not see and knows what you do not comprehend. You just came out of a troubling situation and should not risk making decisions that could lead you back into your ugly past. Be led by the Spirit and you will never go wrong. It pays to follow divine leadership.

358 Days Left! January 8th

Supernatural Support

Exodus 19: 4

"Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto myself."

By the miracles He performed in their midst and the special care given to them, the LORD did want His people to fully realize how peculiar they were to Him. Remembering the hand of the LORD upon your life is important. It serves as a proof of Jehovah's ever presence, protection and provision in the time of crisis and need. The LORD wanted the Jews to remember how He drowned the Egyptians for their sake and made their journey bearable.

As believers in Christ, though our journey to destiny is filled with enemy traps, it is important that we do not focus on the problems in our lives; but rather, think about the miraculous power of the LORD. He is the same GOD of yesterday, today and forever. What He has done for you in the past, He still can and will do today and tomorrow. Just be obedient to His Word and inquire from him your heart desires. Jesus is more concerned about you than you are about yourself. He understands and feels your pain. Just trust and obey!

357 Days Left! January 9th

First Fruits Offering

Exodus 22:29

"Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the first born of thy sons shall thou give unto me."

The whole duty of mankind is to worship and serve the LORD in everything. After GOD delivered the children of Israel out of their predicament and brought them to a safe and comfortable place, He then began to require of them that which they needed to do in other to keep their relationship with Him in good standing. He required the first fruits of their harvest including their children. This was to be a form of their allegiance, gratefulness and worship unto him.

Giving to GOD the first fruits of your harvest is a means of keeping your storehouse always filled with abundance. This is a covenant making act, which causes the LORD to favorably look upon your needs. Sowing in obedience is everything. When you do so, do it out of a freewill and thankful heart. The LORD loves a cheerful giver. Give your very first fruit to the LORD. Hannah did so in the case of her son Samuel who became one of the greatest prophets and priests ever known in the Land of Israel.

365 Days Left! January 10th Gradual Victory

Exodus 23:29

"I will not drive them out from before you in one year; lest the land be desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee."

This Bible verse clearly shows that the ways of the LORD are not our ways and neither are His thoughts. Though He is Almighty, He chose not to destroy all of Israel's enemies in one day, but rather little by little. Reason being, if He did, the town or cities would have been desolate; thus inviting the beasts of the field to inhabit the town and therefore posing serious problems to the few Jewish remnants who were the inhabitants. The LORD was giving them time to multiply in order to fill the cities which they captured.

It is understandable that we as sons and daughters of the Most High sometimes become very anxious in our expectations, and want the LORD to satisfy our instant gratification tendencies. If GOD was in the business of granting us every single thing we asked for at once, it could cause us serious dilemma in our lives. Sometimes little by little, and one day at a time is in our best interest. Be patient and let the LORD gradually work on your behalf.

355 Days Left! January 11th

The Anointing Oil

Leviticus 8:10

"And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them."

The oil spoken of in the verse above is symbolic of the Spirit of GOD. The use of olive oil in Judeo Christian ritual as anointing oil is the most common practice and is Bible based. That does not mean that no other oil can be used to anoint an individual or object. When the Bible teaches about the anointing of a person or thing with oil, it is speaking of the pouring of oil upon that individual or object. This ceremony is more than just a symbol or type of the Spirit. It has actual supernatural as well as natural impact on the object of contact.

The Scripture clearly states that the purpose for the anointing of the Tabernacle and the things in it by Moses was for their sanctification. Though it may sound fanatical to the canal mind, if you believe, you can execute it under divine unction. Moses was certainly not insane by so doing. There are unseen forces at work in and around our environment that must be controlled and driven out; or else they will disrupt our services to the LORD. In the name of Jesus, use the anointing oil to stage a war against the forces of evil. Anoint your household.

354 Days Left! January 12th

The Life Of The Flesh

Leviticus 17:11

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the alter to make atonement for your souls:"

The blood of any living thing must never be taken for granted or wasted without justifiable cause. We are talking about life. Life belongs to GOD and only He has the power to take it whenever He chooses to. During the Old Testament times, the blood of animals was required by GOD to be shed upon the altar for the atonement of the people's sins. The blood of the innocent was needed and only animals were qualified at the time. Like the blood of Abel which cried out of the ground to GOD, when his brother Cain murdered him, the blood of every human has the power to speak.

Now that the blood of Jesus was shed on Calvary and cried to GOD on behalf of the mankind, no other sacrifices are required for salvation. He gave His sinless life and innocent blood for mankind once and for all. The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is once and for all satisfied. The blood of Jesus gives life. This is the reason for the communion that we take in remembrance of Him. It represents the blood covenant we have with Him. Your life is in the sharing Christ's blood. The Word of GOD says, in Christ we live, move and have our being.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Rivers of Living Watersby Augustine S. Chea Copyright © 2010 by Augustine S. Chea. Excerpted by permission.
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