OPEN HEAVEN, RCCG DAILY DEVOTIONAL, WEDNESDAY 28 APRIL 2021

TOPIC FOR TODAY, WEDNESDAY 28:4: 21:The agony of defeated champions

By Pastor E. A Adeboye
 

OPEN HEAVEN 28 APRIL 2021 MEMORIZE: Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. John 5:14

OPEN HEAVEN 28 APRIL 2021 BIBLE READING JOSHUA 7:1-5

1. But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing; for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing; and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.

2. And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.

3. And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.

4. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men; and they fled before the men of Ai.

5. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men; for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down; wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

 
OPEN HEAVEN 28 APRIL 2021 MESSAGE

It is painful enough to be defeated in one round of a contest, but even more so if one becomes an ex-champion, surrendering a crown totally.

This is because as soon as a fellow emerges as a champion, people’s expectations of him or her would have increased.

The attention of so many people – enemies inclusive, would be on the person.

Thus, a champion has more enemies than an ordinary contender.

I pray that you will not be an ex-champion in the mighty name of Jesus.

The story in today’s Scripture reading is a sad one.

The people of God had just recorded a victory over the great city of Jericho and were going to occupy a small village called AI.

To their surprise, they were utterly defeated.

Their leader Joshua was downcast but he understood the reason for the defeat after he enquired from God.

There is a lesson from this event: It is that there is always a reason for every setback a child of God suffers.

Therefore, it is very important for children of God to carry out periodic self-examinations. James 1:13-15 says:

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

God warned the Israelites not to take anything from Jericho after its destruction, Achan however defied the instruction; he stole part of the accursed materials.

This singular act of disobedience turned the entire nation to ex-war champions, and they remained so until the accursed things, the thief and his household were removed from the congregation of the people of God.

Beloved, you must abstain from ungodliness because it is deadly. Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death”.

Once you are forgiven, you have to forsake sin and then restitute your ways. Jesus Christ told the man.

He graciously healed in John 5:14 to go and sin no more, so that something even more terrible would not befall him.

As you go out today, examine yourself and see if you are still standing right with God (2 Corinthians 13:5).

May the Lord grant you victory always.

OPEN HEAVEN 28 APRIL 2021 PRAYER POINT

Holy Spirit, please help me to be vigilant in maintaining my victory in Christ. Help me Lord, so I do not fall into any temptation.

OPEN HEAVEN 28 APRIL 2021 HYMN

HYMN 12 – IN CHRIST ALONE MY HOPE IS FOUND

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 gift 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 love of Christ I’ll stand.

OPEN HEAVEN 28 APRIL 2021 BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JOSHUA 9:1-27, JOSHUA 10:1-43

SPECIAL NOTE!

Beloved Reader, the sweetest way to enjoy full blessings from God in this 2021 is to make Jesus Christ your personal Lord & Saviour. Remember! the Lord Jesus in John 3:3 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless ye are born again, ye cannot see the kingdom of God.”

If you are ready to give your life to Christ Jesus, please pray the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I confess all my sin, have mercy on me, forgive me all my sin. Give me grace to go and sin no more. I invite You, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed this prayer of salvation now, please call the following numbers for counselling and prayer request on: 
08033440631 
07064979797 
08101204546 
08103830237 
Or mail: info@rccg.org, God bless you.

Beware! this period we are in today brings fulfilment of this saying of Jesus Christ:
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold,” Matt 24:12.
Our prayer for all of us is: any power, any problem that will quench our love for God and His unfailing Word, Holy Ghost Fire will destroy and flush them away.

Good Day Beloved, Thank you for your patient with us. Thank you for all your comments, observations, feedbacks and time spent on this platform. We cherish your presence here.  

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, & by the power in the Blood of Jesus, you will never be a victim to whatever calamity, affliction, flying around in the name of Jesus, Amen!