OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY 24TH JUNE 2018
THEME: THE TWO-LEGGED INSTRUCTIONS
HYMN 4: TRUST AND OBEY
1 When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a shadow can rise,
not a cloud in the skies,
but His quickly drives it away;
not a doubt or a fear,
not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
3 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
4 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
5 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Memorise
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Hebrews 1:9
Bible Reading: Romans 1:28-32
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind so that they do what ought not to be done.
29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,
30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;
31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.
32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Message
During a solemn Assembly at the Redemption Camp, Nigeria, the Lord instructed me to teach my children who were present some pairs of “two-legged ” divine instructions which every Christian should adhere to. What we see today is that most Christians are obeying only one of these instruction pairs while deliberately ignoring the other. Today, we will be considering the pair of instructions revealed in our memory verse.
While it is easy for every Christian to love righteousness, hating iniquity is what is beginning to fade away. Christians are beginning to give consideration to and show sympathy for iniquity. Issues that are clearly called out as iniquity in the Bible are being tolerated by Christians and have even become subjects of discussion in Church of God. Such acts of iniquity include sexual immorality like fornication, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality and the likes. These two passages of the scripture reveal the danger of harboring such disposition:
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do these things which are not convenient;”
Romans 1:28
“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Romans 1:32
Based on the truth contained in these verses, a lot of Christians have fallen from the position of grace, and God has given them over to a reprobate mind. Although they are usually still able to speak all the right Christian words and phrases, their doctrines and principles are no longer in line with the Scriptures. Some have even gone ahead to start their own congregation where these false doctrines are being taught.
The Lord warns us against false prophets in Revelation 2:20. The only way to avoid falling prey to false prophets and ensure you remain on the straight and narrow path is to have a personal relationship with God. You need to study the Word of God yourself to know what it says is right or wrong. Your Christian life should not be built on your pastor’s interpretation of the Scriptures. I pray that you will grow in your knowledge of God as you study your Bible more.
Prayer Point: Father, please grant me the grace to be diligent in doing Your bidding when it is convenient and when it is not
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 4-5, Acts 16:16-40
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE