WHAT IS THE VALUE OF YOUR LIFE?: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION, 31ST MARCH 2018

THEME: WHAT IS THE VALUE OF YOUR LIFE?

MEMORISE:
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

READ: Genesis 5:21-24
21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

MESSAGE:
The value of a man’s life is not dependent on the number of years he spends on earth, and neither is it dependent on the amount of goods that he possesses. The value of a man’s life has to do with what he does with his life in appreciation of the benevolence of his Maker, who is also the Redeemer of his soul. The wisdom of God in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says:

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

According to the above scripture, the value or quality of a man’s life is based upon the service he renders to his Maker in obedience to His commands. God hates a life of disobedience. He likens disobedience to the sin of idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23). 

Reading through the Bible, you will discover that idolatry is passionately abhorred by God
with a promise of severe punishment to the fourth generation of those found guilty of it (Exodus 20:5).

Some people erroneously think that the amount of material possessions they have determines the value of their life. For this reason, they struggle at all costs to get rich, even to the extent of abandoning the pursuit of eternal life. Eventually, they end up frustrated and in serious agony. 

How I wish such people would listen to these words of Jesus in Luke 12:15:

“…Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

The Lord Jesus Christ admonished His audience to labour for things that have eternal value (John 6:27). They in turn asked Him what works they must do in order to do the works of God. Here is His answer to them in John 6:29:
“…This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

This is the only way our labour in life will have value and meaning. Any labour you put up that will not further your cause of having eternal life in God’s Kingdom is an exercise in futility. Believing in Jesus Christ and the work of redemption He did for all mankind is a great work of faith that will add value to your life, which transcends this present life.

Enoch’s life was so valuable to God that God decided to personally come to take him to
Himself. He did not send any of His angels on this assignment because of the value He placed on Enoch. Such a life is worthy of emulation. I encourage you to determine to add value to your life by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and by living a life of obedience to God in truth.

KEY POINT:
The worth of a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of things that he has.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 28, Philippians 2.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 12: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE
1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.

2.Take my hands and let them move At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3.Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine, It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.


Open Heavens 30 March 2018, Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries