OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY - 3/1/2014 - HONOUR & DISHONOUR: TWO SIDES OF DIVINE PURPOSE BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

HONOUR & DISHONOUR: TWO SIDES OF DIVINE PURPOSE

MEMORISE

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

2 Timothy 2:20

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Romans 7:7-9:29,

 Psalm 5

READ

John 6:66-71

John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

John 6:71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

MESSAGE

Either for honour or dishonour, everyone is born to fulfil a purpose. You are however responsible for the category of God’s purpose you fulfil in His overall operations among men.

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.”

2 Timothy 2:21

A man can also either help or hinder God’s purpose for his life. For example, God’s purpose for Samson was that he should deliver Israel from their oppressors. But tragically, the completion of his assignment depended on his moral discipline, which he ignored (Judges 13:5).

John the Baptist is an example of a vessel unto honour. God spoke concerning him that he would convert many souls into the Kingdom. For this purpose, he was filled with the Holy Ghost right from his mother’s womb. He did not have any opportunity to live a self-seeking life from childhood until his death because of the influence of the Holy Spirit upon him from the womb (Luke 1:13-17). Judas Iscariot however allowed himself to be used for the other side of the coin of divine purpose. He allowed himself to be used negatively to fulfil a divine purpose; that is, to betray the Saviour of mankind as it was ordained ages before he was born (John 6:64). In the same spiritual environment where Judas Iscariot was nurtured and turned out to be a thief and a betrayer, John the Beloved also was nurtured and became the most intimate disciple of the Lord (John 13:23). Before you were born, God had a purpose. The good news is that as for me and the children God has given me – both biological and spiritual, we are for signs, wonders and divine purpose unto honour. If you are one of my children, congratulations! You are on your way to fulfilling your divine purpose. Honour is your portion in Jesus’ Name. If you are not, you can be grafted in by giving your life to Christ as you say this prayer:

  

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge I’m a sinner. I acknowledge the price you paid for my sins on the cross of Calvary, and I accept your offer of salvation. Wash me with your blood, make me a new person and write my name in the Book of Life. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness, and for accepting me into your family, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

ACTION POINT

Find out the divine purpose for your life and work towards actualising it to the glory of God.