OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND 2017- SEEKING PRE-EMINENCE? 

Memorise: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11
Read: 3rd John 1:9-11
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
Bible in one year: Psalm 34-37, Jonah 2-3

1. All those who have accepted God’s call to salvation should be aware that they have equally been called to a life of brokenness.
2. The Christian life is a life that walks in the Spirit. Having crucified the flesh with its affection and lusts (Galatians 5:24, Galatians 5:16).
3. The place of brokenness is the place of true service and reflection of Christ.
4. While the fellow who is broken is dead to the flesh, the fellow who is carnal is still very much alive to it.
5. There are certain traits that characterise the life of an unbroken fellow. These traits will be visible in such a life, irrespective of the ecclesiastical position occupied. One of such traits is the desire to be pre-eminent in all things.
6. Those who always want to outshine others must be extremely careful.
7. It is good to excel, and God wants this for His children, but struggling for pre-eminence within the fold, just to gratify the flesh or feed your ego is a mark of not being broken.
8. In the early Church, there were people who liked to show that they were in charge, even when there were superiors set over them. Apostle John encountered Diotrephes and he had problems with him because of this trait (3rd John 1:9).
9. Those who like to have pre-eminence usually find it difficult to recognise or submit to higher authority.
10. They want to be the ones calling the shots. They may have supervisors over them, and yet they will still want to be the ones that people take orders from. They run a parallel government to that of their superiors, and because their power base is illegal, they use lots of manipulation, coercion, intimidation and forming of unhealthy cliques to maintain their power. Such people are involved in every divisive and rebellious scheme being witnessed in the Church and in society today.
11. Those who seek pre-eminence operate through charismatic witchcraft, and they are involved in very subtle mind-control. They want to be recognised and honoured first and above others. Their suggestion must always be taken or else you must be prepared for a fight. If you have those traits in you, you are very carnal and close to Hell’s gates.
12. If you struggle and manipulate your way to gain pre-eminence over others, in Heaven’s records you will be the last or even have no placement there.
13. If you are involved in this manifestation of carnality, beat a retreat today!

Whoever is found guilty of today’s devotional is suffers from disobedience and such is rebellious. This is usually caused by several factors such as pride and self esteem which shouldn’t be found among the believers. As rightly revealed by the writer, whatever you do, whatever position you find yourself, let meekness and humility be your watchwords. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point
Examine your life to see if you have any of the traits of a life that seeks pre-eminence. If you do, repent and take corrective actions.
HYMN
1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Chorus:
O deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Chorus:
3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Chorus:
4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Chorus:
5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
Chorus.

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