Open Heaven 23 December 2022 Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – DON’T CAUSE OTHERS TO STUMBLE II
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Open Heavens 2022
Date: 2022-12-23
Topic: DON’T CAUSE OTHERS TO STUMBLE II
Memory Verse: John 17:19 – And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. John 17:19
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 5:1-4
Message: Those who serve in the house of God have a serious responsibility to the people they minister to. As God’s representative to the flock, you are supposed to care for them and live an exemplary life that removes all stumbling blocks from their way. God values each soul in the congregation. In Acts 20:28, the Bible says:
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
God did not buy the Church back with the blood of goats or the sacrifice of an angel. It cost God His Son to save the world. If we understood this as ministers, we would see the importance of living a life that does not insult the gospel of Christ. Beloved minister, be very careful about becoming a rock of offence to God’s people. Luke 17:1-2 says:
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
These are the words of Jesus Himself. If you are a minister of God, check your life to be sure you are not leading the flock astray. If you do not place much importance on the word of God, the people who follow you will find it easy to disregard God’s word. If you never preach about the eternal damnation that will come to a soul who continues in sin because you don’t want the flock to be uncomfortable, you are building people who would be indifferent about where they would spend their eternity, and their blood would be on your head. James 3,1 says:
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Ministers of God will receive a stricter judgement. What example are you setting for your flock? I pray that, when the Master returns, you will not be ashamed.
Hymn: Nearer, My God to Thee
Points: Heavenly Father, help me not to fall In my assignment over Your people, in Jesus’ Amen.
Bible in one year: James 4, 1 Peter 1, 1 Peter 2
Title: Nearer, My God to Thee.
Chorus: null.
1. Nearer, my God to Thee,Nearer to Thee;
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,(2ce)
Nearer to Thee!
2. Though, like the wanderer,The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone,
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,(2ce)
Nearer to Thee
3. There let the way appearSteps unto heaven;
All that Thou send’st to me
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,(2ce)
Nearer to Thee
4. Then with my waking thoughtsBright with thy praise,
Out of my stony grief
Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God to thee,(2ce)
Nearer to Thee!
5. Or if on joyful wingCleaving thy sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot,
Upwards I fly
Still all my songs shall be,
Nearer my God to thee,(2ce)
Nearer to Thee!
Open Heavens 2022 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
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