Open Heaven 20 September
MEMORISE: “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” – (Mark 3:14)
BIBLE READING: Acts 4:13-14
13. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
There are occasional followers of Jesus Christ and there are those who are permanent as well. The occasional followers of Jesus Christ typically opt not to live completely according to the Lord’s standards, choosing what and when to obey. They choose a life of partial obedience to the word of God. Once, when Jesus was teaching these standards, the Bible says in John 6:66 “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him”.
Let us consider prosperity through the sacrifice of thanks, as we see in today’s Bible reading. We as children of God need to understand that God has numerous ways by which He can do whatever He says He will.
We should not waste our time in trying to pre-empt God or dictating to Him how our blessings or prosperity should come. We are to simply pray for what we want with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6 ).
To be with Jesus means to live by His teachings. He once lamented in Luke 6:46 “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” He said further in John 8:31-32 “…If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Two things are clear in our Bible reading of today: One, if you have been with Jesus indeed, boldness will be your trademark. The Bible says:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, father. – (Romans 8:15).
When a so-called child of God is living in fear, we must check whether he has been with Jesus indeed. Two, someone who has been with Jesus lives a daily miraculous life. This is another trademark of genuine followers of Jesus Christ as we read in the text today. The Bible says:
And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. – (Acts 4:14)
I have taught in the School of Disciples that what our Master Jesus did, we can do also, and even more, according to His promise. When this happens, we become genuine ambassadors of Christ on earth. As Christ’s ambassadors, we shall bring the whole world to their knees, saying “Jesus is Lord”. We are light and salt indeed if we choose to be with Jesus, living according to His standards, as written in the Bible. The blessings of being with Jesus include learning from Him and when we do so, we shall find rest for our souls, according to Matthew 11:29. If you are yet to give your life to Christ, make up your mind, not only to come to Jesus today, but also to stay put. Don’t be an occasional or casual follower of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER POINT: Make up your mind today to live the rest of your life for and with Jesus and you will be blessed indeed.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 14-15
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – The Blessings of Being With Jesus – written by Pastor Enoch A.
Don’t forget to Follow Elanhub on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Open Heaven 20 September 2021
