Open Heaven May 17 2018 Thursday– THE NATURE OF THE CHRISTIAN RACE
Open Heaven May 17 2018 Memories: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-10 Open Heaven May 17 2018
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Open Heaven May 17 2018
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 10-11, 1 Peter 4:12-5:14
Hymnal: Sing Hymn 5
Message – Open Heaven May 17 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional
The Holy spirit often uses the the imagery of running a race or participating in a sporting activity to portray the Christian life. He does this to help us have a better understanding of the nature of the Christian life we are called to live, and to help us develop the right attitude required to be successful in it.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24 -25 He says
” know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one recieveth the price? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
Three important points are in focus in this passage. First, there are many participants in a sporting event but only the winner receives the prize. We are therefore encouraged to run the Christian race with a mindset of striving hard to obtain the reward and not just for the mere purpose of participating. Secondly, as athletes struggle to reduce unforced errors in order to achieve expertise in their chosen sport, we are also advised to strive for mastery. Thirdly, just as professional athletes must be disciplined in all things before they can achieve the level of skill required to become champions, so also must we be calm, moderate, self-controlled and disciplined in all things.Christianity is very much like boxing or running a marathon: if your attitude towards training and preparation is lackadaisical, relaxed and carefree, then you must be prepared for a painful defeat or even a knockout on the big stage. I pray that you will never suffer defeat in the hands of your enemies in Jesus’ name
Open Heaven May 17 2018
God is using this medium to bring to your attention the precaution and diligence that is required to secure victory in the Christian race in these perilous times. He is urging you to give the race you are running all attention needed to ensure success. He also presents before you the crown of glory which he will award to all those who are faithful to the end of the race (1 Peter 5:4). This crown is not a perishable bunch of flowers or a gold-plated medal of little value, but the glorious crown of everlasting life , who h awaits all those who have successfully completed the Christian race. You will be wise to give heed to the words of today’s memory verse by continually looking up to Jesus, who for the reward that was set before him endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now seared at the right hand of the throne of God. Nothing can be more glorious than making heaven and beholding the face of Jesus forever. Will you make it there?
Prayer point – Open Heaven May 17 2018
Father, please help me to be successful in the Christian race in Jesus’ name
Open Heaven May 17 2018 Thursday Hymn 5
SING HYMN 5 – I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS
I have decide 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.
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’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.
That all for Open Heaven 17 May 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 16 May 2018 Wednesday and may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continue to keep us all. God bless you. Open Heaven 17th May 2018 Thursday. Please comment and share what you have learnt, you might be a blessing to others
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