OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...

DATE : THURSDAY 21 APRIL 2016

THEME : DENYING JESUS? 

Memorise:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalms 1:1


Read: Luke 22:54-60

54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

Message

The company you keep determines who you are, what you do, and how you respond to situations in life. The story was told of a sparrow that got trapped together with ravens that were caught devouring a grain farmland. He pleaded with the farmer who owned the trap to release him. “Why should I release you”, the farmer asked. “Because I am not a raven but a sparrow that cannot devour your farm” the sparrow replied. “How come you were caught with the ravens?”, “I was only trying to enjoy their company” the raven replied. “So, you are being judged because of the company you were in” the farmer concluded.

The story in our Bible reading of today is pathetic. Many things could have been responsible for Peter’s denial of Jesus, however, let us look at some probable factors. Firstly; the Bible says when they brought Jesus into the high priest’s house; Peter followed Him, but afar off. It is dangerous to follow Jesus afar off. Moreover, because it was cold, Peter moved into the hall and sat down with those that were enjoying the warmth of the fire that was set. It is unfortunate today that some so-called believers are enjoying the fire or the warmth of sin in the bosom of strange men and women.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”
Psalms 1:1

Peter, forgetting that he had the identity of a Galilean, sat in the midst of the residents of Jerusalem and his identity was found out. Many pretend as if they are not Christians, they easily conform to the comfort zones of this world. Whereas, the Bible says:

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:3

Peter did not notice that his location was not good enough for him to maintain his obligation of discipleship to Jesus Christ. And when he was confronted about being a disciple of Jesus, he denied it to the point of swearing.

Beloved, let us learn
from Peter’s mistakes, following Jesus from afar off is very dangerous to our spiritual life. We must not patronise spiritual unhealthy zones, no matter how attractive the place may be. We will be judged by the company we keep.

Prayer Point

Father, please help me never to deny you however tough the trial may be.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 Samuel 19:16-20:26 and Proverbs 13:15-14:3

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 13: WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?

Chorus:
Wonderful story of love,
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.

2. Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,

Chorus:

3. Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus

Chorus.

Prayer Points on Today's Open Heavens ( Thursday April 21st 2016) - DENYING JESUS?

1.Thank you Lord Jesus for the heavy price that you paid to set me free from the yoke and captivity of Satan.

2.Father, in anyway l have been unappreciative and ungrateful for all that you have done for me, please, have mercy and forgive me.

3.Lord Jesus, please, draw me closer to you, l don't want to follow you from afar off.

4.Father, grant unto me the grace never to walk in the counsel of the ungodly.

5.Father, please help me never to deny you no matter, how tough the trial may be.

6.Father, fill me to the brim with your Holy Spirit and with power, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, help me to walk in the spirit, that l may not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

8.Father, give me the boldness and power, to preach the gospel in season and out of season.

9.Father, anywhere l find myself grant unto me the grace never to be ashamed, to openly identify with the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

10.Father, empower me never to walk in the way of sinners nor sit in the seat of the scornful.

11.Father, help me to love and serve you with all my heart, my soul, my strength, and my mind, in Jesus' name.

12.Your Personal petitions. ( Phil 4:6)
13.In Jesus' name I pray.
(Jn 14:13-14; 15:16)
14.Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thes 5:18).