Open Heaven 15 January 2023
MEMORISE: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (KJV)
BIBLE READING: Luke 19:29-38 (KJV)
29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
Some people think that God is doing great things for them because they deserve it. They think because of all that they do for God, then it is only expected that He would bless them as He does. Believe me honestly, everything that God does, He does for His name’s sake – not for you, but that His name will be glorified (Psalm 106:7-8).
Don’t become arrogant, God could use anyone else. There are people who pray, study the Bible and are even more talented than you, but God chose you; you should be grateful for that. In any case, if we were to count iniquity, who will stand? (Psalm 130:3). When people see the things God is doing in The Redeemed Christian Church of God, they think I must be special. The only thing special about me is that God chose me, because even from as far back as when I was a little child, God had promised my Father-in-the Lord that The Redeemed Christian Church of God would go round the world. It had nothing to do with me at all; God just decided to glorify Himself through this Church and it is only by grace that He chose me to be the General Overseer. He could have chosen anyone else. There are people far more qualified than I, but it is by grace that I was chosen.
When you see people still drowning in sin, don’t judge them because you are on your way to heaven; rather, pray that God will save them by His grace. It is by His grace that you are not the one on the way to hell. Never forget that it is He who is working something out for His name’s sake. You are only graced to be a recipient of God’s blessings. The people of Israel may have thought that God parted the Red Sea and drowned Pharaoh and his army because they were so special. He did it for His name’s sake. They were only graced to be the ones He did it for. Romans 9:17 testifies to this:
For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
KEY POINT: Father, thank You for Your grace over my life. Please don’t let me ever stop enjoying help from Your throne of grace.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 47-50
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – You’re Nothing Without Him – written by Pastor Enoch Adeboye
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Open Heaven 15 January 2023
