OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: TUESDAY, JULY 31ST 2018- WORKING FOR PEACE

Memorise: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Read: Hebrews 12:12-15
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Bible in one year: Esther 1-3, Matthew 11:20-12:8

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. Today’s memory verse reveals the blessedness of working for peace. It is amazing that the Master Himself said that working for peace is what truly identifies us as children of God. How I pray that everyone who professes to be a child of God will take working for peace very seriously!
2. The first peace you need to work towards is peace with God. God Himself is trying to make peace with you. In 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 He says to you: “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespass unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
3. We broker peace with our Maker when, like the prodigal son, we come to the altar of repentance to confess our sins with a promise and commitment never to go back to them again. When we do this, we have this assurance from 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4. In our Bible text, we are told to follow peace with all men. This cannot be possible until we have reconciled with God first. When we are reconciled with God, the Bible says God will make our enemies be at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7). When your enemies are at peace with you, that enemy that has been blocking your way to success will be used by God to pave the way to your breakthrough. This is the blessedness of working for peace.
5. In addition to making peace with God, you should also endeavour to live peaceably with your neighbours. In Matthew 5:25, Our Lord Jesus Christ counselled us, saying: “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.”
6. It is unfortunate that some believers find it difficult to amicably settle their difference with fellow believers. This is dangerous, and as Jesus Christ said, the price of being irreconcilable may be as high as going to hell. May this not be our portion in Jesus’ Name.
7. Have you been reconciled with your Maker and your fellow men, especially those in the household of faith? Do not forget that those who work for peace are blessed. Tap into this blessing today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

It has become normality for some believers to pick up fight with anybody at any time. Some other believer derive joy in having a fight between two other people escalate. They have forgotten totally that being in peace with all men is one of the requirements to see God. Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Our life should draw men to God in all we do and not chase them away instead. Let’s make our ways right as regards today’s devotional. May the Lord help us all in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point: Reconcile with God and your neighbor today, if you have anything against him or her.
Hymn
I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Chorus:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh.
I need Thee every hour
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
I need Thee every hour
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
I need thee every hour
Most Holy one;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.

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