HOLINESS IS KEY - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 40-42
HOLINESS IS KEY Saturday, August 14, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8) READ: 1 Peter 1:13-16 If you must make it to the blessed land of Heaven, you must always be prepared. To do this, you must put your house in order.  The bottom line is, anything you will not be happy to see your family go through after your demise, take steps to prevent it before your home call. In addition, to show that you are ready, you must have settled every pending quarrel you have with others. A single grudge can keep you out of Heaven. Nothing will hinder you from making it to Heaven in Jesus’ Name. “But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:15). Another indispensable part of preparation for the Heaven-bound saint is a daily life of holiness. This cannot be compromised. Hebrews 12:14 says it is impossible to see God without holiness. Surprises await us in Heaven because many of the people we think will be there may be missing. Our father-in-the-Lord, Pa Akindayomi said when he got to the gates of Heaven, many of those he started the ministry with were at the pearly gates tied down like goats. They were denied access. Since he was about to go to be with the Lord, he could not have been telling us lies. You must be holy. Heaven is a prepared place for only the prepared. You cannot enter into Heaven by mistake. There could be error entry into an earthly country but not into Heaven. Entering Heaven is a serious business: it must be planned. Many people who openly confessed they were heading for Heaven ended up in hell for lack of planning. Some people say they are on their way to Heaven, yet, they have many skeletons in their cupboard. What are you covering up? What is that thing you are hiding from your spouse? Matthew 10:26 says it shall be thrown open someday.  In any case, you cannot hide anything from the Almighty God.  According to Proverbs 11:21, even though hands are joined together, when the day of rapture comes, there shall be a separation. If you want to go to Heaven, ask yourself: How prepared am I? How holy are you? To what extent do you obey God’s Word?  Do you wait to be forced before performing your Christian obligations? How pure are your thoughts? How clean are your hands? Are you involved in any shady deal? Search yourself! ACTION POINT: Father, make me live a holy life without compromising with sin daily.