OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL-WEDNESDAY-24/02/2016-HEAVEN; ARE YOU PREPARED? -BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
Memorise
Man that is born of a woman is of few
days, and full of trouble. Job 14:1
Read
2nd
Timothy 4:6-8,
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time
of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
KJV
MESSAGE
In the Bible, the word ‘Heaven’ is often
used in three ways: to described a physical part of the universe which is above
the sky, the prevailing condition whenever God reigns in the affairs of men, and the invisible dwelling
place of God, also known as paradise. Today’s devotional focuses on the need to
prepare for heaven, the dwelling place of God, and what such a preparation
entails. First, the Bible presents heaven as the dwelling place of God, where
His manifest presence is a permanent feature, as He is the only source of light
there. Because of the constant presence of God in heaven, it is a place of
extreme joy and peace. Heaven is also a place of recognition, reward, celebration,
and total rest from trouble. Holiness is the only acceptable currency in
heaven.
Several
passages of the Bible stress life’s mystery and brevity using two vivid
metaphors of “a fading flower or withering grass” and “a swiftly passing
shadow”. That life offers little joy, peace and satisfaction is well known even
to children. Also, all human beings are familiar with the progressive labour,
pain, insecurity, sorrow, and disappointments that we all have to endure as
long as we are alive. Furthermore, the concepts of death and the afterlife
presented in the Bible reveals the God had purposely packaged heaven as the
final destination for all humans that pass the entrance examination. John
14:2-3 says:
“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. 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.”
This is an expression of God’s love and
mercy to all human beings. Out of this everlasting love, the Almighty God
has convincingly and systematically revealed His eternal plans and purposes to
humanity, about how we are created to start our lives here on earth for the
singular purpose of doing the perfect will of God. This is to enable us live
our lives in ways that honour God in all things, for the ultimate goal of
spending eternity with Him in heaven. Therefore, the above passage makes it
very clear that heaven is being specially prepared only for those who are prepared
to do whatever it takes to enter. I therefore pray that God will help our
preparations and graciously admit us into heaven in Jesus’ name.
Now, Matthew
19:23 says that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven, not
because riches and wealth are evil, nor because heaven was made only for the
poor, but because the typical characteristics of affluent people are contrary
to the will of God. Such behaviours include pride and confidence in human
wisdom, fame, achievements, money, and power. Another found with these will not
enter into heaven. The truth is; Jesus extends the promise of heaven to all who
come to Him by faith without classifications such as financial status, gender,
age, culture or nationality. Matthew 18:3 says except a person is converted and
becomes a little child in faith, total submission and obedience to the will of
God, he or she will not enter into heaven. Finally, Matthew 7:21 says, not all
churchgoers will be admitted into heaven, but only those that operate in the
will of God. The big question is, are you prepared for heaven?
Action Point
Father, please whatever will make me miss heaven; take it out of my life
in Jesus’ name.
Bible in one year
Luke 19:28-21:24, Job 28:7-19
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