Open Heaven 5 September 2021 Sunday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye –Topic: ALL-ROUND PEACE II 

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Open Heavens 2021
Date: 2021-09-05
Topic: ALL-ROUND PEACE II

Memory Verse: Hebrews 12:15 – Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing tip trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:14-15

Message: Peace is an essential ingredient for progress; it is an important factor for man’s wellbeing and good health. Our God is the author and controller of peace. There is the peace that comes from the conditions of our environment – physical and non-physical. The fact that someone is a child of God and loves Him does not necessarily mean such a person will not have problems. Fear takes away a person’s peace, but when you put your trust in God, He keeps you in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). This perfect peace comes only through surrendering one’s life to Jesus Christ – Romans 5:1.

There is however something that can keep children of God from experiencing the peace of God – the root of bitterness. While this root of bitterness could affect a fellow’s behaviour towards those against whom he is harbouring such a feeling, the more dangerous effect of it is ultimately felt by the bitter person. Bitterness in the heart of a person creates room for hatred, envy and anger; it breeds unforgiveness and unhappiness. Indeed, the word ‘bitterness’ itself depicts what it offers – a “bitter experience”. It hinders the flow of joy and peace.

How does it originate? It comes when one feels unfairly treated by another person or an organisation; it is a feeling of being injured, whether physically or otherwise. Examples would include a sister being jilted in courtship, a fellow catching his or her spouse in adultery, an employee being short-changed by his or her organisation, a person being raped and so on.

Are you battling against the root of bitterness resulting from some experience or the other? Please note that it is not in your interest to harbour it. Bitterness eats its host up; it negatively affects the physical wellbeing of the individual, as well as causing a strained relationship with God.

You may have heard me tell the story of a man whose wife had died, leaving behind an only daughter with a striking resemblance to the mother. The daughter was a great consolation to this man, but the lady’s husband was constantly maltreating the lady, to the point of threatening her life. The root of bitterness that sprang up in the lady’s father resulted in him becoming swollen, defying all medical care. He only became healed after forgiving his son-in-law. To retain your God-given peace, remove all forms of bitterness in your heart today.

Points: Check your heart to ensure that bitterness is not lurking in there. If you find any trace of such, let go of it and pray for healing in your soul.
Bible in one year: Proverbs 10

Hymn: In Christ Alone

Title: In Christ Alone.
Chorus: null.

  1. In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

  2. In Christ alone who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

  3. There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

  4. No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Open Heavens 2021 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.