Memorise: Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 1 Corinthians 10:6
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-12
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Bible in One Year: Romans 1-3, Daniel 1
AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL
1. As we run the race that is set before us on the straight and narrow way to Heaven, it is possible to slip and fall. You should however note that falling or making mistakes along the way does not signify that an end has come to your life, ministry or destiny.
2. There is no depth you can sink to that the mercy of God cannot draw you out of.
3.If you genuinely ask God for forgiveness and mercy, His grace will surely lift you up.
4. If you are still down in sin, it is time to come up into righteousness.
5. Are you in a situation where it appears all hope of you ever rising again is lost? No matter where you are, receive God’s touch of mercy at this very moment and come up again in Jesus’ Name!
6. There are ways to handle mistakes.
7. One way is to learn from the mistakes of others so that you do not become the guinea pig. A Nigerian proverb says, “The one who falls into a pit is a lesson to others following from behind.” You can scream after seeing that fellow fall into the pit, but make sure you don’t end up in it yourself.
8. Today’s reading tells us that the children of Israel who disobeyed God and were overthrown in the wilderness are lessons to us who are now on our way to the Promise Land of Heaven. It says we should not lust after evil things, because the Israelites did so and became causalities in the wilderness. It also says the reason why we should not serve other gods and commit fornication is that 23,000 of those Israelites who did the same perished in one day. It further says we should not tempt Christ like the Israelites did and died of snake bites. It even warns us of the dangers of murmuring, which some of us do very often. The Israelites murmured and were destroyed.
9. When you see the pit your predecessors have fallen into, a wise follower will tread a lot more carefully to avoid ending up where they ended.
10. If you learn from the mistakes of others, you will not fall where they fall, and you will not perish where they perished; but if you fail to learn, you too will soon become a signpost that tells other not to follow the path you followed.
11. How ironic it is for someone who was aware of the pitfalls that consumed others to end up in the same pit. This is what happens to those who never take warnings seriously.
12. Are you like that? Do you say “it doesn’t matter “Yes, it does!
SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS
Anyone who allows Christ to truly be his Lord and Saviour will never walk in darkness. With total submission to His will our light can only shine bright and even brighter unto a perfect day. Every step such person takes is ordered by God and so sin can never take over such life. May we function in the grace to live above sin made available to us through Christ in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional and we pray that God will always empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.
Prayer Point
Father, let me never be a guinea pig. Make me an excellent example for others to follow.
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.
Refrain:
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. Refrain
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. Refrain
To the 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. Refrain
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Joesphine Ehigie
TJ