OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: MONDAY 14TH MARCH 2022
THEME: THE WORK OF GRACE I
MEMORISE
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1 Peter 3:18
READ: 1 Timothy 1:15 -17
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
MESSAGE
Every sinner belong to the Devil (1 John 3:8) and is a servant of sin (Romans 6:16). A servant in this context is like a prisoner who has lost his or her freedom. For us to be free, we need grace and this can only be found in the truth of the word of God according to John 8:31-32. The difference between a sinner and a saint is that the saint hears the truth and embraces it while the sinner hears but ignores it. For example, the Bible says:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:8-9.
The above Scripture contains the truth that set me free some decades ago. Coming from a highly disciplined family, I grew up as a moralist and so thought I was far better than many people. I did not think I was in any serious sin that could warrant my need for a saviour. However, the grace of God beamed upon my soul and when I saw my filthy life of hypocrisy, I cried out for salvation.
It is grace of God that brings salvation to humanity (Titus 2:1); however, anyone who trivializes the grace, of, God is dead already. Noah found grace before God (Genesis 6:8), and this led to his salvation. If, however, Noah toyed with the grace, he would have perished as well.
Indeed, it is by grace that we are saved and we must never deny its importance in performing all God given assignment as we see in 2 Corinthians 9:8:
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all things, may abound to every good work.
Beloved, the Lord has already made His grace abound towards you by giving His only begotten Son - Jesus Christ as a ransom for your soul(John 3:16). Forsake your sins today and access this divine provision by surrendering your life to Jesus Christ. It is the only way to escape the eternal damnation that awaits everyone who rejects the grace of God. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
PRAYER POINT
Father, thank you for your grace that abound towards me. Please Lord, help me make the best of it, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 24- JUDGES 2
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 11: LET US WITH GLADSOME MIND
1 Let us, with a gladsome mind,
praise the LORD, for He is kind:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.
2 Let us blaze His Name abroad,
for of gods He is the God:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.
3 He with all-commanding might
filled the new-made world with light:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.
4 All things living He doth feed;
His full hand supplies their need:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.
5 He His chosen race did bless
in the wasteful wilderness:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.
6 He hath with a pious eye
looks upon our misery:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.
7 Let us therefore warble forth
His high majesty and worth:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.