OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: TUESDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2021.
THEME: GODLY SORROW LEADS TO SALVATION.
MEMORISE:
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
2 Corinthians 7:10
READ: Luke 22:60-62.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
MESSAGE:
When Peter realized that he had failed to fulfil his promise never to deny Jesus Christ, the Bible says “…he went out, and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75). This is what the Bible calls godly sorrow. Godly sorrow has it’s blessing, according to today’s memory verse.
In the gospel of Matthew 5:4 we read:
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
When an individual is confronted with the reality of the sinful life he or she is living and certainty of hell, the fellow would mourn in repentance, if his or her heart is right with God. The best way to mourn for one’s sins is to confess and forsake them. Proverbs 28:13-14 says:
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.”
The story of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:10-14) further illustrates godly sorrow, which brings about repentance. The Pharisee went to the temple only to begin to praise himself for all his good deeds. The Publican however, smote his chest and mourned for his sins. The truth of the matter is that the Almighty God considers what we count as our righteousness as nothing but filthy rages, as we read in Isaiah 64:6:
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
As Christians, we should not pile up unconfessed sins and so rob ourselves of the needed revival. Beloved, let us examine ourselves and see where we are falling short of God’s grace of living holy. Let us repent and come back to our first love if at all we have lost our way. Revelation 2:4-5 says:
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;…..”
I pray that the Lord will revive you today, in Jesus’ name.
Father, I need a revival of holiness; please revive me now, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Click here for TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS PRAYER POINTS.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 16-20.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 30: WHEN UPON LIFE’S BILLOW YOU ARE TEMPEST TOSSED.
1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Amen and Amen
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