Open Heavens 21 December 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Ashamed of your faith?

ASHAMED OF YOUR FAITH? - Thursday December 21^st 2017

Memorise: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Read: Philippians 1:20-21 (KJV) 

^1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

^1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Bible in one year: Proverbs 9-12, Zachariah 9, Sing Hymn 1

MESSAGE:

Do you desire and seek rest for your soul!? There is a rest in Jesus Christ that can never fine elsewhere. Open Heaven for today To access this rest, you must be ready to receive His yoke by denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Him daily (Matthew 11:29). To fine rest for your soul, you must reach a point where you are no longer ashamed of Jesus Christ. You must conquer shame or be dead to it with regard to your faith in Christ Jesus. To this end, Paul said this to us, from his experience:

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I Shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall magnified in my body, whether it be my life, or by death.”

                                                                   Philippians 1:20

Are you still ashamed to publicly declare your faith in Christ? Do you allow people to intimidate you concerning your faith in Christ Jesus? Get out of that pit of shame today and let everyone who cares to know be informed that you are a true child of God! Let your lifestyle support your confession and copy in all that you do!

                                                  

A confirmation that you have conquered shame with respect to your faith in Christ is that you will be bold to face anyone, anywhere and say to them that you are for Jesus Christ. If you are not bold, it is because you are infested with fear. If you have fear inside you and you are not baby Christian, please check your life for sin. Why? Proverbs 28:1 says,

           

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Sin always brings in some degree of fear to a person’s life. There is a relationship between sin and fear. In the same vein, there is a relationship between righteousness and boldness (confidence). When you live your life transparently in righteousness, you will be bold and courageous. You will also be able to muster increasing levels of faith. If you do not have faith in your prayers been answered, it could indicate the presence of sin in your life. Sin kills expectations and hope. open heaven When you live to please God, your expectations will be strong and your hope will be strong. Check your life today. If you lacking in boldness, faith, hope and expectation, there just might be some sins you haven’t confessed lurking around the corner.

Prayer Point:

Father, grant me boldness to declare my faith in every situation I find myself in this world.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons 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.
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Sing Hymn 1

MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

Verse 1:

My faith looks up to thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine;

Now hear me while I pray;

Take all my guilt away.

O let me from this day

Be wholly thine!

Verse 2:

May thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire.

As thou hast died for me,

O may my love to thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be,

A living fire!

Verse 3:

While life’s dark maze I tread

And griefs around me spread,

Be thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From thee aside.

Verse 4:

When life’s swift race is run,

Death’s cold work almost done,

Be near to me.

Blest Savior, then, in love

Fear and distrust remove.

O bear me safe above,

Redeemed and free!