Open Heavens 17 February 2016: Wednesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Time to Fight II

Open Heavens 17 February 2016: Wednesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Time to Fight II

Topic: Time to Fight II [Wednesday 17, February 2016]

Memorise: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: – Colossians 3:5

Read: I Timothy 6:6-12 (KJV)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Bible in One Year: Luke 6:17-7:50; Job 23:1-13

MESSAGE:

Anyone that has been in the Christian race for some years would have discovered the militant nature of the average Christian. Every true Christian is fully aware of the on-going conflict around us, physical, mental, and spiritual. We are confronted with contrary doctrines in our daily lives, we face diverse kind of temptations, we are bombarded with many ungodly ideas and propositions; sometimes it could be vicious attack from unknown people or aggression from neighbours. In addition to all these, we are constantly faced with attractive and seemingly profitable offers from the pit of hell to lure us into all kind of sins. The devil is prowling around the world looking for Christians to destroy according to 1 Peter 5:8:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

The Survival of a child of God therefore depends on his or her preparedness for battle and ability to fight. We must be ever ready so that nothing will catch us unawares. We cannot afford to slumber or sleep, we are meant to be spiritual watchmen and scouts, constantly looking out for bands of approaching enemies that may try to take us by surprise. This is why the above passage counsels us to be serious minded and vigilant, carefully monitoring every move of the enemy around us, and to be fully prepared to counter and completely neutralise his evil attacks. However, one of the most dangerous places to be in conflict situation is at the back. Whenever you see somebody dropping back in a war situation, be sure that fellow will soon be hit very hard. King David learnt this lesson in a hard way. I pray that you will never backslide into error and be caught in the snare of the devil in Jesus name.

In Mathew 16:18, the Lord Jesus declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church. These gates are the access points that the enemy may use to penetrate our lives. To permanently keep these gates shut, Colossians 3:5counsels us to subdue the flesh and is Worldly desires through discipline. We must wage war against self to subdue, discipline, and put it under control. If we fail to discipline ourselves, then it becomes easy for pride, sexual immorality, inordinate ambition, covetousness , and other form of indiscipline to creep into our lives and give opportunity to devil to butcher us. May the Lord deliver you from every evil plan against your life in Jesus name. Finally 1 John 3:8bsays:

"....For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."

The instruction to fight becomes easy to carry out when we realise that Jesus Christ the son of God came to this world for the sole purpose of destroying the works of devil. I decree that every work of the devil in your life be destroyed now in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, please help me to stand. Don't let me ever fall for the devil in Jesus name..

Open Heavens 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.