GOD'S ELECT- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 1-3
GOD’S ELECT Sunday, May 23, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10) READ: 1 Thess. 1:2-7 A crucial requirement to make Heaven is the possession of virginity.  Spiritually, a virgin is one who has never backslidden after knowing the Lord. He or she is not only called but chosen (Matt. 20:16). Not every minister will make it to Heaven because although many are called but not all will be chosen. John 15:16 says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you”. Before a choice is made, there are options. If offered employment in a particular organization, you may either accept or reject the offer.  But if three different organizations offer you a job, you will prayerfully consider them before accepting one. God had several people queuing for the same spiritual vacancy before choosing you. This is why Mark 13:20 calls the chosen the elect. There was an election in Heaven and votes were cast for you.This is why you must not fail God over the assignment for which you were called. 2 Peter 1:10 says, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall”. How are you justifying Heaven’s confidence in you?  Each time you stray from God’s path, purpose and will, you make the Heavenly host regret their choice. That you were chosen suggests that you are special. You were chosen to be precious (1 Peter 2:4).  Those who are chosen are called into divine friendship (Is. 41:8). The chosen is allowed to draw nearer to God. Having been chosen, how close are you to God? Heaven defends the chosen to any extent. God can turn impossibility into possibility and make miracles common place in the life of the chosen. You will find rivers in the deserts of the chosen. Are you truly chosen? If you recognize Heaven’s calling on your life, you cannot afford to live like the average Christian.  You cannot do what everyone else does. You must be different.  You would abide by Heaven’s living standards and please the One who has chosen you. To what extent are you living like the chosen which you are? ACTION POINT: Ask for grace to live in accordance with the rules that govern the chosen.