September 28, 2020 Open Heaven Devotional :- God’s Standard: Sure, And Steadfast
Read previous Open Heaven Devotionals here
Topic — God’s Standard: Sure, And Steadfast
Memorise: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. – 2 Timothy 2:19
Read: Psalm 10:4-11 (KJV)
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
Bible in One Year: Nehemiah 11-13, Psalm 126
MESSAGE:
The line between holiness and sin appears to be disappearing as sinful people now parade themselves as righteous. The truth however is that the world may change, but God’s standard never changes. He will not lower His standard to accommodate anyone; rather, He will give you grace to meet up with it. In order to receive that grace, you would have to take a step towards meeting God’s standards. James 4:8 says:
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
Also See: Open Heaven 27 September 2020 – Challenged, Not Defeated
You will need to root out and tear down everything that is in opposition to holy living in your life, then He will grant you the grace to live holy. When I see people, who say they want to live holy lives still entertaining sin, I know they are not yet ready. Is there any friend that can lure you to sin? Any television show you like to watch that promotes sinful habits? Any place you like to visit that makes it comfortable to commit sin? Stay away from all such things from today.
James 4:8 also talks about the double-minded. These are people who have one leg in the Church and the other leg out; people who claim to live holy but willfully commit sin from time to time. James urges such people to purify their heart. With God, there is no sitting on the fence. There is no lukewarmness with Him; you are either hot or cold, in or out. He says in Revelation 3:15-16:
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
If you are claiming to be His child and still engage in sin from time to time. Stop deceiving yourself; you are not. Maintain the standard of holiness in all ways; that is the master key to heaven.
Key Point:
God will not lower His standard of holiness for anyone.
Hymn 13: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
- I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back. - The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back. - Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back. - My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back. - Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.