OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26TH 2017- AS YOU LAY YOUR BED!

Memorise: The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 2nd Timothy 2:6
Read: Proverbs 27:23-27
23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
27 And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
Bible in one year: Titus 1-3, Philemon 1, Hosea 1

1. Insincerity is a terrible character flaw that has led to the undoing of different generations of mankind. Take for instance Cain. He had no reason whatsoever not to have known that it was the nature and attitude of his sacrifice that made the Righteous God reject his offering. Furthermore, there was no justifiable reason whatsoever for him to have gone ahead to murder his brother, after he had been told that his wicked intentions were known to the Omniscient God. However, because he was not sincere to himself, he did what he did and he forever lived with its consequences. 
2. One dimension of the insincerity of men is manifested when people speak or work against paying a labourer his due wages.
3. If you are one of such people, please know that this character is not a part of God’s nature and His word is against it. In 1st Timothy 5:18, God said: “….Thou shalt not mazzel the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”
4. Some people envy hardworking colleagues who are being promoted. As it is generally assumed, promotion comes with its responsibilities as well as its attendant goodies and benefits. More often than not, people refuse to see the added responsibilities of a hardworking leader; they only see his or her derivable benefits. This attitude is not godly.
5. There are some valuable lesson on labour and reward which I would like to point out to you today.
6. First, I want you to know that since God has said that He who does not work should not eat, the righteousness of God makes it imperative that he who works must eat, (2nd Thessalonians 3:10, 1st Timothy 5:18).
7. Secondly, as you lay your bed, so will you lie on it. The more diligent you are in business, the more comfortable you will be after fulfilling all godly conditions.
8. Thirdly, when you are diligent in your vacation, business or job, you will be promoted to lead, because Proverbs 12:24 says, “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”
9. The fourth lesson I want you to note is that riches are not forever. However, they can endure on one condition: if you continue to be diligent at your business.
10. The fifth lesson is that God must be factored into whatever you do. Remember that except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it (Psalm 127:1). This consideration has to do with being faithful in paying your tithes, offerings, vows and the first fruits of your increase (Malachi 3:10, Psalm 50:14, Proverbs 3:9).
11. Beloved, the most needful of all these is that you give your life to Christ and accept the redemption which He used His life to procure for all mankind. It shall be well with you.

Persistence, dilligence, patience and focus in the things of God is a virtue every Christian must pursue. It does not only help us get results, it also keep us on the track of God’s plan and purpose for us. “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36 God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, through the knowledge of Your word and Your Holy Spirit, help me to be sincere with Your principles which govern being in this world and the world to come.
HYMN
There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.
There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

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