OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY DECEMBER 28TH, 2023.
THEME: TALK IS CHEAP
MEMORISE:
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Acts 1:1
READ: Matthew 23:1-7
1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
MESSAGE:
Talk is cheap. I have seen countless people talk about things that are good, but when it comes to practicing them, they are nowhere to be found. There are many Pastors who preached 'Powerful' sermons on the altar, but at home, they don't practice what they preach. Talk is cheap, that is why only cheap people stay on the level of talk.
If l tell someone that over-speeding when driving is unsafe and then l do the same, does the fact that l talk about it exempt me from the consequences? If you talk about prayer so well and you don't pray, all the problems that follow prayerlessness will keep following you. This is why many people who are sound in Scriptures, yet the word of God does not seem to be yielding anything in their lives. Many a time, it is because they only know the Scriptures, they don't live by it.
The former treatise have l made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.
Acts 1:1
The above passage shows how Jesus lived. He first 'did' before He 'taught'. If you have not done that thing, you have no business teaching it. If it is really valuable as you claim it is, then you should do it first. We who teach the gospel must note what James 3:1 says that teachers will receive the strictest judgement. This is because if you teach it, God expects you to have already been doing it. When you teach what you don't do, that is hypocrisy. There are many people who are derailed when they see a teacher of the word not practicing what he or she preached. May people not go to hell because you showed them the wrong example, in Jesus' name. Matthew 18:6 says:
But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
If you really believe what you teach, practice it. If you cannot practice it, stop teaching it.
KEY POINT
Merely talking about something does not accrue it's benefits to you. Practicing it is what does.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 12-14
AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 3: ANCIENT WORDS
1 Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart
Oh, let the Ancient words impart.
Chorus
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
2 Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.
3 Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
4 Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.
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