Thursday, 2nd February, 2023
Bible Reading: John 3:1-7, 1 Corinthians 15: 58a
Memory Verse: Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3 (BSB)
Are you truly converted? This is one of the most definite issues you must settle in this New Year. There is no eternal success or manifestation without Jesus being at the centre of your life. THE PRICE OF ALL OF GOD IS ALL OF YOU. Can you say you love Jesus more than your job, your money, your spouse or your children? Time will tell. Many are a product of emergency conversation. As it were, they gave their life to Christ under duress. Consider a man on his sick bed gasping for breath.
Mere introducing Jesus to him at that critical time of his life will most likely get his attention because he is desperate for healing. Such is a case of emergency conversion. It will take a deeper work of grace in his heart to be convincingly convicted and converted. What happens if Jesus decides to “delay” healing you of your ailment? Now you see what I mean. The children of Israel saw the many acts and signs of God yet were not deeply converted. What an irony. A miracle or multiple miracles are not enough proofs to substantiate your conviction in Christ.
Should a kidnapper or religious fanatic point a gun on your head threatening to kill you if you refuse not to renounce Jesus, would you? Don’t say that can’t happen to you. Ask Christians in Northern Nigeria. Many of them watched their loved ones butchered right before their eyes when they chose not to renounce their faith. Many of them are living on egg shells. They seem to be prepared for the worst while they trust God for the best.
The Christians in The Islamic Republic of Pakistan can hardly organize an open crusade. Such things are at their risk of their lives. About 97% of Pakistanis are Muslims. Pakistan has the second largest number of Muslims in the world after Indonesia. A pastor sold his cars, houses, and other properties to host Apostle Michael Orokpo for a open air crusade in that same country. The crusade estimatedly cost about $50,000.
They had to move from one place to another on each day of the crusade. They couldn’t stay only in one place else there could be a religious uproar. Again, I say unto you: Are you a emergency convert? Do you know God for yourself? Are you ready to go the extra length for Jesus in pain or gain, lack or plenty, misfortune or fortune? Should you turn your back on Jesus if your parents or boss ostracize you for accepting Christ, then you are of an inferior material.
Quote: Many who go for gifts miss the Giver.
Prophetic Decree: May your heart rend open at the appearing of Christ, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Sing the hymn: Deeper, Deeper in the Love of Jesus on page
2. Holy Spirit, please try my heart. Help me to know how deeply convicted I am.
3. Sing the song of consecration by GUC: “I am your own…I am your own..till the day you will come…Jesus I am your own”.
4. In the face of death, pain, lack or debt, please help me to serve you and love you without compromise, in Jesus name.
5. I refuse to be an emergency convert. I receive grace to be deeply rooted in Christ Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 10-12
HYMN: DEEPER, DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS
1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher ev’ry day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy word.
2. Deeper, deeper! blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
3. Deeper, deeper! tho’ it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
4. Deeper, higher, ev’ry day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.