OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2020.
THEME: DIVINE ENABLEMENT AND DILIGENCE.
MEMORISE:
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Romans 9:16
READ: Psalm 127:1-5
1Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
MESSAGE
Many people think that they can succeed by their strength but this always leads to failure in their life’s pursuits. Our Bible reading for today is directly passing an eternal truth to us, that God is the secret of our prosperity.
The Bible says further:
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”
Deuteronomy 18:18
Looking through the lives of Biblical heroes, you would find some human frailty in each, like the ‘perfect Noah’ who became drunk to the point of casting a curse upon his own child.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
It is equally written that the Holy Spirit assigns and empowers us to perform some specific assignments (1 Corinthians 12:6).
However, we must not be lazy under the guise that it is God who will work through us. While it is true that He works in us, we must be diligent obsessed with soul winning no matter what it may cost. The Holy Spirit crowned Paul’s efforts with success by granting Him divine enablement but we must also not that he was very diligent and obsessed with soul winning. Diligence encapsulates executing your assignment with care, consistence, vigor and at the right time. Obsession is an excessive devotion to someone or something to the point of personal loss, injury or death. Obsession made Paul go as far as he did, teaching his children-in-the-Lord to do likewise. To Timothy he wrote:
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2
I pray that the Almighty God will grant you the enablement to achieve His purpose for your life in the matchless name of Jesus.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please give me the enablement to do all that You require of me, in the mighty name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 22
2 Chronicles 18
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 29: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.