Open Heaven 23 December 2024 RCCG Daily Devotional can be accessed below.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Open Heaven is a daily devotional guide written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), one of the largest evangelical churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.
Open Heaven 23 December 2024:
TOPIC: The Reason For His Birth (1)
MEMORISE: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14 ( KJV)
READ: Matthew 1:18-23 (KJV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 John 1; 3 John 1; Jude 1
MESSAGE
The birth of Jesus Christ was an important moment in the history of mankind. It was a pure demonstration of the love of God for the world (John 3:16), and His ability to bring His promises to pass, even when the devil tries to fight against them. In Matthew 2:16, he influenced Herod to go to great lengths to get Jesus killed. As a result, all the children aged two years and below in Jerusalem during that period were killed. However, the devil did not succeed because God had said that Jesus Christ will bruise his head.
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. – Genesis 3:15
In John 14:30, Jesus Christ said:
Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
By living a life that was void of sin, He successfully conquered the world (John 16:33). Through His righteousness, we can now live righteously and above the world. The Bible says in 1 John 5:4-5
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
As Christians, all we have to do is to truly believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and we will receive the power to live above sin. Philippians 2:13 says that He will work in us to do His perfect will, thereby putting an end to the sinful nature in us.
When we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we are celebrating our redemption from sin. We are celebrating not just His birth, but the event that made it possible for us to become born again such that we can now call ourselves children of God. The question now is, are you really born of God? The way to know if you are truly born of God is if you are living above sin. The Bible says in 1 John 3:9:
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Beloved, don’t just wine and dine in this season; understand that the birth of Jesus Christ has given you the ability to live above sin and to be victorious in the world. Walk in faith every day and live in this reality.
KEY POINT
The birth of Jesus has empowered you to live above sin and to overcome the world.
HYMN 14 – O What A Wonderful, Wonderful Day
1 O what a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget
After I’d wandered in darkness away
Jesus my Saviour I met
O what a tender, compassionate friend
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart
Heaven came down
and glory filled my soul
When at the cross my Saviour made me whole
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
2 Born of the Spirit with life from above
Into God’s fam’ly divine
Justified fully thru Calvary’s love
O what a standing is mine
And the transaction so quickly was made
When as a sinner I came
Took of the offer of grace He did proffer
He saved me, O praise His dear name
3 Now I’ve hope that will surely endure
After the passing of time;
I have a future in Heaven for sure
There in those mansions sublime
And it’s because of that wonderful day
When at the cross I believed;
Riches eternal and blessings supernal
From His precious hand I received.
