TOPIC: Signs of Backsliding (4)
MEMORISE:
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” – (Proverbs 11:30)
READ: John 15:4-5 (KJV)
4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5. I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.
Open Heaven 25 March 2021 Thursday Devotional MESSAGE:
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. – Psalm 51:13
We are focusing on Psalms 51 today because it is the prayer of David after he backslid. It is the sincere prayer of a backslider asking for restoration. In the Bible passage quoted above, David said that if God should restore him, he would teach sinners His way. This shows that he had not been witnessing during the period in which he had fallen. When you find out that you are reluctant to win souls, you are already backsliding.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. – Psalm 51:14-15
Another sign of backsliding is when praising God becomes a casual thing to a believer. David said in the passage above that If God restored him, he would praise Him. This is somebody who the Bible says used to dance with all his might for God, but because he had fallen into sin, even singing became a problem.
You can’t deceive God. When was the last time you worshipped God from the depth of your heart? Check your salvation, is it still Intact? Is your fire still burning bright? Are you as hot as you used to be or are you becoming lukewarm? Are you sleeping when you are supposed to be at the warfront for the Lord Jesus Christ? Answer these questions honestly within yourself.
I cried to God when I read about how David was relaxing at the time when kings go to war (2 Samuel 11:1-4). This is the man that said “If nobody will fight Goliath, I will go”. Each time I read of how he slept when he should have been at war, I cry “Father, don’t let my case be like this”. Ask yourself, when was the last time you won a soul for God? When was the last time you were willing to go out into territories no one would want to go to, preaching the gospel and not caring for your life? Are you sure that you are not sleeping when a war is going on?
The devil is waging a war to snatch your soul from the Lord (1 Peter 5:8); wake up from your slumber and return to your first love.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, help me to be vigilant at all times and to be passionate about winning souls for Your kingdom in the mighty name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 1-2
HYMNAL:
HYMN 21 – ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME
1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee!
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.
2. Not the labours of my hands,
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears for ever flow,
All for sin could not atone,
Thou must save and Thou alone.
3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace,
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.
4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Open Heaven 25th March 2021 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
