OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY - 31/1/2014 - WHERE ARE YOU? - BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

WHERE ARE YOU?

MEMORISE

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

READ

Philippians 3:12-15

Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

MESSAGE

If a child of God will fully actualise and fulfil in totality the purpose of God for him, the question – “Where am I?” must be asked and answered conscientiously from time to time. Right from the day of birth, a man begins a return journey to where he came from (Ecclesiastics 12:1-7). This is why you are not asked how young but rather how old you are? Even though some individuals would like to tie down time and prevent themselves from ageing, thinking of a means for achieving such only amounts to living in a fool’s paradise. No matter the level of cosmetology therapy you accord your body, your internal organs would tell you: “you are only joking”. The facial ridges and furrows would betray your “smartness”. The point therefore is: you need to face reality.

To answer the question, “where am I?” you need to consider the following questions in sequence:

• Where was I yesterday?
• Where am I now?
• Where can I be?
• Though where I am now may look good to me, is this where I ought to be?
• Where do I want to be, going forward?

In Philippians 3:10, Apostle Paul declared: “That I may know Him”, even though he was already an apostle. There is always room for moving higher. If however you are already satisfied with your present level or position, then there is nothing anyone can do to move you forward. Note however that the day you get satisfied, that day you begin to come down the ladder of ascent. It is my prayer that you will not be satisfied yet. Are you thirsty for more of Christ and all He has for you? If thirsty, how thirsty are you? Jesus in Matthew 5:6 said:

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

You need to know also that there is a price to pay to achieve greatness (Philippians 3:7). Are you therefore ready to go through some physical hardships and discomforts in order to reach your goal? You should also be aware of the danger of resting before arriving at your destination (1 Kings 13:11-30). The misleading old prophet caught up with the young prophet while he rested along the way to his destination (1 Kings 13:14). This cost him his life and destiny. Finally, be aware of the great joy of finishing well (2 Timothy 4:7-8). You will finish well in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, keep me thirsting for more of you; anything that would constitute a barrier in my upward journey, let it be removed by fire in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

1 Peter 5; 

2 Peter 1-3;

 Psalm 29