Memorise: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; John 8:31
Read: John 8:31-32
Bible in one year: Mark 1-3
There are different types of bondages - spiritual, mental, financial, physical, psychological, etc. A lot of people are in one form of bondage or the other. The desire of everyone in bondage is freedom. If you do not know you are in bondage, you may never seek to be free. This is the greatest form of bondage one can ever experience. When a mad man sees and tells a sane fellow that he is mad, you can tell his madness has reached a great height. The greatest need of the one in bondage is information. What you know has a direct bearing on your freedom or otherwise. But it is not just about getting knowledge but getting the right knowledge. In John 8:32, Jesus says,
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Only the truth can deliver freedom to captives. In other words, if the information you are exposed to is not the truth, instead of being free, you will go deeper into bondage. Many people are in bondage today because they were exposed to wrong information. What kind of information are you exposed to?
A look at today's passage tells us of a chain of events and their final outcome. It says that the truth that sets free does not just come but is released after certain conditions have been met. First, the candidate for freedom must move from unbelief to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as saviour. He or she must be born-again. Then the fellow must be exposed to the Word of God, receive the Word, think on it and do it, then he becomes a disciple. It is at this stage that the Word will release the revelation that can bring deliverance. After the revelation comes from God's Word, it follows a process in order to set free. This process involves applying the revelation and standing in faith. After this, you will begin to see situations change for the best. This means if you work on your relationship with God and His Word, your bondage will go. Also, God's freedom tips are best shared with those He can trust and confide in. How close are you to Him? Are you a believer in Christ? Move on in your relationship with Him. The closer you are to Him the more of His liberating secrets you will receive.
Prayer point: Father; take me to a level of relationship with You where I will readily have access to revelations of Your truth.
Thursday 28 March 2013
Wednesday 27 March 2013
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION WEDNESDAY 27TH MARCH 2013 RELATING WITH ENEMIES BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:9
Read: 1 Peter 5:8-9
Bible in one year: Job 38-42
The Lord Jesus Christ gave three orders to His army on earth. First, we are to love, which is the greatest of all. Second, we are to recruit civilians into His army. The third order has to do with our relationship with the enemy. James 4:7 says,
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
If you are a soldier of Jesus, you are expected to resist the devil. To resist entails applying force in preventing something from happening. If you do not understand your relationship with your enemies, you will waste God's valuable resources and turn yourself into a laughing stock. For instance, many people bind the devil while they are expected to resist him. He will only laugh at them and continue to do what he was doing. Such a Christian may think that the devil has either become more powerful or God's Word has become less potent, not knowing that the problem is with him or her. Stop straying from the code of conduct guiding God's army! According to Revelation 20:1-3 j the only time Satan will be bound is sometime in the future. One big angel with great authority will bind the devil and throw him into his prison - the bottomless pit; he will be there for 1000 years. On the other hand, you can bind demons or evil spirits and cast them out.
How do you resist the devil? It is by being steadfast in the faith. Satan is a very persistent opponent, in resisting him you must be unmovable. You must doggedly refuse to shift grounds. Satan knows how to muster several demons to put pressure on someone to give in. He cannot sustain this for too long but within that period, the fellow will be virtually under immense pressure. At such a time, leave the vicinity of that temptation, shut the eyes of your mind to that temptation, pray in the spirit and consciously affirm that you are not yielding to Satan's pressure. Confess in the name of Jesus Christ, I resist you Satan. Every demon assigned against me on this matter, I bind and cast you out of this situation. In the name of Jesus, I refuse to yield my members to sin but to righteousness (Romans 6:11-14). Sin shall not dominate my body because I am now under grace, etc. As you continue to resist even in tiredness, the devil will flee from you. So always use the Word of God to ward him off.
Action point: Pray that God will grant you grace to increase your resolve and not to yield to Satan as Satan increases his resolve to bring you down.
Read: 1 Peter 5:8-9
Bible in one year: Job 38-42
The Lord Jesus Christ gave three orders to His army on earth. First, we are to love, which is the greatest of all. Second, we are to recruit civilians into His army. The third order has to do with our relationship with the enemy. James 4:7 says,
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
If you are a soldier of Jesus, you are expected to resist the devil. To resist entails applying force in preventing something from happening. If you do not understand your relationship with your enemies, you will waste God's valuable resources and turn yourself into a laughing stock. For instance, many people bind the devil while they are expected to resist him. He will only laugh at them and continue to do what he was doing. Such a Christian may think that the devil has either become more powerful or God's Word has become less potent, not knowing that the problem is with him or her. Stop straying from the code of conduct guiding God's army! According to Revelation 20:1-3 j the only time Satan will be bound is sometime in the future. One big angel with great authority will bind the devil and throw him into his prison - the bottomless pit; he will be there for 1000 years. On the other hand, you can bind demons or evil spirits and cast them out.
How do you resist the devil? It is by being steadfast in the faith. Satan is a very persistent opponent, in resisting him you must be unmovable. You must doggedly refuse to shift grounds. Satan knows how to muster several demons to put pressure on someone to give in. He cannot sustain this for too long but within that period, the fellow will be virtually under immense pressure. At such a time, leave the vicinity of that temptation, shut the eyes of your mind to that temptation, pray in the spirit and consciously affirm that you are not yielding to Satan's pressure. Confess in the name of Jesus Christ, I resist you Satan. Every demon assigned against me on this matter, I bind and cast you out of this situation. In the name of Jesus, I refuse to yield my members to sin but to righteousness (Romans 6:11-14). Sin shall not dominate my body because I am now under grace, etc. As you continue to resist even in tiredness, the devil will flee from you. So always use the Word of God to ward him off.
Action point: Pray that God will grant you grace to increase your resolve and not to yield to Satan as Satan increases his resolve to bring you down.
Tuesday 26 March 2013
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION TUESDAY 26TH MARCH 2013 AVOID PRAISE SINGERS! BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise: That no flesh should glory in his presence. 1 Corinthians 1:29
Read: 1 Samuel 18: 5-9
Bible in one year: Job 35-37
Another tool Satan can use to derail you from your trip to Heaven is the friend you trust. It is good to have friends - good and God-fearing ones at that. Yet, you have to deal cautiously with such friends so that you don't fall if the devil decides to use them. Learn from the relationship between Jesus and Peter. Peter was very close to the Master and loved Him greatly. One day, Peter received a revelation from God and Jesus openly commended him. When the devil saw this, he immediately used the same Peter in a bid to derail God's plan for Jesus (Matthew 16: 15-17, 21-23). Be watchful of prayer warriors! If the devil sees that they are used of God to strengthen and direct you, he might want to speak through them to derail you. You shall not fall into Satan's trap!
Moreover, another tool Satan can use to derail you is people showing gratitude. It is good to be grateful. But if the devil knows that you like to be appreciated a lot, he may use someone who is very, very grateful and at the end, it will be a different story. There are some grateful ladies who started by just going to thank the pastor for the way the Lord used him to bless, help or deliver them. They kept going to thank them until they were a little too grateful, and before long, they got pastor into adultery. Beware of very grateful people! One way out of this is to point the fellow to the One who did the miracle - God. He will not share His glory with anyone else, not even the vessel He used! In 1 Samuel 18:5-9, after David defeated Goliath by God's backing, the women were so grateful that they composed a song of praise just to say, Thank you to David. From that day, that song created problems for David and he knew no rest for several years. Never allow those who are praising you to derail your trip to Heaven!
Key point: When men thank you, never receive it, simply forward it to God. It is to save your neck.
Read: 1 Samuel 18: 5-9
Bible in one year: Job 35-37
Another tool Satan can use to derail you from your trip to Heaven is the friend you trust. It is good to have friends - good and God-fearing ones at that. Yet, you have to deal cautiously with such friends so that you don't fall if the devil decides to use them. Learn from the relationship between Jesus and Peter. Peter was very close to the Master and loved Him greatly. One day, Peter received a revelation from God and Jesus openly commended him. When the devil saw this, he immediately used the same Peter in a bid to derail God's plan for Jesus (Matthew 16: 15-17, 21-23). Be watchful of prayer warriors! If the devil sees that they are used of God to strengthen and direct you, he might want to speak through them to derail you. You shall not fall into Satan's trap!
Moreover, another tool Satan can use to derail you is people showing gratitude. It is good to be grateful. But if the devil knows that you like to be appreciated a lot, he may use someone who is very, very grateful and at the end, it will be a different story. There are some grateful ladies who started by just going to thank the pastor for the way the Lord used him to bless, help or deliver them. They kept going to thank them until they were a little too grateful, and before long, they got pastor into adultery. Beware of very grateful people! One way out of this is to point the fellow to the One who did the miracle - God. He will not share His glory with anyone else, not even the vessel He used! In 1 Samuel 18:5-9, after David defeated Goliath by God's backing, the women were so grateful that they composed a song of praise just to say, Thank you to David. From that day, that song created problems for David and he knew no rest for several years. Never allow those who are praising you to derail your trip to Heaven!
Key point: When men thank you, never receive it, simply forward it to God. It is to save your neck.
Monday 25 March 2013
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION MONDAY 25TH MARCH 2013 GOD, SO APPROACHABLE BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise: Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Hebrews 10:19
Read: Esther 5:1-3
Bible in one Year: Job 32-34
When Queen Esther went into the inner court of the king, she risked her life, but because she obtained favour, the king stretched the golden sceptre he was holding towards her. She was then allowed to approach the king and he made her an incredible offer. The first thing we learn in this story is that powerful kings are not easily approached except according to laid down rules, otherwise the individual could lose his or her life. As it is with earthly kings with regards to access, so is it with the King of kings. When God was about to come down on Mount Sinai, He gave specific instructions to the children of Israel. For them to approach His presence, they were to be set apart for two days, abstains from sex, wash their clothes and make themselves presentable. Yet, while in God's presence, they must keep a safe distance from the mountain. Whoever touched the mountain - be it man or beast would have to die (Exodus 19:10-13). Not even the priests were allowed .to climb up to meet the Lord at the top of the mountain; any priest that dared violate God's instruction would be personally dealt with by God (Exodus 19:22).
Similarly, during their worship in the temple, while everyone else could worship at the outer court, only the Levites could access the inner court, while only the high priest was allowed once a year, to enter the innermost part -the Holy of holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. While going in, the high priest will have a rope tied to his leg and some bells were attached round about the lower ends of his apron, so that if he goes in and is not clean enough and dies in God's presence, the rope will be used to pull him out. But while ushering in the New Testament by His blood, our Lord Jesus Christ changed this. When He died, the curtain preventing people from seeing the Holy of holies was torn into two, meaning through Jesus Christ, we can now access God directly (Hebrews 9:1-8; Matthew 27:50-51). Today, to access God's presence by the blood of Jesus, all you need to do is to come to Him with thanksgiving and to worship him with praises. However, never take such easy access for granted! It cost Jesus Christ His life! But if you come before His presence with sin in your life, you will not be able to gain access except you first repent and forsake the sin. You must have clean hands and a pure heart, a right spirit and humility. Come with praise and thanksgiving. Come in the name of Jesus and you will gain entry. Thank God for the easy access we now have into God's presence.
Prayer point: Father, thank You for giving me access into Your presence. Lord, let me never be denied this access both now and in eternity.
Read: Esther 5:1-3
Bible in one Year: Job 32-34
When Queen Esther went into the inner court of the king, she risked her life, but because she obtained favour, the king stretched the golden sceptre he was holding towards her. She was then allowed to approach the king and he made her an incredible offer. The first thing we learn in this story is that powerful kings are not easily approached except according to laid down rules, otherwise the individual could lose his or her life. As it is with earthly kings with regards to access, so is it with the King of kings. When God was about to come down on Mount Sinai, He gave specific instructions to the children of Israel. For them to approach His presence, they were to be set apart for two days, abstains from sex, wash their clothes and make themselves presentable. Yet, while in God's presence, they must keep a safe distance from the mountain. Whoever touched the mountain - be it man or beast would have to die (Exodus 19:10-13). Not even the priests were allowed .to climb up to meet the Lord at the top of the mountain; any priest that dared violate God's instruction would be personally dealt with by God (Exodus 19:22).
Similarly, during their worship in the temple, while everyone else could worship at the outer court, only the Levites could access the inner court, while only the high priest was allowed once a year, to enter the innermost part -the Holy of holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. While going in, the high priest will have a rope tied to his leg and some bells were attached round about the lower ends of his apron, so that if he goes in and is not clean enough and dies in God's presence, the rope will be used to pull him out. But while ushering in the New Testament by His blood, our Lord Jesus Christ changed this. When He died, the curtain preventing people from seeing the Holy of holies was torn into two, meaning through Jesus Christ, we can now access God directly (Hebrews 9:1-8; Matthew 27:50-51). Today, to access God's presence by the blood of Jesus, all you need to do is to come to Him with thanksgiving and to worship him with praises. However, never take such easy access for granted! It cost Jesus Christ His life! But if you come before His presence with sin in your life, you will not be able to gain access except you first repent and forsake the sin. You must have clean hands and a pure heart, a right spirit and humility. Come with praise and thanksgiving. Come in the name of Jesus and you will gain entry. Thank God for the easy access we now have into God's presence.
Prayer point: Father, thank You for giving me access into Your presence. Lord, let me never be denied this access both now and in eternity.
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION SUNDAY 24TH MARCH 2013 BEWARE OF DRAIN PIPES! BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise: Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. Acts 23:5
Read: Leviticus 6:1-6
Bible in one year: Job 28-31
Restitution is the act of restoring what was fraudulently taken. It also involves presenting the truth about the lies earlier told concerning a given situation. It is a way to straighten crooked paths. Restitution is for the good of the one doing it Having a pending restitution can actually get you grounded. Many years ago, on my way to the University of Ibadan for a Bible study, we drove into a fuel (gas) station to refuel. The following morning as we were about to leave, the car started but it refused to move. After several efforts, we got a mechanic who checked and said there was water in the carburettor. The fuel we bought was a mixture of petrol (gas) and water. He said we would have to drop the fuel tank and separate the fuel (gas) from the water before the car would move. This illustrates restitution. As long as water is mixed with your fuel, you are spiritually grounded. Your engine may start but the car would not move from its current location.
Another analogy is something called a treadmill which keeps going round. If you stand on it, you will have the impression that you are moving forward but in actual terms, you are still at the same spot. Refusing to restitute places you on a spiritual treadmill, there will be lots of motion, noise, activity and effort but no displacement. Pending restitutions have swallowed the labour of many brethren but they are out there looking for the witch or wizard or even an ancestor they think is responsible, rather than looking inwards. If you have remained for so long on the same spot, or you have made so much effort without commensurate results, pause a while and check your life to find out if there is an area where you have failed to restitute. If you find such, ask God for forgiveness and go ahead and restitute. People procrastinate a lot concerning restitution and in the process, some have died without settling them, thereby facing the likelihood of missing Heaven. Do that restitution today! Tomorrow may either be too late or may not even come for that fellow.
Key point: Pending restitution is a drain pipe through which efforts that should give you increase are wasted. The more of it you have, the more wasted and drained you will be.
Read: Leviticus 6:1-6
Bible in one year: Job 28-31
Restitution is the act of restoring what was fraudulently taken. It also involves presenting the truth about the lies earlier told concerning a given situation. It is a way to straighten crooked paths. Restitution is for the good of the one doing it Having a pending restitution can actually get you grounded. Many years ago, on my way to the University of Ibadan for a Bible study, we drove into a fuel (gas) station to refuel. The following morning as we were about to leave, the car started but it refused to move. After several efforts, we got a mechanic who checked and said there was water in the carburettor. The fuel we bought was a mixture of petrol (gas) and water. He said we would have to drop the fuel tank and separate the fuel (gas) from the water before the car would move. This illustrates restitution. As long as water is mixed with your fuel, you are spiritually grounded. Your engine may start but the car would not move from its current location.
Another analogy is something called a treadmill which keeps going round. If you stand on it, you will have the impression that you are moving forward but in actual terms, you are still at the same spot. Refusing to restitute places you on a spiritual treadmill, there will be lots of motion, noise, activity and effort but no displacement. Pending restitutions have swallowed the labour of many brethren but they are out there looking for the witch or wizard or even an ancestor they think is responsible, rather than looking inwards. If you have remained for so long on the same spot, or you have made so much effort without commensurate results, pause a while and check your life to find out if there is an area where you have failed to restitute. If you find such, ask God for forgiveness and go ahead and restitute. People procrastinate a lot concerning restitution and in the process, some have died without settling them, thereby facing the likelihood of missing Heaven. Do that restitution today! Tomorrow may either be too late or may not even come for that fellow.
Key point: Pending restitution is a drain pipe through which efforts that should give you increase are wasted. The more of it you have, the more wasted and drained you will be.
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION SATURDAY 23TH MARCH 2013 ASK FOR SPIRITUAL SIGHT BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - 2 Corinthians 11vs13: For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ
Read: 2 Corinthians 11:12-15
Bible in one year: Malachi 3-4
The gift of discerning of spirits opens your eyes to see into the spirit world. It also helps you to differentiate angels from demons because the devil sometimes masquerades as an angel.
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light"2 Corinthians 11:14
Such practices have been ongoing since the days of the early church. Paul saw deceitful workers and ministers take the shape of godly workers and ministers. Even Satan's apostles began to camouflage as apostles of Christ. Don't be surprised to see them in the church. When a church is growing, all sorts of people will come, including Satan's agents. Some will join the choir while some others will become ushers or preachers; this is why we need this gift today. You must be able to differentiate between genuine workers and pretenders who appear to pray very well and are so hard working, but their plan is to bring down the pastor.
Some people always rush to any gathering where the name of Jesus is mentioned in their quest for miracles or anointing. It takes the gift of discerning of spirits to know that not all empowerment is from God. The mad man of Gadara was so powerful that he could tear iron with bare hands, but what was the source of that power? From demons of course! If you placed him side by side Samson, you may hardly notice any difference. Samson could by the anointing of the Holy Spirit uproot the city gates, while the mad man of Gadara could not be stopped by any man or chains made by men. Some people easily run to so called prophets of God who often boast of just coming down from the mountain after spending weeks or months there. Don't you know that satanic agents spend months and weeks on mountains too? Mark 5:5 says the Gadarene demoniac spent long periods on mountains and in tombs. Be not deceived! Some Christians are so naive and undiscerning that when Satan prays for them on the television, internet programme or meeting, they will say Amen to it! God forbid! Are you so desperate for miracle that you do not mind who prays for you, what spirit the fellow is using and the aftermath of receiving such so called prayers? If you are nonchalant in your quest for spiritual food, you may end up scavenging in a refuse dump. Ask the Lord to open your eyes today!
Key Point: If you mind your physical health, you will eat selectively; if you mind your spiritual health you will choose your spiritual diet.
Read: 2 Corinthians 11:12-15
Bible in one year: Malachi 3-4
The gift of discerning of spirits opens your eyes to see into the spirit world. It also helps you to differentiate angels from demons because the devil sometimes masquerades as an angel.
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light"2 Corinthians 11:14
Such practices have been ongoing since the days of the early church. Paul saw deceitful workers and ministers take the shape of godly workers and ministers. Even Satan's apostles began to camouflage as apostles of Christ. Don't be surprised to see them in the church. When a church is growing, all sorts of people will come, including Satan's agents. Some will join the choir while some others will become ushers or preachers; this is why we need this gift today. You must be able to differentiate between genuine workers and pretenders who appear to pray very well and are so hard working, but their plan is to bring down the pastor.
Some people always rush to any gathering where the name of Jesus is mentioned in their quest for miracles or anointing. It takes the gift of discerning of spirits to know that not all empowerment is from God. The mad man of Gadara was so powerful that he could tear iron with bare hands, but what was the source of that power? From demons of course! If you placed him side by side Samson, you may hardly notice any difference. Samson could by the anointing of the Holy Spirit uproot the city gates, while the mad man of Gadara could not be stopped by any man or chains made by men. Some people easily run to so called prophets of God who often boast of just coming down from the mountain after spending weeks or months there. Don't you know that satanic agents spend months and weeks on mountains too? Mark 5:5 says the Gadarene demoniac spent long periods on mountains and in tombs. Be not deceived! Some Christians are so naive and undiscerning that when Satan prays for them on the television, internet programme or meeting, they will say Amen to it! God forbid! Are you so desperate for miracle that you do not mind who prays for you, what spirit the fellow is using and the aftermath of receiving such so called prayers? If you are nonchalant in your quest for spiritual food, you may end up scavenging in a refuse dump. Ask the Lord to open your eyes today!
Key Point: If you mind your physical health, you will eat selectively; if you mind your spiritual health you will choose your spiritual diet.
Friday 22 March 2013
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION FRIDAY 22TH MARCH 2013 SUSTAIN YOUR SACRIFICES BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - Philippians 3vs14 : I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Read: Philippians 3:12-15
Bible: in one year: Malachi 1-2
Life is full of battles, contests and struggles. When you win an opponent in a contest, you become a champion or winner. It is not easy to be a champion as it requires great efforts, but to sustain being a champion is even more challenging. All those involved in a contest are potential champions. However out of these, some may never experience what it is like to be a champion. For those who succeed in making it, being a champion is not the end but the beginning of the story. After making several costly sacrifices to become a champion, more daily sacrifices will be required of you to remain a champion. An adage says: "The price of safety is unrelenting vigilance". For your light to continue to burn brightly there must be constant supply of fuel. There are some spiritual exercises that you cannot afford to stop doing in order to remain relevant. Why do you think Paul said we should pray without ceasing? Or, why do you think he fasted often as recorded in 2 Corinthians 11:27?
You cannot say because you prayed throughout January, there is no need for you to pray for the remaining part of the year. Why? The prayer effort for January cannot sustain you to the end of the year. Certain things must be repeated in order to achieve greater impact. As it is in the spiritual, so is it in the physical. Take a cue from the daily ritual of bathing, when you clean up your body on 1st of January, would you refuse to clean up on subsequent days? When you cut your nails, not long after you will discover they are grown again. 1 Kings 18:1-24 indicates there is no stopping until you get to your destination. After the monthly Holy Ghost service, some who attend never bother to have their own vigil. In the same vein, some people who take part in the month of fasting early in the year never bother to fast for the rest of the year. That you attended Bible Study on a particular Tuesday does not mean that you should not make out time to personally study the Bible for the rest of that week. You must never forget who you are! Usually, when believers fail to do what they are expected to do, it is because they have forgotten who they are. You are a divine champion. You are created to stay that way. But what are you doing to stay a champion? Every daily effort you fail to make gradually erodes your position. Pay the price today!
'Prayer point: A champion who fails to sustain what took him up will soon be an exchampion. Father; by all means help me that I may maintain my position as a champion.
Read: Philippians 3:12-15
Bible: in one year: Malachi 1-2
Life is full of battles, contests and struggles. When you win an opponent in a contest, you become a champion or winner. It is not easy to be a champion as it requires great efforts, but to sustain being a champion is even more challenging. All those involved in a contest are potential champions. However out of these, some may never experience what it is like to be a champion. For those who succeed in making it, being a champion is not the end but the beginning of the story. After making several costly sacrifices to become a champion, more daily sacrifices will be required of you to remain a champion. An adage says: "The price of safety is unrelenting vigilance". For your light to continue to burn brightly there must be constant supply of fuel. There are some spiritual exercises that you cannot afford to stop doing in order to remain relevant. Why do you think Paul said we should pray without ceasing? Or, why do you think he fasted often as recorded in 2 Corinthians 11:27?
You cannot say because you prayed throughout January, there is no need for you to pray for the remaining part of the year. Why? The prayer effort for January cannot sustain you to the end of the year. Certain things must be repeated in order to achieve greater impact. As it is in the spiritual, so is it in the physical. Take a cue from the daily ritual of bathing, when you clean up your body on 1st of January, would you refuse to clean up on subsequent days? When you cut your nails, not long after you will discover they are grown again. 1 Kings 18:1-24 indicates there is no stopping until you get to your destination. After the monthly Holy Ghost service, some who attend never bother to have their own vigil. In the same vein, some people who take part in the month of fasting early in the year never bother to fast for the rest of the year. That you attended Bible Study on a particular Tuesday does not mean that you should not make out time to personally study the Bible for the rest of that week. You must never forget who you are! Usually, when believers fail to do what they are expected to do, it is because they have forgotten who they are. You are a divine champion. You are created to stay that way. But what are you doing to stay a champion? Every daily effort you fail to make gradually erodes your position. Pay the price today!
'Prayer point: A champion who fails to sustain what took him up will soon be an exchampion. Father; by all means help me that I may maintain my position as a champion.
Thursday 21 March 2013
Every Day For Jesus!
Beloved of God, life is beautiful not because of the material things we possess, new car, new home, gold, silver etc. These things can disappear in a twinkle or you can be dead in a minute, leaving them behind. Life is beautiful because of Jesus. Jesus is the reason we live in divine health, divine prosperity, divine protection, and all the beautiful things divinity has brought. The Bible says, "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace (grace heaped upon grace)..John 1:16." Jesus is full of grace and out His fullness we all have benefited. You need His grace to carry you through each day, to put you ahead of any negative situation. How do I receive this grace you ask? By studying His Word, speaking His Word over the situation, giving praises to God etc..Live Every Day For Jesus! No wonder the Bible says, 2 Peter 3:18, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." So have you prayed today? Have you studied your Bible today, Did you sing praises to God today? Are you living for Jesus today?
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION THURSDAY 21TH MARCH 2013 ON NEW FOCUS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - 2 Timothy 2vs2 : And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Read: Numbers 11:10-17
Bible in one year: Haggai 1-2
As you advance in age, there is need to adopt more effective ways of serving the Lord. There is need to move from hitting the rock to speaking to the rock. There is need to shift from human wisdom to divine wisdom. You will need to move from doing things in your strength to doing things in His unlimited strength. Furthermore, according to Exodus 17:8-13, you should learn to apply the principle of division of labour to be more effective. It is not possible to do everything by yourself. Even if it were possible, results will come to you at great expense. Let everyone play their God-given role, you just create an atmosphere conducive for them to work. Delegate more responsibilities without abdicating your supervisory role. When you delegate, release the commensurate authority for the fellow to perform. In Numbers 11:10-17, the Lord asked Moses to enlist 70 elders to help him with his assignment. Before then, Moses carried all the anointing alone.
Some leaders fail to delegate responsibilities to younger ministers and pastors because of fear of the unknown. They are afraid that such ministers may fail. It is possible they fail, but if past leaders never trusted you to a point of giving you the opportunities you had, where would you be today? A true leader will create opportunities for those under him to grow. What opportunities are you giving to those under you? It is your responsibility to train those who will take over from you. Your degree of success in ministry or otherwise will depend on how many seemingly unusable or untrained brethren the Lord used you to turn around into reliable, dedicated workers and ministers. Besides, as you grow older, you must increasingly work on your intimacy with God. Zechariah 4:6 says it is not by your ability but by His ability. When divine goals are set, you need divine strength, wisdom and grace to accomplish them. As you grow older, you should reappraise your focus. You should be thinking more about Heaven and hold Colossians 3:1-2 dear to your heart. You should be working towards your Heavenly crowns and loading your heavenly bank accounts. Some people are still so committed to pursuing money even at old age that you would wonder if they have anything at stake in Heaven. In what direction is your labour, heart and focus tilted to-to the earth or Heaven?
Key point: The overbearing attitude of some leaders has robbed them of their helpers and fast-tracked their untimely exit from the earth.
Read: Numbers 11:10-17
Bible in one year: Haggai 1-2
As you advance in age, there is need to adopt more effective ways of serving the Lord. There is need to move from hitting the rock to speaking to the rock. There is need to shift from human wisdom to divine wisdom. You will need to move from doing things in your strength to doing things in His unlimited strength. Furthermore, according to Exodus 17:8-13, you should learn to apply the principle of division of labour to be more effective. It is not possible to do everything by yourself. Even if it were possible, results will come to you at great expense. Let everyone play their God-given role, you just create an atmosphere conducive for them to work. Delegate more responsibilities without abdicating your supervisory role. When you delegate, release the commensurate authority for the fellow to perform. In Numbers 11:10-17, the Lord asked Moses to enlist 70 elders to help him with his assignment. Before then, Moses carried all the anointing alone.
Some leaders fail to delegate responsibilities to younger ministers and pastors because of fear of the unknown. They are afraid that such ministers may fail. It is possible they fail, but if past leaders never trusted you to a point of giving you the opportunities you had, where would you be today? A true leader will create opportunities for those under him to grow. What opportunities are you giving to those under you? It is your responsibility to train those who will take over from you. Your degree of success in ministry or otherwise will depend on how many seemingly unusable or untrained brethren the Lord used you to turn around into reliable, dedicated workers and ministers. Besides, as you grow older, you must increasingly work on your intimacy with God. Zechariah 4:6 says it is not by your ability but by His ability. When divine goals are set, you need divine strength, wisdom and grace to accomplish them. As you grow older, you should reappraise your focus. You should be thinking more about Heaven and hold Colossians 3:1-2 dear to your heart. You should be working towards your Heavenly crowns and loading your heavenly bank accounts. Some people are still so committed to pursuing money even at old age that you would wonder if they have anything at stake in Heaven. In what direction is your labour, heart and focus tilted to-to the earth or Heaven?
Key point: The overbearing attitude of some leaders has robbed them of their helpers and fast-tracked their untimely exit from the earth.
Wednesday 20 March 2013
Christian Growth Is Very Important!
Galatians 4:1, "Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all" Beloved of God, it is very important that we take our Christian life very seriously, else you will be like a babe/slave and can be easily manipulated by life circumstances. A Christian is not normal, you are different and must live differently. A true Born-Again Christian has the life and nature of God in him/her and must live by the principle of God's kingdom if he/she wants to enjoy life. Look at the scripture again and meditate on it. The reason why some Christians suffer unnecessarily is because most are lazy, lazy to pray, lazy to go to church, lazy to read your Bible etc. We have to start training ourselves in the things of God. Don't let your Christianity be only on Sundays, you must make extra effort to know God better, because the more you know God, the more you know yourself since you are born of God. James 4:8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.."
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION WEDNESDAY 20TH MARCH 2013 ON SECURED FUTURE BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - Jeremiah 29:11 : For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Read: Psalm 33:8-12
Bible in one year: Zephaniah 1-3
When Elijah arose from sleep and started to eat of the meal from Heaven in 1 Kings 19:5-8, his hope was on the rise, and he began to say, 'I maybe down but I shall not end in defeat'. It is one thing to fall and rise and another to fall and stay down. For the first category, falling is just a bus stop, and you know, you will have to go through several bus stops to get to your destination. For the second category, falling has become the destination. In life, simply remember that every point you fall or fail is a bus stop, not your destination. That you failed or fell several times does not mean that you cannot be celebrated tomorrow if you overcome. Thirdly, know that you are falling or failing because there is a great destination for your life which is worth all the fight, struggle and suffering. However, no child of destiny will turn his bus stop into his final destination. Are you down? Rise up this moment, dust yourself and continue the march to Heaven. Anyone who does not go through these trials with the flesh is most likely on another journey obviously not the one to Heaven. Has your hair been shaven like Samson out of carelessness? Your hair shall grow again (Judges 16:20-22). Or have you been killed and buried with a big stone placed over your tomb like Jesus? Like Jesus, you too shall arise; you shall be brought back to life (Luke 24:1 -7).
When the angel came the second time to Elijah with a second meal telling him to rise and eat because of the journey ahead, he then was sure that God was not through with him yet. Sometimes, people write themselves off before God writes them off. If God is not through with you, you cannot afford to give up on Him; else you will be committing great harm against yourself. If you retire yourself from God's work before your appointed time of retirement, you will face a query in Heaven instead of a commendation. God is not through with you and His counsel for your life will ultimately stand in spite of your circumstances (Psalm 33:11; Jeremiah 29:11). When Elijah ate the meal, he knew there was hope for a brighter tomorrow. Isaiah 3:10 says your future is very bright. Forget the darkness that is presently surrounding you. According to Proverbs 4:18, it will gradually give way to God's glorious light. Rise up and serve Him. Praise Him. Obey Him, knowing that your tomorrow is secured in Jesus.
Action point: There is no place for giving up in God's plan for His children. Ask that God will give you the strength to fight the fight of faith to the end.
Read: Psalm 33:8-12
Bible in one year: Zephaniah 1-3
When Elijah arose from sleep and started to eat of the meal from Heaven in 1 Kings 19:5-8, his hope was on the rise, and he began to say, 'I maybe down but I shall not end in defeat'. It is one thing to fall and rise and another to fall and stay down. For the first category, falling is just a bus stop, and you know, you will have to go through several bus stops to get to your destination. For the second category, falling has become the destination. In life, simply remember that every point you fall or fail is a bus stop, not your destination. That you failed or fell several times does not mean that you cannot be celebrated tomorrow if you overcome. Thirdly, know that you are falling or failing because there is a great destination for your life which is worth all the fight, struggle and suffering. However, no child of destiny will turn his bus stop into his final destination. Are you down? Rise up this moment, dust yourself and continue the march to Heaven. Anyone who does not go through these trials with the flesh is most likely on another journey obviously not the one to Heaven. Has your hair been shaven like Samson out of carelessness? Your hair shall grow again (Judges 16:20-22). Or have you been killed and buried with a big stone placed over your tomb like Jesus? Like Jesus, you too shall arise; you shall be brought back to life (Luke 24:1 -7).
When the angel came the second time to Elijah with a second meal telling him to rise and eat because of the journey ahead, he then was sure that God was not through with him yet. Sometimes, people write themselves off before God writes them off. If God is not through with you, you cannot afford to give up on Him; else you will be committing great harm against yourself. If you retire yourself from God's work before your appointed time of retirement, you will face a query in Heaven instead of a commendation. God is not through with you and His counsel for your life will ultimately stand in spite of your circumstances (Psalm 33:11; Jeremiah 29:11). When Elijah ate the meal, he knew there was hope for a brighter tomorrow. Isaiah 3:10 says your future is very bright. Forget the darkness that is presently surrounding you. According to Proverbs 4:18, it will gradually give way to God's glorious light. Rise up and serve Him. Praise Him. Obey Him, knowing that your tomorrow is secured in Jesus.
Action point: There is no place for giving up in God's plan for His children. Ask that God will give you the strength to fight the fight of faith to the end.
Tuesday 19 March 2013
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION TUESDAY 19TH MARCH 2013 ON HEAVENLY GREATNESS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - Mark 11vs24 : Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Read: Matthew 5:17-20
Bible in one year: Habakkuk 1-3
If you accept favourable scriptures but reject the ones you don’t like, you will not only negate your faith but also be unable to receive full dividend from the Word. Ask and receive grace to 'eat the whole lamb' as was the case with the children of Israel on the night of their departure from Egypt. Every Word of God is important. We must never trivialise any of Christ's commandments because they have eternal consequences. In this regard, Christian leaders must be very careful about what they teach, preach and practice. In Matthew 5:19, Jesus says,
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven."
Some people are seen as great in the Kingdom of God on earth, but in Heaven, they are very unpopular, unknown or occupy the least positions. Every erroneous doctrine that leaders teach is capable of derailing multitudes. When we get to Heaven, if such leaders are saved and finally make it to Heaven, their false doctrines on earth would have eroded their heavenly rewards. Stop teaching or preaching vain philosophies of men! Preach Jesus! Teach the whole counsel of His Word. Stick with the full Gospel until He returns or calls you home. Aside this, Jesus says you must do before you teach others the whole counsel, before you can be called great in Heaven. In other Words, it is not enough to teach the whole counsel of God. If you don't practice the whole counsel of God that you teach, you can never attain heavenly greatness. Lastly, whatever step you take must be based on God's Word like Peter (Luke 5:1-7). If you are going to choose a particular sister as your wife, or take up a particular job, or even relocate to a particular place, let that decision be because God said so. Never act on your own. Act on God's Word. Confess the Word in every contrary circumstances according to Mark 11:23-24 and see it prevail. Never accept the negative situations that come your way but confess what God says about them and stay on God's Word no matter how long it takes, and you shall eventually be victorious.
Key point: Heavenly greatness is not by chance, wishful thinking or mistake. Every great fellow in Heaven earned that greatness through obedience.
Read: Matthew 5:17-20
Bible in one year: Habakkuk 1-3
If you accept favourable scriptures but reject the ones you don’t like, you will not only negate your faith but also be unable to receive full dividend from the Word. Ask and receive grace to 'eat the whole lamb' as was the case with the children of Israel on the night of their departure from Egypt. Every Word of God is important. We must never trivialise any of Christ's commandments because they have eternal consequences. In this regard, Christian leaders must be very careful about what they teach, preach and practice. In Matthew 5:19, Jesus says,
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven."
Some people are seen as great in the Kingdom of God on earth, but in Heaven, they are very unpopular, unknown or occupy the least positions. Every erroneous doctrine that leaders teach is capable of derailing multitudes. When we get to Heaven, if such leaders are saved and finally make it to Heaven, their false doctrines on earth would have eroded their heavenly rewards. Stop teaching or preaching vain philosophies of men! Preach Jesus! Teach the whole counsel of His Word. Stick with the full Gospel until He returns or calls you home. Aside this, Jesus says you must do before you teach others the whole counsel, before you can be called great in Heaven. In other Words, it is not enough to teach the whole counsel of God. If you don't practice the whole counsel of God that you teach, you can never attain heavenly greatness. Lastly, whatever step you take must be based on God's Word like Peter (Luke 5:1-7). If you are going to choose a particular sister as your wife, or take up a particular job, or even relocate to a particular place, let that decision be because God said so. Never act on your own. Act on God's Word. Confess the Word in every contrary circumstances according to Mark 11:23-24 and see it prevail. Never accept the negative situations that come your way but confess what God says about them and stay on God's Word no matter how long it takes, and you shall eventually be victorious.
Key point: Heavenly greatness is not by chance, wishful thinking or mistake. Every great fellow in Heaven earned that greatness through obedience.
Monday 18 March 2013
Stand Your Ground!
Hebrews 10:23 KJV,.."Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)"
It's very important to pay attention to the words in the Bible even to the commas and periods. As I was studying the Bible, I came across this scripture, and many things struck me in those words.
a) "Hold Fast" When you are told to hold fast unto something it means, you may likely loose it if you don't take care. Maybe you are in a hurry, or easily distracted, loosing interest or patience in it.
b) "Profession" Then the word 'profession' simply means your confessions. What you say, what you confess, your utterances.
c) "Without wavering" This means hold on tight, stay strong, don't lose hope! Issues of life, situations, circumstances may want to challenge your faith. Forces of darkness may try to put pressure on you so you can change your confession. Don't do it, the power is in your mouth, no matter how tough it may be never change your confessions. Continue to be positive, hopeful, keep faith alive. Keep praising God.
MAINTAIN YOUR FAITH-FILLED CONFESSIONS, STAND YOUR GROUND, FOR GOD NEVER EVER FAILS. HE IS FAITHFUL TO DO WHAT HE PROMISED. HE WILL DEFINITELY DO WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO. GOD IS NEVER LATE!
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION MONDAY 18TH MARCH 2013 OF PLANTERS AND HARVESTERS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - John 4 vs 36 : And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
Read: John 4:35-38
Bible in one year: Nahum 1-3
If you manifest the word of knowledge or wisdom while witnessing about Jesus Christ, your hearers will find it difficult to turn down the Gospel message. If you evangelise but lack those gifts, ask the Lord to give them to you and He will. More than any one else, it is those who witness Jesus Christ that need these gifts.
Another lesson from today's passage relates with harvests in God's Kingdom. There are two broad categories of labourers in the vineyard - the sowers and the reapers. The sowers are the planters. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul declares: "I have planted' Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.'1'
God calls some people to kick-start certain divine projects -start a parish, lay the foundation of a church building, etc. He may not necessarily want them to complete it because He has others who should nurture what their predecessors began and pilot it to its end. Unfortunately in the Body of Christ, instead of seeing one another as partners in progress, there is a lot of rivalry on who will complete what. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, God is the constant factor in the equation between the planters and the harvesters. He gives the increase that is noticed in any farming season. Verse 8 of this scripture says,
"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour".
It is possible you sowed the seed into the sinner first, and later another person preached to that person before he eventually received Christ; yet both of you will share from the reward of winning that soul. God is just and He knows how to reward everyone for his or her labours. So stop struggling or fighting over Kingdom assignments. Just work out the part that is committed to you faithfully. In due course, you will reap abundantly. From what Jesus said in John 4:35-38, there is reward for the planters, and there is reward for the harvesters. They shall both share in the same joy. If you are sent to start a parish or church building, go ahead and start it. By the time you are transferred, take it in good faith and go to your new place of assignment knowing that you already have a share of the reward for that place whether men acknowledge you or not. Just stay focused on the work God has given to you.
Key point: Reward comes from performing the specific assignment given to you by the Holy Spirit, and not the one you assign to yourself.
Read: John 4:35-38
Bible in one year: Nahum 1-3
If you manifest the word of knowledge or wisdom while witnessing about Jesus Christ, your hearers will find it difficult to turn down the Gospel message. If you evangelise but lack those gifts, ask the Lord to give them to you and He will. More than any one else, it is those who witness Jesus Christ that need these gifts.
Another lesson from today's passage relates with harvests in God's Kingdom. There are two broad categories of labourers in the vineyard - the sowers and the reapers. The sowers are the planters. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul declares: "I have planted' Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.'1'
God calls some people to kick-start certain divine projects -start a parish, lay the foundation of a church building, etc. He may not necessarily want them to complete it because He has others who should nurture what their predecessors began and pilot it to its end. Unfortunately in the Body of Christ, instead of seeing one another as partners in progress, there is a lot of rivalry on who will complete what. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, God is the constant factor in the equation between the planters and the harvesters. He gives the increase that is noticed in any farming season. Verse 8 of this scripture says,
"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour".
It is possible you sowed the seed into the sinner first, and later another person preached to that person before he eventually received Christ; yet both of you will share from the reward of winning that soul. God is just and He knows how to reward everyone for his or her labours. So stop struggling or fighting over Kingdom assignments. Just work out the part that is committed to you faithfully. In due course, you will reap abundantly. From what Jesus said in John 4:35-38, there is reward for the planters, and there is reward for the harvesters. They shall both share in the same joy. If you are sent to start a parish or church building, go ahead and start it. By the time you are transferred, take it in good faith and go to your new place of assignment knowing that you already have a share of the reward for that place whether men acknowledge you or not. Just stay focused on the work God has given to you.
Key point: Reward comes from performing the specific assignment given to you by the Holy Spirit, and not the one you assign to yourself.
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION SUNDAY 17TH MARCH 2013 WINE, NOT FOR KINGS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memonse Proverbs 31 vs 4 : It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor princes strong drink:
Read: Proverbs 31:3-4
Bible in one year: Micah 4-7
Non alcoholic wines are okay but should be taken in moderation (Ephesians 5:18). Anything you take in, no matter how good, if taken in excess will definitely cause some kind of trouble, even water. But alcoholic beverage must be avoided like a plague! Proverbs 23:35 says it is most addictive. Addiction does not start with a bottle but from a little sip. Also, the spirit of alcohol is a sister to the spirit of lust and immorality. Those who went to eat out but also took alcohol may end up where they never planned. Single sisters must be watchful! Any so called brother who takes you out and offers you beer or any other alcoholic beverage may have some sinister motive. Run far from that individual!
"Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings." Proverbs 31:3
There are certain weapons that Satan uses to attack kings and those who are of great use in the Kingdom of God. This includes power, sex and money. The above scripture further adds women and wine. Contrary to what many users of alcohol think, indulging in it robs one of strength Many take it to get some kind of boldness, but at the end just like immorality, they end up losing the little strength that they had. The scripture clearly states that taking alcohol is the path to destruction for kings. Revelation 1:6 says if you have been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, you are a king unto God. It is a taboo for a king under the leadership of the King of kings to indulge in alcohol. Similarly, verse 4 says if there is something that is not meant for kings, it is alcohol. In other words, any time a Christian indulges in alcohol, the fellow is dethroning himself or herself. Alcohol may be for others but obviously not for kings. Anytime you take what kings are forbidden to take, you become less of the king you were meant to be. In this regard, such violators will find it difficult to operate as kings. That means, they may make a decree and such decrees will be ignored. You cannot be covered with divine royalty of the Kingdom while you are frolicking with the spirit of alcohol. Are you still a king of the Most High God? Cut off completely from anything that negatively influences you if you want to remain under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Action point: Thank God for making you one of His kings. Ask for grace to sustain this position both now and in eternity.
Read: Proverbs 31:3-4
Bible in one year: Micah 4-7
Non alcoholic wines are okay but should be taken in moderation (Ephesians 5:18). Anything you take in, no matter how good, if taken in excess will definitely cause some kind of trouble, even water. But alcoholic beverage must be avoided like a plague! Proverbs 23:35 says it is most addictive. Addiction does not start with a bottle but from a little sip. Also, the spirit of alcohol is a sister to the spirit of lust and immorality. Those who went to eat out but also took alcohol may end up where they never planned. Single sisters must be watchful! Any so called brother who takes you out and offers you beer or any other alcoholic beverage may have some sinister motive. Run far from that individual!
"Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings." Proverbs 31:3
There are certain weapons that Satan uses to attack kings and those who are of great use in the Kingdom of God. This includes power, sex and money. The above scripture further adds women and wine. Contrary to what many users of alcohol think, indulging in it robs one of strength Many take it to get some kind of boldness, but at the end just like immorality, they end up losing the little strength that they had. The scripture clearly states that taking alcohol is the path to destruction for kings. Revelation 1:6 says if you have been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, you are a king unto God. It is a taboo for a king under the leadership of the King of kings to indulge in alcohol. Similarly, verse 4 says if there is something that is not meant for kings, it is alcohol. In other words, any time a Christian indulges in alcohol, the fellow is dethroning himself or herself. Alcohol may be for others but obviously not for kings. Anytime you take what kings are forbidden to take, you become less of the king you were meant to be. In this regard, such violators will find it difficult to operate as kings. That means, they may make a decree and such decrees will be ignored. You cannot be covered with divine royalty of the Kingdom while you are frolicking with the spirit of alcohol. Are you still a king of the Most High God? Cut off completely from anything that negatively influences you if you want to remain under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Action point: Thank God for making you one of His kings. Ask for grace to sustain this position both now and in eternity.
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION SATURDAY 16TH MARCH 2013 LUST INSPIRED REQUESTS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - James 4 vs 3 :Ye ask; and receive not,, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Read; James 4:1-3
Bible in one year: Micah 1-3
The knowledge of the spirit operating behind the scene of a given situation will guide a believer on who to fight and how to fight. Lying spirits can go to the extent of giving different people fake dreams about their target victim, in order to discredit the fellow. And it will look so real. If several persons believe some falsehood about you, know that lying spirits are at work. Unfortunately, because many believers are not careful enough, almost anybody can be used by such spirits. Too many battles are misdirected. We are fighting against one another in the Body of Christ today because certain demons are operating behind the scene to hit heads against each other. That is partly a diversionary tactic. And this situation is bringing a lot of wastage in the area of prayer. James 4:3 says one reason we ask but fail to get results is because our requests are misdirected. If only God reveals the man hours in prayer and fasting over wrong requests, you would be very amazed. Some brother can spend three weeks praying and fasting for somebody he perceives to be an enemy to die, and he will be surprised, all he needed to do was to ask God to reveal the true situation to him and afterwards, he will know what spirit to face and how to use God's Word to face it, while knowing how to pray about the human figure involved in the situation.
If the advice of James is anything to go by, it is that we must start praying rightly. The truth is, spending five minutes praying - hitting the nail on its head will give you more results than spending 100 hours praying wrongly. According to today's reading, James felt bad that certain carnal behaviours and prayers were motivated by lusts, which as a matter of fact were instigated by the spirit of lust. Check the spirit of covetousness while desiring to have what your neighbour has! Check the spirit of lust while desiring a lady because of her physical endowments. Any request you make having these as your motivators amount to lust. God will meet your needs but He will not service your lust!
Key point: When your prayer request is motivated by your lust or a demon of lust, it will go unanswered by God.
Read; James 4:1-3
Bible in one year: Micah 1-3
The knowledge of the spirit operating behind the scene of a given situation will guide a believer on who to fight and how to fight. Lying spirits can go to the extent of giving different people fake dreams about their target victim, in order to discredit the fellow. And it will look so real. If several persons believe some falsehood about you, know that lying spirits are at work. Unfortunately, because many believers are not careful enough, almost anybody can be used by such spirits. Too many battles are misdirected. We are fighting against one another in the Body of Christ today because certain demons are operating behind the scene to hit heads against each other. That is partly a diversionary tactic. And this situation is bringing a lot of wastage in the area of prayer. James 4:3 says one reason we ask but fail to get results is because our requests are misdirected. If only God reveals the man hours in prayer and fasting over wrong requests, you would be very amazed. Some brother can spend three weeks praying and fasting for somebody he perceives to be an enemy to die, and he will be surprised, all he needed to do was to ask God to reveal the true situation to him and afterwards, he will know what spirit to face and how to use God's Word to face it, while knowing how to pray about the human figure involved in the situation.
If the advice of James is anything to go by, it is that we must start praying rightly. The truth is, spending five minutes praying - hitting the nail on its head will give you more results than spending 100 hours praying wrongly. According to today's reading, James felt bad that certain carnal behaviours and prayers were motivated by lusts, which as a matter of fact were instigated by the spirit of lust. Check the spirit of covetousness while desiring to have what your neighbour has! Check the spirit of lust while desiring a lady because of her physical endowments. Any request you make having these as your motivators amount to lust. God will meet your needs but He will not service your lust!
Key point: When your prayer request is motivated by your lust or a demon of lust, it will go unanswered by God.
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION FRIDAY 15TH MARCH 2013 DOWN, NOT OUT BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - Romans 8 vs 2 : For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
Read: Romans 7:18-25
Bible in one Year: Hosea 11-14
Going by the personal experience of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:3-8, we see that God gives hope to the hopeless in ways we cannot explain. In any way you have lost hope, the Lord will restore it this season in Jesus name. Another lesson we learn from Elijah who woke from sleep to eat Heaven's freshly baked food is that, to be down does not necessarily mean to be out. In other words, that the devil hit you and you fell flat on your face does not mean that you should give up the fight. When a baby is learning to walk, it will falI several times, yet it continues to make the effort. The fact that you can walk, jog or even run only shows that you overcame those failed attempts you experienced while growing up. Are you presently being defeated by a besetting sin? After you confessed and asked God for forgiveness, you promised never to go back to it, and you sincerely meant it; only for you to find yourself at that same bus stop of sin down the line. With this experience continuing for a while, you might begin to think it is pointless trying to serve God. Are you giving up? Don't! Such situation is not new to believers. Almost every true Christian has gone through that phase.
Can you believe the greatest of apostles went through it? In Romans 7:15, he says,
"For that which I do I allow not: for what I would that do I not; but what I hate that do I."
This is a state where there is serious conflict between the old and the new nature, between the flesh and the spirit. It does not mean you have not been saved when you go through this. The devil will tell you all sorts of things. Refuse to believe him. To overcome this phase which is also transient, persevere. If you fall into the sin, don't stay there. Ask God for forgiveness and rise up on your feet again. Never stay down; always find your way back to the Cross, receive cleansing and continue with Christ again. Also, identify that particular area of weakness and begin to pray specifically on it using Romans 6:5-18, personalizing the scriptures. Avoid any individual that will easily take you back to that sin and sever such a relationship. Avoid physical locations, tangible items and even resign any appointment that may keep you a permanent slave of sin. Pray regularly in the spirit asking for His help. Have no idle moments with your time fully engaged in what glorifies God.
Key Point : if the Lord Jesus Christ could still commission Peter to continue from where He stopped, after three terrible denials, no matter how low you have fallen God can return you to His original plan for your life and use you.
Read: Romans 7:18-25
Bible in one Year: Hosea 11-14
Going by the personal experience of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:3-8, we see that God gives hope to the hopeless in ways we cannot explain. In any way you have lost hope, the Lord will restore it this season in Jesus name. Another lesson we learn from Elijah who woke from sleep to eat Heaven's freshly baked food is that, to be down does not necessarily mean to be out. In other words, that the devil hit you and you fell flat on your face does not mean that you should give up the fight. When a baby is learning to walk, it will falI several times, yet it continues to make the effort. The fact that you can walk, jog or even run only shows that you overcame those failed attempts you experienced while growing up. Are you presently being defeated by a besetting sin? After you confessed and asked God for forgiveness, you promised never to go back to it, and you sincerely meant it; only for you to find yourself at that same bus stop of sin down the line. With this experience continuing for a while, you might begin to think it is pointless trying to serve God. Are you giving up? Don't! Such situation is not new to believers. Almost every true Christian has gone through that phase.
Can you believe the greatest of apostles went through it? In Romans 7:15, he says,
"For that which I do I allow not: for what I would that do I not; but what I hate that do I."
This is a state where there is serious conflict between the old and the new nature, between the flesh and the spirit. It does not mean you have not been saved when you go through this. The devil will tell you all sorts of things. Refuse to believe him. To overcome this phase which is also transient, persevere. If you fall into the sin, don't stay there. Ask God for forgiveness and rise up on your feet again. Never stay down; always find your way back to the Cross, receive cleansing and continue with Christ again. Also, identify that particular area of weakness and begin to pray specifically on it using Romans 6:5-18, personalizing the scriptures. Avoid any individual that will easily take you back to that sin and sever such a relationship. Avoid physical locations, tangible items and even resign any appointment that may keep you a permanent slave of sin. Pray regularly in the spirit asking for His help. Have no idle moments with your time fully engaged in what glorifies God.
Key Point : if the Lord Jesus Christ could still commission Peter to continue from where He stopped, after three terrible denials, no matter how low you have fallen God can return you to His original plan for your life and use you.
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION THURSDAY 14TH MARCH 2013 CHANGE YOUR METHOD BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - Zechariah 4 vs 6 : Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, this is the Word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Read: Numbers 20:7-12
Bibie in one year: Hosea 8-10
To get the best from God, you need to know when to make your requests. When you have the opportunity to access God's mighty presence, explore it to the fullest. A wise believer will optimise every opportunity from God because time is short. Moreover, because of the brevity of time, we should reorder our priorities and move from the unimportant and less urgent matters to the most important and urgent issues. In the same vein, efforts should be made to treat the important but not urgent issues so that they do not end up putting you under avoidable pressure tomorrow. Everything you needed to do which was ignored because it was not urgent, will become urgent at some point, and could cost you much more. Besides this, Luke 9:57-62 tells us that sometimes, an individual, family or group may have to go through self denial in order to please God. Whenever there is a clash of interest - between God's and yours, just let God have His way.
As we advance in years and become older, our days on earth reduce while our strength begins to give way. As a result of this, there is need to derive easier and quicker legitimate means of achieving goals. Take Moses as an example. In Exodus 17:1-6, God asked him to smite the rock for water to come out, while in Numbers 20:7-12, to achieve the same miraculous result, God asked him to speak to the rock. Although, either way, God can perform the same miracle, yet it is definitely easier to speak to the rock than to strike the rock. When you strike the rock, you exert more energy. Also, the one who is striking a rock will feel some formidable resistance. If you keep meeting with resistance while doing what you routinely do, find out better, easier and more productive alternatives. The difference between speaking to and striking the rock is comparable with using human strength and the strength of the Holy Spirit. Beloved, your human strength is largely limited in the things of God; hence you need to wait more on the Lord so as to use His strength to do His work. That way, you get quicker results and you are less stressed. To effectively key into this, find out how you have been working, and the level of result it has been producing so that you can prayerfully consider what to do extra, or a component to be changed for you to get better results.
Action point: Prayerfully list 5 different ways of doing what you normally do, taking stock of the time requirement and cost implication, and adopt the best alternative.
Read: Numbers 20:7-12
Bibie in one year: Hosea 8-10
To get the best from God, you need to know when to make your requests. When you have the opportunity to access God's mighty presence, explore it to the fullest. A wise believer will optimise every opportunity from God because time is short. Moreover, because of the brevity of time, we should reorder our priorities and move from the unimportant and less urgent matters to the most important and urgent issues. In the same vein, efforts should be made to treat the important but not urgent issues so that they do not end up putting you under avoidable pressure tomorrow. Everything you needed to do which was ignored because it was not urgent, will become urgent at some point, and could cost you much more. Besides this, Luke 9:57-62 tells us that sometimes, an individual, family or group may have to go through self denial in order to please God. Whenever there is a clash of interest - between God's and yours, just let God have His way.
As we advance in years and become older, our days on earth reduce while our strength begins to give way. As a result of this, there is need to derive easier and quicker legitimate means of achieving goals. Take Moses as an example. In Exodus 17:1-6, God asked him to smite the rock for water to come out, while in Numbers 20:7-12, to achieve the same miraculous result, God asked him to speak to the rock. Although, either way, God can perform the same miracle, yet it is definitely easier to speak to the rock than to strike the rock. When you strike the rock, you exert more energy. Also, the one who is striking a rock will feel some formidable resistance. If you keep meeting with resistance while doing what you routinely do, find out better, easier and more productive alternatives. The difference between speaking to and striking the rock is comparable with using human strength and the strength of the Holy Spirit. Beloved, your human strength is largely limited in the things of God; hence you need to wait more on the Lord so as to use His strength to do His work. That way, you get quicker results and you are less stressed. To effectively key into this, find out how you have been working, and the level of result it has been producing so that you can prayerfully consider what to do extra, or a component to be changed for you to get better results.
Action point: Prayerfully list 5 different ways of doing what you normally do, taking stock of the time requirement and cost implication, and adopt the best alternative.
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION MONDAY 18TH MARCH 2013 OF PLANTERS AND HARVESTERS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - John 4 vs 36 : And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
Read: John 4:35-38
Bible in one year: Nahum 1-3
If you manifest the word of knowledge or wisdom while witnessing about Jesus Christ, your hearers will find it difficult to turn down the Gospel message. If you evangelise but lack those gifts, ask the Lord to give them to you and He will. More than any one else, it is those who witness Jesus Christ that need these gifts.
Another lesson from today's passage relates with harvests in God's Kingdom. There are two broad categories of labourers in the vineyard - the sowers and the reapers. The sowers are the planters. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul declares: "I have planted' Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.'1'
God calls some people to kick-start certain divine projects -start a parish, lay the foundation of a church building, etc. He may not necessarily want them to complete it because He has others who should nurture what their predecessors began and pilot it to its end. Unfortunately in the Body of Christ, instead of seeing one another as partners in progress, there is a lot of rivalry on who will complete what. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, God is the constant factor in the equation between the planters and the harvesters. He gives the increase that is noticed in any farming season. Verse 8 of this scripture says,
"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour".
It is possible you sowed the seed into the sinner first, and later another person preached to that person before he eventually received Christ; yet both of you will share from the reward of winning that soul. God is just and He knows how to reward everyone for his or her labours. So stop struggling or fighting over Kingdom assignments. Just work out the part that is committed to you faithfully. In due course, you will reap abundantly. From what Jesus said in John 4:35-38, there is reward for the planters, and there is reward for the harvesters. They shall both share in the same joy. If you are sent to start a parish or church building, go ahead and start it. By the time you are transferred, take it in good faith and go to your new place of assignment knowing that you already have a share of the reward for that place whether men acknowledge you or not. Just stay focused on the work God has given to you.
Key point: Reward comes from performing the specific assignment given to you by the Holy Spirit, and not the one you assign to yourself.
Read: John 4:35-38
Bible in one year: Nahum 1-3
If you manifest the word of knowledge or wisdom while witnessing about Jesus Christ, your hearers will find it difficult to turn down the Gospel message. If you evangelise but lack those gifts, ask the Lord to give them to you and He will. More than any one else, it is those who witness Jesus Christ that need these gifts.
Another lesson from today's passage relates with harvests in God's Kingdom. There are two broad categories of labourers in the vineyard - the sowers and the reapers. The sowers are the planters. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul declares: "I have planted' Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.'1'
God calls some people to kick-start certain divine projects -start a parish, lay the foundation of a church building, etc. He may not necessarily want them to complete it because He has others who should nurture what their predecessors began and pilot it to its end. Unfortunately in the Body of Christ, instead of seeing one another as partners in progress, there is a lot of rivalry on who will complete what. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, God is the constant factor in the equation between the planters and the harvesters. He gives the increase that is noticed in any farming season. Verse 8 of this scripture says,
"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour".
It is possible you sowed the seed into the sinner first, and later another person preached to that person before he eventually received Christ; yet both of you will share from the reward of winning that soul. God is just and He knows how to reward everyone for his or her labours. So stop struggling or fighting over Kingdom assignments. Just work out the part that is committed to you faithfully. In due course, you will reap abundantly. From what Jesus said in John 4:35-38, there is reward for the planters, and there is reward for the harvesters. They shall both share in the same joy. If you are sent to start a parish or church building, go ahead and start it. By the time you are transferred, take it in good faith and go to your new place of assignment knowing that you already have a share of the reward for that place whether men acknowledge you or not. Just stay focused on the work God has given to you.
Key point: Reward comes from performing the specific assignment given to you by the Holy Spirit, and not the one you assign to yourself.
Wednesday 13 March 2013
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION WEDNESDAY 13TH MARCH 2013 - ATTITUDE OF WORSHIP BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
MEMORY VERSE - 1 Timothy 2 vs 8 : I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Read : 1 Timothy 2 vs 1-8
Bible in one year : Hosea 5 - 7
The wise men who trailed the star that appeared at the birth of JESUS were selective worshippers. There are various postures you can take when worshipping GOD. You can stand and lift up your hands to the Almighty provided your hands are 'clean'. This position is a way of saying to GOD, 'LORD, I surrender to you'. 1 Timothy 2 vs 8 says, "I will therefore that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting"
For this position of worship to be acceptable to GOD, your hands must not have shed innocent blood, or be defiled with anything shady. Also there must be no anger in your heart and no room for doubt.
In addition, you could go on your knees to worship GOD. This position acknowledges that GOD is superior to you. This was one of Daniel's favourite positions. Daniel 6 vs 10 says Daniel knelt down to pray and thank GOD three times a day. Some people feel too big to kneel down for the LORD. If you cannot bend those knees for GOD, whom would you bend them to? When GOD was speaking of his 7000 reserves who feared HIM, He described them by the fact that they have not bent their knees to an idol (1 kings 19 vs 18). After you were saved, your knees are no longer to bend to idols but to the true and living GOD. How often do you kneel to worship GOD? Bending your knees is humility. It could be painful to go on your knees to pray, yet, you do not mind enduring that pain in humility to the Almighty GOD. When last did you bend those knees to GOD? The truth is, when you bend your knees to worship GOD and you do it with all sense of reverence, humility and purpose, sooner or later, situations, circumstances, seen or unseen enemies will be compelled to bow to you. In other words, worship GOD the way you want things around you to worship or submit to you
Key Point : For quality worship, avoid distractions, absent mindedness and be free from sin.
Read : 1 Timothy 2 vs 1-8
Bible in one year : Hosea 5 - 7
The wise men who trailed the star that appeared at the birth of JESUS were selective worshippers. There are various postures you can take when worshipping GOD. You can stand and lift up your hands to the Almighty provided your hands are 'clean'. This position is a way of saying to GOD, 'LORD, I surrender to you'. 1 Timothy 2 vs 8 says, "I will therefore that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting"
For this position of worship to be acceptable to GOD, your hands must not have shed innocent blood, or be defiled with anything shady. Also there must be no anger in your heart and no room for doubt.
In addition, you could go on your knees to worship GOD. This position acknowledges that GOD is superior to you. This was one of Daniel's favourite positions. Daniel 6 vs 10 says Daniel knelt down to pray and thank GOD three times a day. Some people feel too big to kneel down for the LORD. If you cannot bend those knees for GOD, whom would you bend them to? When GOD was speaking of his 7000 reserves who feared HIM, He described them by the fact that they have not bent their knees to an idol (1 kings 19 vs 18). After you were saved, your knees are no longer to bend to idols but to the true and living GOD. How often do you kneel to worship GOD? Bending your knees is humility. It could be painful to go on your knees to pray, yet, you do not mind enduring that pain in humility to the Almighty GOD. When last did you bend those knees to GOD? The truth is, when you bend your knees to worship GOD and you do it with all sense of reverence, humility and purpose, sooner or later, situations, circumstances, seen or unseen enemies will be compelled to bow to you. In other words, worship GOD the way you want things around you to worship or submit to you
Key Point : For quality worship, avoid distractions, absent mindedness and be free from sin.
Tuesday 12 March 2013
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION TUESDAY 12TH MARCH 2013 ACCEPT THE WHOLE TRUTH BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise - Isaiah 28 vs 10 : For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line; line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Read: Isaiah 28:9-10
Bible in one year: Hosea 1-4
Besides hearing the Word and meditating on it, you can also build up your faith by genuine spiritual experiences. For instance, testimonies of others can help to encourage you to the point of delivering your own testimonies. God can repeat whatever He has done irrespective of the age or dispensation. This is why you must not hide God's goodness or faithfulness in your life. Do you know that when you share your testimony and others key into it and trust God for theirs and God answers them, you will be rewarded? Not necessarily by the fellow who received his or her miracle through your testimony, but by God. You can prayerfully use the testimony of your conversion to Christ, how God healed you of a certain sickness, how you had a financial breakthrough, or even how you got to know God's will in marriage. Send these via the internet into people's e-mail boxes and trust God to use these to reach out to them so that they can encounter your God. Such testimonies are powerful weapons in God's hands, hence Revelation 12:11 says it is a means to overcome satanic forces. You can meditate on true divine testimonies and they will build your faith. In addition, you can visit other brethren and share a word of hope with them and they will be lifted up in their spirits. You can build your faith when you regularly fellowship with God's children. God can move at anytime in such a gathering.
Furthermore, after hearing and meditating on the Word, accept it just as the Spirit delivered it to you and act on it. Some people accept the Word selectively - taking those that offer great promises such as Philippians 4:19 but rejecting others like Malachi 3:10. Some accept Psalm 23 but refuse to accept 1 Peter 1:15-16. You cannot say He is your shepherd without first becoming His sheep. Do you selectively obey God's Word? There are some people who argue that tithing is not for modern day believers and as such, they refuse to tithe, yet they want the blessings God promised Old Testament saints. It does not work like that! God's Word is not divided. Obey every command of the Lord and you will see His promises manifesting in your life.
Action point: Faithfulness is partly determined by your level of obedience to the Word. Ask God for the grace to be truly faithful to Him.
Read: Isaiah 28:9-10
Bible in one year: Hosea 1-4
Besides hearing the Word and meditating on it, you can also build up your faith by genuine spiritual experiences. For instance, testimonies of others can help to encourage you to the point of delivering your own testimonies. God can repeat whatever He has done irrespective of the age or dispensation. This is why you must not hide God's goodness or faithfulness in your life. Do you know that when you share your testimony and others key into it and trust God for theirs and God answers them, you will be rewarded? Not necessarily by the fellow who received his or her miracle through your testimony, but by God. You can prayerfully use the testimony of your conversion to Christ, how God healed you of a certain sickness, how you had a financial breakthrough, or even how you got to know God's will in marriage. Send these via the internet into people's e-mail boxes and trust God to use these to reach out to them so that they can encounter your God. Such testimonies are powerful weapons in God's hands, hence Revelation 12:11 says it is a means to overcome satanic forces. You can meditate on true divine testimonies and they will build your faith. In addition, you can visit other brethren and share a word of hope with them and they will be lifted up in their spirits. You can build your faith when you regularly fellowship with God's children. God can move at anytime in such a gathering.
Furthermore, after hearing and meditating on the Word, accept it just as the Spirit delivered it to you and act on it. Some people accept the Word selectively - taking those that offer great promises such as Philippians 4:19 but rejecting others like Malachi 3:10. Some accept Psalm 23 but refuse to accept 1 Peter 1:15-16. You cannot say He is your shepherd without first becoming His sheep. Do you selectively obey God's Word? There are some people who argue that tithing is not for modern day believers and as such, they refuse to tithe, yet they want the blessings God promised Old Testament saints. It does not work like that! God's Word is not divided. Obey every command of the Lord and you will see His promises manifesting in your life.
Action point: Faithfulness is partly determined by your level of obedience to the Word. Ask God for the grace to be truly faithful to Him.
Monday 11 March 2013
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION MONDAY 11TH MARCH 2013 USEFULNESS OF THE GIFTS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
MEMORISE - Daniel 2 vs 22 : He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
Read: John 4:15-20
Bible in one year: Jonah 1-4
After a long trip, the Lord was weary yet instead of resting, He preached to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. John 4:8 says,
"For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat''
Not only was Jesus tired, He was also hungry. It is commonly said that "A hungry man is an angry man". When some people are hungry, you will hardly notice it because of the way they have disciplined their bodies. Yet, there are some people whose bodies will be shaking when they are hungry, due to lack of self control. The question is, how many Christians can go out to evangelise when they are very hungry? It is easy to do this when you have been able to subdue your body under your spirit man. For our Lord Jesus Christ, unpleasant situations will not allow him miss an opportunity to win souls. Have you ever channelled your hunger towards winning souls? If you have not, the next time you are really hungry, shun the canteen or dinning table, go out and look for souls. You will experience the joy that the Lord experienced which surpasses the pleasure from eating.
Moreover, another lesson from the story in John 4:2-38 has to do with the place of the miraculous in evangelism. While preaching to the woman at the well, the Lord engaged a gift of the Spirit and revealed to her that she was with a sixth man who was not her husband. With this information, she knew she was dealing with a prophet and she easily accepted the Gospel and went into the city to bring others to Him. You must not rest on your oars until you fully manifest all the gifts of the Spirit. There is one of my sons who, while preaching to people on a one to one basis, engages the gifts of the Spirit and reveals certain facts that are known only to them, through this, their defences are destroyed and they submit to the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 8:1-11, when the woman caught in adultery was dragged before the Lord for judgement, they wanted to start stoning her, but Jesus said the only people that should stone her must be those who have not sinned. At that point, He had keyed into the realm of the Spirit ready to reveal their sins to the public had they cast a stone at her. There are many people who build serious fences around themselves. They hide behind such fences thinking they are smart, to reach such people, all the soul winner needs is the gift of the Spirit to reveal their peculiar state to them and they will submit to God.
Action point: When the gift of the Spirit is in operation, the word that would hit the sinner below the belt will always be available. Ask Cod for this gift.
Read: John 4:15-20
Bible in one year: Jonah 1-4
After a long trip, the Lord was weary yet instead of resting, He preached to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. John 4:8 says,
"For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat''
Not only was Jesus tired, He was also hungry. It is commonly said that "A hungry man is an angry man". When some people are hungry, you will hardly notice it because of the way they have disciplined their bodies. Yet, there are some people whose bodies will be shaking when they are hungry, due to lack of self control. The question is, how many Christians can go out to evangelise when they are very hungry? It is easy to do this when you have been able to subdue your body under your spirit man. For our Lord Jesus Christ, unpleasant situations will not allow him miss an opportunity to win souls. Have you ever channelled your hunger towards winning souls? If you have not, the next time you are really hungry, shun the canteen or dinning table, go out and look for souls. You will experience the joy that the Lord experienced which surpasses the pleasure from eating.
Moreover, another lesson from the story in John 4:2-38 has to do with the place of the miraculous in evangelism. While preaching to the woman at the well, the Lord engaged a gift of the Spirit and revealed to her that she was with a sixth man who was not her husband. With this information, she knew she was dealing with a prophet and she easily accepted the Gospel and went into the city to bring others to Him. You must not rest on your oars until you fully manifest all the gifts of the Spirit. There is one of my sons who, while preaching to people on a one to one basis, engages the gifts of the Spirit and reveals certain facts that are known only to them, through this, their defences are destroyed and they submit to the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 8:1-11, when the woman caught in adultery was dragged before the Lord for judgement, they wanted to start stoning her, but Jesus said the only people that should stone her must be those who have not sinned. At that point, He had keyed into the realm of the Spirit ready to reveal their sins to the public had they cast a stone at her. There are many people who build serious fences around themselves. They hide behind such fences thinking they are smart, to reach such people, all the soul winner needs is the gift of the Spirit to reveal their peculiar state to them and they will submit to God.
Action point: When the gift of the Spirit is in operation, the word that would hit the sinner below the belt will always be available. Ask Cod for this gift.
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION SUNDAY 10TH MARCH 2013 ALCOHOL AND IMMORALITY BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
MEMORISE- PROVERBS 23 vs 33 : Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
Read: Proverbs 23:29-35
Bible in one year: Amos 7-9, Obadiah
Ephesians 5:18 says you should be filled with the Holy Spirit and not with wine. That means, you should be so full of the Spirit that there will be no room for any spirit of liquor to occupy. If you are not full of the Holy Spirit and you drink beer or alcohol, you cannot avoid confusion. Those who take alcohol will most likely find sexual sins attractive. Some of them have as a result gone into incestuous intercourse with their daughters or relatives or even rape. Alcohol makes one more vulnerable to sexual sins. If you were struggling with your flesh and you start taking alcohol, you will descend into a deeper level of bondage. Verse 33 of today's reading says,
"Thine eyes shall behold strange women and thine heart shall utter perverse things."
Some Christians will build their personal houses and instead of creating a prayer room there, they will have a bar where they will stock different kinds of wines. When you try to dissuade them, even their wives will rise up in their defence. Don't be surprised to find that they are already having mistresses outside, and if care is not taken, the strange women that are now more appealing to them may drive away their legitimate wife and take over. That shall not be your portion!
The truth is, any Christian sister who allows her husband to drink alcohol is simply setting the stage for strange things to happen in her home. Is your husband saying, 'It is just a little harmless sip once in a long while', remember a little occasional sip today will become an uncontrollable gush tomorrow. Be warned! In addition, having a bar in a Christian home completely negates the ethics of godliness. It is an invitation to the spirit of liquor to have its permanent abode in that house. That house will no longer have peace! Having a bar in your home is having an altar for Satan in that home. You can be sure that the Holy Spirit will simply step aside. Believers' homes should be identified by the serenity of the place and by the provision of a prayer room for God. You should have an altar where God will meet with you daily. If you don't, convert your bar or one of your rooms into such an altar for the King of kings today!
Key point: If you truly want Jesus Christ living in your house, remove all thrones you have created for the devil
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION SATURDAY 9TH MARCH 2013 LOOK FOR THE MANIPULATOR! BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
MEMORISE - 1 JOHN 4 vs 1 : Beloved, believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Read: 1 Kings 22:20-23
Bible in one year: Amos 4-6
One of the divine endowments that will assist you in playing a very active role in the spirit world is the gift of discerning of spirits. This enables you to identify the spirit in operation in a given situation. An agent of darkness once revealed after her conversion to Christ, that in the satanic kingdom, there is at least a demon assigned to every evil activity on earth. There are spirits behind nakedness that control the fashion industry with a view to exposing what should be covered, so that men's hearts can stray from God. There are spirits of lust, pride, gossiping, etc. Going by this revelation, anyone who is violating God's Word at any point is most likely under the influence of an unseen, unclean spirit.
This tallies with the Scriptures in someway. Where a lie is repeatedly told by different people, it is obvious that a lying spirit is in operation. This was the experience in 1 Kings 22:20-23 when a demon went as a lying spirit in the mouths of so many prophets; so as to deceive the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat. It takes the gift of discerning of spirits to know which spirit is saying the truth and which one is telling lies. Without this gift, many will be deceived. Today, many are deceived. If you have this gift, you will see the spirit behind some preachers who appear on your television screen professing to proclaim the Word. 1 John4:1 says,
"Beloved, believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the World."
Don't just accept everyone who claims to be of God; test the spirit operating in them. If you are able to do this using the Word of God, the fruit of the Spirit and the witness of God's Spirit inside you, in addition to the gift of discerning of spirits, you will identify the root cause of most problems and know where to channel your attack. Today, many believers are attacking fellow believers because they lack discernment. Recently, the Lord showed a small boy the wife of the General Overseer of a Gospel church standing and an evil spirit standing beside her and telling her what to do. Thereafter, she acted based on that influence on an innocent subordinate; but because he had seen the real cause, instead of fighting back, he began to fight the spirit that was manipulating her. Today, there are so many manipulations in different churches. Stop fighting your brethren! Ask for the spirit behind such operations and use the Word to engage it until you obtain victory.
Key point: If you take situations at their face value, you will most likely fight your helpers and embrace your enemies.
Read: 1 Kings 22:20-23
Bible in one year: Amos 4-6
One of the divine endowments that will assist you in playing a very active role in the spirit world is the gift of discerning of spirits. This enables you to identify the spirit in operation in a given situation. An agent of darkness once revealed after her conversion to Christ, that in the satanic kingdom, there is at least a demon assigned to every evil activity on earth. There are spirits behind nakedness that control the fashion industry with a view to exposing what should be covered, so that men's hearts can stray from God. There are spirits of lust, pride, gossiping, etc. Going by this revelation, anyone who is violating God's Word at any point is most likely under the influence of an unseen, unclean spirit.
This tallies with the Scriptures in someway. Where a lie is repeatedly told by different people, it is obvious that a lying spirit is in operation. This was the experience in 1 Kings 22:20-23 when a demon went as a lying spirit in the mouths of so many prophets; so as to deceive the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat. It takes the gift of discerning of spirits to know which spirit is saying the truth and which one is telling lies. Without this gift, many will be deceived. Today, many are deceived. If you have this gift, you will see the spirit behind some preachers who appear on your television screen professing to proclaim the Word. 1 John4:1 says,
"Beloved, believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the World."
Don't just accept everyone who claims to be of God; test the spirit operating in them. If you are able to do this using the Word of God, the fruit of the Spirit and the witness of God's Spirit inside you, in addition to the gift of discerning of spirits, you will identify the root cause of most problems and know where to channel your attack. Today, many believers are attacking fellow believers because they lack discernment. Recently, the Lord showed a small boy the wife of the General Overseer of a Gospel church standing and an evil spirit standing beside her and telling her what to do. Thereafter, she acted based on that influence on an innocent subordinate; but because he had seen the real cause, instead of fighting back, he began to fight the spirit that was manipulating her. Today, there are so many manipulations in different churches. Stop fighting your brethren! Ask for the spirit behind such operations and use the Word to engage it until you obtain victory.
Key point: If you take situations at their face value, you will most likely fight your helpers and embrace your enemies.
Friday 8 March 2013
Walk By Faith!
Beloved, you see, the Bible stated in so many places that we are to live by
faith. The only way to live as a Christian is by faith. You became a child of
God by faith (if you are not saved, please click here). Remember the Bible said, we should do all things
in the name of Jesus..Col 3:17. So this means, I go to bed in the name
of Jesus, get up in His name, do all I my daily activities in His name by doing
all according to His Word. This is faith! Whatever I do should
give God glory, so I refuse to worry, fear, doubt, in Jesus name. I refuse to
consider what I feel or see. I go to church, pray, study my Bible and learn how
to live by Godly principles and change things to my favor. I call forth those
things that be not as though they were..Romans 4:17. A Christian is an
Overcomer, overcoming what? The challenges of life! How? By faith, by the Word
of God. Refusing to accept anything else contrary to God's Word.
Faith grows..it's like the human muscles you build gradually until you become very strong. For every challenge you overcome by faith, you are growing. God wants us to grow, and act like Him cos we are like Him. Hence Jesus said we should have the faith of God..Mark 11:22. Below are some Bible verses on faith for meditation.
Mark 11:23-24..."For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Hebrews 10:38..."Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."
Romans 1:17..."For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Am gonna stop here, I leave long epistles for church..lol. God bless you richly in Jesus name.
Faith grows..it's like the human muscles you build gradually until you become very strong. For every challenge you overcome by faith, you are growing. God wants us to grow, and act like Him cos we are like Him. Hence Jesus said we should have the faith of God..Mark 11:22. Below are some Bible verses on faith for meditation.
Mark 11:23-24..."For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Hebrews 10:38..."Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."
Romans 1:17..."For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Am gonna stop here, I leave long epistles for church..lol. God bless you richly in Jesus name.
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION FRIDAY 8TH MARCH 2013 HE IS ALWAYS THERE BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
MEMORY VERSE - Psalm 121 vs 5 : The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
Read: Hebrews 13:5-6
Bible in one year: Amos 1-3
In 1 Kings 19:4-8, when Elijah was so discouraged, he asked God for death but God gave him food. God knows your need. Sometimes, one can be so confused to the point of asking amiss; if you are in that situation, instead of your wrong request, God will give you what you did not ask for that will meet with your need. Psalm 118:17 says,
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD."
very plan of death orchestrated by hell against you is destroyed now in Jesus name. According to Romans 8:11, because the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus Christ from the dead dwells in you, every part of your body that is dead or dying is quickened back to life now in the name of Jesus.
When Elijah received food instead of the death he requested for, his hope arose. When God gives you something different from what you asked, know that He is in control of your life. Similarly, when Elijah realised that the meal he was eating was Heaven baked, his hope increased further. It showed him that God had not forsaken him. Hebrews 13:5 says,
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
That the enemies are chasing you does not mean that God has forsaken you. When you make certain personal request but there is no answer, and you pray for others and the answer comes, know that God has not forsaken you. You are only going through a phase which shall soon pass away. When God says He will never leave you, enter your rest: He is ever with you. Situations and circumstances do not remove God from you. Your feeling does not remove God's presence from you. He is there with you whether you feel Him or not. As long as you maintain an unbroken relationship with Him, if you enter into a hole, He is in the hole with you. If you are in a prison cell, He is with you. If you are in the palace, He is with you. If you walk with this revelation of His ever abiding presence, your attitude to situations and events will change. Your prayer will be different. Your confidence level will be different. Go ahead and praise Him for keeping His promise to ever be with you.
Prayer point:: Father, thank You for always being with me and my family: Lord, let Your physical presence never depart from us.
Read: Hebrews 13:5-6
Bible in one year: Amos 1-3
In 1 Kings 19:4-8, when Elijah was so discouraged, he asked God for death but God gave him food. God knows your need. Sometimes, one can be so confused to the point of asking amiss; if you are in that situation, instead of your wrong request, God will give you what you did not ask for that will meet with your need. Psalm 118:17 says,
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD."
very plan of death orchestrated by hell against you is destroyed now in Jesus name. According to Romans 8:11, because the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus Christ from the dead dwells in you, every part of your body that is dead or dying is quickened back to life now in the name of Jesus.
When Elijah received food instead of the death he requested for, his hope arose. When God gives you something different from what you asked, know that He is in control of your life. Similarly, when Elijah realised that the meal he was eating was Heaven baked, his hope increased further. It showed him that God had not forsaken him. Hebrews 13:5 says,
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
That the enemies are chasing you does not mean that God has forsaken you. When you make certain personal request but there is no answer, and you pray for others and the answer comes, know that God has not forsaken you. You are only going through a phase which shall soon pass away. When God says He will never leave you, enter your rest: He is ever with you. Situations and circumstances do not remove God from you. Your feeling does not remove God's presence from you. He is there with you whether you feel Him or not. As long as you maintain an unbroken relationship with Him, if you enter into a hole, He is in the hole with you. If you are in a prison cell, He is with you. If you are in the palace, He is with you. If you walk with this revelation of His ever abiding presence, your attitude to situations and events will change. Your prayer will be different. Your confidence level will be different. Go ahead and praise Him for keeping His promise to ever be with you.
Prayer point:: Father, thank You for always being with me and my family: Lord, let Your physical presence never depart from us.
Thursday 7 March 2013
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTION THURSDAY 7TH MARCH 2013 TIMING YOUR REQUESTBY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
MEMORISE - JOHN 15 vs 24 : If I had not done among them the works which none other man did they
had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my
Father.
Read: Matthew 9:14-15
Bible in one year: Joel 1-3
If you are doing anything for God, you must be in a hurry, because if you are too slow, your sacrifice, obedience or gift might become irrelevant or unacceptable in His sight. Ecclesiastes 9:10 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 grave, whither thou goest"
Work when you can because a day is coming when you will be unable to perform the same work here on earth.
In Matthew 9:14-15, Jesus gave a profound illustration in which He said, there was no need for the children of the Bridegroom to fast while the Bridegroom was with them, but that when the Bridegroom leaves, they will be required to fast. It takes an understanding of the value of the times you are in to exploit this. The Lord's statement clearly speaks of two scenarios - a time in which He is physically present and the other without His physical presence. In the first scenario, because of His physical presence, the Lord supported the disciples with His own faith. Anytime they had to exercise their faith and failed, He was there to help them out and make them learn from it. While He was present, they could ask almost anything they wanted. In fact, He pointed out that they had not even utilised the opportunity they had to ask in His Name (John 15:24).
The second scenario is a time without His physical presence - a time where they had to live by their own faith. Under this period, situations would resist them to a point where they may have to fast frequently. Given the same opportunity, at what period would you make your requests? - Is it when the Lord is physically present or when He is not? Would it be when grace is available or when it is not? If you have an understanding of time, you will know when to ask what. During large meetings such as the Special Holy Ghost Service, the Convention and the Holy Ghost Congress, the presence of God is awesome and available. It is wisdom to key into such programmes in order to contact the current of the Holy Spirit that is moving at such times. Unfortunately, some people remain complacent because they do not know the difference between such gatherings and smaller gatherings at their local assemblies. If you are wise, when you attend such programmes, ask all your big requests including those that appear impossible and believe, and God will answer you. Maximise God's presence that you have access to!
Key point: If you are making simple requests when God is mightily present, you undermine His ability.
Read: Matthew 9:14-15
Bible in one year: Joel 1-3
If you are doing anything for God, you must be in a hurry, because if you are too slow, your sacrifice, obedience or gift might become irrelevant or unacceptable in His sight. Ecclesiastes 9:10 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 grave, whither thou goest"
Work when you can because a day is coming when you will be unable to perform the same work here on earth.
In Matthew 9:14-15, Jesus gave a profound illustration in which He said, there was no need for the children of the Bridegroom to fast while the Bridegroom was with them, but that when the Bridegroom leaves, they will be required to fast. It takes an understanding of the value of the times you are in to exploit this. The Lord's statement clearly speaks of two scenarios - a time in which He is physically present and the other without His physical presence. In the first scenario, because of His physical presence, the Lord supported the disciples with His own faith. Anytime they had to exercise their faith and failed, He was there to help them out and make them learn from it. While He was present, they could ask almost anything they wanted. In fact, He pointed out that they had not even utilised the opportunity they had to ask in His Name (John 15:24).
The second scenario is a time without His physical presence - a time where they had to live by their own faith. Under this period, situations would resist them to a point where they may have to fast frequently. Given the same opportunity, at what period would you make your requests? - Is it when the Lord is physically present or when He is not? Would it be when grace is available or when it is not? If you have an understanding of time, you will know when to ask what. During large meetings such as the Special Holy Ghost Service, the Convention and the Holy Ghost Congress, the presence of God is awesome and available. It is wisdom to key into such programmes in order to contact the current of the Holy Spirit that is moving at such times. Unfortunately, some people remain complacent because they do not know the difference between such gatherings and smaller gatherings at their local assemblies. If you are wise, when you attend such programmes, ask all your big requests including those that appear impossible and believe, and God will answer you. Maximise God's presence that you have access to!
Key point: If you are making simple requests when God is mightily present, you undermine His ability.
Wednesday 6 March 2013
70 x 7
Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV,..."Then Peter came to Him(Jesus) and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin
against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not
say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
Okay,
the verses above show the discussion between Jesus had with Peter on
forgiveness. Jesus told Peter to forgive his brother 70 x 7. Well, one must be
nuts in other to keep counting someone's offences up to 490 times. Now if our Lord Jesus Christ expects us to forgive those who offend us 490 times, how much more God Himself? God cannot ask us to do what He Himself cannot do, that will be unjust and we know He is Just, for God Himself is perfection. This means, no matter how many times you sin against God, He will forgive you! If you sin, ask God to forgive you, receive His forgiveness and keep it moving. 1 John 1:9 NKJV,..."If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Refuse to feel condemned because condemnation will rob you of your faith. The enemy will make you feel you deserve to be punished and that's you are going through what you are passing through. The Bible calls him accuser of brethren.
God said in Isaiah 43:25 NKJV,...“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins." Also, in Hebrews 8:12 NKJV,..."For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
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