OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: MONDAY 30TH AUGUST 2021.
THEME: HE QUALIFIES HIS VESSELS.
MEMORISE:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 2 Corinthians 3:5
READ: Philippians 3:4-9.
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
MESSAGE:
Any genuine child of God wants to be used by Him for great things. However, whether God would use someone or how far He would go with an individual is a function of many factors.
First and foremost, we need to realize that only God is All-Sufficient. Many passages of Scripture attest to this. He is the One who owns power in its entirely (Psalm 62:11) and power, according to scientists, is the ability to do work. God is the source and giver of wisdom (James 1:5-8, Colossians 2:2-3). You want to talk about strength? Isaiah 40:29-31 says that He gives strength and might. Na man should think of himself as adequate or self-sufficient. Whether in terms of knowledge, strength, power, wisdom or human connection, none of these is able to make a man adequate before God. It amounts to pride to wholly rely on your natural abilities.
Beloved, God cannot use you until you empty yourself before Him. Only empty yourself before Him. Only empty vessels can be filled (2 Kings 4:1-7). Many of God’s people are however, still full of themselves.
Beloved, if you go through the Bible, you would discover that the people God used are those who were nothing or who reduced themselves to nothing. If at any time He picks people who seem to have attained already, such people would have to empty themselves. Saul of Tarsus is classic example (Philippians 3:5-9). When God chooses you- no matter your status, all you need is His assurance that His presence will go with you.
In the Bible reading of today, Paul clarifies what we must know and do to qualify for divine appointment. The know and do to quality for divine appointment. The number one fact is that being an offspring of a pastor does not automatically quality one to become a pastor, pastoral calling is not hereditary. Two, Paul was a Pharisee and a doctor of the religious law of Israel but he had to empty himself before God could use him.
“Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:….. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” Philippians 3:4-7
The Lord qualified us when we disqualify and humble ourselves. May the Lord qualify you for His service, in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, I empty myself of all sense of self-sufficiency and pride. Please fill me up and use me for Your glory, in the mighty name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 1.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 24: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE.
1. Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
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