OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SATURDAY 26TH JUNE 2021.
THEME: RUN WITH PATIENCE.
MEMORISE:
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, HHebrews 12:1
READ: Matthew 4:1-4
1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
MESSAGE:
A common weak point in the lives of many believers is impatience. Unfortunately, the devil exploits this. This is why the devil tempts believers to turn ‘stone to bread’ – meaning that he tries to get them to rush ahead in life without waiting for God’s time and provision. When this happens, the believer must react like Jesus in Matthew 4:4 by saying “….. Man shall not live by bread alone….” Sadly, not many believers are able to do this. We have seen married people go out of their way in search of the fruit of the womb, despite the numerous Bible passages that enjoins us to patiently run the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).
Joseph waited patiently for the fulfilment of his dream and was rewarded. Two years after he interpreted the butler’s dream, he was still waiting. At the fullness of time, Genesis 41:1 says:
“And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.”
The Scripture above speaks volume s and our understanding of its depth will go a long way to cure us of the spiritual disease of impatience. “And it came pass…..” It does not matter how terrible the situation a child of God is passing through is, the promise of God is that it shall not last forever; rather the breakthrough shall come to pass! Psalm 30:5 confirms this. On this subject of patience, Jesus said in John 16:20, 22:
“ Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy…... ye now ….have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
Jesus knows what we would encounter in our walk with God, that was why He already prayed for us in John 17:15- 16:
“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
Beloved, you must keep on looking unto Jesus, who through tempted, endured everything for our sake. As He was victorious, so shall you also be in the mighty name of Jesus. we are more than conquerors! (Romans 8:37).
Lord, please see me through the challenges of life. Help me arrive safely at the bosom of the Lord Jesus, on the last day.
Click here for TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS PRAYER POINTS.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 36-39.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 17: OH WHAT A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL DAY.
1. O what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget;
After I’d wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met.
O what a tender, compassionate friend, He met the need of my heart;
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.
Refrain:
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, (filled my soul)
When at the cross the Savior made me whole; (made me whole)
My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul! (filled my soul)
2. Born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s family divine,
Justified fully thru Calvary’s love, O what a standing is mine!
And the transaction so quickly was made, when as a sinner I came,
Took of the offer, of grace He did proffer, He saved me, O praise His dear name!
3. Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure after the passing of time;
I have a future in heaven for sure there in those mansions sublime.
And it’s because of that wonderful day, when at the cross I believed;
Riches eternal and blessings supernal, from His precious hand I received.
Amen and Amen
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