OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
 
DATE: FRIDAY AUGUST 18TH 2017
 
THEME: THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
      

Memorise:
 
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth away.
1 Peter 5:4
 
 
Read:  2 Timothy 4:7-8

4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
 

Message:
 
In several passages of Scripture, the Christian life is compared to being engaged in a sporting activity, particularly the analogy of running a race. In other to finish strong like Apostle Paul did, we need to pay close attention to these analogies and apply their lessons to our Christian life. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 makes it clear that everyone that participates in a race does so for the purpose of winning. It also says that winning requires serious training and perseverance. Furthermore, this passage states that, of the many participants in the race, only one person emerges as winner. 2 Timothy 2:5 reveals that you must play according to the rules and regulations of the game to be declared the winner. From Hebrew 14:1-3, we understand that we must have our minds set on the reward in order to endure the rigours and pains of training. 2 Timothy 2:4 says athletes must observe a disciplined, controlled, and regimented lifestyle like soldiers while preparing for a competition. You need to measure your Christian life by these analogies to know how well you are faring in the race of Heaven. You should not be satisfied with just being a Christian who enjoys the support and encouragement of the spectators only; your ultimate goal should be to make it to Heaven and receive the crown of righteousness. You should be prepared for rigorous training in the word of God, and persevere through the process of sanctification. Like the eagle, you should take the flight towards heaven as a personal endeavour and ignore the multitude. You must strictly obey every detail in the word of God without reservation. Your mind must be fixed on the crown of righteousness and the glory that awaits the saints in Heaven, so that you can finish your course in this world with joy. Furthermore, you must submit yourself to the discipline, control and regimented lifestyle described in the word of God and as directed from time to time by your divinely appointed coach: the Holy Spirit.
 

The crown of righteousness is something of value promised to every Christian that would serve God faithfully in this world and endure the persecution and tests of faith that comes with following Jesus Christ. This crown is meant for those who would joyfully accept discipline and training in righteousness, those who will remain obedient to the word of God regardless of the dictates of popular culture, and soul winners determined to sacrifice everything in order to make Heaven. I hereby pray for everyone who is earnestly looking forward to eternal life, that you will not lose your crown in Jesus’ Name.
 
 
Prayer Point:
Father, please help me to pay the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and help me make it to Heaven in Jesus’ Name.
 
 
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 19-20
Ezekiel 26:19-27:9  
 
 
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
 
 
HYMN 14: TAKE MY LIFE

1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
 
2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
 
3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
 
 
4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
 
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
 
6.  Take my love, my Lord; I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Prayer Points on Today's Open Heavens: (Friday, August 18th, 2017) - THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

1.Thank you, Father, for all the rewards you have lined up for me in heaven, including the crown of righteousness.

2.Father, in anyway, l have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus' name.

3.Father, empower me to fight the good fight of faith, and to finish my course, in Jesus' name.

4.Father, give me the grace to run this race, in accordance with your rules, regulations and commandments, that, l may receive the due reward prepared for me in heaven, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, empower me to keep my body under subjection, so that, l may not be a castaway, after being used of you, in Jesus' name.

6.Father, grant unto me the grace, to run this race with patience and perseverance, looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of my faith, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, help me to endure and look beyond my present suffering, unto the joy set ahead of me, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, as a good soldier of Christ, let me never entangle myself again, with the affairs of this world, in order to please You, who have sent me, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, empower me to serve you, faithfully, and to endure persecution and trials of faith, that may come my way, in Jesus' name.

10.Father, make me a committed soul winner, willing to sacrifice everything, in order to make heaven, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, please help me to pay the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and help me make it to Heaven, in Jesus' Name.

12.Your Personal petitions.
( Philippians 4:6)
13.In Jesus' name I pray.
(John 14:13-14; 15:16)
14.Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).
#GodBlessOurNation