Open Heavens daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God for today is here. Digest the word of the lord and pray believing.
TOPIC OF OPEN HEAVENS FOR THURSDAY 18TH JULY IS “THE VESSEL THAT GOD USES”.
MEMORY VERSE: 2 Timothy 2:20
“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 dishonor.”
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BIBLE TEXT: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)
1. This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5. For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?
6. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY
In today’s memory verse, the Holy Spirit makes it clear that there are different categories of vessels, all of which God uses. In other words, there is no one who comes into this world without serving one divine purpose or the other.
The question is, what material are you made of, and what category of vessels do you belong to? There are vessels made of gold, silver, wood, and clay. However, more sobering is the classification of vessels into those for honour and those for dishonor. I pray that you will be a vessel unto honour in Jesus’ Name. Pharaoh was a vessel unto dishonor. In Romans 9:17, the Bible says concerning him:
“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.”
A deep secret in the above scripture is that man is given the free will to choose what type of vessel he wants to be. Pharaoh was given ample opportunity to write a beautiful history concerning himself as a king who feared God and saved his people the agony of catastrophic destruction. What did he do with that opportunity? He bungled it and perished in the Red Sea.
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Unlike him, Abimelech who took Abraham’s wife listened to God, did exactly what God instructed him to do, and he was blessed (Genesis 20:2-18). His barren wife and maidservants became fruitful. The king of Nineveh also was a vessel unto honour. He led his city to repentance, and they obtained God’s mercy because they chose to obey His instruction.
Today’s Bible text gives a clue on how to become a vessel unto honour. In it the Holy Spirit emphatically says that whoever chooses to be a vessel unto honour, such as a minister of the gospel, must be blameless, among other requirement. The reason for this high standard is not far-fetched: honorable assignments are meant for honorable people. Sinners are not honorable in the sight of God. No wonder (2 Timothy 2:21) says:
“If a man, therefore, purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
This is the higher ground to which the Lord is calling us. We can be vessels of honour if we choose to be. All that is required of us is to do all that the Holy Spirit specified in (2 Timothy 2:21). Cleanse yourself of the dishonorable works of the flesh, be sanctified by grace and let the Holy Spirit dwell in you. God bless you.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please make me a vessel unto honour in Your hand, in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Joshua 10-11, Ezekiel 18:30-19:14
Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons/guide was written by 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. The Open Heavens Devotional is one of the most wildly read devotionals in the world.
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