Open Heaven May 17 2018 – The nature of the Christian the Christian race

Open Heaven May 17 2018 Memories
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Open Heaven May 17 2018 Bible Reading

2 Timothy 2:1-10 (NIV)

The Appeal Renewed

1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

²And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

³Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

⁴No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

⁵Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

⁷Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,

⁹for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

¹⁰Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect,that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Open Heaven May 17 2018 Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 10-11, 1 Peter 4:12-5:14

Message – Open Heaven May 17 2018

The Holy spirit often uses the the imagery of running a race or participating in a sporting activity to portray the Christian life. He does this to help us have a better understanding of the nature of the Christian life we are called to live, and to help us develop the right attitude required to be successful in it. Open Heaven 18 May 2018

In 1 Corinthians 9:24 -25 He says
” know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one recieveth the price? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

Three important points are in focus in this passage. First, there are many participants in a sporting event but only the winner receives the prize. We are therefore encouraged to run the Christian race with a mindset of striving hard to obtain the reward and not just for the mere purpose of participating. Open Heaven 20 May 2018

Secondly, as athletes struggle to reduce unforced errors in order to achieve expertise in their chosen sport, we are also advised to strive for mastery. Thirdly, just as professional athletes must be disciplined in all things before they can achieve the level of skill required to become champions, so also must we be calm, moderate, self-controlled and disciplined in all things.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TEENS 17 MAY 2018 – SEEING BEYOND SKELETON

Christianity is very much like boxing or running a marathon: if your attitude towards training and preparation is lackadaisical, relaxed and carefree, then you must be prepared for a painful defeat or even a knockout on the big stage. I pray that you will never suffer defeat in the hands of your enemies in Jesus’ name

God is using this medium to bring to your attention the precaution and diligence that is required to secure victory in the Christian race in these perilous times. He is urging you to give the race you are running all attention needed to ensure success. Open Heaven 16 May 2018

Open Heaven May 17 2018

He also presents before you the crown of glory which he will award to all those who are faithful to the end of the race (1 Peter 5:4). This crown is not a perishable bunch of flowers or a gold-plated medal of little value, but the glorious crown of everlasting life , who h awaits all those who have successfully completed the Christian race.

You will be wise to give heed to the words of today’s memory verse by continually looking up to Jesus, who for the reward that was set before him endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now seared at the right hand of the throne of God. Nothing can be more glorious than making heaven and beholding the face of Jesus forever. Will you make it there?

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens: (Thursday, May 17, 2018) – The Nature of The Christian Race

Open Heaven May 17 2018 Prayer point
Father, please help me to be successful in the Christian race in Jesus’ name

Open Heaven May 17 2018 Hymn 5

The Great Physician now is near

The sympathizing Jesus;

He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,

Oh, hear the voice of Jesus!

Sweetest note in seraph

Refrain:

Sweetest name on mortal tongue;

Sweetest carol ever sung:

Jesus, blessed Jesus!

2 Your many sins are all forgiv’n,

Oh, hear the voice of Jesus;

The veil ’twixt you and God is riven,

Redemption wrought by Jesus.

3 All glory to the dying Lamb!

I now believe in Jesus;

I love the blessed Savior’s name,

I love the name of Jesus.

4 His name dispels my guilt and fear,

No other name but Jesus;

Oh, how my soul delights to hear

The charming name of Jesus!