Topic: The Perfect Book of Instruction [Open Heavens Wednesday 10th January 2018]
Memorise: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: – 2 Timothy 3:16
Read: 1 John 1:1-5 (KJV)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 24, Revelation 8:13-9:19, Hymn: Sing Hymn 9: The Old Rugged Cross
MESSAGE:
One of the problems confronting contemporary Christians today is accepting the infallibility of the Holy Scriptures. The truth of the matter is this: the Christian faith falls into disarray the moment the integrity of the Bible is destroyed by any so-called logical argument. Glory be to God, our Christianity is not based on logic or human reasoning; rather, it is built on the wisdom of God and on the demonstration of His power. Hallelujah! This is the foundation built upon by the prophets and apostles of the early Church. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 says,
“4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
Is it not amazing that right from the time of the early apostles, some people crept into the Church to argue against some of the fundamental beliefs of the Christian faith, such as the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12, 2 Timothy 2:18)? It should therefore be no surprise to any student of the Bible that toady, even some so-called clergy do not believe in the resurrection of Christ. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:13-20, used the wisdom of God to present the truth about the resurrection and its significance to the Christian faith. Some people choose to ignore such presentations of truth, and consider them to be fables or allegory. The early Church succeeded in subduing many heresies because they held unto the Scriptures as the infallible word of God. More than ever before, the sufficiency of the Bible for doctrine, for reproof and for instruction in righteousness is being questioned and doubted today. Thank God, the Holy Spirit knew this would happen, and He, in 2 Timothy 3:16, declared thus to all this who will listen and be saved:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
People argue against Scripture passages that attack their ego or their weaknesses. They pick up what suits them in the Old Testament, like the blessings listed in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, but when they get to Malachi 3:10 that speaks on tithing, they see it as an outdated instruction to the Jews only. Moreover, some people jump at Philippians 4:19 and appropriate it into their lives as infallible Scripture, but when they get to places like 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, they will claim such passages were written only for the Church at Corinth. Such people choose to ignore the words of 1 Corinthians 10:11. All these are signs of the end-times. Know this for sure: the word of God is settled in heaven, forever. Amen.
Prayer Point: Father, help my faith in Your holy word to be unshakable, and grant me grace to live by it.
Hymn 9: The Old Rugged Cross
1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
4.To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Open Heavens 10th January 2018, 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.
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