12-04-2019, 09:34 AM
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: WEDNESDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2019
THEME: BOLDNESS & COURAGE.
MEMORISE:
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Hebrews 10:19
READ: Joshua 1:5-9
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
MESSAGE
a person who manifests high moral standards in specific areas of life is said to possess virtues of boldness and courage are especially required in Christian leadership. For this reason, several passages of the Bible admonish children of God to be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:6). Speaking on boldness in Proverbs 28:1, the Holy Spirit says:
“he wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
No wonder we see the virtue of boldness being deployed in the declaration of God’s word in Acts 4:31, Acts 14:3 and Hebrews 13:6. Only a person with strength of character can display courage in the face of trouble, while boldness is required to speak the truth in all circumstances, especially in the face of opposition and in hostile environments. May the Lord grant you the boldness and courage you need to overcome every obstacle in your life in Jesus’ Name.
More importantly, the virtues of boldness and courage have spiritual significance because they are necessary for entering the presence of God and for dealing with the forces of darkness. In Ephesians 6:12, the Holy Spirit reveals some truths about the forces of darkness, saying:
“ 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.”
This clearly shows among other things that Satan and his demons comprise a well-organized army that is skillful in carrying out devastating attacks on its victims. It also shows that the warfare we must fight as Christians is purely restricted to the realms of the spirit. This warfare calls for courage to withstand dreadful circumstances, determination to overcome at all cost and persistent prayer. It also calls for loyalty to fight under the banner of Christ the Lord of Host standing in His strength and using the weapons He has provided. One good thing about the virtues of boldness and courage is that they yield confidence in us. Speaking on this confidence, Hebrews 10:35-36 says:
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
We cannot achieve much in our Christian race without boldness. We need boldness to correctly apply God’s word to life situations. Indeed, it takes courage to follow and obey God. Anyone who lacks courage will be full of fear. Fear paralysis and makes it impossible to take any progressive stride in life. If you will make impact in life, you must ignore the contrary circumstances around you and focus on God who has called you. All powers in heaven and earth belongs to Him; He has never failed and He will never fail. He will see you through, and you will celebrate at last. Glory be to God!
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please grant me the spirit of boldness and courage, in Jesus’s Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 73-77
Nahum 1-2
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 3: TRUST AND OBEY.
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
DATE: WEDNESDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2019
THEME: BOLDNESS & COURAGE.
MEMORISE:
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Hebrews 10:19
READ: Joshua 1:5-9
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
MESSAGE
a person who manifests high moral standards in specific areas of life is said to possess virtues of boldness and courage are especially required in Christian leadership. For this reason, several passages of the Bible admonish children of God to be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:6). Speaking on boldness in Proverbs 28:1, the Holy Spirit says:
“he wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
No wonder we see the virtue of boldness being deployed in the declaration of God’s word in Acts 4:31, Acts 14:3 and Hebrews 13:6. Only a person with strength of character can display courage in the face of trouble, while boldness is required to speak the truth in all circumstances, especially in the face of opposition and in hostile environments. May the Lord grant you the boldness and courage you need to overcome every obstacle in your life in Jesus’ Name.
More importantly, the virtues of boldness and courage have spiritual significance because they are necessary for entering the presence of God and for dealing with the forces of darkness. In Ephesians 6:12, the Holy Spirit reveals some truths about the forces of darkness, saying:
“ 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.”
This clearly shows among other things that Satan and his demons comprise a well-organized army that is skillful in carrying out devastating attacks on its victims. It also shows that the warfare we must fight as Christians is purely restricted to the realms of the spirit. This warfare calls for courage to withstand dreadful circumstances, determination to overcome at all cost and persistent prayer. It also calls for loyalty to fight under the banner of Christ the Lord of Host standing in His strength and using the weapons He has provided. One good thing about the virtues of boldness and courage is that they yield confidence in us. Speaking on this confidence, Hebrews 10:35-36 says:
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
We cannot achieve much in our Christian race without boldness. We need boldness to correctly apply God’s word to life situations. Indeed, it takes courage to follow and obey God. Anyone who lacks courage will be full of fear. Fear paralysis and makes it impossible to take any progressive stride in life. If you will make impact in life, you must ignore the contrary circumstances around you and focus on God who has called you. All powers in heaven and earth belongs to Him; He has never failed and He will never fail. He will see you through, and you will celebrate at last. Glory be to God!
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please grant me the spirit of boldness and courage, in Jesus’s Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 73-77
Nahum 1-2
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 3: TRUST AND OBEY.
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.