OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: MONDAY, 20TH SEPTEMBER, 2021.
TOPIC: THE BLESSINGS OF BEING WITH JESUS
MEMORISE
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.
READ: Acts 4:13-14
13. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
MESSAGE
There are occasional followers of Jesus Christ and there are those who are permanent as well. The occasional followers of Jesus Christ typically opt not to live completely according to the Lord's standards, choosing what and when to obey. They choose a life of partial obedience to the word of God. Once, when Jesus was teaching these standards, the Bible says in John 6:66 "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him".
To be with Jesus means to live by His teachings. He once lamented in Luke 6:46 "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" He said further in John 8:31-32"...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Two things are clear in our Bible reading of today: One, if you have been with Jesus indeed, boldness will be your trademark. The Bible says: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15.
When a so-called child of God is living in fear, we must check whether he has been with Jesus indeed. Two, Someone who has been with Jesus lives a daily miraculous life. This is another trademark of genuine followers of Jesus Christ as we read in the text today. The Bible says:
And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. Acts 4:14
I have taught in the School of Disciples that what our Master Jesus did, we can do also, and even more, according to His promise. When this happens, we become genuine ambassadors of Christ on earth. As Christ's ambassadors, we shall bring the whole world to their knees, saying "Jesus is Lord", We are light and salt indeed we choose to be with Jesus, living according to His standards, as written in the Bible. The blessings of being with Jesus include learning from Him and when we do so we shall find rest of our soul. According to Matthew 11:29. If you are yet to give your life to Christ, make up your mind, not only to come to Jesus today, but also to stay put. Don't be an Occasional or casual follower of Jesus Christ.
ACTION POINT
Make up your mind today to Iive the rest of your life for and with Jesus and you will be blessed indeed.
AUTHOR: Pastor E. A. Adeboye
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Proverbs 14 - 15
HYMNAL:
HYMN 23 - STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING
1 Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.
2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.
3 Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.
4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List'ning ev'ry moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.
