Open Heaven 28 October 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye

Topic: Relevant Forever?

Memorise: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”- Hebrews 13:8

Read: James 1:16-18 (KJV)

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 27-28, Luke 12:8-34

MESSAGE:
In today’s memory verse, the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed as never changing. If you can catch a revelation of what this means in your spirit, your life will never remain the same. One benefit of His eternal consistency is that the works He did over two thousand years ago, He can still do today in the lives of those who believe and are yielded to him. Not only are His works unchanging, His word also never changes. No wonder the Holy Spirit said in Psalm 119:89:

“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”

If you want your life to be built on a sure foundation in this world of uncertainties, then build your life on His word. When you live by the word of God which is forever settled in heaven, it will cause you to remain relevant forever. If you want your life endeavours to outlive you, make sure they are founded on God’s word. I am appealing to you today to embrace the word of God which is forever settled. The world we live in is changing but God never changes, and His standard never changes either. For example, thousands of years after God commanded Abraham to walk before Him and be perfect, Jesus Christ came and echoed the same words to His disciples (Genesis 17:1, Matthew 5:48).

In our Bible text today, we have fundamental truths that cannot be wished away if you want to forever remain relevant spiritually and in the kingdom of heaven. It says:

“16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” – James 1:16-18

One of the truths contained in this scripture is that every good and perfect gift is from God, the Father of lights. You know He is your Father indeed, when like Him you illuminate the darkness of this world. Another of these truths is that this Father of lights does not change, and there is no shadow of turning with Him. As human beings, we may restructure, modernize, amplify and contextualize His printed word in our hands, but His original word is forever the same with Him in heaven. Lastly, the most effective instrument He has been using since the world began is His word (John 1:13). Through this same word are we born again and made perfect. His word is indeed magnified above His Name (Psalm 138:2). Beloved, the extent of your relevance depends on the extent to which your life complies with the word of God. Do you abide by His word?

Prayer Point: Father, please help me through Your Holy Spirit to comply with Your word, and make me relevant to Your work here and hereafter Jesus’ Name.

Hymn 2: I Need Thee Every Hour
1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Chorus:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.