OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY JULY 20TH 2025

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TOPIC: GOD HATES LONELINESS MEMORISE : “God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.” - (Psalm 68:6) READ : ISAIAH 34:16-17 (KJV) 16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them. 17 And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein. MESSAGE : In Matthew 6:9, Jesus taught us to start our prayers with Our Father. God is a "family man'. He loves the concept of family and hates loneliness. In Genesis 2:18, He said that it is not good that a man should be alone. If you're of marriageable age and can't seem to find the right companion to get married to, or if there are forces preventing you from getting married, I pray that the tide will turn this year...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP II. : MONDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2020.

MEMORISE:
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 
Mark 3:14

READ: Matthew 15:15-20

15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

MESSAGE:
Availability is a key element in discipleship. A coach must always be there to answer questions and give advice. As a coach, you should always answer or return your coachee’s calls. Find time to be with them, even if it means taking them along with you on trips or to events. Just make sure you are always there for them.

There are certain things to consider before agreeing to coach and mentor someone. First, only coach and mentor people whose company you can enjoy. As we saw in our memory verse today, the first reason Jesus chose disciples was for them to keep Him company, and of course, also to work with Him.

It also shows that Jesus had seen great potential in the disciples and knew that as they worked with Him, they would become better. Don’t coach and mentor someone in whom you have not seen any potential. This is because it is that potential that will drive you to make sacrifices for the fellow. Don’t just coach and mentor someone because he/she is a relative; choose who you coach and mentor carefully.

You should also know that your followers are not slaves. Others may exploit their followers but as a Christian, you must follow Jesus’ example. He washed the feet of His disciples and even told them clearly in John 15:15:

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

Aside from that being the right thing to do, it will also model humility to them. However, Christian disciples must not take their disciplers’ humility for granted. Give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7).

Christ’s discipleship model should be the standard for all Christians.

REFLECTION:
Adopt Jesus Christ’s model of discipleship in grooming those the Lord has put in your care.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:   Luke 22
John 13

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 20: NEARER, MY GOD TO THEE.
1. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
o Refrain:
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee.

3. There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

5. Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

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