OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY - CREATED FOR HIM
MEMORISE: "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that
are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for
him": Colossians 1:16
READ: Ephesians 2:1-10 (KJV)
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and
sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in
the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts
of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by
nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved
us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly
places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his
grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 39-40
MESSAGE:
No matter how long you spend on earth, you will never see a tree that
eats its own fruit. Trees are planted by human beings for their pleasure, not
for the pleasure of the trees. In the same way, God made you for His own
pleasure. You were not made to satisfy yourself, you were made to satisfy Him.
Therefore, when people live their lives just to give themselves pleasure,
they are malfunctioning. Having lots of money, driving good cars and owning
houses does not mean that someone has fulfilled his or her destiny because all
those things are for the fellow’s pleasure. Destiny is not measured by how much
money you have or how powerful you become; it is measured by the degree to
which you are doing the will of God for your life.
For example, someone might have seen Joseph as the Prime Minister of
Egypt and said, “This guy has made it! He is fulfilling destiny because of the
exalted position that he has attained,” but if Joseph did not save his family
from the famine as God had created him to do (Genesis 45:1-11), he would have
been a failure.
There will be many rich people who will finish their races here on earth,
and rather than them being told, “Well done thou good and faithful servant,”
they will hear, “Thou wicked and slothful servant.” I pray this will not be
your portion, in Jesus’ name. Beloved, it is good to be rich, famous, and
powerful, but even when those things come, you will still not be fulfilled
unless you do the will of God. Don’t chase shadows; chase God’s calling for
your life. It seemed foolish when I left lecturing to pastor a small church.
However, because that was the will of God for my life, it was the best
decision l ever made. In fulfilling His will, God gave me all that I could ever
ask for and more. A tree that bears fruits for its owner to eat will be taken
care of. The owner will give it all the nutrients and care that it needs to
flourish. When you pursue God’s will for your life, He will ensure that you
never lack any good thing. Ask Him what His purpose for your life is and pursue
it.
KEY POINT
Pursue God’s purpose for your life.
© 2024 Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons
was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world,
and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.