OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH 2017- DESCENT IS OFTEN UNNOTICED 

Memorise: Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Ecclesiastes 8:11
Read: Luke 22:1-6
22 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
Bible in one year; Psalm 50-55, Micah 2

1. To successfully run the Christian race, certain assignments cannot be delegated or carried out without your involvement. In Joshua chapter 7, Joshua delegated the assignment of fighting Ai to some of his men, and at the end of the day, they suffered defeat.
2. Nothing kills like overconfidence!
3. Have you ever wondered if Judas Iscariot was originally a thief? In Luke 6:12-13, the Lord prayed all night before selecting the 12 apostles. It is therefore most likely that he did not start out as a thief. However, even if he was originally a thief, nobody gets to the zenith of an evil deed suddenly. It is usually a gradual process.
4. Backsliding is a process and not a sudden event. If you see a brother backslidden to the point of shamelessly going about with wolves, on closer examination, you will discover that he must have been secretly frolicking with sin for a while. He must have tried a sinful act the first time and “gotten away with it”. This would have encouraged him to try a second, third and fourth time. Since he was not caught, he would gradually continue to practice such acts of sin more frequently, until his final descent becomes glaring for all to see.
5. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed seedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11
6. The devil does not usually come with a frontal attack against a child of God. He uses subtle, little issues that one will consider as nothing.
7. Those things the devil says do not matter really matter a lot.
8. When you do not see anything wrong in intimately hugging the opposite sex or touching their bodies at will, know that you have started backsliding.
9. If you take a little money from the church purse in your care unnoticed, you have also started backsliding.
10. If you do not cry to the Lord and ask for His help there and then, and you allow your descent to linger, before long, you will be openly fornicating or even selling Jesus for peanuts without feeling remorse.
11. Examine yourself; how is it with your faith today? Have you backslidden in any way? If you have, run to the cross of Calvary for God to restore you before you get to a point of no return!
12. God still loves you. Respond to His love now!

God’s love for us is as deep and fresh as ever. This is a great privilege for us because He is ever ready to receive us when we turn away from sin towards Him. God is so glad to have a sinner repent from His wrong deeds. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7 It’s very good to return to the Father’s love early before being eaten up by sin and blown off the righteous way. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. God bless and equip Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Key Point
The reason why you don’t often get caught immediately you engage in an evil act is not because you are smart, but because God wants you to speedily retrace your steps and repent.
HYMN
On a hill far away
Stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
(Chorus)
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
(Chorus)  
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where his glory forever I’ll share.

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