NOVEMBER 3, 2019 OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL : TOPIC – FORTIFYING YOUR VICTORY.
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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2019
THEME: FORTIFYING YOUR VICTORY.
MEMORISE:
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Revelation 3:11
READ: Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
MESSAGE
Yesterday, we considered how to enforce the victory bequeathed to us by our Lord Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection. Today, we shall be learning how to fortify this victory, so that it is not stolen from us.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11
This scripture holds the key to how we fortify our victory in Christ, by commanding us to be strong in the Lord. This is not a piece of advice but an express command given by the Holy Spirit. Beloved, to fortify your victory in Christ, you must be strengthened by the power that comes through having a relationship with the Lord. God does not want His children to be weaklings, which is why He often told the commanders of the army of Israel to be strong and courageous. He said to Joshua 1:9:
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Courage is a necessary ingredient for fortifying our victory. During one of our Solemn Assembly services in 2018, I showed my children the video clip of a goat being bullied by a cow. In a turn of events, the small goat put the cow to flight, because it courageously resisted the cow. We can learn from this goat’s courage and persistence.
Apart from being strong in the Lord, we are further commanded in Ephesians 6:10-11 to put on the whole armor of God. What is the whole armor of God? The Holy Spirit articulates this in today’s Bible reading. The armor of God comprises of many components with distinctive uses. These include the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. The good news is that Jesus Christ is The Truth, just as He is our Righteousness. In other words, making Him our Ally is great wisdom that fortifies our victory. Our armor also includes boots for preaching the gospel of peace everywhere. Unfortunately, many Christians and churches are neglecting this aspect of our divine armor. Consequently, those we failed to preach to yesterday are the ones terrorizing us today. May the Lord forgive us our sin of neglecting to preach the gospel. The shield of faith and the helmet of salvation are other parts of God’s armor. Doubt and unbelief rob us of our victory in Christ, hence the need for faith. Our salvation is shipwrecked when we fail to live a holy life. How well are you fortifying your victory in Christ today?
PRAYER POINT:
Father, strengthen me with Your mighty power, and let me not be robbed of my victory in You.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Nehemiah 7-8
Hosea 7
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 13: YES, I KNOW I AM A VICTOR.
1. Yes, I know i am a victor
For the Bible tells me so
God made me more than a conqueror
Much stronger than all my foes.
Chorus:
Jesus loves me and i love him
Together we rule the world
Christ with me I will overcome
By his blood, his Name, his word_
2. Yes, I know i am a victor
Stronger than sickness, disease
By his stripes I am superior
Far above infirmities
Refrain:
3. Yes, I know i am a victor
Stronger than demons i am
To satan i am a terror
I am free, o yes, i am
Refrain:
4. Yes, I know i am a victor
Stronger than lack, poverty
All my needs Jesus provides for
I have life abundantly
Refrain:
5. Yes, I know i am a victor
Barrenness no more indeed
Fruitful is the God i live for
All my dreams shall be fulfilled
Refrain:
6. Yes, I know i am a victor
By his strength i shall succeed
No more loss and no more failure
Glory to glory proceed
Refrain:
7. Yes, I know i am a victor
No more sorrow, no despair
Jesus Christ is my own succour
Tomorrow is joy and cheer
Refrain:
8. Yes, I know i am a victor
very soon I’ll reign with him
His promise is my sure anchor
He’s coming to take me home
Refrain:
9. Jesus loves me and i love him
We rule this world together
as He is so right now I am
Hear me shout Halleluyah