OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH 2024
TOPIC: CREATED FOR HIM
MEMORISE:
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” - (Colossians 1:16)
READ: EPHESIANS 2:1-10 (KJV)
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
MESSAGE:
No matter how long you spend on earth, you will never see a tree that eats its own fruit. Trees are planted by human beings for their pleasure, not for the pleasure of the trees. In the same way, God made you for His own pleasure. You were not made to satisfy yourself, you were made to satisfy Him. Therefore, when people live their lives just to give themselves pleasure, they are malfunctioning.
Having lots of money, driving good cars and owning houses does not mean that someone has fulfilled his or her destiny because all those things are for the fellow’s pleasure. Destiny is not measured by how much money you have or how powerful you become; it is measured by the degree to which you are doing the will of God for your life. For example, someone might have seen Joseph as the Prime Minister of Egypt and said, “This guy has made it! He is fulfilling destiny because of the exalted position that he has attained,” but if Joseph did not save his family from the famine as God had created him to do (Genesis 45:1-11), he would have been a failure. There will be many rich people who will finish their races here on earth, and rather than them being told, “Well done thou good and faithful servant,” they will hear, “Thou wicked and slothful servant.” I pray this will not be your portion, in Jesus’ name.
Beloved, it is good to be rich, famous, and powerful, but even when those things come, you will still not be fulfilled unless you do the will of God. Don’t chase shadows; chase God’s calling for your life. It seemed foolish when I left lecturing to pastor a small church. However, because that was the will of God for my life, it was the best decision I ever made. In fulfilling His will, God gave me all that I could ever ask for and more.
A tree that bears fruits for its owner to eat will be taken care of. The owner will give it all the nutrients and care that it needs to flourish. When you pursue God’s will for your life, He will ensure that you never lack any good thing. Ask Him what His purpose for your life is and pursue it.
KEY POINT:
Pursue God's purpose for your life.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EZEKIEL 39-40
AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE
HYMNAL: 7 - I AM THINE O LORD
1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. [Refrain]
3 Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]
4 There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. [Refrain]
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