OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY 8TH MARCH 2016

THEME: HE KNOWS THE END FROM THE BEGINNING

Memorise:

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Revelations 22:13

Read: Jeremiah 1:1-5

1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Message

In every land, everyone reckons with the fact that Christ is central to world history and that everything revolves around Him. When you are in Christ, you are repositioning yourself for a divine purpose. When you are outside Christ, you can never discover your true identity. A classic example of someone who had a new beginning in Christ was Apostle Paul. Prior to his meeting the Lord, he felt he was doing well because he was a blasphemer, a persecutor and an injurious person to the Body of Believers. God doesn't always see what we see. We saw a sinner in Saul but God was seeing a saint in him.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Before Jeremiah was born, God has chosen him for a special purpose. While Moses was in the palace, God had an ultimate purpose for him. Despite the situation and circumstances of Ruth, there was an ultimate purpose in the mind of God. I have good news for someone reading this devotional; the ultimate plan and purpose of God for your life will never be truncated in Jesus' Name. The same Saul that was causing havoc was the same person God used to bring about special miracles (Acts 9:11). Immediately he received the Lord, he became a wonder and evidence that there is no sinner without a future.

In world history, the greatest and most enduring works of reformation took place through an encounter with Christ. The transformation through Christ changes a man from within and the change manifests in his lifestyle. Paul was not just a man of a new beginning; he was a man of many beginnings. Paul discovered from his encounter with Christ that being born again is not all that Christ had to offer. He went on to discover the secrets of living a life of purpose and he made it his pursuit until the end of his life. We need to understand that there is divine mandate for anyone who is in Christ Jesus. God knows the beginning from the end. He knows what He has designed you for. He is not unaware of your present situation, and His promises over your life are sure. He wants to set you apart for His glory, so that through Him, you can perform valiantly. When the Lord touches your mouth. He gives you a voice and a message that is distinct. You are to reign over and be a threat to those things that are threatening others. You have power to root out all the unpleasant situations around you. You are to destroy all the works of the devil and pull down all the altars of the enemy. However, there is a part for you to play; you have to embrace a life of holiness and love. You must pursue divine desires and ignore the mundane things of this world. With a heart of thanksgiving, you will begin to experience God's promises for your life on daily basis.

Prayer Point:

Father, let your ultimate purpose for my life be fulfilled in Jesus' Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 19:17-21:25 and Job 33:19-33

AUTHOR: Pst. E. A. ADEBOYE

Hymn 7: HOLY HOLY HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert and art and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!