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WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? Friday 9 December


Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter” (Jam. 5:5).

READ: James 5:1-6

When you seek man’s approval you will get it but may likely lose Heaven’s approval. It is sad that many ministers of God, who are publicly acknowledged and recognized on earth, have little or no mention in Heaven. This is one way you can be dead while assuming one is still alive. If the Resurrection and the Life says you are dead, then you are. Even if the whole world gives you a rating that is contrary, it does not change God’s assessment. This is also where the popular maxim: vox populi vox veritas (the voice of the people is the voice of God), misses the point.

“But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth” (1 Tim. 5:6). This scripture tells us that it is possible to be a living dead. Another way to be dead and still think one is alive is by pursuing pleasure. Christianity is not a bed of roses. Those who want to get only its benefits but are not ready to carry its cross, will find that they are spiritually cut off from the Vine. Pleasure-seeking Christians end up gratifying their flesh to the detriment of their soul. Worldly pleasures must be treated with lots of caution because what pleases or entertains the world grieves the Spirit. Some people, including top government functionaries and business executives, attend certain social functions where they are entertained by half naked women. Why would such people not battle with lust thereafter?

What amuses you? What do you constantly entertained yourself with? The one who is Heaven bound will always be fascinated by the Word of God and Kingdom-related movies. It is very dangerous to continue to revel in worldly amusements as they target your soul. According to today’s passage, the rich are easy preys of pleasure. After being fed fat with worldly pleasures like a ram for the slaughter slab, what follows next is God’s judgement. Those that live in pleasure get their hearts sealed to the extent that they become unconscious of the oppression of the poor, particularly fellow believers. Proverbs 21:17 says the love of pleasure brings poverty—both spiritual and financially. You must sieve the type of pleasure you indulge yourself in. If you are a true minister of God, you will delight in pleasing Him (Ps. 103:21). If evangelism, the worship of God, study of the Word, or prayer do not excite you, your affection is set on worldly things. Check your desires today! Ask God

PRAYER POINT
Father, Help me focus on things above, things of eternal value.
 
Bible in One year: Job 8-10

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