Open Heavens 1 February 2016: Monday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Looking unto Jesus II

Topic: Looking unto Jesus II [Monday 1 February, 2016]

Memorise: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; – Hebrews 12:2a

Read: Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 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.

Bible in One Year: Matthew 19:1-21:27; Job 14:7-17

MESSAGE:

The phrase "Looking unto Jesus" contains three very important words of salvation, encouragement and direction for daily Christian living. Nicodemus, in his search for the true God and eternal life like every human being, approached Jesus for possible understanding. Jesus made the new birth very plain by using an Old Testament illustration of the fiery serpents of brass put on a pole for the Israelites to look upon as recorded in the book of Numbers 21:8-9.

“14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." - John 3:14-15

As looking unto the brass serpent on a pole in faith brought healing to the children of Israel in the wilderness, so also, whosoever shall look unto the crucified Christ as the Messiah and the Saviour of the world by faith, shall receive forgiveness of sins and be born again.

From time to time in the rigorous journey of life, we sometimes find ourselves in a state of tiredness and confusion. At such times, Apostle Paul in Hebrews 12:1-2 admonishes us to run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith for encouragement. We are not to look into Jesus for encouragement only, we are also to look into Jesus as our perfect example, so as to follow in His footsteps.

“21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” - 1 Peter 2:21-23

Looking unto other gods for deliverance, healing and salvation has brought untold hardship and loss to many, while looking unto great men and women that are successful in life and ministry has resulted in great disappointment, sorrow and pain. As a matter of fact, this has been a major of failure in life, but there is no failure or disappointment in Jesus. Looking unto Jesus can only increase your faith and lead to physical and spiritual upliftment.

We are to look unto Jesus in our daily Christian living as the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End who provides us with direction through His Word. This also brings us in contact with the Divine knowledge, wisdom and power of God. An ordinary person therefore, becomes equipped to do exploits of supernatural dimensions.

Prayer Point: Father, Please give me the grace to always look unto You for everything I need in life.

Open Heavens 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.

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