OPEN HEAVEN

Open Heavens 19 March 2016: Saturday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Backsliding: Not an Option


Topic - Backsliding: Not an Option [Saturday 19, March 2016]

Memorise: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. – James 1:12

Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-7 (KJV)

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Bible in One Year: Judges 1:1-3:6, Job 38:39-39:12

MESSAGE:

Never attempt backsliding because of the few challenges you are going through, because you may never recover from the consequences. Backsliding is capable of destroying all that one has laboured for in the past. The seed father Abraham sowed when he decided to settle for an alternative is the cause of all we see today in the name of religious terrorism. Never consider backsliding because what you see as a pleasurable fling is always a death trap which will erode all you have ever worked for. As a child of destiny, you must avoid all forms of defilement that comes unannounced.

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” - Proverbs 14:27

The ten virgins heard the cry announcing the arrival of their long awaited bridegroom and they knew that their moment of truth had come at last, but only a few among them were ready. The others had become passive. This is why we must be sober and vigilant so that we don’t lose out when He comes in His glory. On that day, a lot of hidden secrets will be revealed. Those you thought were serving Christ will be left behind. For this reason, you must not allow hypocrisy or hidden sins in your life.

Backsliding is synonymous to rebellion. A hardened backslider has reached a state of no return. To backslide means to go in the opposite direction of what God has commanded. It is a dangerous adventure to work in opposition of God because it will always lead to destruction. Those who have backslidden will tell you about the torment they go through in the hands of the devil. The moment you feel you have fallen short of the grace of God, you need to immediately shut yourself from the world and seek His face for a time of refreshing. You need to retrace your ways back to your father before you become forgotten. You need to examine yourself before the devil begins to afflict you and all that is yours. Don’t allow the devil to celebrate his victory over you. Satan will not celebrate over you in Jesus’ Name.

It is very important that we intercede for believers who are going through intense persecution and trials all over the world. We need to remember them daily in prayers so that God’s grace will prevent them from backsliding.

Prayer Point: Father, may I never backslide in Jesus’ Name.