Open Heavens Devotional May 11 2020 – The Visionary Christian

MEMORY VERSE:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18

READ: Habakkuk 2:1-4

1• I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

2• And The LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3• For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

4• Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY HIS FAITH.

MESSAGE:

A. If a Christian is visionary, his/her pilgrimage on earth becomes bearable.

1• It is A Clear Vision of Heaven that will make A Child of God see nothing enticing in the present world as compared to The Anticipated Eternal Bliss.

2• “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”Proverb 29:18

3• From the verse above, we can infer that the lack of vision about the reality of hell is what makes people carefree about the coming judgment on the ungodly.

4• If God were to show a person A VISION OF HEAVEN as Jesus described in Matthew 13:44-46, he/she would do everything possible to get there.

5• Matthew 13:44-46

Again, The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

6• Again, The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

B. In Habakkuk 2:1-4, Today’s Bible Reading The prophet was eager to get Divine Vision and take instruction even if it required reproof.

1• Fortunately, it was for his good and for those who would read it with understanding.

2• It ended up as a warning against PRIDE (which leads to destruction) and words of encouragement towards FAITH (which brings justification).

3• According to Psalm 53:1, it is only a fool that says there is no God.

4• It is PRIDE that makes an individual think that he knows better than God.

5• Psalm 53:2 says it takes a visionary individual to seek God, especially in times like these, when everything seems to be against godliness.

6• Psalms 53:1-2 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity there is none that doeth good.

7• God looked down from Heaven upon the children of men,

to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

C. It was a DIVINE VISION that ensured Noah and his household were saved from the flood

1• Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

2• It is the same VISION that will keep any Christian focused on HOLINESS without which no man shall see the Lord.

3•. Hebrews 12:14

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

4• With A DIVINE VISION, we can catch a glimpse of our Eternal Home like John did in Revelation 21:1-7.

5• Revelation 21:1-7 “And I saw A NEW HEAVEN and A NEW EARTH: for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

6• And I John saw The Holy City, NEW JERUSALEM, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

7• And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

8• And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

9• And He that sat upon The Throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

And he said unto me, It is done. I AM ALPHA and OMEGA, THE BEGINNING and THE END.

10• I will give unto Him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be His God, and he shall be My Son.

11• If you submit yourself to God, you too would see Divinely Inspired Visions.

Father, Please make me A VISIONARY CHRISTIAN so that I will not lose The Vision of My Eternal Home, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 65-67.

Psalm 69-70.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.

1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;

Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:

From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,

Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:

Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;

Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;

Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,

The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;

Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,

Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.

4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;

This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;

To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;

He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.