NIGERIA BAPTIST CONVENTION SEEK DAILY (NBC) Thursday, August 24 OPEN YOUR HEART

 

BAPTIST CONVENTION

SEEK DAILY (NBC)

Thursday, August 24

OPEN YOUR HEART

RBT: Ezekiel 1-4

Memory Verse: “As a fair exchange – I speak as to my children – open wide your hearts also.” 2 Corinthians 6:13, NIV

Bible Text: 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

6:11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 

6:12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 

6:13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also. 

To open up your heart means to talk in a very honest way about one's feeling to another. When a Christian gentleman and lady are in courtship, they open up their hearts one to another in other to gain trust and also to make the relationship smooth and enjoyable, and lead to marriage. 

Paul was open-minded in his relationship with the people of Corinth despite all the persecutions he went through. He loved them and did not withhold his fatherly and apostolic care from them. He preached the gospel to them with passion and was never a burden to them over his personal needs. Though the Corinthian people reacted differently from Paul's expectation, he was not discouraged.

 Instead, he admonished them to open up their hearts wide to him and the gospel. No matter how highly-placed you are, never look down on people especially your leaders. Rather, pray for them, deal with them with humility and open heart. Some of them have had to let go of their reputation in order to serve as ministers of the gospel. Having an open heart towards them will foster unity, encourage them and make their ministry to prosper in your life.

Insight: United we stand, divided we fall.

Prayer: Dear LORD, please let there be openness of heart in sincerity among Your people.