Open Heaven 30 April 2023
MEMORISE: “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” – Proverbs 25:28 (KJV)
BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
God created man in His own image so that he could have dominion (Genesis 1:26). This is why you’ll discover that there is no animal in the world that humans have not dominated – lions, elephants, giraffes and so on. Note however, that the man who really has dominion is the one who has control over himself. You can have dominion over animals, birds and everything in the sea, but if you don’t have dominion over yourself, you are like a broken down and unduly exposed city (Proverbs 25:28).
Let us consider some parts of your body you must have dominion over. 1 Peter 3:10 says if you want to live long and have a good life, tame your tongue – have dominion over it. The tongue is very powerful and difficult to tame (James 3:5-8) but you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).
The Bible also says you should have dominion over your stomach. Philippians 3:19 urges you not to let your belly become your god. If you say you have dominion over everything but can’t control your stomach, you can’t fast, then you have no dominion because you have a strange god living within you. The Yoruba elders say, “There’s no idol like the stomach; every day, it asks for a sacrifice”. You have to tame your stomach.
You must also have control over your sleep. For you to say you have dominion, you must be able to decide, “I am not sleeping tonight; I want to have a vigil”. Proverbs 6:9-11 says that if you don’t control how you sleep, you will experience ravaging poverty and lack.
You must have control over your body – your eyes, hands and so on. There are certain things you shouldn’t touch or look at, places you shouldn’t go to, kinds of music you shouldn’t listen to. If you want to finish your Christian race well, you must have dominion over your body (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
KEY POINT: Lord, please help me to have complete dominion over every aspect of my life and body, in the mighty name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 5-6
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Dominion Over Yourself – written by Pastor Enoch Adeboye
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Open Heaven 30 April 2023
