OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: FRIDAY MAY 3RD 2024
THEME: ETERNITY
MEMORISE:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17
READ: John 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
MESSAGE:
To some, eternity seems like a far-off idea that should not be given much thought. However, it is a reality you must not lose sight of. The truth is everyone will have to ask themselves, where will l spend eternity? God has provided answers to this question in the Bible and has made them plain and accessible because He does not want eternity and the events surrounding it to take anyone unawares. It is therefore surprising that some Christians live in this world without eternity on their minds. Such Christians can be easily spotted from their lifestyles and attitudes toward the things of God. They live as if they will be on earth forever. Whereas Hebrews 13:14 says:
“For here have we no continuing city, but seek one to come.”
This was not the lifestyle of the heroes of faith. From the things they set their affections on, and their confessions people could tell that they were eternity minded. Hebrews 11:13-14 tells us that they saw themselves as strangers and pilgrims on earth. Hebrews 11:16 say:
“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”
What a glorious testimony this is. I desire this for myself, and I pray that you will also have such a testimony, in Jesus’ name.
Don’t let the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches blur your vision of the place Christ has prepared for you. Eternity is real, and where a person spends eternity is determined by the way he or she lives in this present world (Romans 2:3-10). The place Christ has prepared for you is a place where you will no longer die, it is a place of joy and pleasant experiences (Revelation 21:1-7). On the other hand, there is another place where whoever rejects God’s grace in Christ will spend eternity.
This place was prepared to punish the devil and his demons, but those who live their lives to please world, their flesh, or the devil will also partake in (Matthew 25:41). It is a place of everlasting fire and pain. May you not be found there, in Jesus’ name. To escape this horrible and eternal torment, give your life to Christ today, and if you have done so, Iive holy and remain eternity-minded.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please don’t let me miss eternity with You.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 17-19
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 2: AMAZING GRACE
1 Amazing grace how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see. The
2.Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;
This grace that brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home.
3.The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
4.Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
5.The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine,
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
6.When we’ve been here ten thousand years,
Bright, shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, Than when we first begun.
