09-02-2020, 09:31 AM
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 2ND SEPTEMBER, 2020.
TOPIC: NO MORE PRETENSE
MEMORISE
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” - (Matthew 7:21)
READ: Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
MESSAGE
There are over two billion Christians in the world today. However, not all will make it to Heaven, according to today’s memory verse.
Pretense is a key reason for this looming failure. Many ‘Christians’ are not Christlike at all; a lot of them live in sin, yet keep a pious appearance to deceive others. They forget that God is all knowing and will reward everyone according to their works. They forget this world is temporal whereas the world to come Heaven for the redeemed and hell for the condemned, will last for eternity.
How is your standing in Christ? Your work, position or title in the Church does not matter; if you continue in sin, you are on the road to perdition (Ezekiel 18:20). Be sincere with yourself today and repent. This kind of penitence is the major difference between Saul and David. (1 Samuel 15:30) gives the account of Saul when he sinned:
“...he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.”
And (1 Chronicles 21:16-17) gives the account of David when he sinned:
“...Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered..”
While Saul was concerned about his reputation with the elders, David called them to join him to pray for forgiveness. Are you a Saul or a David?
Don’t allow the devil to rob you of the opportunity you still have to repent, confess and forsake your sins. Stand by your decision no matter what.
On the last day, true Christians will be separated the holy ones to Heaven and the pretenders to hell. Where will you be?
REFLECTION
Who are you really worshipping: people or God?
AUTHOR: Pastor E. A. Adeboye
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Ezekiel 22 - 23
HYMNAL:
HYMN 12 - I AM THINE O LORD
1. I am Thine O Lord
I have heard Thy voice
And it told Thy love to me
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
CHORUS:
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord
By the pow'r of grace divine
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope
And my will be lost in Thine.
3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend.
4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, 2ND SEPTEMBER, 2020.
TOPIC: NO MORE PRETENSE
MEMORISE
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” - (Matthew 7:21)
READ: Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
MESSAGE
There are over two billion Christians in the world today. However, not all will make it to Heaven, according to today’s memory verse.
Pretense is a key reason for this looming failure. Many ‘Christians’ are not Christlike at all; a lot of them live in sin, yet keep a pious appearance to deceive others. They forget that God is all knowing and will reward everyone according to their works. They forget this world is temporal whereas the world to come Heaven for the redeemed and hell for the condemned, will last for eternity.
How is your standing in Christ? Your work, position or title in the Church does not matter; if you continue in sin, you are on the road to perdition (Ezekiel 18:20). Be sincere with yourself today and repent. This kind of penitence is the major difference between Saul and David. (1 Samuel 15:30) gives the account of Saul when he sinned:
“...he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.”
And (1 Chronicles 21:16-17) gives the account of David when he sinned:
“...Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered..”
While Saul was concerned about his reputation with the elders, David called them to join him to pray for forgiveness. Are you a Saul or a David?
Don’t allow the devil to rob you of the opportunity you still have to repent, confess and forsake your sins. Stand by your decision no matter what.
On the last day, true Christians will be separated the holy ones to Heaven and the pretenders to hell. Where will you be?
REFLECTION
Who are you really worshipping: people or God?
AUTHOR: Pastor E. A. Adeboye
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Ezekiel 22 - 23
HYMNAL:
HYMN 12 - I AM THINE O LORD
1. I am Thine O Lord
I have heard Thy voice
And it told Thy love to me
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
CHORUS:
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord
By the pow'r of grace divine
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope
And my will be lost in Thine.
3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend.
4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.