Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” (Matt. 7:18).
READ: Matthew 7:15-20
Good works are a manifestation of the anointing of God. If
you are truly anointed of God, it will show in the frequency of good deeds
emanating from you. If Matthew 5:14-16 is anything to go by, it gives us a
veritable link between three variables: the shine of a believer, his or her
good works, and glorifying the Father. Anything you do that compels men to
offer true praise to God is a good work. As long as it is done by a believer in
Christ, with the right motives, and in obedience to God’s instructions, it will
elicit Heaven’s reward. A true mark of a disciple of Christ is the desire for
God to be glorified in all his or her deeds, speech or conduct. Your life is
supposed to point people to your Father. Can they see Christ in you?
It is possible to identify a believer by his or her conduct.
A little child ran home in excitement one Sunday morning telling the mother
that he has seen Jesus. “How do you know its Jesus you saw?” the mother asked. “He
saw my loosed shoes, bent down and laced them for me”, he replied. “OK, can you
describe him for me?” she asked. By the time he was through, it was obvious
that it was their pastor. Do you have time to knot the tie, wipe the sweat or
take off the sand on your children? Little things like that could make great
impressions on the minds of these little ones. And adults too! I once travelled
to America; as soon as I arrived at the airport, I was conveyed to the church
where I was to preach. I kept going from one place to another such that I could
not rest except on board a plane. As I took my seat on board the plane, I find
myself sitting next to an old woman who had never travelled by air. Since I
knew starting a conversation with an old woman will cost me my rest, I decided
not to say a word. When she greeted me, I smiled without a word. When we were
asked to place our luggage in the upper-compartment, she did not understand
what to do, so I helped her. When they announced that we should fasten our
belts, she was also at a loss, so I helped her. She thanked me and I smiled.
When it was time to eat, she did not know how to release her table from back of
the seat in front of her, so I helped her. She thanked me and I smiled. Before
we landed, I assisted her again and then she said, “You must be a pastor”. I said
“Yes, ma” and she screamed, “I knew it”. Can you be identified as a believer
without saying a word?
PRAYER POINT
Pray that believers in your nation will bear fruits of
righteousness that will make unbelievers identify them as the lights of the
world.
Bible in One year: Rev. 7-9
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