RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 29 March 2013 PAINS OF EX-CHAMPIONS By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 29 March 2013

 PAINS OF EX-CHAMPIONS 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: “But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.” Judges 16:21

Read: Judges 16:20-21

Bible in one year:  Mark 4-6

Prayer point: thank God for your nation. Pray that God’s plan and purpose will be done and that God will uproot every hindrance on your path.

To remain a champion, there are certain activities that must be sustained, failing which the champion will lose his position. You shall not be dethroned in Jesus name. Activities such as prayers, fasting, self-denial and regular study of God’s Word do not respect educatinal level, wealth, status or marital status. In other words, if you were very prayerful during your secondary  days, but now believe that since you have bagged your doctorate degree, you do not need to pray as much again, don’t be surprised ¡f you end up in the teeth of lions. If you were poor but prayerful, now that you are rich, you should pray more, not less. If you could pray and fast while still young, now that you are older, do not diminish ¡n your prayer and fasting so that . what the enemy could not do to you when you were young, he would still be unable to do it to you now that you are old. This is why Mark 13:13 says only those who endure to the end will be saved. Your sacrifices and efforts must continue until you reach the finishing line. Philippians 3:12-14 says your past must not come between you and your future. If you think the cost of remaining a champion ¡s too much, then you may consider the alternative being an ex-champion. It is better to pay the price to remain a champion than to face the horrors of being an ex- champion. After Samson was dethroned, Judges 1 6:2 1 says, “But the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.”

It is horrible to be an ex-champion. It ¡s better never to have been a champion than to be an ex-champion. Samson lost Gods presence, his sight and freedom. An international champion became a local prisoner, a laughing stock to those he once terrorised. Do everything possible to refuse compromise, as the goal of that seemingly harmless temptation is to make you an ex-champion. Just one sin ¡s all the camp of the enemies require to shut you up permanently. There are many ex-champions around us today who are savouring the shame and losses of their new status Are you an ex-champion? Come back to God repentance, restitution and humility. Make 100 percent obedience your watchword henceforth. If you are sincere and steadfast, it is possible that God may reconsider using you again