Luke 20:33-34 “Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:”
Text: Luke 20:27-40
It is very doubtful that the situation that the Sadducees were relating ever took place. It is more probable that they were stating a hypothetical case to complicate the understanding of the resurrection and thereby discredit it.
If you accept their basic supposition (marriage continues in heaven), then their reasoning was correct. It would not be possible to administer marriage in heaven with multiple mates as their story described. Their reasoning wasn’t flawed, but rather the “facts” that their reasoning was based on were not scriptural.
The scriptures speak of two becoming “one flesh” in marriage, and angels are not flesh. Paul said, “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 15:50). Therefore, marriage is an earthly institution limited to flesh and blood mortals and will not exist in heaven. Marriage, as is death, is temporary for mortals while they are on earth. This is why a person whose mate has died, is free to remarry. Marriage pertains only to this life.
That is not to say that a couple who have loved each other deeply here on earth will love each other less in heaven. God forbid. They will love each other infinitely more, but it will be God’s “agape” love (not romantic love) and it will not be limited to just one person. We can be sure that heaven will surpass any expectations that we may have so that no one will be disappointed.
Today, many people use logical reasoning to try to discredit God’s Word. But Jesus said, “They err because they do not know the scriptures.” Therefore, their arguments have no merit; only reasoning based on scripture has any merit.
This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever. — John 14:16 (AMP)
In today’s Scripture, God says He is doing a new thing. As you move into the future He has for you, you will encounter all kinds of new opportunities, and challenges. The days ahead will be full of new experiences, things you have never done before. You may not know how to do them, but you will learn. Everything you are doing today was new to you at one time—and look, now you can do it.
Continuing to face new challenges and develop new abilities is extremely important to your growth and maturity. As you walk with God into your future, you will hear Him say, “You have not done this before, but don’t be afraid. I’m taking you to a place you have never been before. I’m going to ask you to do something you don’t know how to do!” God has already been where He is leading you, and He has prepared the way. Step out in faith, and you will experience the faithfulness of God.
We think and say, “It’s time for a change! I need something new,” and then we hesitate to embrace that new thing when it comes. If you are ready for something new and fresh, don’t be afraid to embrace it when it comes.
Don’t stay trapped in the past. Let go of what lies behind and press into the great future God has planned for you. I can promise you: God is with you. He will lead you. He will strengthen you. He will help you.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for constantly bringing about change and new beginnings. Help me to embrace every new thing You bring into my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
In recent times, many believers have lost sight of the true meaning of Christianity. This brutal message is aimed at reminding us as believers about The Essence Of Christianity. God bless you
Memorise: “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”- Psalm 25:9
Read: Psalm 25:8-14 (KJV)
8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Bible in One Year: Ecclesiastes 4-7, Mark 10:35-52
Open Heavens 20 September 2018 Thursday MESSAGE:
From the beginning, God’s plan for mankind has been that we should live our lives guided by His counsel and direction in the place of fellowship. When we refuse to consult with God before taking decisions, we end up gambling and fumbling, which more often than not damages a fellow’s destiny irreparably. The reality of this truth is visible in the lives of our first parents and Abraham. It would have been a different story completely, if Adam and Eve had told the devil to allow them confirm from God the truth of his counsel. It would have also been a different story if the father of faith had consulted with God before consenting to Sarah’s proposal to have a child through Hagar. The world would have been saved the ordeal of the violent tribe which troubles the nations of the world today (Genesis 16:11-12).
You must be divinely guided in your endeavors if you will not fumble. As revealed in today’s memory verse, it takes a heart of meekness to receive God’s guidance. The proud will not seek guidance, and even if the guidance offered freely, the proud will reject it with impunity. For this reason, Proverb 9:8 says:
“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.”
Beloved, God can only guide the meek because He does not waste His time with those who despise His counsel. In accordance with His principles, when His people despise His counsel, God leaves them alone (Hosea 4:17).
We are told in today’s Bible reading that the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him (Psalm 25:14). In other words, the fear of the Lord will also earn us divine guidance, so that we do not gamble with our lives. An example of someone who did not gamble with his life is King David. In 1 Samuel chapter 30, after his camp at Ziklag was raided and he wept with his men for the calamity that had befallen them, David not only encouraged himself in the Lord, he also inquired from Him on the next line of action to take. 1 Samuel 30:8 says:
“And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”
This assurance from the Lord motivated him to pursue and recover all. This is praiseworthy because he did not allow the emotions of their great loss to push him into taking a gamble by pursuing the raiders without consulting God first. Beloved, I encourage you to begin to entrust your life into God’s hands and never pursue a course of action without first seeking divine counsel about it.
Open Heavens 20 September 2018 Thursday Prayer Point:
Father, please guide me in my entire life’s journey, in Jesus’ Name.
Also Read: Open Heavens 19 September 2018 – The Window of the Heart
Open Heavens 20 September 2018 Thursday Hymn 4: Trust And Obey
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Open Heavens 20 September 2018 Thursday 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. Open Heavens 20 September 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional.
Scripture: “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1
Thought For The Day: Whatever weakens your conscience weakens your authority.
Purity is the condition or quality of being pure; freedom from anything that debases,”contaminates, pollutes. It is freedom from guilt or evil. It is innocence, uprightness or righteousness. Purity also refers to physical chastity or virginity.
There is power in purity; that is to say, purity attracts power. This means, to be righteous is to be powerful. On the other hand, where there is no purity, there will be no power. That is why our anchor Scripture clearly shows that the righteous are as bold and powerful as a lion. This implies that impurity on the other hand is the doorway to weakness in life.
Now, Prophet Samuel is a scriptural figure whose life and Ministry demonstrated the connection between purity and power. In 1 Samuel 12″:1-5,”Samuel asked the Israelites, “Whose ox have I taken?…whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith?…. And they replied, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand…
Samuel was a man of unquestionable integrity. No wonder, he manifested unusual dimensions of supernatural power. In 1 Samuel 12″:16-19,”Samuel called on the Lord and God sent thunder and rain during dry season.
First of all, Prophet Samuel asked, “What is my fault?” (Paraphrased) and they could not find his fault. He was faultless. So, on the foundation of that faultlessness, he manifested powerfulness.
Beloved, whatever weakens your conscience weakens your authority. The strength of the conscience determines the strength of authority. Whatever makes you feel guilty renders you powerless. So, avoid anything that makes you feel guilty.
Remember this: “Whatever weakens your conscience weakens your authority.”
Assignments:
1. Guard your heart from anything that defiles; never play around sin.
2. Study the Bible continually and maintain fellowship with God in prayer and worship in order to assimilate His Nature.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING,”GET THIS MESSAGE”: EMPOWERMENT BY RIGHTEOUSNESS (PART 1)
Prayer: O Lord,”I ask that You keep me from sin and everything that defiles my conscience. Help me to walk in a greater dimension of Your Power, Lord in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE”: THE POWER OF PURITY.
Amazing Fact: Laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system.
Today In History: 20/09/2013 – Apple released the iPhone 5s.
Daily Reading: Isaiah 33:10 to 36:22,”Galatians 5″:13 to 26,”Psalm 64″:1 to 10,”Proverbs 23″:23.
Quote: Getting money by ungodly or unrighteous means is a foolish thing to do. Culled from 21 FOOLISH THINGS PEOPLE DO by Dr Paul Enenche.
Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities
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