METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY 30TH AUGUST, 2026 - BEWARE OF DOGS
DATE: SUNDAY, 30TH AUGUST 2026
THEME: BEWARE OF DOGS
PASSAGE: PHILIPPIANS 3:1-4
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
MESSAGE
A dog is a domestic animal. In some African countries, especially in Egypt, dogs were held sacred and even fed with special food in a temple dedicated to dogs. Exo. 11: 7 rewards that dogs used to bark when people die but no dog would bark at any Israelite while leaving Egypt because no Israelite would be declared dead. What a great miracle of the Almighty.
In our text, Apostle Paul tells the gentile believers to beware of dogs in the figurative sense. He is also telling us to beware of such people listed above. They will end up in hellfire.
In the world today, there are false teachers and prophets who go about telling people that God said what God did not say. They prophesy lies and dupe unsuspecting people who find their way into their nets. They suck people dry. Unfortunately, they have sugar-coated tongues and preach, and their own doctrines are not found anywhere in the Bible they only preach to make quick money.
Apostles Paul, also the admonished the Philippians not to put their confidence in the "flesh". The flesh is carnality. Though the Jews call themselves the Children of Abraham, they are devoid of faith in Christ. In fact, they were the greatest enemies of Christ in his lifetime. They also opposed Paul anywhere he tried to preach the Word of God.
A Carnal mind is enmity against God, says Romans 8:7. To be carnal, too, is to have the Adamic spirit which led to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the presence of God in the Garden of Eden When you commit any sin, whether big or small, you have contravened the law of God (Genesis Chapter 3). Carnality is also sin against the rules, and guidelines of God and you are no longer a child of God but a child of Satan. We, therefore, need to be very careful not to be spiritual dogs.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision." Philippians 3:2
HYMN: MHB 291 (77.77.77) GRACIOUS Spirit, dwell with me
1. GRACIOUS Spirit, dwell with me!
" I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would Thy life In mine reveal,
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.
2. Truthful Spirit,dwell with me
I myself would truthful be,
And with wisdom kind and clear
Let Thy life in mine appear,
And with actions brotherly
Speak my Lord's sincerity.
3. Tender Spirit, dwell with me!
I myself would tender be :
Shut my heart up like a flower
At temptation's darksome hour;
Open It when shines the sun,
And His love by fragrance own.
4. Mighty Spirit, dwell with me
I myself would mighty be,
Mighty so as to prevail
Where unaided man must fall,
Ever by a mighty hope
Pressing on and bearing up.
5. Holy Spirit, dwell with me
I myself would holy be;
Separate from sin, I would
Choose and cherish all things good,
And, whatever I can be,
Give to Him who gave me Thee.
PRAYER:
false prophets and evil workers prowling the world in Jesus Christ's Name Help me, O Lord, to always obey Your word and not to be lured into sin by. Amen.
READ:
DAY: Jeremiah 48
NIGHT: Jeremiah 49