OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST 2017- LOOK TO JESUS AND SEE HEAVEN

Memorise: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalm 121:1
Read: Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Bible in one year: Psalm 28-33, Jonah 1

1. Looking at Jesus with the eyes of the spirit is so important to believers because it helps us to see ourselves more clearly.
2. When you see Jesus and you take a look at yourself, it makes you to see yourself the way God sees you, and consequently, it propels you to make necessary adjustments.
3. Also, you need to see Jesus so that you can access your help. In Psalm 121:1-2, David said he would lift up his eyes to the hills where his help comes from.
4. When you lift up your eyes to heaven, you will behold Jesus. If only you can see Jesus, distractions will fade into oblivion.
5. Many of us are separated from our Source because instead of looking up, we are looking sideways: we are looking for help from neighbours, colleagues and fellow men. These people are quite limited in the level of help they can render, no matter how highly placed, financially endowed or intellectually sound they may be.
6. Making man your source brings limitations into your life.
7. Even within your family, do you know that it is wrong to focus on your father or mother as your source?
8. The right approach is to view God as your source of help, and to see every other person as a conduit pipe through whom God can channel His help.
9. The right attitude to have in every home is to always channel the family’s requests to God, and thereafter, allow God to channel His provision through whatever means He wants.
10. Henceforth, get your family to focus on Jesus as the Provider, and He will never disappoint you.
11. Moreover, focusing our gaze on Jesus is a sure path that leads to Heaven. Hence, today’s Bible reading says that we should look towards Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
12. Jesus Christ is the One who began the Christian faith and He is the One who completes it. He walked the earth and successfully ended in Heaven.
13. If you focus your gaze on Him, you will be able to follow in His steps. If you follow His steps, what He did you will do, and where He ended you will end. The shocking news here is that we really do not have any alternative to doing this.
14. If you do not look to Jesus, you will not see His steps, and hence, you will end up following the wrong path. This will result in you not ending your journey where Jesus ended His.
15. May this not be your story in Jesus’ Name. While here on earth, focus your gaze on Jesus, and you will be able to see Him in Heaven.

As we look at Jesus we must also emulate Him. We must see Him as the only sure and available source for all we could ever need. Psalm 34:5-7 “They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel[a] of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” May we never experience shame in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point
Focus your gaze on Jesus by always asking yourself this question: What would Jesus do if He were in my shoes?
HYMN
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me,
I still will follow;
Though none go with me,
I still will follow;
Though none go with me,
I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see 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.

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