Open Heavens Daily Devotional Messages, By Pastor E.A Adeboye.

Open Heavens 30 August 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Sure Avenue to Comfort

Posted: 28 Aug 2017 01:49 PM PDT

SURE AVENUES TO COMFORT – Wednesday August 30^th 2017

Memorise: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

Read: Romans 15:4-5 (KJV)

^15:4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

^15:5Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Bible in one year: 1^st Chronicles 22-24, Ezekiel 33:10-20, Hymn: Sing hymn 16

MESSAGE:

We are blessed to have a God that does not desert those who belong to Him. In Hebrews 13:5, God promised never to leave nor forsake His own. The divine presence of the Great Shepherd strengthens His sheep, so much so that they entertain no fear. If you are His sheep, He is always with you; even when you cannot feel Him. Do you know that in those moments when it appears as if God has gone on a journey, He is much more around you than you can imagine? When He promised to be with us always, He was not joking (Matthew 28:20). Are you a sheep of the Great Shepherd? Are you feeling lonely or does it appear that God has forsaken you? He has not. He is right there by your side. He can hear your voice and your whisper. He can even hear your unvoiced wishes, and He will answer you. However, do everything to remain His sheep. Remain within His fold and shun every temptation to stray to the left or to the right.

If Jesus is the Shepherd of your soul, you will not lack comfort because He has promised to comfort you through His rod and staff (Psalm 23:4). No one can make it through this pilgrim's way without the comfort of the Great Shepherd. One way we receive comfort today, as followers of Jesus Christ, is through the Holy Spirit. Hence, John 14:16 says,

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever."

When you go through loss or experience some very painful situations, you need the comfort of the Spirit to restore you to a state of peace. The Holy Spirit is so good at this. If however you create a gulf between yourself and the Holy Spirit, how would you then be comforted in the time of need? From experience, the comfort you get from fellow human beings is grossly inadequate. Why? At best, man's attempt at comforting you may satisfy mainly physical needs, but the comfort of the Holy Spirit can reach out to all areas of need, particularly the realm of the soul. Another way of accessing real soothing comfort is from the word of God. Romans 15:4 says that this kind of comfort does not only deal with the unrest in your heart, but it also gives you hope. This is one reason why you should never be far from the Bible. The word of God inspires hope. If you feel hopeless, check yourself; you may find out that God's word is scarce in your heart. Are you feeling hopeless or in need of comfort? Reach out for God's word today.

Key Point

One crucial time you need the comfort of the Holy Spirit is when you are passing through a wilderness experience.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Open Heavens 29 August 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Chosen for a divine purpose

Posted: 27 Aug 2017 01:42 PM PDT

CHOSEN FOR A DIVINE PURPOSE – Tuesday August 29^th 2017

Memorise: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Read: Acts 17:24-31 (KJV)

^17:24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

^17:25Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

^17:26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

^17:27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

^17:28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

^17:29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

^17:30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

^17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Bible in one year: 1^st Chronicles 19-21, Ezekiel 32:29-33:9, Hymn: Sing hymn 8

MESSAGE:

Many Christians interpret today's memory verse with the notion that God favours some individuals or groups of people over others. This idea eventually developed into doctrine of "Election", which suggests that some people are predestined for salvation and others for damnation. Consequently, this doctrine of election has raised a lot of difficult questions in the minds of several people. Why should a just and loving God favour certain individuals or groups of people over others? Why should a loving God command the elimination of some people without mercy? A proper and diligent study of the Bible would lay these questions to rest permanently. Even a cursory look at the word of God shows clearly that God is good to all. He is not partial; neither is He a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

The above scripture makes it clear that Jesus was given for all men and women from all nations on the face of the earth, and anyone who believes in Him will obtain salvation. Therefore, those with warped interpretations of Scriptures that present our God in bad light, all in the name of "theology", are not speaking the mind of God. Through the manifestation of Jesus Christ, the whole world, without exception, stands before God with equal opportunity and access to the grace, mercy, favour and love of God. Romans 10:13 says,

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

No matter who you are, you can come to Jesus with boldness and He will never reject or turn you down. The statement in 1^st Peter 2:9 is therefore absolutely correct for everyone who has accepted the Lordship of Jesus Christ over their lives. If you are one of such people, you can say with certainty that you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a member of a holy nation. You are specially chosen to live in holiness and righteousness, to show forth the glory of God in all ramifications of life, and to live in good health, joy and peace. Since you have been chosen for a divine purpose, I pray that you will surely fulfil your destiny in Jesus' Name.

Action Point

Thank God for who you are in Christ Jesus as revealed in 1^st Peter 2:9. Confess each of the titles that describe your standing in Christ in this verse of Scripture.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.