OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
DATE: MONDAY 23RD DECEMBER, 2019.
THEME:: THE HERITAGE OF GOD.
MEMORISE:
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1st John 3:1
READ: Romans 8:14-17 (KJV)
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
MESSAGE:
The word ‘heritage’ refers to a cherished property or inheritance, having special architectural, historical or natural qualities and values.
It reveals the sense of history, personality, importance, authority and worth of a people or nation.
It is therefore not surprising that God commanded the Israelite’s to document historical events, covenants, laws and commandments that form their heritage, in order to preserve them forever (Exodus 17:14, Exodus 34:27, Deuteronomy 11:20). God and His kingdom also have a heritage. The people of God in all generations are the heritage of God (Psalm 94:5).
The Bible therefore refers to the Israelites, the Church of Christ and little children as God’s heritage (Joel 3:2, 1 st Peter 5:3, and Psalm 127:3).
Since a heritage refers to assets of monumental value, the Lord’s heritage is therefore something very precious, to be protected and watched over with all diligence. This should give you an idea of your worth to God as a Christian.
In the beginning God created us in His own image and for His pleasure, but man later fell from grace and became a slave to sin.
In His mercy, God approached the slave market and repurchased us by offering the precious Blood of His Son, Jesus, as ransom for us.
By this heavy investment, God has secured a double claim of ownership over us: as the beautiful work of His hands, and as His adopted children, bought with the precious Blood of Jesus.
Little wonder the Holy Spirit in 1 st Peter 2:9 describes those in Christ in these terms:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praise of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
All of mankind have the opportunity of becoming God’s children through faith in Jesus Christ, who came into this world to redeem us from sin and Satan over two thousand years ago.
As you celebrate His birth this season, remember what He came to do and do not let it go to waste in your life.
Jesus came to manifest the nature of God and demonstrate His character to us, so that through His example we can imitate the ways of our heavenly Father in our daily lives.
Those who live their lives in this manner, under the saving grace and lordship of Jesus Christ, are those considered to be God’s heritage.
Just as human beings spare no expense to preserve their heritage, God can go to any length to preserve those that are His heritage. Are you part of God’s heritage?
PRAYER POINT:
Father, I thank You for paying such a high price to make me Your heritage; please help me to imitate You ways in my daily life, in Jesus’ Name.
AUTHOR: Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God , one of the largest evangelical
Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 20-22, Zachariah 11:1-14,
HYMNAL: HYMN 9: IN CHRIST ALONE
- In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song,
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand. - In Christ alone! Who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on the cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live. - There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ. - No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
