Open Heaven 16 April 2020 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Topic: The Vessel God Uses

Memorise: “That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.” – Numbers 15:40

Read: 2 Timothy 2:19-22 (KJV)

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

  1. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 25-27

MESSAGE:
God has great need for loyal and trusted hands for His work here on earth. The Bible establishes the fact that all inhabitants of the world in their billions are potential vessels in the hands of the Almighty. However, Matthew 9:37 tells us that though the kingdom assignment is great and plenteous, the labourers to execute it are few. This indicates that while there are billions of potential vessels for use by God, only few actually qualify. Any vessel that God would use must meet some strict conditions. In this wise, Matthew 20:16 confirm to us that many are called; only a few are chosen. 2 Timothy 2:21 gives a detailed description of the kind of vessel God will use:

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Therefore, the vessel God would use must be holy, honorable, dedicated and available. Each time I see people handling the business of God with levity, I always wonder if they understand the nature of the service, they have been called into. God is Holy. He is so righteous that He cannot behold iniquity. For you to be a vessel in His service you must be holy in thoughts and conduct. Those who continue in sin and live a hypocritical lifestyle cannot be blessed in the service of the Lord. Those who rendered acceptable service in the Scriptures like Abraham, Enoch, Joseph and Daniel, made up their minds to abstain from anything that could pollute them. This however, cannot be done by mere self-will but through the grace of the Almighty God, which is more than sufficient (Titus 2:11-12).

Yes, uncountable people are available for God’s use, but only those who purge themselves of filthy habits shall become vessels unto honour, sanctified and suitable for the Master’s service.

Prayer Point: Father, please help me to become a vessel unto honour, fit for the Master’s use, in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

Hymn 12: I Am Thine Oh Lord

1.I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Chorus:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2.Consecrate me now to
Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

Chorus:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

3.Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

Chorus:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

4.There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Chorus:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.