QUALIFIED FOR DIVINE COMMENDATION?: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL, 12TH DECEMBER 2018.

MEMORISE:

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.  Revelation 3:11

READ: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

MESSAGE:

Imagine that a family goes on vacation for a couple of month, locking up their entire house. They eventually return home, only to meet workers and artisans going in and out of their house- some cleaning windows, some fixing electrical appliances and others painting the walls. 

The family will be shocked because they did not instruct anyone to work in their house. What would you do if this happens to you? I assume you would immediately call the police to assist in getting these intruders out of your house. 

The same thing needs to happen in the Church of God, as many workers there are intruders. This is the reason why the Lord said in Matthew 7:22-23:

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

In today’s Bible reading, the Holy Spirit reveals to us the character of those who will receive divine commendation, saying:

“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:”

To receive heaven’s commendation on the day of reckoning, you must be temperate in all things and run your course with certainty of purpose. Being temperate means being moderate and self-controlled, while to be certain is to be sure-minded and serious. 

In contrast to this, the attitude of “beating the air” is common place in our churches today. We have people who teach on missions but who don’t go on missions. Some teach on evangelism but do not go out to evangelize. 

Others are orators who can get money from the stingiest of persons, but they themselves are not givers. We need to be mindful of our ways so that we don’t end up being disappointed on theday of reckoning. 

Learn from Apostle Paul and apply the secret he reveals in 1 Corinthians 9:27 to your life:

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

May you not miss your divine commendation at the end of your life in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please open my eyes to areas of my life where I am not temperate or sure-minded in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Daniel 9-10

John 10:22-42

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

3. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though- none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.