Don’t destroy yourself: Open Heaven, 14 may, 2024

Open Heaven For Today 2024 Tuesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye; Don’t destroy yourself.

TOPIC: Don’t Destroy Yourself

MEMORISE: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13 (KJV)

Read: Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV)

9 In this manner, therefore, pray to you: Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

11: Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 29–31

 

Open Heaven for Today

In Matthew 6:9–13, the Lord was teaching the disciples to pray. He said in verse 13 that they should cry to the Father, “Lead us not into temptation, and in case we have already fallen into trouble, then deliver us from evil.” This part of the Lord’s prayer bothered me for a while. Can God really lead someone into temptation? Then I read in Proverbs 22:14:

The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

This means that when someone is abhorred of God, such a person will be pushed into the mouth of a strange woman so that he can be destroyed completely. You will understand this better when you read 1 Corinthians 3:17.

If any man defiles the temple of God, he shall be destroyed by God, for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

So, if you notice that it is becoming very difficult to overcome any temptation, you should go on a retreat for some days and cry to God for mercy. He has promised that He will always make a way of escape for you (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Watch your steps. Don’t get yourself into a situation where God will say, “I have had enough of you. Go ahead and do as you like, and we will see the result of your actions.” Have you toyed with sin and said to yourself, “There was no repercussion for the things I did in the past, so all is still okay?” Don’t deceive yourself; everything you do on earth is recorded in heaven, even your idle words (Matthew 12:36).

If you don’t stop, one day, God will open that book and say, “Is this person taking me for a fool? I will show him that I am not a fool and cause him to destroy himself.” May that not be your portion, in Jesus’ name.

Now, I know there might be someone reading this who is still not willing to stop sinning. This is the kind of fellow described in 1 Timothy 4:2.

The truth is, your holiness does not help me in any way; it helps you. I am not asking you to live holy so that I can make it to heaven; rather I ask that you to live holy so that you will not spend eternity in hell. I have done my duty by bringing this message to you. A word is enough for the wise.

READ: Pray for your pastors: Rhapsody of Realities, May 13, 2024

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please don’t let me destroy myself.

HYMN 31: Yield Not To Temptation

1 Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you.
Some others to win:
Fight valiantly onward,
Evil passions subdue
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.

Refrain:
Ask the Savior to help you.
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you.
He will carry you through.

2 Shun evil companions,
Bad language, disdain;
God’s name is held in reverence.
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest.
Kindhearted and true
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.

3 To him that o’ercometh,
God giveth a crown;
Through faith, we will conquer.
Though often cast down,
He who is our Savior,
Our strength will renew.
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.

 

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept you as my Lord and personal savior. I believe in my heart that you died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank you, Lord, for saving me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Content Credit/  Open Heaven Daily Devotional

Picture Credit/ https://medsandmeltdowns.wordpress.com/2017/08/20/destroy-the-thoughts-not-yourself/