OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: FRIDAY AUGUST 30TH 2024
THEME: WORK
MEMORISE: I the LORD search the heart, l try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:10
READ: Proverbs 22:28-29
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
MESSAGE
The Bible makes it plain that God values work. Whether you're a full-time parent, bus driver, artist, or engineer, God is concerned about your work, as long as what you do for a living is legitimate. Work is a major component of God's overall plan for man. In the
Garden of Eden, after God made man, He told him to tend the garden (Genesis 2:15). This means that any man that does not work is malfunctioning because man was made to work.
The value of work is inherent. Work gives pleasure, which is why some retired people are still working even after their retirement. There is no pleasure in just sitting around from morning until night-time, doing nothing. Many wealthy people fall into depression when they feel like they have made a lot of money and don't need to work anymore. There is no pleasure in accomplishing nothing. For example, when you work on a garden, you will get a lot of pleasure when you see the fruits in that garden begin to blossom.
The memory verse for today says that God will give every man according to the fruit of his doings, so if a fellow does nothing, he or she will get nothing. This is why 2 Thessalonians 3:1 0 says:
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
The reason God gave you talents is so that you can put them to work. If a believer does not use his or her talents, he or she will answer to God on the last day (Matthew 25:14-30). God cannot condone laziness at all. John 5:17 says:
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
If God is working, He will not allow you to be lazy. My God is not a God of lazy people. If a believer is lazy and is asking God for blessings, He will ignore such a believer. Working hard is a godly value, and laziness is ungodly. You cannot claim to be a Christian and yet be lazy. Even if you are unemployed, pray to God and find something that you can do to contribute positively to the society, no matter how small it may be. From doing this, God will open greater doors for you. You cannot afford to lie around doing nothing; it is against God's plan for you
KEY POINT
No lazy fellow can receive anything good from God.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 23-24
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 26: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS
1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
o Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
2. There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
3. There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.
4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!
5. There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.
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