Open Heavens Daily Devotional For Monday, 20th February, 2017

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE : MONDAY 20th FEBRUARY 2017

THEME :
PERILOUS TIMES ARE HERE

Memorise:

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1st Timothy 4:1

Read: 2nd Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

MESSAGE:

With all that we see and hear happening in different parts of the world today, it is no longer news that we are already in perilous times. This is why it is very urgent that we maximise the time that we have left in propagating the gospel of the Lord to those who are yet to know Him. We should carefully study the words of Ephesians 5:14-16 and obey its instructions. In these verses of Scripture, the Holy Spirit says,

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

In this modern age, where people are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, believers must watch against satanic wiles and temptations.

We must avoid all forms of false doctrine that abound in churches today. Let us remain in the simple gospel of Jesus which is capable of seeing us through to the very end. There are false teachers rising up every day with different kinds of teachings and beliefs, using their influence to spread erroneous doctrines to unsuspecting believers. This is why you need to be selective of where you go and who you listen to. Those who go to church today only get excited when they are told what they want to hear. The Holy Spirit forewarned us of this in 2nd Timothy 4:3:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears.”

Let us therefore run with the message of the gospel into every part of the world; reminding everyone that those who are not on the Lord’s side on the last day will be eternally destroyed. Let us do the work of an evangelist, and go after those people who have strayed from the straight and narrow way. Let us bring back those sheep which are carelessly grazing on their fields, away from the presence of their Shepherd. These are those who started well but have become consumed by the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. The signs of the second coming of Christ are daily being fulfilled before our eyes. In order not to be caught unawares, you must prepare yourself daily through self examination. The enemy of your soul is out there seeking how to devour you; don’t allow him to truncate your destiny. Ensure that you make no provision for the flesh, and put out all the works of darkness around you. Be prepared for His second coming! 

Prayer Point:

Father, fill me with the consciousness of the second coming of Christ at all times.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 3-5 and Isaiah 41:21-42:9

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 13 : WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.

Refrain:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.

Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.

Refrain

Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

Refrain