OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THEME : FAITH AND PATIENCE.
MEMORY VERSE:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
BIBLE READING: HEBREWS 11:1-11
1.Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2.For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3.By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Faith at the Dawn of History
4.By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
5.By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6.But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
7.By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Faithful Abraham
8.By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9.By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;
10.for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11.By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
MESSAGE:
The more we trust a person, the more patient we become towards them. If they promise to come as soon as possible, we will wait for them even more patiently because we know they mean what they say.
Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing the word of God.
Thus, if we would be steadfast in faith, we must constantly fellowship with God’s word so that we know Him for who He is.
Faith without patience produces people who start off well but cannot finish strong. Patience without faith produces people who constantly suffer but have no power to change their situation.
When Satan whispers to you that God’s word is not working, faith says “It is lie” and strengthens your resolve to wait.
Faith has no fear; it knows that God’s word has never failed, so it builds patience in you to wait for the word to come to pass.
Faith strengthens patience. James 1:3 says:
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Faith and patience, working together, defend and protect your soul.
This is why sometimes, God tries your faith so as to build your patience.
He knows that just like Job, if both your faith and patience are strong, no matter what the devil brings your way, you will not fall. You need both faith and patience to win the heavenly race, because it is a marathon and not just a sprint.
I got born again over forty-five years ago and it was as If Jesus was coming that same year. Some of those who started the race with me have backslidden now. They had faith, but not patience.
When I started seeing some of these people backsliding, I was worried for my own faith, thus I cried to God to help me so that I would finish strong.
One day, I was watching the making of a movie in which the lead actor told the director that he was not sure he would be able to win the horse race that was to be a part of the movie.
The director responded “You just keep riding; I will make sure you win”. God spoke to me through that: He said “You Just remain in the race, I will make sure you finish strong”.
Jude 1:24 says He is the only One who can keep you to the end. I believe God and His word, and that is why, today, I am still standing.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please keep me until the end. Don’t let me fall by the way in the course of my race to Heaven.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE.
BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
GENESIS 49:1-33, GENESIS 50:1-26
HYMN 8: HO! MY COMRADES, SEE THE SIGNAL
1. Ho! my comrades! see the signal,
Waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing,
Victory in nigh!
REFRAIN:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,”
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to heaven,
“By Thy grace we will.”
2. See the mighty host advancing,
Satan leading on;
Mighty men around us falling,
Courage almost gone.
3. See the glorious banner waving,
Hear the trumpet blow;
In our Leader’s Name we triumph
Over every foe.
4. Fierce and long the battle rages,
But our help is near;
Onward comes our great commander,
Cheer, my comrades, cheer!
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