OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIO
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE & PASTOR (MRS) FOLU ADEBOYE
MEMORISE: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9:10
BIBLE READING: LUKE 22:24-27
24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
MESSAGE:
Many pastors, in a bid to appreciate some departments in their church, might make statements like, “We celebrate the music ministry for their outstanding performance today. They made the service glorious, and the Spirit of the Lord came down.” Statements such as this might be erroneous because, in such instances, it could have been the sanitation department that brought down the presence of the Holy Spirit through their service. It could also have been the prayer department that interceded for the raw manifestation of the Spirit or the ushering and protocol team whose lifestyle of holiness and power blocked away the activities of demons during the service. My dear child, you must be discerning to know that ALL departments in a local assembly are equally important before God. Though some function in the background, their impact is undeniable, and all workers in such departments will get their reward.
If a person wants to dress gorgeously to a church service but his or her kidney is not functioning properly, it would be difficult for such a person to be able to stand up, walk, and dress well for that service. Likewise, it is pointless to engage in unnecessary comparisons among the body of Christ because all arms in the church are important. Beloved, focus on your calling until you see Jesus in glory rather than comparing yourself with others in the church.
KEY POINT:
Every member of the church is important before God; don’t compare yourself with others.
Jeremiah 6:16-8:7 Colossians 2:8-23
HYMN 12 : ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
1 Onward, Christian
soldiers, marching as to War,
With the cross of Jesus going on before!
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see his banner go!
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of JesUs going on before!
2 At the name of Jesus Satan‘s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise!
3 Like a mighty army moves the church of God:
Brothers, we are treading
where the saints have trod;
We are not divided; all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
4 Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane;
But the church Jesus constant will remain:
Gates of hell can never ‘gainst that church prevail
We have Christ’s own promise and that cannot fail
5 Onward, then, ye people,
join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices,
in the triumph song;
Glory, praise and honour,
unto Christ the King;
This through countless ages,
men and angels sing.
