Open Heaven 14 December 2023 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – God Has Favourites
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Open Heaven 14 December 2023 TOPIC: God Has Favourites
MEMORISE: “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” – Romans 9:13 (KJV)
READ: Romans 9:10-16 (KJV)
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our Father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have understanding and compassion on whom I will have understanding.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Timothy 1-6
Open Heaven 14 December 2023 MESSAGE
When you look at the Apostles of the Lord, you will see twelve of them, but there were three in the inner circle, and one was called ‘The Beloved.’ The three in the inner circle were the favorites of Jesus Christ, and He took them with Him everywhere He went. When He went to Jairus’ house, He had all the twelve disciples with Him, but only those three whom He took into the room (Mark 5:35-42). Peter, James, and John saw His power; they saw Him raise the little girl from death, while the others only heard about it. Jesus revealed the identity of the disciple who would betray Him because John, whom He loved, specially asked Him (John 13:23-26).
Also Read: Open Heaven 13 December 2023 – Dangers Of Fame
Why did the Lord have a particular inner circle amongst His disciples, and why did He love one of them especially? Well, the simple answer is that God has favorites.
Many people say that God has no favorites. This is not true. Therefore, you should ask, “How do I become one of His favorites?” When you read Romans 9:11-16, the Bible says a woman was pregnant with twins. Before they were born, God told the elder would serve the younger, that He loved one and hated the other, even when they were not yet born. He said He would have mercy on whom He would have mercy and compassion on whom He would have understanding. He said it is not of him that wills a thing or of him that runs, but of the Lord who shows mercy.
In Acts 10:34-35, the Bible says:
Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
This passage clearly shows that God looks out for certain things in people before He makes them His favorites. I took a close look at Peter, James, and John – Jesus’ inner circle. Peter and John especially, because it wasn’t long after Jesus’ ascension that James was killed.
I will share what I learned from these two with you in the next two days.
Open Heaven 14 December 2023 PRAYER POINT
Father, even if You will only pick one person as Your favorite, please let it be me.
Open Heaven 14 December 2023 HYMN 6 – I Am So Glad That Our Father In Heaven
1 I am so glad that our Father in heaven
Tell of His love in the book He has given;
Wonderful things in the Bible, I see;
This is the dearest that Jesus loves me.
Refrain:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me,
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.
2 Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my lost soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love that made Him die on the tree:
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me.
3 In this assurance, I find the sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blessed;
Satan, dismayed from my soul, doth now flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.
4 Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”
5 If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.
Open Heavens 2023 Enjoy Daily fellowship with the Open Heaven 2023 Devotional. Open Heaven is the Daily Devotional for our time. With the daily events we witness on earth, every Christian needs to stand their ground less they fall. The daily guide is written by Pastor E. Adeboye. It is indeed a guide in resolving everyday Christian issues and lifestyles. Open Heavens is also available on the Play Store; download it Here.
Ambydennis Notice Board: We trust you have been blessed by the devotional. Accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal savior is one of the best decisions one can take, especially you; imagine having Christ in your life; what a fantastic experience it will be. It starts here as you proclaim: Dear Father, I humbly come to you in sincere repentance, claiming you as my Lord and personal Saviour. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness, be the center of my life, and let my life revolve around you as I partake in the eternal life you gave us in Jesus’ Name. Congratulations, you are now Born again. God bless you.