OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY 9TH JANUARY 2019
THEME: CONTROL THAT ADDICTION.
MEMORISE:
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28
READ: Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
MESSAGE
When we talk about addiction, it is only a matter of hard drugs. Anger is also something that many people find difficult to control in their lives. The Bible says that those who do not have control over their anger are in the same category as those who say there is no God; they are all fools.
“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9
Another seemingly subtle addiction that needs to be controlled is lust. For some men, a lady cannot pass without them feasting on her body with their eyes. Lust is dangerous as it is equal to adultery and Proverbs 6:26 says adultery will reduce the value of any man to a piece of bread.
Yet another one that needs to be controlled is inordinate ambition. It is good to be ambitious, but having so much ambition that it takes over your mind and your walk with God is dangerous. If you want promotion so badly that you are willing to commit sin to get it, you need to put your ambition in check. Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-20 that treasures stored on earth will be destroyed or stolen, but if you store up your treasure in heaven, if your ambitions are heaven-related, then you are on the right track. Your spending also needs to be controlled. Many people cannot keep money for a long time. As they get it, they spend it. This attitude tends to poverty and must be controlled. Proverbs 21:20 says:
“here is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”
Many cannot control how much time they spend on social media. Whenever they pick up their phone, they can be on social media for the next one hour even when they have important things to do. When they wake up in the morning, instead of praying, the first thing they pick up is their phone. Whatever you cannot control in your life is controlling you. Keep your body under subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27).
PRAYER POINT:
Father, give me grace to put everything that should be controlled in my life under control.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 21-23
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 13: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS.
- I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back. - The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back. - Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back. - My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back. - Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
