Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
Memorise: The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of
my cup: thou maintainest my lot. Psalms 16:5
Read: Philippians 1:19-21
In the devotional of July 4, we saw from John 6:5-13, a
young boy offering his lunch to Jesus. It was inferred that at the end of the
day people would have helped him take home the 12 baskets of remains from what
he gave. One lesson here is that while some giving may take some time to give
its yield, some others can give immediate yields. This boy’s gift got immediate
returns. But note that the boy’s giving was sacrificial. He had just his lunch
when he went with the crowd to listen to Jesus. When the Lord needed food, he
decided to fast – to go hungry so that somebody else – even if it is one
person, could have something to eat. He did not share his meal; he gave it all
like the poor widow did with her mite. Sacrificial giving is what brings out
the extreme giving qualities of God. In 1 Kings 17:8-16, God turned the last
meal of an extremely needy widow into long-lasting supply but remember the
widow first surrendered her last meal. She had the choice of eating her last
meal and facing death or sacrificing her last meal to live. She chose right.
Many people have found themselves in a similar state as this widow but their
momentary, fleshly pleasure did not let them choose right, hence they plunged
themselves into more misery, thereby losing what God had reserved for them.
A lot has to do with your decision. God may tell you what to
do but He will not force you to do it. A right decision is a right decision and
a wrong decision is wrong irrespective of the circumstance or excuses that are
advanced. Ask God for grace to take the right decision always no matter its
immediate effect on you and your family. Sacrifice is a step in the right
direction. Romans 12:1 says you should lay your entire life, achievement,
family and plans upon the altar of sacrifice. Paul says if I will live at all
it is to live for Christ and if He wants me to die, there is even greater gain
for me (Philippians 1:21). That means either way, I am a winner. You too can
win either way. According to 2 Corinthians 9:6, to get God’s best, give
bountifully. The ultimate of giving bountifully is when you give everything
including yourself. If you do this, He will respond and say: “From today whatever
I have is now yours”. Yes, God can be your portion!
KEY POINT:
The sacrifice to make God your portion may be enormous but
cannot be compared with the unending flow of blessings that will follow.
Bible in one year: Luke 10-13
Lord Jesus,help me to make the right decisions at the right time always in Jesus name, amen.
ReplyDeleteLord, give me the grace to remain in ur will forever.
ReplyDeleteGod,na u o,man no fit.hep me wt d ryt dcision n at d ryt tym
ReplyDeleteLord help me
ReplyDeleteLord, I pray for grace to be able to trust you completely again in Jesus' name.
ReplyDeleteGod help me to give sacrificially in Jesus Name Amen!
ReplyDeleteThe grace to take the right decision always no matter its immediate effect on me and my family,father grant it unto me,I claim God is my portion in all dealing of life IJN.(Amen)
ReplyDeleteHeavenly father, please grant ♍ƺ †ђǝ grace α̲̅πϑ enablement †̥ D̶̲̥̅̊o Ūя̲̅ will now α̲̅πϑ always
ReplyDeleteO Lord pls direct my path throughout this year n to come, grant me the Grace to always give sacrificially in Jesus Name (Amen)
ReplyDeleteGod,†ђξ time has come, A̶̲̥̅♏ ready. I make A̶̲̥̅ covenant with Ɣ☺ΰ today to sow A̶̲̥̅ seed Ãήϑ dat by †ђξ end of this year, i W̶̲̥̅̊ȋ̝̊̅ ̄ι̥ι̥ Ơ̴̴͡.̮Ơ̴̴̴͡ †ђξ results Ãήϑ Testify I̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ Jesus name. ⌣»̶·̵̭̌·̵̭̌✽̤̈̊Ã♍ε̲̣п̥̥̲̣̣̣✽̤̈̊·̵̭̌·̵̭̌«̶⌣ .
ReplyDeleteLord give me the grace of giving bountifully including myself to you Lord.
ReplyDeleteGod help me to obey your word .
ReplyDeleteLord Jesus,help me to make the right decisions at the right time always in Jesus name, amen.God help me to obey your word .
ReplyDelete