21/03/2021
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY 21ST MARCH 2021.
THEME: PREACH THE WORD.
MEMORISE:
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2
READ: Luke 8:38-39
38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
MESSAGE:
There is a scarcity of watchmen in the Church today. This does not mean that there are no evangelists; the challenge, however, is the scarcity of those who are actually preaching the word. Many Christians enjoy God's grace, forgiveness, healing, breakthrough, peace and joy from the preaching of others but fail to share this good news so more people can also benefit from God's benevolence.
God does not want His children to be content worshipping only in beautiful Cathedrals, rather He wants us to go out and plant Churches - especially in areas where there are none or very few. He wants us to share part of what we have been given. For this reason, the Lord is re-echoing what He said through Paul to Timothy that we should preach the word when it is convenient and even when it is not (2 Timothy 4:2). What makes our preaching worthwhile is when it contains reproof, rebuke, exhortation and sound doctrine. Only by this will people know and be able to obey the word of God. John 7:16-17 says:
“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
Today's Bible reading reveals a fundamental obligation every genuine Christian which, unfortunately, is usually overlooked today. A demon-possessed man encountered Jesus and was immediately delivered. After the encounter the man wanted to stay with Jesus, but He sent him forth to spread the good news among his people. This is exactly what the Lord expects of us. This injunction, however, does not imply that we should forsake Jesus and do whatever we like. In John 15:4-5, Jesus says:
“Abide in me, and I in you... for without me ye can do nothing.”
At the same time, He also says “•••Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 1 6 :15). Therefore beloved, I encourage you to begin to spread the good news of what the Lord has done for you and what He is capable of doing for others as well. May God help you as you obey Him.
ACTION POINT:
Decide that you will not sleep until you witness about the goodness of Jesus Christ to at least three people today.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Romans 4-7
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 22: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.
