Open Heaven Devotional 19th October 2024, Saturday Daily Reading Guide
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TOPIC: The Challenges of Success (1)
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MEMORISE: “According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.” – Hosea 13:6
SCRIPTURE READING: Daniel 4:25-35 (KJV)
OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 19TH OCTOBER 2024 MESSAGE
Many people pursue success, and that is good. However, being successful has its own challenges. Success has destroyed many people in the past because they were not prepared for the challenges that come with it. Over the next few days, I will be sharing some of the challenges that come with attaining success with you. I may not be able to share all of them with you in this series, but I hope that what you learn will help you prepare for success because you will be successful unto the end, in Jesus’ name.
The first challenge of success is pride. In Genesis 48:1-20, the blessing of the firstborn was transferred to Ephraim by his grandfather, and as a result, he became greater than his elder brother, Manasseh. Pride set in, and God kept pleading with him, but he wasn’t listening. Then, in Hosea 4:16-19, God said that Ephraim should be left alone. By the time we get to Hosea 5:9, God said, “Ephraim shall be desolate.” In Revelation 7:5-8, when the various tribes of Israel were being sealed, Ephraim was no longer there. The pride that came with Ephraim’s success ended up destroying him.
Proverbs 16:18 says: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Those who are down can fear no fall. The higher you go, the more cautious you should be of falling, and that caution should drive you to be more humble as you rise.
James 4:6 says: But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
It is only by God’s grace that you are able to attain and sustain success. If you become proud, God will withdraw His grace, and the result of that will be disgrace. Don’t let God resist you; don’t allow pride into your heart. Do everything to ensure that you don’t think of yourself as more important than you really are. Don’t look down on others, and don’t see anything as being too low for you. Let Matthew 20:26-28 keep ringing in your head, that the one who will be the greatest must be the servant of all.
Jesus Christ showed us an example of service and humility in John 13:1-17. He also told us clearly that this is the way to greatness in God’s kingdom (Luke 22:24-27). Beloved, seek to serve more than to be served so that God will continue to lift you up.
KEY POINT:
No matter how high God lifts you, don’t allow pride into your heart.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Mark 15-16
HYMNAL:
Hymn 23 – Take my life, and let it be
1 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2 Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
4 Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
5 Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
Open Heaven Devotional 19th October 2024 Daily Reading guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.
