Open Heaven Daily Devotional 23 Dec 2024 

TOPIC:  The Reason For His Birth

READ: Matthew 1:18-23 (KJV)

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

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 John 1; 3 John 1; Jude 1

Open Heaven Daily Devotional 23 Dec 2024 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 would 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 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?

READ RCCG Open Heaven Daily Devotional 20 December 2024 – The Lord Who provides for You

As Christians, all we have to do is 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 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.

HYMNAL O what a wonderful, wonderful day

O what a wonderful, wonderful
day, day I will never forget;
After I’d wandered in darkness
away, Jesus my Savior 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 the Savior
made me whole;
My sins were washed away and
my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory
filled my soul!

Born of the Spirit with life from
above into God’s family 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!

Heaven came down and glory
filled my soul,
When at the cross the Savior
made me whole;
My sins were washed away and
my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory
filled my soul!

Now I’ve a 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.

Heaven came down and glory
filled my soul,
When at the cross the Savior
made me whole;
My sins were washed away and
my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory
filled my soul!