OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY - 09/05/2014 - MAXIMIZING YOUR LIFE BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

MAXIMIZING YOUR LIFE

MEMORISE

The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

Luke 12:23

READ

Luke 12:16-23

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

MESSAGE

In the context of our current consideration, life is the state of existence as a human being. Life is sweet, but it is also sacred. Life is influential and life is divine. It is so important that it should be managed properly. Life should definitely be maximized. In our Bible reading for today, the rich fool mismanaged his life. He acquired wealth for himself without being rich towards God. To maximize your life means to make the best use of your life. You can maximize your potential and time. You can maximize opportunities available for you to become the person God intends you to be. You can maximize your life, and there are many reasons why you should do so. The fact that life is good is one reason why it should be maximized. If you make the best use of your life, you will enjoy it. You will experience prosperity, fame, peace of mind, good health, security and longevity. Life should be enjoyed and not endured. Another reason you should maximize your life is because life is sacred. It is connected with God and considered to be holy. When you make the most of your life, you will please God and obtain favour in His sight.

Noah is an example of someone who maximized his life. He lived at a time when people were reckless with their lives. Many in Noah’s days saw life as sweet but not sacred. Generally, they lived their lives without giving consideration to God, but Noah chose to be different. Eventually, Noah pleased God and obtained favour in His sight (Genesis 6:8). Because Noah pleased God and obtained His favour, he was not destroyed with other people in the world. When you maximize your life, you will be preserved from evil. There is no denying the fact that life is influential. Everyone influences another person, whether for good or evil. When you maximize your life, you will be able to make positive impact on some lives and draw them towards heaven. Some people curse themselves. Some even go to the extent of cursing the day they were born. Life should be a blessing and not a curse. When your life is maximized, you become a blessing to mankind, an asset and not a liability. The most important reason you should maximize your life is Heaven. Your life is a privilege and should be spent for God. When you acknowledge that your life is both sacred and divine and you utilize it for God, you will make it to Heaven. To live fully for God, you must not be a fool by despising wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7). For a start, fear God, be born-again and live holy. There are other practical things you should do. To maximize your life, you should plan your life, have a vision, be diligent and seek to be the best in pleasing God. Don’t be complacent. Improve yourself. You should also live in love, have faith in God and be prayerful.

PRAYER POINT

Father, help me to maximize my time, potential and life in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Genesis 18:22-20:18; Psalm 102:16-28