Memorize: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10.
Read: 1st peter 3:10-18 (KJV)
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Bibles In one year
Jeremiah 52
Luke 19: 28-48,
Hymnal:
Sing hymn 12
Message:
Having access to the good life is not as difficult as some people make it seem. As a matter of fact, living a good life was factored into the creation of man.
God first created everything that man would need for a good life before He made man in his own image and set him over all of his other creations (Genesis 1:26-28). The calamity of a life of struggle only came after Eve was deceived into believing the devil’s lies and Adam outrightly disobeyed God. God consequently withdrew aspects of his good life from them (Genesis 3:16-19). However, the good life of God was reinstated through the second Adam, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12-15).
In 1st Peter 3:10-12, the Holy Spirit introduces us to how we can access the good life that Jesus Christ came to restore us to, saying:
“For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
It would be wise of you to pay attention to the three major things mentioned in this scripture as vital to experiencing the good life. First is your speech. No wonder the Bible says death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). The content and manner of your speech have a great impact on your relationship with God and man. Use the power that your tongue possesses to speak life to yourself and everything that concerns your every day.
Don’t try to move ahead in life by specking evil and lying about others. Learn to ask God and man of what you desire for yourself. I pray that God will illuminate your heart to understand the power of good that lies in your tongue. The second thing you must watch are your deeps. More often than not, what you will work towards in life is what will come to you. The types of problems you solve in this world through your deeds go a long way to determine the type of reward you will receive from God and men. May God give you wisdom to apply this truth towards increasing your reward in life. Third and last of these things is the type of influence you bring into your community. If you work towards peace in your family, community and country, you will also enjoy a good life of peace. What better way is there to influence your world than to preach the good news of the abundant life that Jesus Christ came to give (John 10:10)? When you influence workers of evil to begin to do good, you will definitely experience a good life around you. Are your speech, deeds and influence working together to establish the good life you have received from Jesus Christ?
Action point: Put to work the power inherent in your speech, deeds and influence to access God’s good life.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
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