MEMORY VERSE: Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
BIBLE READ: MATTHEW 16:25-26 (KJV)
25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
MESSAGE
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:” – (1 Peter 5:1)If there is glory to be revealed and the best is yet to come, it means that the future is superior to the present.
Hence, a sensible person will not sacrifice a glorious future on the altar of the present.
Peter in the scripture above was telling the elders to be willing to sacrifice the present for the future.
The desire for instant gratification is a lethal weapon in the hand of the enemy.
In Genesis 25:28-34, we are told that Isaac loved Esau and was thus ready to hand over the baton to him.
Esau however lost his future for his present. Whenever Esau killed an animal, he ate it immediately. Jacob on the other hand kept the few animals he could lay his hands on.
READ:
OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH 2020: INDULGING THE FLESH?
When it was time for Esau to prepare a delicacy for his father so as to get the firstborn’s blessing, he didn’t have any meat, so he had to go out to hunt.
Jacob on the other hand who obviously had delayed gratification had meat in the backyard that he quickly cooked, served to his father and got the blessings before Esau got back.
If only Esau had restrained himself from eating just one of all the animals that he had previously hunted, if only he had delayed gratification a little, things would have turned out differently.
Peter said there is a crown of glory that never fades away (1 Peter 5:4).
Don’t trade the pleasures of today for that crown of glory. You don’t want to miss that for anything.
The things that look alluring to you now are just tools in the hands of the devil as he fights hard to ensure you don’t get that crown that never fades.
The fight will not end until you get the crown. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus set His eyes on the joy ahead, hence He was able to endure the pain He suffered.
Set your eyes on that incorruptible crown and all the pleasures of this world will mean nothing to you.
KEY POINT
The future is glorious for those who choose to delay gratification.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: NUMBERS 26-27
HYMNAL:
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: NUMBERS 26-27
HYMNAL:
HYMN 28 – THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING
1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be season refreshing,
Sent from the Saviour above.
CHORUS:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
2. There shall be showers of blessing:
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
CHORUS:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
3. There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, Oh Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come and now honour Thy Word.
CHORUS:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
4. There shall be showers of blessing;
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now, as to God, we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!
CHORUS:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
5. There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.
CHORUS:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
PRAYER POINTS:
Lord Almighty, You deserve all worship and praise
PRINCE OF PEACE, I honour You for Your unfailing mercy upon my life
Lord Eternal, thank You for this awesome day and grace to be among the living
Ancient of days, thank You for the forgiveness of sin and salvation of my soul
Father, thank You for sending your unfailing word to me each and everyday you alone deserve all my worship
Father, I bring my FLESH under Your control and rulership, the enemy has failed over me, in the name of Jesus
Father, I cancel every spirit of worldliness and waywardness over my children and across my household, in the name of Jesus
Father, I bring my flesh under Your control. I surrender my feelings, emotions and desires today and ask for Your direction and supervision, in the name of Jesus
Father, grant me success over all the activities I will be engaging today, in the name of Jesus
Father, help me to me more discipline with my desires and give me the grace to continue on Your path, in the name of Jesus
Father, help me to learn how to make sound decisions regarding my tomorrow, over my today, in the name of Jesus
Father, help me not to abandon Your presence and activities that will help shape my daily choices, in Jesus’ name
Lord Jesus, help me to understand the things You have for me in the future are better than what my eyes can see, in the name of Jesus
Father, help me to be sensitive over my life today, in the name of Jesus
Father, let the Holy Spirit take dominion over me, and let all the activities of the flesh, in my life be subdued, in Jesus’ name.
Father, as a good soldier of Christ, give me the grace to endure hardness, in Jesus’ name.
Father, give me the grace not to entangle myself again with the affairs of this world, in order to please You, who have chosen me, in Jesus’ name.
Father, empower me to keep my body under the subjection of the Holy Spirit, so that I may not be a castaway, after preaching to others, in Jesus’ name.
Father, help me to exercise moderation in all things, in Jesus’ name.
Father, fill me to the brim with Your Holy Spirit, and let there be no room for the flesh to operate, in Jesus’ name.
Father, concerning my country, let your peace reign and let our nation be secured in your protection always, in the name of Jesus
Father, through this Online Christian platform, you shall bring many to Christ for the salvation of their souls, in the name of Jesus
Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A.Adeboye, and do not allow the gates of hell to prevail over his life and ministry, in Jesus’ name.
Father, bless the intercessory team, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus’ name.
Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus’ name.
Your Personal petitions.
( Philippians 4:6)
In Jesus’ name I pray.
(John 14:13-14; 15:16)
Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).
MORE:
OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRIDAY 6TH MARCH 2020: PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH
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