{Open Heavens} YOU NEED ENCOURAGEMENT – Saturday September 10th 2016
YOU NEED ENCOURAGEMENT – Saturday September 10th 2016
Memorise:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In
the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world. John 16:33
Read: 1st Kings 19:1-6, (KJV).
1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
2 Then
Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me,
and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by
tomorrow about this time.
3 And
when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to
Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But
he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat
down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might
die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
6 And
he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a
cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down
again.
Bible in one year: Jeremiah 33:14-35:19, Psalms 55:1-15,
MESSAGE
Based
on human experience, life is generally believed to be hard, laborious,
burdensome, and full of sorrow. A combination of several factors may be
responsible for the dilemma faced by human beings. First among these
factors is recorded in Revelation 12:12:
“…Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath….”
And 1st Peter 5:8 followed up by saying
“….your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Genesis 3:17 says,
“… Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;”
The implication of these passages on unregenerate human beings is so great that Job 14:1 had to say,
“….Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”
When
a higher responsibility such as marriage, parenthood, civil or
spiritual leadership is added to the ordinary troubles of life, the
result is better imagined than experienced. For the above reasons, every
human being needs divine encouragement and support daily. In the Name
that is above all other names, beginning from today, you will receive
divine support and encouragement to carry on in life in Jesus’ name.
Indeed,
God promises continual support for his people, particularly when they
become weary, depressed or disillusioned. Several passages of the Bible
affirmed God’s encouragement for His children. Moses, Joshua, Abraham,
David, kings and prophets of Israel, our fathers and mothers of faith
were not abandoned at critical moments in their lives. God was always
there to give the required support and encouragement when it mattered
most. This could be seen clearly in God’s pronouncement in Isaiah 41:10 that says,
“Fear
thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness.”
However,
Bible records show that we have a responsibility to carry out in order
to merit God’s encouragement. You must first be born again and make
meditation on the Word of God a habit (Joshua 1:8-9).
Then you must invite the Holy Spirit who is the counsellor, into your
life. Thereafter, you will begin to experience God’s encouragement. Isaiah 40:30-31,
says that God’s encouragement brings renewed strength and an ability to
do exploit. This is the secret of my success as the General overseer of
the RCCG. I enjoy tremendous support and encouragement from the
Almighty God always. It is only by His support and encouragement that
any man can succeed.
Prayer Point
Father, please encourage and support me so that I may fulfil my destiny in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
No comments