OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
SUNDAY JULY 16TH 2017
THEME: LEGS ON VACATION?
MEMORISE:
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Acts 3:8
Read: Acts 3:1-9
1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Samuel 7-9, Ezekiel 9:1-10:2
MESSAGE:
“And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Mark 10:52
From the above scripture, the way Bartimaeus responded after the Burden Bearer lifted the burden of blindness off his life is a lesson to us all. After the Burden Bearer has answered your call and lifted off your burden, certain follow-up steps are expected of you.
Some people after receiving their miracle thank God for a minute and then bid him farewell. This should not be so! Immediately after Bartimaeus received his sight, he became a follower of Jesus Christ.
Know for sure that the devil will definitely contest every victory you secure over him. For failing to take the necessary follow-up steps required of you after each victory, the devil can reintroduce an entirely new burden into your life (Matthew 12:43-45). Post-victory follow-up action is as pre-victory perseverance.
After a burden is lifted off your shoulders, what should you do? You should praise God. For taking your burden away, praising God is the least you can do. Praise should flow naturally out of you as it did from the lame man in today’s Bible reading.
Immediately after his burden of stagnation was lifted, he got up, walking, leaping and praising God.
For 40 years he was placed in front of the temple gate, but he could not go in; but after he gained the ability to walk, he entered the temple, compelled a praise service to be held on his behalf, and on that day, many people learnt how to praise God through him.
For 40 years, this man had observed how those parishioners came to the temple and would barely move their legs and bodies while praising God.
He would have said to himself several times, “Oh God! I wish I had legs, I would have shown these people how to dance for you”. Then that day, God granted his desire and strengthen his two legs, and boy, he really did dance!
He singlehandedly changed a regular service into a praise service. You who have always had the use of your two legs, when did you ever praise God by leaping? When you truly praise God, your legs cannot be motionless.
When some people praise God, only their lips are moving; the rest of their bodies, especially their legs, go on vacation. How do you plan to praise God when he finally lifts that nagging burden off your neck? From now on, start praising Him that way, and you will have your miracle speedily.
KEY POINT:
Those who understand the efficacy of praise are never shy to praise God anyhow, anywhere and anytime.
AUTHOR:
PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 17:
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings,
name them one by one,
Count your blessings,
see what God has done!
Count your blessings,
name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain:
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain:
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
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