OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2016
THEME: ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD
Memorise:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
Read: Acts 10:34-35 (KJV)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
MESSAGE
God’s acceptability of any human being is an act of His love, mercy, grace and favour. This is clearly evident in God’s interaction with the nation of Israel and the Gentiles. However, the Bible reveals that God does not open His arms to all who come to Him; there are heavenly conditions for acceptability. God accepts people who respond to him by faith. This is why we have categories of children in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten of the Father (John 1:14), while the rest of us that are saved are His adopted children. Amongst the adopted children, there are golden, sliver, wooden and earthen sons and daughters. Also, there are repentant and reliable as well as deceitful and unreliable children. What kind of child are you?
Although, God loves all His children, yet, not all of them please Him equally. While the unrepentant ones displease the Lord, the repentant and reliable ones please Him. In John 4:34 Jesus says,”….My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” God’s acceptability therefore depends squarely on our readiness to pay the price of loyalty and obedience to God. Jesus paid the ultimate price; He dumped His personal desires and aspiration for that of His Father’s. What He enjoyed doing the most was making God very happy. Even when the task involved giving His life, He obliged. At the Garden of Gethsemane, when He was struggling between His own will and God’s will, He gave up His (Matthew 26:39-42). No wonder God gave such a wonderful commendation of Jesus in Matthew 17:5
“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
Hence, to be acceptable to God as a beloved son or daughter is not an easy task. It requires total submission to God’s will and total obedience to His commandments. This translates to living our lives to please God in all ramifications. Some people are ready to please God only when the price is affordable or cheap. For instance, a beloved child of God will not struggle with paying tithe or placing personal preference on fashion, entertainment, and other social consideration above the Word of God. Are you ready to pay the price for God’s acceptability?
Prayer Point:
Father, help me to meet the standard of Your acceptability in the Name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 35:30-38:20 and Psalms 119:81-96
AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
1. Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2. Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3. Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
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