Open Heaven 26 July
MEMORISE: Pray without ceasing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
BIBLE READING: Acts 16:25-34 (KJV)
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
Gods desire for all His children is greatness. He wishes that they prosper, be in health even as their souls prosper (3 John 1:2 ). However, a study of the word of God reveals that there are certain requirements for greatness, three of which are: prayers, praises and worship. John 4:24 says:
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.”
Prayer is communication with God in line with His will. In praises, we thank God for what He has done, what He is doing and what He is yet to do. In worship, we appreciate God for who He is. God expects all of creation to worship Him; however, there are various categories of worshippers. One category of worshippers comprises those who, at one time or the other, received a blessing from God (Psalms 150:6 ).
No matter how little you think the goodness of the Lord in your life may be, it is imperative that you praise Him. The next category of worshippers is the afflicted ones. These include the bereaved, the sorrowful, the disappointed and the discouraged in our midst.
A classic example is Job. The job was a man who worshipped God in prosperity (Job 1:1-5 ), in the midst of satanic afflictions (Job 1:15 to Job 2:9 ) and at the point of his turnaround (Job 42:1-6 ). The third category of worshippers is the vessels unto honour (2 Timothy 2:19-21 ). Vessels unto dishonour are those used by the devil to change joy to sorrow. These are the agents of the devil. A vessel unto honour, however, is someone God can use anytime, anyway and anywhere He wants to. Worship characterizes vessels unto honour.
In addition, vessels unto honour are chosen by God (John 15:16 ). Such people are willing to be chosen and ready to live holy all the time. Are you a vessel unto honour? If yes, go ahead and give high praise to God. If not, repent and cry unto God for mercy. May the Lord make and keep you as a vessel unto honour in the mighty name of Jesus.
ACTION POINT: Father, please give me a grateful heart and the grace to praise and worship You always, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 78:1-72 , Psalms 79:1-13 , Psalms 80:1-19
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 26 July 2021
