OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2025.
TOPIC: USING THE POWER OF GOD
MEMORISE
“Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.” - (2 Corinthians 13:10)
READ: Luke 9:52-56 (KJV)
52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
MESSAGE
Some people who have received a measure of God's power use it wrongly. For example, simply because people fall under the anointing during their ministrations, some ministers of God wpant to touch people just to show that they are anointed. Some even perform different acrobatics during deliverance sessions. Some of them give demon-possessed people microphones so that people can hear what the demons are saying. All of these are unnecessary and wrong. Ministers of God should simply cast demons out of people to set them free; they shouldn't embarrass the people they are trying to deliver because they want to show that they are anointed.
The power of God isn't a tool for punishment but for bringing joy to the hearts of people. When God gives you a measure of His power, it is for you to give life to dead things and bring glory to Him, not for you to show off or seek personal gain or vengeance. It is possible to destroy and kill with the power God has given to you; however, that is not what it is meant for. This is why most mature believers are usually slow to speak and try not to get angry no matter what people do to them. They don't want to ever use the power of God for evil. When God gives you a measure of His power, you are not to go around destroying people you consider to be enemies. Ephesians 6:12 says:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
A vessel in satan's hands today can become a great vessel in God's hands tomorrow. If God could use Mary Magdalene, who had seven demons in her, He can use anyone who is considered evil. If Stephen had called death upon Saul as he was being executed under Saul's supervision, there would never have been an Apostle Paul. Paul said in today's memory verse that the power of God is for edification, not destruction.
In today's Bible reading, James and John wanted to call down fire on the Samaritans because they didn't receive Jesus. However, Jesus told them that He came to save, not to destroy lives. Beloved, God's will is for everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4); He doesn't want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). If He has given you a measure of His power, only use it to fulfil His will, not to destroy.
KEY POINT
God's power is for saving people and blessing them, not for showing off or destroying lives.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Acts 27 - 28
HYMN 31 - YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION
1. Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin; Each victory will help you Some other to win; Fight manfully onward, Dark passions subdue; Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.
CHORUS
Ask the Saviour to help you
Comfort, strengthen, and keep
you; He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
2. Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain; God's name hold in reverence, Nor take it in vain; Be thoughtful and earnest, Kindhearted and true; Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.
3. to him that overcometh God giveth a crown; through faith we will conquer, though often cast down; he who is our saviour our strength will renew; look ever to Jesus, he'll carry you through.
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