Open Heavens Daily 1st September [Tuesday] 2020 – His Arms Are Wide Open
Open Heavens Daily Devotional
His Arms Are Wide Open – Open Heavens Daily 1st September [Tuesday] 2020 By Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Today’s Bible Verses: Luke 15:11-32 (NIV)
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.
12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.
27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
OPEN HEAVENS FOR TODAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2020 – HIS ARMS ARE WIDE OPEN
If you extend your hand to someone for a handshake, the person would most likely decline if his/her hands are dirty. Naturally, humans avoid staining clean people. However, God does not operate that way. He is willing to give you a hug even when you are dirty.
The father of the prodigal son for example, did not ask him to take a bath before he could embrace him. He saw his son from afar and ran to meet him (Luke 15:11-32). The woman with the issue of blood had been bleeding for twelve years. She may have been smelly, the doctors might have taken all her earnings and left her wearing rags but she chose to touch Jesus – the One everyone was celebrating. Considering her state, ordinarily, she may not have wanted to come close, but she did! She probably felt too dirty to speak, so she decided to just touch the hem of His garment. She did not stay away totally because she was dirty. She made the move and He did not reject her; He even prayed for her (Luke 8:43-48).
The countless sins you have committed stealing, adultery, fornication, or even murder may make you feel dirty. So, you may think God cannot accept you anymore. Listen, He is waiting for you to take just one step towards Him. There
is no sin too big for the blood of Jesus to cleanse, neither is there any sinner too guilty for Him to forgive.
You might not be able to pray unhindered if you are still feeling dirty. In this case, you have to first pray for forgiveness. All He needs is genuine repentance and He will do the rest.
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…” – James 4:8
All He requires is that you take a step towards Him and He will do the rest. Even if you have entered into a covenant with the devil and sold your soul to him, God is able to help you. He remains the same; He still sets the lawful captives free (Isaiah 49:24-46).
His arms are still wide open, come to Him now when He is near (Isaiah 55:6). Don’t wait until it would be too late.
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL ACTION POINT: Spread the good news of Gods unconditional love and if you have sinned, come to Him as you are. His arms are still wide open.
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL HYMN: Great is Thy Faithfulness
1. “Great is Thy faithfulness,”
O God my Father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions,
they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
chorus.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!”
“Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
2. Summer and winter,
and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness,
mercy and love.
3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to
guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for
tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Open Heavens Daily Devotional was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeem Christian Church God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. Open heavens devotionals also comprises of Open Heavens Teen, RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual, RCCG Sunday School TEACHERS Manual and RCCG House Fellowship LEADERS
No comments:
Post a Comment