OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...

DATE: MONDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2016

THEME: FAITH LIKE A CHILD'S?

Memorise:

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

Read: Matthew 18:1-6

18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

MESSAGE

The child-like faith is what everybody requires, not only to make it to heaven but also to enjoy his or her days on the earth. If we do not believe this because it sounds illogical, we must believe it because Jesus said it.
What is then required of us is to pray for the kind of faith that is comparable with that of a little child. The first thing about a little child is that he is very trusting. In my living room several years ago, there used to be a portrait of a little child looking innocent with the inscription; "No Problem". The faith that will enable us not to see problems but see only God who specialises in solving problems is the best for us.
Another characteristic trait of little children is that they forgive easily. Unlike adults who keep malice, children forgive and forget the wrong done to them almost immediately after it's done. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:32:
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Children fulfil this Biblical injunction freely. Children could be very generous with their things except in some unusual occasions. Without knowing the spiritual implication of their actions, children are tender hearted with their peers. This is exactly what God wants from us. In Colossians 3:12-13, the Bible also says:
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."

There are many blessings we will access from the throne of God our Father if we can begin to take after children. For example, if we freely forgive those who wrong us like a child will do, our prayers will receive quick answers from God. In Mark 11:25, Jesus Christ said:
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

This instruction that comes from our Lord is simply saying that before we pray, we must first forgive! We can see thee reason many of our prayers are not answered; we refuse to forgive. I pray that a user of this devotional will find grace to forgive and be kind hearted in Jesus' name.

Prayer Point:

Father, please help my faith and transform me to be able to forgive freely and be tender hearted in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ezekiel 46:19-48:35
Psalms 77:11-20

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 12: MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Chorus:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Chorus:

3. His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

Chorus:

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Chorus.

Prayer Points on Today's Open Heavens, ( Monday, October 10th, 2016) - FAITH LIKE A CHILD’S?
1.Thank you Father, for upholding me this far in faith, because, it is not of him that willeth nor runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.
2.Father, in anyway, l have fallen short of your glory, have mercy and forgive me.
3.I forgive all those who have wronged me and despitefully used me,(mention them - your spouse, father, mother, boss. Colleague, etc), and l release them from the bondage of
unforgivenness.
4.Father, give me a child-like faith, that easily believes, trusts and forgives, in Jesus' name.
5.Father, please help my faith and transform me to be able to forgive freely and be tender hearted in Jesus’ name.
6.Father, give me a faith that will have absolute and unalloyed trust, in you.
7.Father, give me a faith that does not see problems, but sees, You, who, specialises in solving problems.
8.Father, release upon my life, faith big enough, to qualify me for heaven.
9.Father, wear upon me the garment of your holiness, mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering and self control.
10.Father, let me never cause anyone, who believes in you to stumble, or be offended or leave the faith, in Jesus' name.
11.Father, when the saints are being counted in heaven, let me be numbered among them, in Jesus' name.
12.Your Personal petitions. (Phil 4:6)
13.In Jesus' name I pray.(John 15:16)
14.Thank you Father for answered prayers. (1 Thes 5:18).
#GodBlessOurNation