Open Heavens Daily Devotional For Tuesday, 13th June, 2017

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY 13TH JUNE 2017

THEME: SOUL-WINNING AND SIGNS

Memorise:

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 1 Corinthians 9:16

Read: Acts 8:5-8

8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8:8 And there was greatjoy in that city.

MESSAGE

During a time of famine, the Lord instructed Elijah to go to Kerith Brook, stay there and a raven would continuously bring him food there (1 Kings 17:2-6). He said, 'Yes Sir' and obeyed. He did not hesitate or question God. He did not even ask God to show him where ravens ever brought food to anyone in the Bible. He obeyed instantly. Instant obedience is strong evidence of faith. Anyone who would work signs and wonders in these last days must be a man or woman of faith. Do you have enough trust in God to the extent of obeying Him without hesitation?

Moreover, in addition to faith, the fellow who wants to operate in the miraculous must be an incurable witness for Christ. He or she must be a soul-winner. In today's Bible reading, Philip did not wait for Peter to come and conduct a crusade in Samaria. He went there himself because he believed in God's command to go out and preach the gospel. People who are diligent in soul-winning usually have their prayers answered speedily. People often ask me what l do to get God to answer my prayers speedily aside from living holy. I tell them soul-winning and instant obedience. Even if you are going to kill me, I will still share the gospel of Jesus Christ with you. I do not look at faces to determine who I witness to or not. lf l am attending an occasion and you make the mistake of giving me the microphone, you will hear about Jesus.

Some years ago, I received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ibadan. lt was a serious gathering with eminent personalities of the political elite, traditional title holders and academicians all gracefully adorned in their beautiful gowns. At some point, they gave me the microphone and told me l had just five minutes to say something. l thanked them for honouring me and quickly added that I could not have received this honour but for Jesus. I further said that there is an honour waiting for some people in Heaven and that if they do not give their lives to Jesus, although they can be honoured here on earth, they will lose the honour of Heaven. I then gave an altar call. Beloved, witnessing for Jesus is our assignment wherever we go. Talk about Jesus everywhere you go and He will repay you with signs and wonders. When last did you win a soul to Christ? How many souls have you won to the Lord since the beginning of this year? You were saved and chosen for this reason. Are you fulfilling God's purpose of winning the souls of the lost?

Key Point:

As God works with evangelists, He will always confirm their words with signs and wonders in order to convince unbelievers. That's a key to the miraculous.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Joshua 22
Jeremiah 48:28-44

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 13: WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

1. 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.

2. 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]

3. 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]