OPEN HEAVEN 27 MARCH 2021 – EVIL FOR EVIL SHOW LOVE ALWAYS
OPEN HEAVEN 27 MARCH 2021 TOPIC: Evil For Evil Show Love Always
MEMORISE: See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. – 1 Thessalonians 5:15
READ: Matthew 5:43-47 (KJV)
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 5-6
Open Heaven 27 March 2021 MESSAGE:
When you find a professing Christian, who pays evil with evil, you have found a pretender. Real children of God radiate love, even to the enemies. In fact, Jesus said that is how you would know the difference between a child of God and an unbeliever.
“46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” – Matthew 5:46-47
Forgive everyone who hurts you, be it your spouse, colleague, boss, pastor or children. Never pay evil with eviI; forgive.
God says you should not repay evil with evil because He is concerned about the state of your heart. Matthew 7:17-18 says only evil trees can produce evil fruits while good trees produce only good fruits. When you repay evil with evil, you are bearing evil fruits and that means the devil now has a place in you. Since light and darkness cannot co-exist, then it means the Lord has no place in you anymore. God forbid.
So, how should a Christian respond to someone who has done evil to him or her?
“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” – Proverbs 25:21-22
The Bible passage quoted above says you should respond to evil by showing love. The more love you show the person hurting you, the more trouble you are causing the person if he or she doesn’t change for good. The Bible say you are heaping coals of fire on such a person’s head. On the other hand, God will reward you for showing love even to your enemies. Just as a part of our topic for today was cancelled, cancel any idea of repaying evil with evil from your mind permanently.
Always show love.
Open Heaven 27 March 2021 PRAYER POINT:
Father, give me the grace to show love even to my enemies in Jesus’ name.
Open Heaven 27 March 2021 HYMN 28: What A Friend We Have In Jesus
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
Open Heavens 2021 Daily Devotional 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. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
