OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2016
THEME: HE KNOWS HIS SHEEP
Memorise:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Read: John 10:25-29
10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
MESSAGE
The Bible in several passages referred to God as the good Shepherd, but in the book of John 10:14, Jesus boldly declared, "I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." Also in John 10:27, God says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me". The Lord is omniscient, He is all knowing, nothing is hidden from His sight, and He therefore has very good knowledge of the identity of all human beings. Furthermore, 2 Timothy 2:19 says:
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Every Christian is hereby encouraged to depart from all forms of immorality in order to benefit from the heavenly package reserved for true children of God.
Because God paid for the salvation of humanity with His Son's Blood, Christians in the world are precious to Him.
Hence, the Lord will always keep His obedient children from partaking in the judgment of sinners. An example of this is recorded in 1 Kings 14:7-16. Jeroboam was a very wicked king. He did not only sin, but caused so many to sin with him. When God pronounced judgement on him, his entire family faced extinction. He had many sons who all perished with him, but Abijah was spared because he towed the path of righteousness. When judgement is determined against families, yours will be spared in Jesus' name. When cities and communities are to face disasters and destruction, you will be spared.
If you love to do God's will all the time and diligently obey His voice, He will keep you from judgment. When He brought plagues on Egypt, in the land of Goshen where the Israelities lived, there was no trace of the plagues (Exodus 8:21-23). God separated His own from those who were not His. 2 Timothy 2:19 says no matter what people claim, God knows His people. Are you one of God's sheep? It is not enough to claim to be a child of God; does God know you as His bonafide son or daughter? If you are not sure, check your life and be reconciled to God today. If you are recognized by God, there is a hiding place reserved for you in Christ where you will not be a casualty in the time of judgement. Like the Psalmist, you shall only see and hear of those who are casualties but you shall never be touched (Psalms 91:7-8).
Once again, are you among the faithful few?
Prayer Point:
Father, please, set my prayer life on fire today in Jesus' name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Leviticus 17-19
Psalms 129-130
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 3: DEEPER, DEEPER
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Chorus:
O deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Chorus:
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Chorus:
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu'ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Chorus:
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow'r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
Chorus.
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