OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY 24/05/2013 - SURRENDER ALL! BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

FRIDAY 24TH MAY, 2013

SURRENDER ALL!

MEMORY VERSE

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Philippians 3:7

READ

Philippians 3:4-8

Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

MESSAGE

Dedication is sustaining your effort on an increasing level over a given assignment, until it is done. On the other hand consecration is to surrender all-to put in all it takes – prayer, energy, talents, connections and everything. It is to be committed to something without reservation – to be wholly devoted to a cause. In Philippians 1:21, Paul said:

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

By this Paul was saying whether alive or dead, his life revolves around Jesus Christ. The disciples of Jesus Christ left everything in order to follow the Lord. What have you left to follow Him? How consecrated are you to the Lord after singing for years: 'Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee'?

A classic example of consecration in scriptures is the three Hebrew children – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They humbly but boldly looked up at the king and said, 'Oh king, long may you rule! On the matter of idolatry, we will not compromise our stand by violating the commandment of our God. He is able to deliver us; but even if he is not willing to deliver us now, we really do not mind because we are ready to burn in your fire than to violate His Word'.

A female evangelist went to preach in a village in East Africa. Thereafter, she decided to do the same in the next village. She was told that going there was very dangerous as she faced the risk of being eaten by lions on the way. Yet she was not deterred. Then an old man offered to go with her. He told her lions will only attack if they are hungry so he decided to be food for the lions by going ahead of her so that she can safely get to that village. This is consecration! In those days, consecration was rife among Christians, but today, it appears it has disappeared from the registers of most Christians. To surrender all means to give your spouse, children, reputation and wealth to the Lord. When someone heard that I had left my job as a lecturer to become a pastor, he said he was not surprised because Mathematicians are crazy people, and that I was simply manifesting that madness. Have you surrendered all?

KEY POINT

 The simplest way to get everything God has to offer you is by offering Him everything you have including your will.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 31 - 33