Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of
another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John 5:44)
READ: John 5:39-44
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal
life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). If you want to know Jesus,
you must be prepared to search the scriptures. This goes beyond reading through
passages of the Bible. It requires going in-depth. Why does the Lord command us
to search? It is because some treasures are hidden in God’s Word that we may
never uncover until we search. Every knowledge of Jesus you discover in the
Bible adds up to build your spirit man. The much of God you have is dependent
on the much of the Word and revelational knowledge of Him within you. Also, the
command to search the scriptures suggests that certain things you need are lost
within the pages of the Bible. They may not be found unless they are sought
for.
What is your attitude to the Bible? Do you just skim through
its pages just to fulfil all righteousness? It was common practice for
believers of the 80’s to meet one another and ask: ‘Brother, did you have your
quiet time today?’ Even in the church, that question can be thrown at you. To
prevent embarrassment, some people read a verse or two and mutter a two minutes
prayer so that they can answer in the affirmative, while they know they have
not really satisfied God. Paul told Timothy to avoid such self-deception but to
‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth’ (2 Timothy 2:15).
Some believers have read through the Bible several times but
they have nothing to show for it. As long as your motive for reading is to get
the approval of men, you cannot access the wealth of the scriptures. Some
ministers read or study the Word just to have what to teach others: not for
personal benefit. This is why they may never access the depth of wealth
contained in the Bible. You are expected to study to receive divine approval.
Your target should be to receive Heaven’s testimony about your diligence in
Bible study. Similarly, you should study the Bible in order to be equipped with
all spiritual weapons so that in the day of trial, you will not be found
wanting. Bible study should first be for personal benefit before you can impact
what you have received to others, not the other way round. Every revelation you
obtain from God’s Word deposits a measure of eternal life in you. Search the
Scriptures from today!
KEY POINT:
Searching the scriptures releases life to the searcher. How
much of divine life can you access from it?
Bible in One year: 1 Chron. 1-3
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