Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY 21ST APRIL 2020.

THEME: DESIGNED FOR GREATNESS.


MEMORISE:

7 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; Genesis 22:17



READ: Genesis 26:11-14

11 And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:

14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.



MESSAGE

The fact that God designed humanity for greatness is clearly stated in the Bible. Many however, still doubt this reality despite the record in Genesis 1:26-30 where God decided to create mankind in His own image and likeness. He commanded them to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it and also to have dominion over all creation. God did not only bestow greatness on humanity in Genesis 1:26-28, He also ensured all creation was subject to man.

Though the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-19) marred this divine plan, the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has restored the lost glory to humanity (John 17:22). For this reason, the Bible emphasizes that God’s design for greatness remains intact in every born-again child of God according to 1 Peter 2:9 that says:
“ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”

This is profound. Every child of God living holy and committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christian is bound to experience greatness. Therefore, searching for greatness through dubious, sinful, immoral, or criminal methods, is merely a demonstration of foolishness. Seeking greatness anywhere apart from God is an exercise in futility. The power of God to make you great rest squarely on His personality as the Almighty and unlimited God. If you desire to be great, do not waste your money, time and energy in pursuit of greatness outside God; it will end in disappointment and failure (Matthew 16:27). Surrender your life and ambition for greatness to Jesus today then He will save your soul and make you great indeed- far beyond your wildest imaginations. Praise God!


PRAYER POINT:

Father, please let your great plans for my life become a reality very soon, in the mighty name of Jesus.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 6, 8-10,14,16,19 & 21.


AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 15:  I AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

1. I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
o Refrain:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

2. If I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

3. Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

4. Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

5. If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

6. In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blest;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.