OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH 2017-ANOTHER CHANCE

Memorise: She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:11
Read: John 8:1-11 (KJV)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Bible in one year: John 1-3, Isaiah 33:10-24

1. While it is very sweet and pleasant to be given another chance in life, in the face of resignation to doom and hopelessness, making the most of the opportunity presented by such a privilege is of greater importance.
2. A classical example of someone who enjoyed another chance at life is the woman caught in the act of sexual immorality in today’s Bible reading. Just when her life would have been taken away from her, God gave her another chance. Under the Mosaic Law, for her sin of adultery, she should have paid the supreme price of death through stoning. The scribes and Pharisees arrested and brought her to Jesus Christ for condemnation, but because He came to rescue and save the lost, he gave her another chance to live.
3. The mercy of God that smiled on this woman on that fateful day caused her to be brought to the Saviour of life and not to the taker of it.
4. After throwing a poser to her accusers which rocked the foundation of their souls and caused them to abandon their mission to take a life they did not create, Jesus in John 8:10 turned to this woman and asked her, “…. Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?” “No man, Lord”, she replied. Praise God for the verdict of Jesus which gave her another chance: “….. Neither do I condemned thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11
5. To someone reading this Devotional, Jesus Christ is saying to you today that though your family, your friends, your church, your government or the world many have condemned and written you off, He has not condemned you. He says to you, “Receive my forgiveness but go and sin no more”.
6. Thank God for His mercies. His mercy is so great that even the thief on the right side of the cross was given another chance (Luke 23:40-43)! This is the wonder of the cross.
7. Beloved, you can be a partaker of the second chance that Jesus offers.
8. Probably you are reading this in the prison yard, and you have been condemned to die. Do what that thief did – acknowledge your sins, repent of them, and accept Jesus Christ as the Righteous One who died for the unrighteous like you.
9. Plead for God’s mercy and believe you have received it through Jesus Christ. I assure you that the door of a second chance is opened to you.
10. Seize it, celebrate it and thank God for it. You are now saved by grace. Hallelujah!

There is always room in Christ Jesus for as many that desire to let Him be their Lord with the grace of second chance to live in Him and in His word. King Nebuchadnezzar was given a second chance. Also apostle Paul made use of his second chance greatly after God arrested him on his way to Damascus. He sold himself out completely for the gospel. He maximised the second chance given to him. Philippians 1:11-21 gave a clear picture that his living was for Christ and the gospel. “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:12‭-‬21. It’s a great privilege to have a second chance but when we embrace, appreciate and maximize this chance it is much greater privilege. God help us all to embrace this second chance by remaining productive and fruitful in our work with God. And for those who are yet to receive this second chance, that grace will locate you in Jesus name. We thank God for Pastor E.A Adeboye for blessing us and inspiring us in today’s devotional. God bless him in strength and greater ability in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point
Father, forgive me for my past misdeeds. Give me another chance to live my life for You.
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 still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I 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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