Open Heaven 16 August 2018 Thursday – PAINS WITHOUT GAIN

Open Heaven 16 August 2018 Thursday – PAINS WITHOUT GAIN

Open Heaven 16 August 2018 Memorise: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10

Read: Nehemiah 5:14-19 Open Heaven 16 August 2018

14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants’ bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.

17 Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.

18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.

19 Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

Open Heaven 16 August 2018

Bible in one year: Psalm 17-20, Matthew 21:12-27

Hymnal: Sing hymn 6

open heavens

Message – Open Heaven 16 August 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional

God desires that we boldly come before His throne of grace to express ourselves with sincerity of heart and purpose (Hebrews 4:16, Job 38:1-3). Apostle Peter is one child of God who was sincere. He did not pretend as though he did not know what he wanted from God. After Jesus discussed the price of being His disciple, Peter boldly and sincerely asked Him what would be the gain of those who paid this high price. Here is Jesus’ response in Matthew 19:28-29:

“…Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

The Holy Spirit also corroborates this truth in today’s memory verse. The essence of these promises of reward is to encourage you not to be weary in well doing.

Open Heaven 16 August 2018 Thursday

In today’s Bible reading, there is another classic example of someone who would not settle for pains without gain. Nehemiah knew that the God he served was not unrighteous as to not reward him handsomely for his labour and sacrifice in His vineyard. For this reason, he consistently prayed to God to remember him for good. He was not like the older brother of the prodigal son, who served his father without asking for his reward as a faithful son (Luke 15:11-31). Let’s take a closer look at Nehemiah’s prayer in Nehemiah’s 5:18-19:

“Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.”

This prayer reveals this sacrifice Nehemiah consciously made to get the project of rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls done. He boldly stated his case to the One who alone could reward him richly. This is a great lesson for children of God who are labouring day and night in God’s vineyard and have nothing to show for it because they do not ask Him for a reward. James 4:2 says “You have not, because you ask not.” I pray that the Almighty God will reward your labour of love as you begin to ask of Him today in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point – Open Heaven 16 August 2018

Father, as I labour in Your vineyard, please remember me for good in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 16 August 2018 Thursday Hymn

Sing hymn 6 – A NEW THING

(Tune: There shall be showers of Blessing)

We will soon shout Halleluiah

Because God will do new things

Sinners will be forgiven

Prodigals will come home soon.

 

Chorus:

Shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

Rivers in desert now flowing

Hallelujah to our king.

 

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

Sickness and sorrow will be gone

Bondage will be forgotten.

 

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

The barren will be faithful soon

Failure will be forgotten.

 

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

Poverty will be forgotten

Stagnancy will soon be gone.

 

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

To all miracles are given

There shall be celebrations

 

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

Many will have testimonies

Of prayer answered fully.

 

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

One of us will chase a thousand

Two will conquer ten thousand

 

We will soon shout Hallelujah

Because God will do new things

Songs of praises we will sing

Hallelujah to our King.

That all for Open Heaven 16 August 2018 Thursday, do consider to bookmark this site for your Open heavens daily devotionals and also if you missed yesterday Devotional click to read Open Heaven 15 August 2018 Wednesday and may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continue to keep us all. God bless you. Open Heaven 16th August 2018 Thursday. Please comment and share what you have learnt, you might be a blessing to others.

3 comments

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  • I Thank God for this timely message that en couraged me because I’m very sorrowful because a servant of God rewarded me for evil during d just concluded convention .3 years ago God told me to be using my annual leave bonus to sponsor my local parish to the camp but because I did not give raw cash to the pastor in charge he said that I will not be blessed. I’ve been crying since Sunday we came back from camp. But I God that he encouraged me through his word today. And I know that he has wiped my years away. And I will soon shout hallelujah.

  • Brethren, Just continue to be faithful and mentain your integrity with God and man. Surely the all knowing God who knew your pains will give you gain. Because He has promise He will never fail you, His faithfulness is forever more. Hebrews 13 : 5.
    GBU.