Open Heaven For Today 31 October 2019 – You Must Die Empty!

Open Heaven for Today 31 October 2019: [Thursday] – You Must Die Empty!

YOU MUST DIE EMPTY! – Thursday October 31^st 2019

Memorise: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Read: 2^nd Timothy 4:5-8 (KJV)

⁵ But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

⁶ For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

⁷ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Open Heaven for Today 31 October 2019  – You Must Die Empty

Bible in one year: Ezra 9-10, Hosea 2, Hymn: Sing hymn 4

Message:-

Someone once said that the graveyard is the richest place on earth, because in it lies buried many gifts, talents, untapped ideas and un-quantifiable capabilities. 

Open Heaven for Today 31 October 2019  – You Must Die Empty

The reason this assertion is somewhat true is that many people have died while still loaded with great ideas, treasures, unused potential and energy. In order not to fall into this category after passing onto be with the Lord, we must obey the admonition of the Holy Spirit in Ecclesiastics 9:10, which says:

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grace, wither thou goest.”

Anyone who walks in the light of this scripture will die empty, having used up all the gifts and good potential the Creator deposited in him or her to the glory of God.

Open Heaven for Today 31 October 2019: [Thursday] – You Must Die Empty 

An example of someone who emptied himself before going on to be with the Lord is Elijah. He left behind a double portion of his anointing, symbolised by his mantle which dropped from him as he transited to glory. This mantle immediately started working wonders for his successor, Elisha. Speaking on this, the Bible says in 2^nd Kings 2:14:

“And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.”

I believe Elijah’s mantle did not just fall from him; he deliberately released it to Elisha because he wanted to go empty. If Elijah had taken the anointing on his life to heaven, it would have been useless there. So, he released it to the generation that succeeded him. What a great life he lived! Another person who died empty was Paul. When you read through the testimonies of his life, you will agree with me that he died empty. He himself testified to this, saying in 2^nd Timothy 4:7-8:

Open Heaven for Today 31 October 2019 Thursday: Action Point

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Beloved, these people have run their own course, and they now serve as great examples to us. What will the testimony of your life be after your assignment here on earth is done? Strive to make it a glorious one of how you emptied yourself of all that God deposited in you.

Action Point:

Take stock of how well you are utilizing the gifts and potential God has deposited in you.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.