Open Heaven 1 March 2019 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Topic: Focusing on Jesus I
Memorise: “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: Hebrews 12:1-3 (KJV)
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 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.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Bible in One Year: Acts 17-18, Isaiah 50:1-51:3
MESSAGE:
Have you ever wondered why the Bible admonished us to keep looking unto Jesus? The answer lies in our memory verse. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. In other words, our faith is based on Him and on what He is capable of doing for and through us. No wonder Apostle Paul declared in Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
The discovery of this truth should convince every child of God of how important it is to focus on the One who alone can help us accomplish what is humanly difficult or impossible to do. There are many reasons why we should focus on Jesus as we journey through the wilderness of this world, one being that He is the perfect image of God in Colossians 1:14-15 says these about Him:
“14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”
As the image of the invisible God, He stands as the perfect representation of who we are meant to be in this world. Speaking on this truth in 1 John 4:17, the Holy Spirit says:
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
In order words, the knowledge of who we are as partakers of God’s divine nature only becomes clearer when we focus on Jesus, and this enables us to manifest the glory of who we really are.
Genesis 1:26 tells us that man was created to have dominion. However, this dominion was lost when man fell into sin. To restore us to our rightful place, Jesus Christ was made the last Adam. He declared in Matthew 28:18b
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Do you know that He is ready to give this power to whosoever desires and will look up to Him for it? He demonstrated this while He was here on earth, as seen in Luke 9:1:
“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”
You cannot give what you do not have. Because Jesus Christ possesses all power, authority and dominion, He was able to give power to His disciples and He is still capable of giving it to those who would accept Him as their Lord and personal Savior. Looking elsewhere for power is a waste of time because genuine power belongs to Jesus, and He gives it to those who answer His call to salvation. Have you answered this call? Keep your focus on Him.
Key Point: How much time daily do you spend meditating on Jesus?
Hymn 8: My Faith Looks Up To Thee
- My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine! - May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire! - While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside. - When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!
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