OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...

DATE : WEDNESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2016

THEME : ARE YOU PREPARED?

Memorise:

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
Job 14:1

Read: 2nd Timothy 4:6-8

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Message

In the Bible, the word ‘Heaven’ is often used in three ways: to described a physical part of the universe which is above the sky, the prevailing condition whenever God reigns in the affairs of men, and the invisible dwelling place of God, also known as paradise. Today’s devotional focuses on the need to prepare for heaven, the dwelling place of God, and what such a preparation entails. First, the Bible presents heaven as the dwelling place of God, where His manifest presence is a permanent feature, as He is the only source of light there. Because of the constant presence of God in heaven, it is a place of extreme joy and peace. Heaven is also a place of recognition, reward, celebration, and total rest from trouble. Holiness is the only acceptable currency in heaven.
Several passages of the Bible stress life’s misery and brevity using two vivid metaphors of “a fading flower or withering grass” and “a swiftly passing shadow”. That life offers little joy, peace and satisfaction is well known even to children. Also, all human beings are familiar with the progressive labour, pain, insecurity, sorrow, and disappointments that we all have to endure as long as we are alive. Furthermore, the concepts of death and the afterlife presented in the Bible reveals the God had purposely packaged heaven as the final destination for all humans that pass the entrance examination. John 14:2-3 says:

“In my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

This is an expression of God’s love and mercy to all human beings. Out of this everlasting love, the Almighty God has convincingly and systematically revealed His eternal plans and purposes to humanity, about how we are created to start our lives here on earth for the singular purpose of doing the perfect will of God. This is to enable us live our lives in ways that honour God in all things, for the ultimate goal of spending eternity with Him in heaven. Therefore, the above passage makes it very clear that heaven is being specially prepared only for those who are prepared to do whatever it takes to enter. I therefore pray that God will help our preparations and graciously admit us into heaven in Jesus’ name.

Now, Matthew 19:23 says that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven, not because riches and wealth are evil, nor because heaven was made only for the poor, but because the typical characteristics of affluent people are contrary to the will of God. Such behaviours include pride and confidence in human wisdom, fame, achievements, money, and power. Anyone found with these will not enter into heaven. The truth is; Jesus extends the promise of heaven to all who come to Him by faith without classifications such as financial status, gender, age, culture or nationality. Matthew 18:3 says except a person is converted and becomes a little child in faith, total submission and obedience to the will of God, he or she will not enter into heaven. Finally, Matthew 7:21 says, not all churchgoers will be admitted into heaven, but only those that operate in the will of God. The big question is, are you prepared for heaven?

Action Point:

Father, please whatever will make me miss heaven; take it out of my life in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Luke 19:28-21:24 and Job 28:7-19

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

Prayer Points On Today's Open Heavens (Wednesday February 24th, 2016)
HEAVEN: ARE YOU PREPARED?
1.Thank you Father for placing me on the path to heaven through the salvation of my soul.
2.Thank you Father for sustaining me daily, through your word of life.
3.Father, let every record of sin that could deny me entrance to heaven, be blotted out by your mercy and the blood of Jesus.
4.Father, grant me the grace to remain heavenly focused and to pass all the entrance examinations into heaven.
5.Father, give me the grace to run away from every appearance of evil.
6.Father, wear upon me the garment of your holiness and righteousness.
7.Father, release upon my life, the power and the grace, to do your Will perpetually, for the rest of my life.
8.Father, empower me to fight the good fight of faith and to finish my course.
9.Father, grant me the grace to run this race with patience, looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of my faith.
10.Lord Jesus, when you shall come, please, don't let me be found wanting.
11.Your Personal petitions. (Phil 4:6)
12. In Jesus' name I pray. (Jn 15:16)
13.Thank you Father for answered prayers.(1 Thes 5:18).

DAY FORTY-FIVE: THE REDEEMED PRAY AND FAST FOR 50 DAYS!
DAY 45, Wednesday 24th February, 2016!
WALKING AND WORKING WITH THE LORD!
1. Father, Renew Your Fire And Passion For The Work Of The Ministry In Me In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
2. I Declare That My Walk With The Lord Will Not Be In Vain In The Name Of Jesus. Amen! Philippians 2:16, 1 Corinthians 15:58
3. I Declare That As I Walk With The Lord, I Will Not Fail Him In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
4. I Declare That As I Receive Strength And Grace For The Work My Strength Is Made Perfect In You My Lord And Redeemer In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
5. Father, Please Show Me Your Way! Guide Me With Your Truth! And Teach Me, So That I Can Have A Closer Walk With You In The Name Of Jesus. Amen! Psalms 25:4-5
6. Father, Some Might Decide To Be Goats With Horns, Stubborn And Disobedient But I Rather Be Your Sheep Totally Dependent On You In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
7. Father, Please Forgive Me For Those Times Of Ignorance When I Thought I Can Work For You, Leaning On My Own Power And Understanding! Father, Grant Me The Wisdom To Start Working Only With You In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
8. Father, Forgive Us Your Church For Relying On The Arms Of Flesh And Only Running Back To You Whenever We Discovered That They Failed Us! Grant Us The Wisdom And Grace Never Ever To Use You As Men Uses Their Spare Tyres In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
9. Father, You Are The One That Teach My Hands To War And My Fingers To Fight Strengthen My Hands To Work Your Work With You And My Legs To Walk The Walk In Righteousness With You In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
10. Father, 2016 Is Our Year Of Your Fullness! Daddy As You Enlarge Our Coast! Enlarge Our Capacity To Receive And Increase Our Anointing To Do 'The Greater Works Than These' Like You Promised In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
B. Add Your Personal Prayer Request For Day Forty- Five! Make Your Personal Requests Known With Thanksgiving! Philippians 4:6
EMMANUEL=GOD WITH US!.