Topic: Finishing Well [Open Heavens Sunday 14th January 2018]
Memorise: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. - Revelation 3:21
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10 (KJV)
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 31, Revelation 13, Hymn: Sing Hymn 5: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
MESSAGE
Starting a journey to a great destination is such a nice experience, but it is of no use if the journey does not end at the expected destination. It is of utmost importance not just to finish a journey but to finish it well. It is not a trivial thing that of about the six hundred thousand adults who left the land of Egypt among the Israelites, only two of them got to the Promised Land (Exodus 12:37, Numbers 32:11-12). This should serve as an example and a warning to every child of God running the Christian race in these end-times (1 Corinthians 10:11). Ezekiel 33:18 should be food for thought for every child of God who plans to meet the Lord at the last trump (1 Corinthians 15:52). The ultimate goal of the Christian journey for every true child of God is to be transformed and meet the Lord in the air when the trumpet sounds (1 Thessalonians 4:17). I pray that you will not miss this great congregation of the saints in Jesus’ Name. There is however another destination, a place of eternal perdition, awaiting the devil, his demonic cohorts and all those who follow him to do evil among men. Matthew 25:41 says,
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
Beloved, I pray that your portion will not be with the devil in Jesus’ Name.
What should be done to finish well in times as these? The Lord provides answer in Mark 13:35-37:
“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
What must we watch? We must watch what goes into our heart and what comes out of it. We must watch what we feed our eyes and ears on. We must watch our speech, our mode of dressing, what we eat and drink and the kind of company we keep. A Nigerian proverb says, “The sheep that keeps company with dogs will soon develop an appetite for bones.” If you will end your journey well, you must be steadfast in godliness. I pray that you will finish well and not fall by the wayside in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point: Father, please help me and give me the grace to finish well in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn 5: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
3. Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow
No turning back, no turning back.
4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
Open Heavens 14th January 2018, Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
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