OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR SUNDAY 5TH MAY 2019 – LIVING HOLY AMONG THE UNGODLY

Open Heavens

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A.ADEBOYE SUNDAY 5TH MAY 2019

TOPIC: LIVING HOLY AMONG THE UNGODLY

MEMORY VERSE:

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” – (Daniel 1:8).

BIBLE TEXT: Genesis 39:7-12 (KJV)

7. And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

8. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

9. There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife; how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

10. And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

11. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

12. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me; and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE FOR TODAY

People often cite their environment as the reason why they live a sinful lifestyle, but this is untenable before God. A good number of people who found themselves in ungodly environments still maintain their loyalty to the Holy God, and they will testify against such people on the last day. Indeed, living holy among ungodly people is possible. Joseph is one example of someone who lived a righteous life in the midst of the ungodly. As seen in today’s Bible reading, he lived under the same roof with an ungodly person who happened to be his boss, and yet he kept his integrity.

Nowadays, some people who profess to be born again easily give in when pressured by their superiors to do ungodly things at work. They do this either to gain a promotion or because they fear losing their job, forgetting that the Holy Spirit said those who will live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). They also ignore His admonition in (1 Timothy 6:6) which says;

“But godliness with contentment is great gain”.

Sadly, in spite of what the Lord said in Mark 10:29?-30, many people believe that to be born again is to escape a life that will experience persecutions. For such people, living a holy life is not a possibility.

What is holiness? It is simply obedience to the word of God. When you are obedient to God’s word, you demonstrate faith in Him, and your life will be pleasing in His sight. That is what holiness is all about. It was disobedience that took Adam from a position of glory to laboring under a curse. Take a cue from Joseph who is in face of deadly pressure said in Genesis 39:9;

“…how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

Daniel is another person whose life showed that living a godly life in the midst of ungodliness is possible. His actions in today’s memory verse demonstrate that living a holy life is a matter of personal decision. Some people would not want to join the police force because they believe all policemen are corrupt.

This is not true! You can be a police officer and decide not to be corrupt. Some run away from being accountants so that they are not tempted to falsify figures. How wrong they are! You don’t need to be an accountant before you steal the funds of an organization. A governor who purposes in his heart not to embezzle public funds will maintain his integrity, whereas a messenger could end up stealing cans of coffee in his or her custody, irrespective of your location, with Christ in you, you can live a holy life and enjoy the promotion that it brings, just like Joseph and Daniel did.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, grant me grace to live in obedience to Your word even in the midst of ungodliness.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

Exodus 1-3, Jeremiah 31:1-14

HYMNAL:

Hymn 10 – I have decided to follow Jesus

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

No turning back, no turning back.

2. Though none go with me, I still will follow;

Though none go with me, I still will follow;

No turning back, no turning back.