Open Heaven Daily Devotional Sunday 6 May 2018 by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
Topic: Bringing Down Revival II
Memorise
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Isreal: therefore hear the word at my mouth and give them warning from me Ezekiel 3:7
Bible reading: Nehemiah 8:1-10
8 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.
2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Message
In the past two days, we have examined what causes the need for revival and devine template God has established for obtaining revival from heaven. The question we will be considering today I’d this: Does the church of he 21st century need revival? I strongly believe the answer to this question is yes.
You may wonder why I believe so. When you critically look around you with the eye of the spirit, you will observe several things
that have resulted in the church falling short of the glory of God in this mordern generation. You will also observe that it is increasingly becoming difficult to uphold biblical principles in the public arena in many nations of the world, especially in the western world.
The mention of the bible, reading of any portion of the scripture, and the observance of devotional prayers are outlawed in academic institutions at all levels, in offices, and in other public places in some nations that were previously proud to be identified as Christian nations just a few years ago.
The church has consequently toned down the commandments of God and stepped down the Bible doctrines in many places whenever it is opposed by acceptable culture and popular opinion of the people. The church including some very big denominations, has clearly departed from biblical doctrines on issues relating to salvation, mercy-killing, marriage, divorce, remarriage, abortion, homosexuality and many more issues.
As seen in today’s memory verse, in every generation, God is always seeking for watchmen who will speak his mind to the people, irrespective of the circumstance, warning them against doing things that are contrary to His will. Many Christians, including prominent Christian leaders, have openly abdicated this responsibility in public places because of the fear of loosing the face.
If we will please God we must stand in the firm teaching of his word (Ezekiel 3 vs 17-21) . This is where the problem lies : many preachers and teachers of the word are no longer warning he church against apostasy and wickedness because of fear of losing “valuable” members.
Our Lord Jesus Christ sent messages of warning to the seven churches in Asia, and we also must do the same today (Revelation 2-3) . We must stand firm on genuine repentance as demanded and witnessed in Proverbs 28:13, Acts 3:19, 2 Samuel 12:13 and Psalms 51:3-4. Note that repentance is not limitrd to unbelievers alone ; every sincere child of God will always engage in self-examination to avoid the presence of unconfessed sins in their lives (1 John 2:1-11).
Finally warring brethren must be reconciled in line with Matthew 5:21 -24 and Psalm 133:1-3. As you seek God’s face for revival today, He will answer you by fire in Jesus Name.
Bible in one year : 1 Samuel 17, Hebrews 12:3-29
Prayer point: Father, please help me to be a faithful watchman in this generation in Jesus’ name
Hymn 9
Verse 1
On a hill far away
Stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering 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 some day for a crown.
Verse 2
O 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.
(Chorus)
Verse 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.
(Chorus)
Verse 4
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where his glory forever I’ll share.
(Chorus
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