OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: TUESDAY 16TH MARCH 2021.
THEME: EXAMINE YOUR ACTIONS.
MEMORISE:
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9
READ: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
MESSAGE:
When a person comes born again, the things they enjoy doing would change significantly. From the moment I became born again, I have loved winning souls for Christ. I want to tell everybody that Jesus has saved my soul, I'm on my way to heaven and my name is now written in glory.
I still remember the Monday after I gave my life to Jesus, Christ. As soon as I got to work, everybody knew something had happened because I was bubbling with excitement. At that time, I was working towards my Ph.D. My supervisor looked at me and said "Enoch, what happened to you? Did you attend a party during the weekend?" I said, " No Sir, but I've got an invitation to another party". He asked ''Which one is that?" and I replied "A heavenly party. Jesus Christ is going to marry, and I am the bride". That was the very first Monday after I gave my life to Jesus.
A few years ago, I was invited to receive an honorary degree at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, and I was told I had five minutes to appreciate them for the degree. I thanked them for giving me the award then told them that there is another award in heaven, and it would be disastrous not to qualify for it. I also told them that the qualification for the award is to become born again. Before my five minutes were up, I had made an altar call. Nothing gives me more joy than to see those who were going to hell coming to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Do you enjoy winning souls?
Jesus commanded us to take the gospel to the nations of the earth and to disciple them.
I feeI a bit uncomfortable when, during services, Christians still have to be cajoled to give a good offering. Genuinely born-again Christians don't have to be cajoled to give to God, they enjoy it! Examine yourself: do you enjoy giving to God? In 1 Samuel 24 David said he would never give something to God that cost him nothing. Many Christians are not even willing to give to God at all not to talk of giving what costs them something.
Examine yourself: do you enjoy giving to God? Do you honor God with your tithe? Do you honor Him with your first fruit? In 1 Samuel 2: 30, God said He will honor only those who honor Him.
KEY POINT:
From today, make soulwinning a habit that you cannot do without.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 35-37
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 22: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.
1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.
Amen and Amen
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