Open Heaven 16 December 2023 Saturday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – John The Beloved
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Open Heaven 16 December 2023 TOPIC: John The Beloved
MEMORISE: “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.” – John 13:23 (KJV)
READ: John 13:21-28 (KJV)
21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting whom he spoke.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
25 He then, lying on Jesus’ breast, saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son.
27 And after the sop, Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28 No man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Philemon 1, Titus 1-3
Open Heaven 16 December 2023 MESSAGE
Further into my study of how to become God’s favorite, I found that another disciple followed Jesus on the Day He was crucified. This disciple helped Peter access the courtyard, as in John 18:15-16. This other disciple apparently was John the Beloved, as he referred to himself in the third person all through his account of the gospel. When you read John 19:26-27, you will find that it was John who took the mother of Jesus into his own house. Anyone who looks after your mother must be very close to you.
Also Read: Open Heaven 15 December 2023 – Peter The Rock
I’ve always said that when you describe somebody as a Christian fanatic, it simply means he loves the Lord more than you. In John 20:1-8, the Bible tells us that John was the first Apostle to get to the tomb when they told the Apostles that Jesus rose. In John 13:21-26 when the disciples sought to know who would betray the Lord, Peter beckoned to John and told him to ask Jesus because he knew that John was the closest to Him. Thirteen people were at the table,, and two were speaking in codes the others could not understand. John was so close to Jesus that he could rest his head on His chest (John 13:23).
In our Bible reading today, we see that only John, whom Jesus trusted with the identity, would betray Him. Jesus entrusted John with His secrets. You become incredibly close to Him when God can trust you with His secrets. Jesus made John His confidant, that is why you find that in Revelation 1:1-20, it was John the Beloved whom Jesus chose to reveal the story of what will happen in the end times, thousands of years ahead of his time. In Revelation 10:4, there are things Jesus said to John that He said were for his ears only.
When you truly love God, you become willing to seek and fulfill His primary heart desire to bring souls into His kingdom.
Open Heaven 16 December 2023 REFLECTION
Do you love God enough to place your head in His bosom?
Open Heaven 16 December 2023 HYMN 10 – In Christ Alone
1 In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled when striving ceases,
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here, in the love of Christ, I stand.
2 In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied,
For every sin on Him was laid,
Here, in the death of Christ, I live.
3 There in the ground, His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then, bursting forth on glorious Day,
Up from the grave, He rose again
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His, and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
4 No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to the final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Could ever pluck me from His hand,
‘Til He returns or calls me home,
Here, in the power of Christ, I stand.
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.
