OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH 2018- AVOID THE ULTIMATE DISAPPOINTMENT

Memorise: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;  and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyeslave, that thou mayest see. Revelation 3:18
Read: Luke 13:24-30
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
Bible in one year: Exodus 39-40, Romans 14:13-15:13

1. In plain terms, disappointment is sadness caused by unmet expectations.
2. Although it is disheartening when a person’s expectations are not met, it is much more grievous when the disappointment experienced is of the ultimate or irreversible type. For example, it could be disappointing for someone to miss a train or bus but much more disappointing if the missed train or bus happens to be the last one for the day. It simply means such a fellow is stranded. My prayer for you is that you will not experience what it is to be stranded ultimately in Jesus’ Name.
3. Our Lord Jesus Christ counsels His Church in today’s memory verse to do some things that would prevent us from experiencing the ultimate disappointment. He gave us this counsel because, according to His promise, the Church is eventually expected to be with her Lord in eternity (John 14:1-3). It would therefore be a great disappointment, an ultimate one for that matter, if He returns and what we hear from Him are the words of Luke 13:27b: “I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”
4. This will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name. For this not to be your portion, you must take certain precautions.
5. Firstly, you must strive to enter in through the strait gate. This is not easy adventure, and thankfully, the Lord Jesus Christ has put us on notice about this. He forewarned us that many shall not be able to enter in through this gate because of persecution, the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:21-22).
6. The Lord Jesus Christ also said that those who will suffer the ultimate disappointment will be surprised at His verdict on them because their expectation would be to receive His commendation, due to their closeness to the altar of God and the abundance of their activities in Church. Matthew 7:22-23, says, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
7.What a terrible disappointment this would be! In order not to be counted in the number of those who will experience this ultimate disappointment, let us watch and pray, and let us examine ourselves to see if we are actually in the faith.
8. May the Lord grant you understanding in Jesus’ Name.

Nothing is as good and glorious as entering into the joy of the Lord after our work here on earth. “His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23 It is indeed a big task for every believer to keep our focus on God and eternity in all we do but the glory ahead is worth the sacrifice. May we never receive damnation in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heaven devotional. May God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point
Consider the counsel of the Lord in today’s memory verse and yield to the wisdom of His counsel.
HYMN
I have decide to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
The world behind me, the cross
before me;
The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

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