OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL: SATURDAY JUNE 29TH 2024

Image
TOPIC: WHO DO PEOPLE SAY YOU ARE? MEMORISE : “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” - (Matthew 16:13) READ: Matthew 16:13-16 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. MESSAGE : Today’s topic is a question you must be conscious of. In today’s Bible reading, Jesus asked His disciples whom people said that He was. He wasn’t confused about His identity; He knew who He was, but He was concerned about how people perceived Him. You must be conscious of how people perceive you too. People will only relate with you based on what they think about you and not what you th

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. QUALIFIED FOR COMMENDATION? Tuesday January 19th 2016

Memorise:
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man
according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:12

Read: Matthew 25:19-21

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Message
Man is wonderfully and fearfully made. Created in the image of God, man is a “god” to other creatures. God Almighty created man for a divine purpose and for His pleasure. At the same time, He has earmarked a reward for every man who chooses to fulfil God’s purpose for his life. This is why in our memory verse today, we read about Jesus Christ saying He rewards men according to their works.

In our Bible reading of today, the faithful servant who made good use of the talents given to him by his master received commendation. This story is no doubt talking about the commendation and rewards awaiting believers who faithfully serve the purpose and interest of the Lord. The question confronting us in today’s reading is “Are we qualified for commendation?” Jesus Christ said:

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16

The Lord is encouraging someone reading this devotional today; He is taking note of your labour of love in the Church and to humanity. Though your pastor or your superior may not commend you, the Almighty God will reward you handsomely if you will not be weary in well doing. Galatians 6:9 says;

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

The outspoken Peter asked the Lord what their reward would be seeing that they left everything to follow Him. Jesus answered by saying:

“...Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and  brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”  Mark 10:29-30

Beloved, if you want to receive commendation from the Lord on the last day, the first step is to give your life to Christ. Then, begin to work for Him, serve Him and His Church through soul winning and sacrificial giving. You will surely be commended. Remember He said, “I come quickly and my reward is with me….”

Action Point
Think of a way to use your God given talents to expand God’s Kingdom on earth; be it through giving or aggressive soul-winning.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 22:13-25:4

Author: Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL: TUESDAY JANUARY 23RD 2024

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY JANUARY 14TH 2024

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL : MONDAY JULY 31ST 2023