GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT – Tuesday November 1st 2016
MEMORISE:And grieve not the holy spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
Read: Matthew 12:24-31 (KJV)
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Bible in one year: Revelations 1:1-3:13, Psalms 91
MESSAGE
There are many Christians living in frustration and defeat because they have set themselves against the flow of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the key to the outpouring of revival and every endeavour in this new dispensation. The Holy Spirit is the secret behind every super-national occurrence. Do you desire to know the plan of God for your tomorrow? Get the Holy Sprit. Do you want to live a successful Christian life? Get the Holy Spirit. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, you will live a life of continuous defeat. As helpful as the Holy Spirit is, one should be careful in relating with Him. Ananias and Saphirra lied to Peter about how much they sold their land. Open Heavens Tuesday 1 November 2016:- Grieve not the Holy Spirit. They felt they were deceiving Peter, unfortunately, it was too late for them to realise that they had grieved the Holy Spirit.
There are numerous ways by which grieve the Holy Spirit. The moment a person begins to rebel against the instructions in God’s Word, such a fellow is asking for trouble from the Holy Spirit. At several points in the life of the children of Israel, they murmured against God. They were never satisfied with His provision. Psalms 78:40 says:
“How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!”
They grieved God for forty years in the wilderness. Their hearts were hardened and they refused to acknowledge the ways of God. As a result of this attitude, they were not allowed to enter into the rest of the Lord. May this not be your portion in Jesus’ name.
Another way people can grieve the Holy Spirit is when they despise the truth of God’s Word. The apostle, in 1st Thessalonians 5:19 said that the church must not quench the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit can be grieved when disciples begin to disobey God. Believers today should do everything possible to pattern their lives after the beliefs and practices that were maintained by the disciples of the early church. There should be no room for bitterness or evil feelings towards one another. There are some people who make deliberate attempts to deceive their leaders. Some try to act very cleverly. Some Christians still see themselves as being smart because their sins have not yet been found out. All these people are only waiting for the judgement of God unless they repent. Do not do anything that will make you an enemy to the Holy Spirit. Do not make yourself a stumbling block to the progress of others around you. Don’t have the ‘pull it down’ mind-set. Don’t scatter the good works others have done simply because you are in a position of influence. All those who do these will see the anger of God.
The Holy Spirit must not be grieved. He is always working hard against sinners. You have to allow the Holy Spirit to breathe on you with the breath of God so that your life can be filled anew. When your life is filled anew, you will find it easy to love what He loves.
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me not to grieve your Holy Spirit.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
FAITH COMETH BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD. ROMANS10:17
Monday 31 October 2016
Sunday 30 October 2016
31ST OCTOBER 2016 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
BE COURAGEOUS – Monday October 31st 2016
MEMORISE: Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6
Read: 2nd Chronicles 32:7-8 (KJV)
7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Bible in one year: Malachi 1-4, Psalms 90:7-17
MESSAGE
Courage is a virtue that is not optional for children of God who want to fulfil destiny. Without courage, we can’t even say we are images of Living God. This is why God Almighty always emphasizes the need to be courageous in the lives of those who He wants to use for special assignments. In the memory verse for today, Moses, the servant of God, encouraged the children of Israel to be of good courage, void of fear for people. There are many reasons why we cannot afford to be afraid of people. Open Heavens Monday 31 October 2016:- Be Courageous
Proverbs 29:25 says:
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”
Anyone who wants to represent God in this world must be courageous, or else, he or she will make a mess of the divine assignment like king Saul did. When he was confronted with the half-obedience he exhibited concerning the Amalekites, he had this to say:
“… I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.”
1st Samuel 15:24
Another reason we should not be afraid of any man is that God is with us. His name is Emmanuel. He himself said “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20). Isaiah 43:2-3 says:
“When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.”
There are facts that should instil courage into us because faithful is He who has promised; He will fulfil it. In the Bible reading for today, kind Hezekiah, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, told the people to be courageous in the face of the threats of war from Sennacherib king of Assyria.
“With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
2nd Chronicles 32:8
PRAYER POINT
Father, give me courage; don’t let me lose my ground of faith to the devil.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
MEMORISE: Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6
Read: 2nd Chronicles 32:7-8 (KJV)
7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Bible in one year: Malachi 1-4, Psalms 90:7-17
MESSAGE
Courage is a virtue that is not optional for children of God who want to fulfil destiny. Without courage, we can’t even say we are images of Living God. This is why God Almighty always emphasizes the need to be courageous in the lives of those who He wants to use for special assignments. In the memory verse for today, Moses, the servant of God, encouraged the children of Israel to be of good courage, void of fear for people. There are many reasons why we cannot afford to be afraid of people. Open Heavens Monday 31 October 2016:- Be Courageous
Proverbs 29:25 says:
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”
Anyone who wants to represent God in this world must be courageous, or else, he or she will make a mess of the divine assignment like king Saul did. When he was confronted with the half-obedience he exhibited concerning the Amalekites, he had this to say:
“… I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.”
1st Samuel 15:24
Another reason we should not be afraid of any man is that God is with us. His name is Emmanuel. He himself said “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20). Isaiah 43:2-3 says:
“When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.”
There are facts that should instil courage into us because faithful is He who has promised; He will fulfil it. In the Bible reading for today, kind Hezekiah, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, told the people to be courageous in the face of the threats of war from Sennacherib king of Assyria.
“With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
2nd Chronicles 32:8
PRAYER POINT
Father, give me courage; don’t let me lose my ground of faith to the devil.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
Saturday 29 October 2016
30TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
GODLY SORROW – Sunday October 30th 2016
MEMORISE:Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4.
Read: 2nd Corinthians 7:9-10 (KJV)
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Bible in one year: Zechariah 11-14, Psalms 90:1-6
MESSAGE
There are different categories of sorrow; the ungodly sorrow and the godly sorrow. Ungodly sorrow leads to deadly actions that drag its victims to either temporal or eternal perdition. The Bible says that Cain was sorrowful because his offering was not acceptable by God. That type of sorrow was ungodly because it pushed his to commit a great sin against God. He became the first murderer in the history of man, a deviant one at that. The Almighty God asked him, “Where is Abel thy brother? And he confidently told God that he didn’t know where Abel was. Another example of ungodly sorrow is found in Judas Iscariot. The Bible says he actually felt sorry for how the event turned out, but his sorrow was not godly; he only felt bad because his plan to swindle the chief priest failed. He did not think of the injustice of the action in the first place. He would have been happy if Jesus had slipped away from His arresters like He had in John 8:59. No wonder Judas Iscariot ended up killing himself. Open Heavens Sunday 30 October 2016:- Godly Sorrow
On the other hand, godly sorrow is positive. 2nd Corinthians 7:10 says:
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
When someone realises that he or she is a sinner and knows that the final destination is eternal perdition, if he becomes penitent like David after his encounter with Prophet Nathan, he will be forgiven.
Also, in the story of the people of Nineveh, after Jonah had handed down the coming judgement of God upon the city, they all, from the king of the least, engaged themselves in godly sorrow. The king declared a fast of both humans and animals Jonah 3:10 says:
“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”
This positive sorrow was found in the Publican Jesus spoke of in Luke 18:10-14, he had godly sorrow void of self-righteousness and in verse 14, Jesus said:
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other….”
KEY POINT
Don’t sweep your blunders under the carpets of self-righteousness; repent and exercise godly sorrow. You will be comforted by divine forgiveness.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
MEMORISE:Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4.
Read: 2nd Corinthians 7:9-10 (KJV)
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Bible in one year: Zechariah 11-14, Psalms 90:1-6
MESSAGE
There are different categories of sorrow; the ungodly sorrow and the godly sorrow. Ungodly sorrow leads to deadly actions that drag its victims to either temporal or eternal perdition. The Bible says that Cain was sorrowful because his offering was not acceptable by God. That type of sorrow was ungodly because it pushed his to commit a great sin against God. He became the first murderer in the history of man, a deviant one at that. The Almighty God asked him, “Where is Abel thy brother? And he confidently told God that he didn’t know where Abel was. Another example of ungodly sorrow is found in Judas Iscariot. The Bible says he actually felt sorry for how the event turned out, but his sorrow was not godly; he only felt bad because his plan to swindle the chief priest failed. He did not think of the injustice of the action in the first place. He would have been happy if Jesus had slipped away from His arresters like He had in John 8:59. No wonder Judas Iscariot ended up killing himself. Open Heavens Sunday 30 October 2016:- Godly Sorrow
On the other hand, godly sorrow is positive. 2nd Corinthians 7:10 says:
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
When someone realises that he or she is a sinner and knows that the final destination is eternal perdition, if he becomes penitent like David after his encounter with Prophet Nathan, he will be forgiven.
Also, in the story of the people of Nineveh, after Jonah had handed down the coming judgement of God upon the city, they all, from the king of the least, engaged themselves in godly sorrow. The king declared a fast of both humans and animals Jonah 3:10 says:
“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”
This positive sorrow was found in the Publican Jesus spoke of in Luke 18:10-14, he had godly sorrow void of self-righteousness and in verse 14, Jesus said:
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other….”
KEY POINT
Don’t sweep your blunders under the carpets of self-righteousness; repent and exercise godly sorrow. You will be comforted by divine forgiveness.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Friday 28 October 2016
29TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
NOT REPROBATE – Saturday October 29th 2016
MEMORISE:But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 2nd Corinthians 13:6
Read: 2nd Corinthians 13:5-8 (KJV)
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Bible in one year: Zechariah 6:9-10:12, Psalms 89:38-52
MESSAGE
To be a reprobate is very dangerous for the society and for the Christian faith in particular. The reason is not far-fetched; a reprobate does immoral and unethical things without any sense of guilt or remorse because his or her conscience has been seared with hot iron of defiance. In our memory verse for today, Apostle Paul affirmed his confidence in the Corinthians Church premised on the fact that they would do according to the godly instructions he gave them. Open Heavens Saturday 29 October 2016:- Not reprobate
The problem of some of the 21st century believers is the philosophy of relativism which makes them think that an acceptable statement or action in the time of war will also be acceptable in the time of peace. For instance, if you kill while on a battle field, you are valiant and patriotic, however, if you kill in the time of peace, even as a soldier, you will be charged with murder. An extreme case of relativism is when killing in the time of peace is considered the same with killing in the time of war. This is a human error that should not be allowed in the body of Christ because it turns believers into reprobates.
In our text today, Apostle Paul admonished the Church at Corinth, and by extension, the Church of today to make sure they are still in the faith. He goes further to challenge us to prove that we are carriers of Jesus’ image. This is the reason why John, the beloved wrote in 1st John 3:9
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he annot sin, because he is born of God.”
Some people have sold themselves to reprobate minds, and so no number of sermons they hear can change them. They keep saying, “My conscience does not condemn me.” The truth is that a dead conscience cannot condemn, because it is not active.
PRAYER POINT
Lord Jesus, please cleanse my conscience with Your Blood so that it may be more active and sensitive for you.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
MEMORISE:But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 2nd Corinthians 13:6
Read: 2nd Corinthians 13:5-8 (KJV)
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Bible in one year: Zechariah 6:9-10:12, Psalms 89:38-52
MESSAGE
To be a reprobate is very dangerous for the society and for the Christian faith in particular. The reason is not far-fetched; a reprobate does immoral and unethical things without any sense of guilt or remorse because his or her conscience has been seared with hot iron of defiance. In our memory verse for today, Apostle Paul affirmed his confidence in the Corinthians Church premised on the fact that they would do according to the godly instructions he gave them. Open Heavens Saturday 29 October 2016:- Not reprobate
The problem of some of the 21st century believers is the philosophy of relativism which makes them think that an acceptable statement or action in the time of war will also be acceptable in the time of peace. For instance, if you kill while on a battle field, you are valiant and patriotic, however, if you kill in the time of peace, even as a soldier, you will be charged with murder. An extreme case of relativism is when killing in the time of peace is considered the same with killing in the time of war. This is a human error that should not be allowed in the body of Christ because it turns believers into reprobates.
In our text today, Apostle Paul admonished the Church at Corinth, and by extension, the Church of today to make sure they are still in the faith. He goes further to challenge us to prove that we are carriers of Jesus’ image. This is the reason why John, the beloved wrote in 1st John 3:9
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he annot sin, because he is born of God.”
Some people have sold themselves to reprobate minds, and so no number of sermons they hear can change them. They keep saying, “My conscience does not condemn me.” The truth is that a dead conscience cannot condemn, because it is not active.
PRAYER POINT
Lord Jesus, please cleanse my conscience with Your Blood so that it may be more active and sensitive for you.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
Thursday 27 October 2016
28TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
GOD GETS ANGRY TOO – Friday October 28th 2016
MEMORISE:For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5
Read: Psalms 30:1-5 (KJV)
1 I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
3 O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Bible in one year: Zechariah 1:1-6-8, Psalms 86:15-37
MESSAGE
A truth catches one’s attention in today’s Bible reading; God can be angry! If this wasn’t the case, the Bible wouldn’t have said; “For this anger endureth but a moment”. Jeremiah 25:6 further corroborates this fact by saying that the God of love can be provoked to anger:
“And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.”
It is only a false teacher or prophet that will teach that God is so lovingly holy, therefore, He can’t be provoked to anger. This type of teaching makes children of God take the love of their heavenly Father for granted.
Having said this, we must also acknowledge the fact that His anger does not last forever. There is a condition though. When you don’t take God and His mercies for granted, and you genuinely turn away from your wickedness, He will deal with you as if you have never sinned before. Proverbs 28:13 says:
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
When God is angry with an individual, that fellow cannot know joy. Psalms 32:10 says:
“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.”
Going by this scripture, every man born of a woman is doomed for sorrow until Jesus Christ redeems him from the curse of sin. Our trust in the work of redemption without taking the One who made it possible for granted, will bring us unspeakable joy. When our relationship is cordial with God, we can boldly say like the Psalmist; “weeping may endure for a night…” (Due to the variable nature of life) “…but joy cometh in the morning.”
When I first became General Overseer, anytime I returned from my missionary journeys, my wife would be eager to tell me about all the matters that needed my attention. After listening to them all, I would ask for my food and after the meal I would go to bed. My wife kept on wondering about my attitude. I had to explain to her the fact that joy will come in the morning because I was leaving everything to God while I sleep. Faithful is He who has promised us joy in the morning; it shall surely come.
PRAYER POINT
Father, let my morning of joy come now.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Wednesday 26 October 2016
27TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
COST OF DISCIPLESHIP – Thursday October 27th 2016
MEMORISE:And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
Read: Luke 14:25-27 (KJV)
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Bible in one year: Zephaniah 1-3, Haggai 1-2, Psalms 89:1-14
MESSAGE
Children of God are to decide wisely what they want to do with their relationship with Him. Jesus, in Luke 14:27 said;
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”
A Cross is a symbol of responsibility, to say the least. It is a pointer to the fact that the path of discipleship is rugged and demanding. It demands a high level of determination to follow without looking back when faced with sufferings and temptations. This is why Jesus said in Luke 9:62; “…No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
The cost of discipleship is also found in the blessed call of Jesus Christ in Matthew 11:28-39:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
It is costly to follow Jesus Christ for many reasons. Firstly, He has a yoke and whoever wants to follow Him must bear that yoke with Him. An example of this yoke is found in John 4:43 where Jesus said; “…My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Whoever fails to share this burden with Jesus cannot be His disciple. Secondly, the one who wants to be a disciple of Christ must learn of Him, he must pattern His life Christ’s life and one major way to pattern one’s life after Jesus Christ is to be meek and lowly in heart. Philippians 2:5-8 says:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Beloved, you have to know that discipleship has its price, but it is highly rewarding. Jesus Christ said, “… and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”(Matthew 11:29).
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me to pay the cost of discipleship, so that I can gain the immeasurable blessing of a genuine disciple.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
MEMORISE:And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
Read: Luke 14:25-27 (KJV)
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Bible in one year: Zephaniah 1-3, Haggai 1-2, Psalms 89:1-14
MESSAGE
Children of God are to decide wisely what they want to do with their relationship with Him. Jesus, in Luke 14:27 said;
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”
A Cross is a symbol of responsibility, to say the least. It is a pointer to the fact that the path of discipleship is rugged and demanding. It demands a high level of determination to follow without looking back when faced with sufferings and temptations. This is why Jesus said in Luke 9:62; “…No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
The cost of discipleship is also found in the blessed call of Jesus Christ in Matthew 11:28-39:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
It is costly to follow Jesus Christ for many reasons. Firstly, He has a yoke and whoever wants to follow Him must bear that yoke with Him. An example of this yoke is found in John 4:43 where Jesus said; “…My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Whoever fails to share this burden with Jesus cannot be His disciple. Secondly, the one who wants to be a disciple of Christ must learn of Him, he must pattern His life Christ’s life and one major way to pattern one’s life after Jesus Christ is to be meek and lowly in heart. Philippians 2:5-8 says:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Beloved, you have to know that discipleship has its price, but it is highly rewarding. Jesus Christ said, “… and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”(Matthew 11:29).
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me to pay the cost of discipleship, so that I can gain the immeasurable blessing of a genuine disciple.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
26TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR? – Wednesday October 26th 2016
MEMORISE : Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13
Read: Luke 12:15-20, (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Bible in one year: Nahum 1-3, Habakkuk 1-3, Psalms 88
MESSAGE
To know what you live for, you need to consult the Holy Scriptures and this is what we shall briefly do in today’s reading.
The Bible says:
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Revelation 4:11
The unfortunate thing about life is that, people live as if they own their lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ told us the story of a certain rich man who in one year had so much money that he started boasting of many years of enjoyment. While he was ranting and boasting, God said to him:
“Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:20-21
Beloved, we are expected to live for God the Father, through Jesus Christ the Son. We are not supposed to live for ourselves anymore, because we have been bought with price. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ admonished us as peculiar people to show forth the praises of Him (Jesus) who hath called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. (1st Peter 2:9). Moreover, Paul, another apostle corroborated this when he wrote:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
The apostle further wrote that, after we have given our lives to Christ, we should live a new life as becoming the saints. We should put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
This is the only way we can live for God and not for ourselves. May the Lord grant us the grace to live acceptably before Him in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me to live for You alone in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
MEMORISE : Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13
Read: Luke 12:15-20, (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Bible in one year: Nahum 1-3, Habakkuk 1-3, Psalms 88
MESSAGE
To know what you live for, you need to consult the Holy Scriptures and this is what we shall briefly do in today’s reading.
The Bible says:
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Revelation 4:11
The unfortunate thing about life is that, people live as if they own their lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ told us the story of a certain rich man who in one year had so much money that he started boasting of many years of enjoyment. While he was ranting and boasting, God said to him:
“Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:20-21
Beloved, we are expected to live for God the Father, through Jesus Christ the Son. We are not supposed to live for ourselves anymore, because we have been bought with price. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ admonished us as peculiar people to show forth the praises of Him (Jesus) who hath called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. (1st Peter 2:9). Moreover, Paul, another apostle corroborated this when he wrote:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
The apostle further wrote that, after we have given our lives to Christ, we should live a new life as becoming the saints. We should put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
This is the only way we can live for God and not for ourselves. May the Lord grant us the grace to live acceptably before Him in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me to live for You alone in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Tuesday 25 October 2016
25TH OCTOBER 2016 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
SPIRITUAL ADULTERY FORBIDDEN! – Tuesday October 25th 2016
MEMORISE :For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called. Isaiah 54:5
Read: Hosea 2:2-5, (KJV)
2 Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
3 Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.
4 And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.
5 For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.
Bible in one year: Micah 5-7, Psalms 87
MESSAGE
The relationship between God and his human creatures could be likened to the relationship between a husband and his wife. God, who instituted marriage, patterned the relationship in marriage after His relationship with His people. This is why spiritual adultery is severely punished from time to time in the history of man and his interaction with his Maker.
“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim….And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before enemies.”
Judges 2:11, 13-14
God is jealous, like a man could be jealous over the relationship of his wife with another man, when his human creatures follow other gods besides Him (Exodus 20:5). The spiritual adultery which the children of Israel committed is vividly illustrated in the relationship between Hosea and Gomer his professional harlot-turned wife. The patience of Hosea with Gomer who was always going back to her whoredom like a dog that goes back to its vomit also illustrates God’s patience with His people who court with the people of the world. The bond becomes stronger when someone at the altar of repentance, betroths himself or herself to Jesus Christ, the original Bridegroom. The Bible says:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If an any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
1st John 2:15
Our Lord Jesus Christ also said that our love cannot be possibly shared between God and ephemeral things of this world. He said:
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Luke 16:13
Serving God and mammon is spiritual adultery, punishable by rejection and shame.
The Bible says:
“Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts. Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, an set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.”
Hosea 2:2-3
Beloved, beware of spiritual adultery. Stick to Jesus Christ. The Lover of your soul and He will do you good.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please forgive me of any spiritual adultery I might have committed against You and our spiritual matrimony. For Christ’s sake, please do not reject me.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
MEMORISE :For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called. Isaiah 54:5
Read: Hosea 2:2-5, (KJV)
2 Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
3 Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.
4 And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.
5 For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.
Bible in one year: Micah 5-7, Psalms 87
MESSAGE
The relationship between God and his human creatures could be likened to the relationship between a husband and his wife. God, who instituted marriage, patterned the relationship in marriage after His relationship with His people. This is why spiritual adultery is severely punished from time to time in the history of man and his interaction with his Maker.
“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim….And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before enemies.”
Judges 2:11, 13-14
God is jealous, like a man could be jealous over the relationship of his wife with another man, when his human creatures follow other gods besides Him (Exodus 20:5). The spiritual adultery which the children of Israel committed is vividly illustrated in the relationship between Hosea and Gomer his professional harlot-turned wife. The patience of Hosea with Gomer who was always going back to her whoredom like a dog that goes back to its vomit also illustrates God’s patience with His people who court with the people of the world. The bond becomes stronger when someone at the altar of repentance, betroths himself or herself to Jesus Christ, the original Bridegroom. The Bible says:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If an any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
1st John 2:15
Our Lord Jesus Christ also said that our love cannot be possibly shared between God and ephemeral things of this world. He said:
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Luke 16:13
Serving God and mammon is spiritual adultery, punishable by rejection and shame.
The Bible says:
“Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts. Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, an set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.”
Hosea 2:2-3
Beloved, beware of spiritual adultery. Stick to Jesus Christ. The Lover of your soul and He will do you good.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please forgive me of any spiritual adultery I might have committed against You and our spiritual matrimony. For Christ’s sake, please do not reject me.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Sunday 23 October 2016
23RD OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
THE TOUCH OF FAITH – Sunday October 23rd 2016
MEMORISE : Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. Matthew 9:29
Read: Matthew 9:20-22, (KJV)
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Bible in one year: Obadiah 1, Jonah 1-4, Psalm 85
There is tremendous power in a touch. It may be positive or negative as there are categories and types of touches.
Naaman knew the power in a touch, especially from representatives of God and said with a sense of disappointment when Elisha did not come out to touch him when he went to Samaria:
“…Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.”
2nd Kings 5:11
A touch can bring death as in the case of Uzzah in the book of Samuel:
“And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.”
2nd Samuel 6:6-7
During one of our Conventions at the Redemption Camp in Nigeria, the Lord asked me to lay out a piece of cloth for people to touch by faith and receive their healing, with a warning that it should simply be touched and not held. A man went ahead to touch (I will say without faith) because he also grabbed the cloth. It took special grace and forgiveness of God for him not to die the moment he touched outside of faith; his entire body began to shake uncontrollably from morning till evening. It would have been a touch of death but for God’s intervention.
Another touch can bring healing as in the case of the woman with the issue of blood in our Bible reading for today.
“For she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.”
Matthew 9:21
This is the touch of faith. The touch of faith can work for the one who touches and for the touched. In the same chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus Christ was met by two blind men who were crying for mercy of healing. When Jesus found out that these men had faith to receive divine touches for healing, the Bible says:
“Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, see that no man know it.”
Matthew 9:29-30
The touch of faith is required anytime you need a miracle. I pray for someone using this devotional; the Lord will touch you for healing and deliverance today, and will have a testimony in Jesus’ name. I also pray that whatever you touch by faith today will prosper in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please touch me in the areas where I need Your intervention today and let my joy be full in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
MEMORISE : Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. Matthew 9:29
Read: Matthew 9:20-22, (KJV)
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Bible in one year: Obadiah 1, Jonah 1-4, Psalm 85
There is tremendous power in a touch. It may be positive or negative as there are categories and types of touches.
Naaman knew the power in a touch, especially from representatives of God and said with a sense of disappointment when Elisha did not come out to touch him when he went to Samaria:
“…Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.”
2nd Kings 5:11
A touch can bring death as in the case of Uzzah in the book of Samuel:
“And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.”
2nd Samuel 6:6-7
During one of our Conventions at the Redemption Camp in Nigeria, the Lord asked me to lay out a piece of cloth for people to touch by faith and receive their healing, with a warning that it should simply be touched and not held. A man went ahead to touch (I will say without faith) because he also grabbed the cloth. It took special grace and forgiveness of God for him not to die the moment he touched outside of faith; his entire body began to shake uncontrollably from morning till evening. It would have been a touch of death but for God’s intervention.
Another touch can bring healing as in the case of the woman with the issue of blood in our Bible reading for today.
“For she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.”
Matthew 9:21
This is the touch of faith. The touch of faith can work for the one who touches and for the touched. In the same chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus Christ was met by two blind men who were crying for mercy of healing. When Jesus found out that these men had faith to receive divine touches for healing, the Bible says:
“Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, see that no man know it.”
Matthew 9:29-30
The touch of faith is required anytime you need a miracle. I pray for someone using this devotional; the Lord will touch you for healing and deliverance today, and will have a testimony in Jesus’ name. I also pray that whatever you touch by faith today will prosper in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please touch me in the areas where I need Your intervention today and let my joy be full in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Friday 21 October 2016
22ND OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
I KNOW YOUR WORKS VII – Saturday October 22nd 2016
MEMORISE : For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36
Read: Revelation 3:14-19, (KJV)
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Bible in one year: Amos 5:18-9:15, Psalms 84
MESSAGE
The Lord in many pages of the Bible warns against the lust of this material world. We are enjoined to set our affections on heavenly things, so that we may not be draw into the perdition of covetousness. Jesus Christ in today’s memory verse asks:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Mark 8:36
Also in today’s Bible reading, our Lord accused the Church in Laodicea of lukewarmness. They were neither hot nor cold. What could have been responsible for this spiritual state of the Church in Laodicea? They were carried away by their physical and material prosperity. Service became funfair and the clergy became time-serving.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
Revelation 3:17
We must learn from the experience of the Loadicean Church, the material prosperity could be very dangerous if not properly managed by children of God. A man finds it easy to keep vigils in his mosquito or bug infested room, since mosquito or bug bites will not allow him to sleep anyway. However, the moment his situation changes for the better. He now owns a decent apartment with maximum comfort; it becomes difficult to pray at night. Also, when a man does not have enough food to eat, fasting may be easy, because he can only afford to eat once daily anyway. Those born with silver spoons or living in the developed world may find such situations unbelievable, but this was my experience in my trying days, when my regular meal was just one finger of plantain a day. In those days, I dared not eat two fingers of plantain, or else I will have to fast the following day. It takes the grace of God and strong determination to fast when your storehouse is full of assorted foods. King Solomon made a prayer request that we should consider:
“Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”
Proverbs 30:7-9
God called on Adam after he had sold himself to Satan and fallen for the three main temptations in history; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. In response, he said he was hiding because he had realised that he was naked. He was right. Riches without God is nakedness in the spirit. Beloved, don’t be deceived, only Jesus Christ can satisfy; nothing and no one else can.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please set me on fire for You so that I may remain hot until Your Second Coming.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
MEMORISE : For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36
Read: Revelation 3:14-19, (KJV)
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Bible in one year: Amos 5:18-9:15, Psalms 84
MESSAGE
The Lord in many pages of the Bible warns against the lust of this material world. We are enjoined to set our affections on heavenly things, so that we may not be draw into the perdition of covetousness. Jesus Christ in today’s memory verse asks:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Mark 8:36
Also in today’s Bible reading, our Lord accused the Church in Laodicea of lukewarmness. They were neither hot nor cold. What could have been responsible for this spiritual state of the Church in Laodicea? They were carried away by their physical and material prosperity. Service became funfair and the clergy became time-serving.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
Revelation 3:17
We must learn from the experience of the Loadicean Church, the material prosperity could be very dangerous if not properly managed by children of God. A man finds it easy to keep vigils in his mosquito or bug infested room, since mosquito or bug bites will not allow him to sleep anyway. However, the moment his situation changes for the better. He now owns a decent apartment with maximum comfort; it becomes difficult to pray at night. Also, when a man does not have enough food to eat, fasting may be easy, because he can only afford to eat once daily anyway. Those born with silver spoons or living in the developed world may find such situations unbelievable, but this was my experience in my trying days, when my regular meal was just one finger of plantain a day. In those days, I dared not eat two fingers of plantain, or else I will have to fast the following day. It takes the grace of God and strong determination to fast when your storehouse is full of assorted foods. King Solomon made a prayer request that we should consider:
“Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”
Proverbs 30:7-9
God called on Adam after he had sold himself to Satan and fallen for the three main temptations in history; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. In response, he said he was hiding because he had realised that he was naked. He was right. Riches without God is nakedness in the spirit. Beloved, don’t be deceived, only Jesus Christ can satisfy; nothing and no one else can.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please set me on fire for You so that I may remain hot until Your Second Coming.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Thursday 20 October 2016
21ST OCTOBER 2016:OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
I KNOW YOUR WORKS IV – Friday October 21st 2016
MEMORISE : Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1st Corinthians 15:58
Read: Revelation 3:7-11, (KJV)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Bible in one year: Amos 1:1-5:17, Psalms 83
MESSAGE
Another exciting thing about the Almighty God is that He is the most generous employer of labour. He pays the best wages in history. This is reason Apostle Paul admonishes us in today’s memory verse to always abound in the work of the Lord because He will definitely pay us wages beyond our imagination. The disciples asked Jesus Christ what they should do that they might work the works of God? He answered them: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28-29). You may not appreciate the ability to believe that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon you, until you discover the outcome of those who died as a result of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-19). God celebrates those who exercise faith in Him; this is why without faith we cannot please Him (Hebrews 11:6). In the message of Jesus Christ to the Church in Philadelphia, it is written:
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou has a little strength, and hast kept my work, and hast not denied my name.”
Revelation 3:8
One serious point to note is that there are many practical unbelievers in Christ, playing empty religion. They do not believe in the Name of Jesus Christ and He knows their works! How do we explain this? The Bible says that He shall be called Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins. This category of Church goers do not believe that through His Name we can receive deliverance from sins. They deny the possibility of living above the power of sin, and so their slogan is “let us sin the more that we may enjoy the grace the more”. Against this background Apostle Paul wrote:
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
Romans 6:1-2
Beloved, in the light of these, do you believe in the saving name of Jesus? Are you ready to keep His Word? He has promised that the agents of Satan shall not do you any harm. Rather, they would bow before you and acknowledge the fact that you are a beloved of the Lord. He promised:
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
Revelations 3:10 21.
ACTION POINT
Find out the areas where you have been exercising unbelief and repent today.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
MEMORISE : Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1st Corinthians 15:58
Read: Revelation 3:7-11, (KJV)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Bible in one year: Amos 1:1-5:17, Psalms 83
MESSAGE
Another exciting thing about the Almighty God is that He is the most generous employer of labour. He pays the best wages in history. This is reason Apostle Paul admonishes us in today’s memory verse to always abound in the work of the Lord because He will definitely pay us wages beyond our imagination. The disciples asked Jesus Christ what they should do that they might work the works of God? He answered them: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28-29). You may not appreciate the ability to believe that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon you, until you discover the outcome of those who died as a result of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-19). God celebrates those who exercise faith in Him; this is why without faith we cannot please Him (Hebrews 11:6). In the message of Jesus Christ to the Church in Philadelphia, it is written:
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou has a little strength, and hast kept my work, and hast not denied my name.”
Revelation 3:8
One serious point to note is that there are many practical unbelievers in Christ, playing empty religion. They do not believe in the Name of Jesus Christ and He knows their works! How do we explain this? The Bible says that He shall be called Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins. This category of Church goers do not believe that through His Name we can receive deliverance from sins. They deny the possibility of living above the power of sin, and so their slogan is “let us sin the more that we may enjoy the grace the more”. Against this background Apostle Paul wrote:
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
Romans 6:1-2
Beloved, in the light of these, do you believe in the saving name of Jesus? Are you ready to keep His Word? He has promised that the agents of Satan shall not do you any harm. Rather, they would bow before you and acknowledge the fact that you are a beloved of the Lord. He promised:
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
Revelations 3:10 21.
ACTION POINT
Find out the areas where you have been exercising unbelief and repent today.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Wednesday 19 October 2016
20TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
I KNOW YOUR WORKS V – Thursday October 20th 2016
MEMORISE : Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41
Read: Revelation 3:1-6, (KJV)
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Bible in one year: Joel 1-3, Psalms 82
MESSAGE
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the most practical personality that has ever lived on the earth. This should not be surprising, since He is both God and man; He came to show us the way to live a victorious and fulfilled life. He affirmed that He came that we may have life and to have it more abundantly (John 10:10
In the Lord’s letter to the Church at Sardis, He told the Church that they were living in self-delusion; that they thought they were vibrant and full of life, whereas, they were half dead and something must be done urgently to preserve the remaining half of their lives, because their works were not perfect before God. They were to watch and pray to rejuvenate their spirituality. Our compassionate Lord, who would not want anyone, particularly those who have confessed Him as Lord to perish is here in today’s reading appealing to and warning the Church to remember how they started and hold fast the Word of truth. One lesson here is that God is not interested in the death of a backslider but that the backslider should repent and be saved.
“Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you; and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”
Jeremiah 3:14
Another interesting lesson we must learn from today’s reading is that the Almighty God knows the state and details of our lives, both spiritually and physically. In spite of the indictment of the imperfect works of the Church at Sardis, the Lord still revealed the truth that not all the members of the Church were corrupt.
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”
Revelations 3:4
The accurate judge said that there are names (though few) that are worthy! I pray that you will be declared worthy in Jesus’ name. However, you have to watch over your soul in this pervert generation and pray always if you will be worthy at the end of the age. Moreover, the Lord promised that He would judge individuals in the church, according to each person’s deeds. There shall be no collective responsibility when it comes to spiritual accountability.
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father; neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
Ezekiel 18:20
ACTION POINT
Since the Lord knows your works; take a self-examination of yourself and see where you need to repent, watch and pray for restoration.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
MEMORISE : Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41
Read: Revelation 3:1-6, (KJV)
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Bible in one year: Joel 1-3, Psalms 82
MESSAGE
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the most practical personality that has ever lived on the earth. This should not be surprising, since He is both God and man; He came to show us the way to live a victorious and fulfilled life. He affirmed that He came that we may have life and to have it more abundantly (John 10:10
In the Lord’s letter to the Church at Sardis, He told the Church that they were living in self-delusion; that they thought they were vibrant and full of life, whereas, they were half dead and something must be done urgently to preserve the remaining half of their lives, because their works were not perfect before God. They were to watch and pray to rejuvenate their spirituality. Our compassionate Lord, who would not want anyone, particularly those who have confessed Him as Lord to perish is here in today’s reading appealing to and warning the Church to remember how they started and hold fast the Word of truth. One lesson here is that God is not interested in the death of a backslider but that the backslider should repent and be saved.
“Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you; and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”
Jeremiah 3:14
Another interesting lesson we must learn from today’s reading is that the Almighty God knows the state and details of our lives, both spiritually and physically. In spite of the indictment of the imperfect works of the Church at Sardis, the Lord still revealed the truth that not all the members of the Church were corrupt.
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”
Revelations 3:4
The accurate judge said that there are names (though few) that are worthy! I pray that you will be declared worthy in Jesus’ name. However, you have to watch over your soul in this pervert generation and pray always if you will be worthy at the end of the age. Moreover, the Lord promised that He would judge individuals in the church, according to each person’s deeds. There shall be no collective responsibility when it comes to spiritual accountability.
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father; neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
Ezekiel 18:20
ACTION POINT
Since the Lord knows your works; take a self-examination of yourself and see where you need to repent, watch and pray for restoration.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
Tuesday 18 October 2016
19TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
I KNOW YOUR WORKS IV – Wednesday October 19th 2016
MEMORISE :This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless… 1st Timothy 3:1-2a
Read: Revelations 2:18-24, (KJV)
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Bible in one year: Hosea 11-14, Psalms 81
MESSAGE
It is amazing and at the same time fearful to realise that the Almighty God takes note of the so-called minor misses of the Church as seen in today’s Bible reading. God is mindful of those who occupy His altar and He will hold in contempt, not only those who climb the altar with profanity but also those who allow them to climb. In Revelation 2:20, God said:
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”
The first lesson to be learnt from today’s reading is in verse 18. The One that is assessing the Church in Thyatira has eyes like unto a flame of fire! In other words, He sees everything done in secret and in public. Absolutely nothing is hidden from Him. Psalms 139:11-12 says:
“If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the light shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
As we have mentioned over and over, the Almighty God knows the details of our service. This should always be a consolation to us, especially when it seems our services in the Church are not being appreciated. Know this, your Father in heaven who sees in secret will always reward you in the open. If you are a Deacon and you labour for the church like the General Overseer, it will amaze you that the reward of a General Overseer will pursue, overtake and stay with you. David was fighting like the commander-in-chief of the hosts of Israel and God rewarded him handsomely in many respects even before he was crowned. The greatest lesson with a strong warning is that your service is not perfect when it is laden with immorality and any form of evil. A Church is in danger when she allows profanity to take over the sanctuary. The Lord is warning someone using this devotional that has been using service to cover up his or her immorality and greed. Please, repent today and stop polluting the sanctuary of the Lord. The consequence of your defiant attitude to this warning are severe as seen in Revelation 2:22-23. May the Almighty God have mercy in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, wherever I have been missing it in my service to You, please help me make amends.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
MEMORISE :This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless… 1st Timothy 3:1-2a
Read: Revelations 2:18-24, (KJV)
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Bible in one year: Hosea 11-14, Psalms 81
MESSAGE
It is amazing and at the same time fearful to realise that the Almighty God takes note of the so-called minor misses of the Church as seen in today’s Bible reading. God is mindful of those who occupy His altar and He will hold in contempt, not only those who climb the altar with profanity but also those who allow them to climb. In Revelation 2:20, God said:
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”
The first lesson to be learnt from today’s reading is in verse 18. The One that is assessing the Church in Thyatira has eyes like unto a flame of fire! In other words, He sees everything done in secret and in public. Absolutely nothing is hidden from Him. Psalms 139:11-12 says:
“If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the light shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
As we have mentioned over and over, the Almighty God knows the details of our service. This should always be a consolation to us, especially when it seems our services in the Church are not being appreciated. Know this, your Father in heaven who sees in secret will always reward you in the open. If you are a Deacon and you labour for the church like the General Overseer, it will amaze you that the reward of a General Overseer will pursue, overtake and stay with you. David was fighting like the commander-in-chief of the hosts of Israel and God rewarded him handsomely in many respects even before he was crowned. The greatest lesson with a strong warning is that your service is not perfect when it is laden with immorality and any form of evil. A Church is in danger when she allows profanity to take over the sanctuary. The Lord is warning someone using this devotional that has been using service to cover up his or her immorality and greed. Please, repent today and stop polluting the sanctuary of the Lord. The consequence of your defiant attitude to this warning are severe as seen in Revelation 2:22-23. May the Almighty God have mercy in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, wherever I have been missing it in my service to You, please help me make amends.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
Monday 17 October 2016
18TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
I KNOW YOUR WORKS III – Tuesday October 18th 2016
MEMORISE: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1st Timothy 4:1
Read: Revelation 2:12-17, (KJV)
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Bible in one year: Hosea 6-10, Psalms 80:8-19
MESSAGE
In the Bible reading, Jesus Christ commended the Church in Pergamos, reassuring them that nothing about them is hidden from Him. The interesting thing about this Church is that in spite of the nearness of the Church to the seat of Satan, they still held on to the Name of Jesus Christ, they never denied their faith even in the face of terrible persecution. However, Jesus Christ had a serious allegation against them. They tolerated in their midst those who were holding on to and practising false doctrines. This is a food for thought for Christians of the 21st century. In this end-time, we compromise a lot of the apostolic orthodox in the name of civilization and fundamental human rights. We have forgotten that just as God is not a democrat, He is also not a human activist. He has His set of rules that we must abide by, however, we compromise this divine standard because we think we can through that, win these blasphemers into the Kingdom. As a matter of fact, because we have tolerated them so much, they now see themselves as Christians too, setting worldly standard for the Church as they dangle their wealth at the saints.
Will Jesus not hate such a compromise in the name of magnanimity when it becomes a stumbling block to the saints? The saints are living their first love because of the doctrine of Balaam. This compromise spoiled the good works of the Church in Pergamos. In Revelations 2:16, Jesus warned the Church:
“Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
One major revelation in this passage is that the message of repentance was preached to the Church in Pergamos. We are hereby encouraged to heed this warning too, so that we can overcome these temptations through genuine repentance. When we overcome, our reward will be the hidden manna and a testimonial of perfection written on precious stone.
Beloved, do not be deceived by your longevity in Church. God knows your works and He will reward you accordingly.
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me to disassociate myself from worldly pollution.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
MEMORISE: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1st Timothy 4:1
Read: Revelation 2:12-17, (KJV)
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Bible in one year: Hosea 6-10, Psalms 80:8-19
MESSAGE
In the Bible reading, Jesus Christ commended the Church in Pergamos, reassuring them that nothing about them is hidden from Him. The interesting thing about this Church is that in spite of the nearness of the Church to the seat of Satan, they still held on to the Name of Jesus Christ, they never denied their faith even in the face of terrible persecution. However, Jesus Christ had a serious allegation against them. They tolerated in their midst those who were holding on to and practising false doctrines. This is a food for thought for Christians of the 21st century. In this end-time, we compromise a lot of the apostolic orthodox in the name of civilization and fundamental human rights. We have forgotten that just as God is not a democrat, He is also not a human activist. He has His set of rules that we must abide by, however, we compromise this divine standard because we think we can through that, win these blasphemers into the Kingdom. As a matter of fact, because we have tolerated them so much, they now see themselves as Christians too, setting worldly standard for the Church as they dangle their wealth at the saints.
Will Jesus not hate such a compromise in the name of magnanimity when it becomes a stumbling block to the saints? The saints are living their first love because of the doctrine of Balaam. This compromise spoiled the good works of the Church in Pergamos. In Revelations 2:16, Jesus warned the Church:
“Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
One major revelation in this passage is that the message of repentance was preached to the Church in Pergamos. We are hereby encouraged to heed this warning too, so that we can overcome these temptations through genuine repentance. When we overcome, our reward will be the hidden manna and a testimonial of perfection written on precious stone.
Beloved, do not be deceived by your longevity in Church. God knows your works and He will reward you accordingly.
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me to disassociate myself from worldly pollution.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye.
Sunday 16 October 2016
17TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
I KNOW YOUR WORKS II – Monday October 17th 2016
MEMORISE :He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. Revelation 2:29
Read: Revelation 2:8-11, (KJV)
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Bible in one year: Hosea 1-5, Psalms 80:1-7
MESSAGE
The Almighty Father knows all that we do, nothing we do is hidden from Him. This should make us rejoice because it means that our Master knows our works, (assuming that our works are good) and He will appreciate and commend us for them. In other words, even if people don’t appreciate us or if they misunderstood us, God never misunderstoods. In Revelation 2:9, the Lord sent a message of goodwill to the Church in Smyrna:
“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
There are beautiful things to note from the above scripture: Jesus knows about the tribulation we are passing through. Little wonder one of the saints of old wrote a hymn titled: “There’s not a Friend like the Lowly Jesus.” The Chorus reads:
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
Another interesting thing about today’s Bible reading is the courage that the Master gave to the Church in Smyrna. He said: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer….be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Beloved, this is a message from Jesus, the Lover of your soul. Before this time, in John 16:33, Jesus made a categorical statement void of ambiguity.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Jesus further assured us of the great reward of escaping the second death if we will strive to overcome (Revelation 2:11). May the Lord help us to overcome in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, strengthen my inner man so that I may stand strong till the very end.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
MEMORISE :He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. Revelation 2:29
Read: Revelation 2:8-11, (KJV)
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Bible in one year: Hosea 1-5, Psalms 80:1-7
MESSAGE
The Almighty Father knows all that we do, nothing we do is hidden from Him. This should make us rejoice because it means that our Master knows our works, (assuming that our works are good) and He will appreciate and commend us for them. In other words, even if people don’t appreciate us or if they misunderstood us, God never misunderstoods. In Revelation 2:9, the Lord sent a message of goodwill to the Church in Smyrna:
“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
There are beautiful things to note from the above scripture: Jesus knows about the tribulation we are passing through. Little wonder one of the saints of old wrote a hymn titled: “There’s not a Friend like the Lowly Jesus.” The Chorus reads:
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
Another interesting thing about today’s Bible reading is the courage that the Master gave to the Church in Smyrna. He said: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer….be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Beloved, this is a message from Jesus, the Lover of your soul. Before this time, in John 16:33, Jesus made a categorical statement void of ambiguity.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Jesus further assured us of the great reward of escaping the second death if we will strive to overcome (Revelation 2:11). May the Lord help us to overcome in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, strengthen my inner man so that I may stand strong till the very end.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Saturday 15 October 2016
16 OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
I KNOW YOUR WORKS I – Sunday October 16th 2016
MEMORISE :Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love. Revelation 2:4
Read: Revelations 2:1-5, (KJV)
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent
Bible in one year: Daniel 11-12, Psalms 79
MESSAGE
Many people think of a high level of sin and crime when we talk of backsliding, whereas to backslide does not require going into heinous sins as some erroneously think. What is backsliding? Simply defined, backsliding is failure to do the good things you were doing before. James 4:17 says:
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
It becomes a serious matter when you have started doing a good work and you stop doing it; that is backsliding in its practical form. This was the situation in the Church at Ephesus. The Lord commended their labour, their patience and their zero tolerance for evil. The Lord also knew how careful they were in scrutinizing and distinguishing between true and false apostles. In other words, they did not take any message in the Name of the Lord if they were not persuaded in the Holy Ghost about its authenticity. They held fast the faith, labouring to defend it without compromise. However, the Lord had something against them; they had left their first love. As a Christian, where is your first love? Is it still intact or have you left it for the theology of relativism? Is the end justifying the means of your livelihood? Your Church is swelling up in attendance after you compromised the faith. Those who you could not tolerate on God’s altar are those that are frequently invited. Those singers that you could never allow near God’s sanctuary are those who now frequently “minister” in songs to your congregation. Where is your first love? The Master in Revelation 2:5 is saying:
“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove they candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
In the past, Christians didn’t walk in the counsel of the ungodly. They didn’t stand where sinners stood, and they didn’t sit at the forum of the scornful (Psalms 1:1). Nowadays, Christians promote and applaud jesting and ungodly jokes. We seem to have forgotten that not only doers will be punished but also those who love the doers. Romans 1:28, 32says:
“…Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Beloved, we should never allow our love for Christ go cold. Let us go back to our first love and be ready to suffer fleshy loss so that we can ultimately win Christ.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please forgive me in anyway I have backslide and restore me to my first love for You and Your Kingdom.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
MEMORISE :Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love. Revelation 2:4
Read: Revelations 2:1-5, (KJV)
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent
Bible in one year: Daniel 11-12, Psalms 79
MESSAGE
Many people think of a high level of sin and crime when we talk of backsliding, whereas to backslide does not require going into heinous sins as some erroneously think. What is backsliding? Simply defined, backsliding is failure to do the good things you were doing before. James 4:17 says:
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
It becomes a serious matter when you have started doing a good work and you stop doing it; that is backsliding in its practical form. This was the situation in the Church at Ephesus. The Lord commended their labour, their patience and their zero tolerance for evil. The Lord also knew how careful they were in scrutinizing and distinguishing between true and false apostles. In other words, they did not take any message in the Name of the Lord if they were not persuaded in the Holy Ghost about its authenticity. They held fast the faith, labouring to defend it without compromise. However, the Lord had something against them; they had left their first love. As a Christian, where is your first love? Is it still intact or have you left it for the theology of relativism? Is the end justifying the means of your livelihood? Your Church is swelling up in attendance after you compromised the faith. Those who you could not tolerate on God’s altar are those that are frequently invited. Those singers that you could never allow near God’s sanctuary are those who now frequently “minister” in songs to your congregation. Where is your first love? The Master in Revelation 2:5 is saying:
“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove they candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
In the past, Christians didn’t walk in the counsel of the ungodly. They didn’t stand where sinners stood, and they didn’t sit at the forum of the scornful (Psalms 1:1). Nowadays, Christians promote and applaud jesting and ungodly jokes. We seem to have forgotten that not only doers will be punished but also those who love the doers. Romans 1:28, 32says:
“…Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Beloved, we should never allow our love for Christ go cold. Let us go back to our first love and be ready to suffer fleshy loss so that we can ultimately win Christ.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please forgive me in anyway I have backslide and restore me to my first love for You and Your Kingdom.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Friday 14 October 2016
15 OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL? – Saturday October 15th 2016
Memorise: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1st Corinthians 11:1
Read: Philippians 3:14-19, (KJV)
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Bible in one year: Daniel 9:10, Psalms 78:55-72
MESSAGE
One thing that thrills me about the Bible is that it is a library of books that confirms that there is no new thing under the heaven. Everything good, bad and ugly have happened before and they are written so that we can learn from them. We have had many leaders in both secular and religious history; we still have leaders in the present age. The question is; who is your role model? Show me your model and I can tell you who you are. In the Bible reading for today, we read about someone who was bold enough to tell his audience to follow him because he was a follower of the Greater Master, Jesus. He went further to tell the Philippians what he did with his life:
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
In his effort to please his Master and Lord, the apostle said that those things which were gain to him, he counted as nothing so that he may win Christ and His righteousness. He aspired to become like Jesus Christ to the point of no return. He said inPhilippians 3:10:
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”
We can learn many things from the life of this apostle: If we look at the dramatic change that followed his encounter with Jesus Christ on the way to Damascus, we cannot help but ask whether we plan to go to the same heaven with this soldier of the Cross. His memoirs are clearly written in 2nd Corinthians 11 and 12. He spoke in part about the price of not only his discipleship but also of his apostleship, as he talked of a thorn in his flesh that buffeted him and then concluded in 2ndCorinthians 12:9-10 by saying:
“And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Beloved, who is your role model? We have living role models in the present age; those that are sold to the righteousness attainable only in Christ, those who have not corrupted themselves with the affairs of this life. Their lifestyles may not be amiable but if we follow them, our heavenly destination is guaranteed. Paul, the apostle under study, warned us thus in Philippians 3:17
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.”
The reason he gave was that many, even as early as the first century Church did not walk uprightly. As it was in the beginning so it is now. Therefore, beloved, watch out for good role models and pattern your life after them as they do after Christ.
ACTION POINT
Look among Christian leaders and find out those living according to Christ’s doctrine. Follow their footsteps.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1st Corinthians 11:1
Read: Philippians 3:14-19, (KJV)
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Bible in one year: Daniel 9:10, Psalms 78:55-72
MESSAGE
One thing that thrills me about the Bible is that it is a library of books that confirms that there is no new thing under the heaven. Everything good, bad and ugly have happened before and they are written so that we can learn from them. We have had many leaders in both secular and religious history; we still have leaders in the present age. The question is; who is your role model? Show me your model and I can tell you who you are. In the Bible reading for today, we read about someone who was bold enough to tell his audience to follow him because he was a follower of the Greater Master, Jesus. He went further to tell the Philippians what he did with his life:
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
In his effort to please his Master and Lord, the apostle said that those things which were gain to him, he counted as nothing so that he may win Christ and His righteousness. He aspired to become like Jesus Christ to the point of no return. He said inPhilippians 3:10:
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”
We can learn many things from the life of this apostle: If we look at the dramatic change that followed his encounter with Jesus Christ on the way to Damascus, we cannot help but ask whether we plan to go to the same heaven with this soldier of the Cross. His memoirs are clearly written in 2nd Corinthians 11 and 12. He spoke in part about the price of not only his discipleship but also of his apostleship, as he talked of a thorn in his flesh that buffeted him and then concluded in 2ndCorinthians 12:9-10 by saying:
“And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Beloved, who is your role model? We have living role models in the present age; those that are sold to the righteousness attainable only in Christ, those who have not corrupted themselves with the affairs of this life. Their lifestyles may not be amiable but if we follow them, our heavenly destination is guaranteed. Paul, the apostle under study, warned us thus in Philippians 3:17
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.”
The reason he gave was that many, even as early as the first century Church did not walk uprightly. As it was in the beginning so it is now. Therefore, beloved, watch out for good role models and pattern your life after them as they do after Christ.
ACTION POINT
Look among Christian leaders and find out those living according to Christ’s doctrine. Follow their footsteps.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Thursday 13 October 2016
14 OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PROVEN WEAPON? – Friday October 14th 2016
Memorise: The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10
Read: 1st Samuel 17:38-47, (KJV)
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.
Bible in one year: Daniel 7-8, Psalms 78:40-55
MESSAGE
One unfortunate thing about the spiritual warfare of this end-time is that many warriors of the Cross use weapons that have not been proven. As a result, they either die on the battlefield or become prisoners of spiritual wars.
Many of us are familiar with the story of David and Goliath, but it is possible that we missed one or two lessons in the story. As we continue to read and mediate on this popular story, we can gain insights into more reasons why the story was recorded for us to learn from. The first lesson we can learn is the fact that king Saul, as bad as his state of spirituality might have been as at that time was very concerned about the safety of the young man who was proving to be a “dare devil”. He put on David the weapons of his own defence. The question is; if this armour could help, how come the original owner did not use it to free his nation from the threat of the giant? We can quickly learn that it is a curse to be under a weak or discouraged leader. What saved the day was that David realised that the battle was not just a physical battle. So, he quickly turned spiritual in his approach to the battle with, (humanly speaking) the most ridiculous weapon of war. In fact, Goliath himself felt that the battle had turned to a comic drama.
1st Samuel 17:42-43
“And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.”
Another lesson, particularly from the above scripture is that in spite of the disdainful weapon that David was carrying, Goliath still employed his spiritual allies; he cursed David by his gods. How I wish that all children of God will realise that it is not the grammar of the language they use that will do the work of conversion; it is by the Spirit of our God. Human methods have never worked in the history of the Church, men and women of God who succeeded in the ministry were those who allowed the Spirit rather than self might, power or administrative acumen to lead in their ministries. David was a better match for this warrior who was fighting through the spirit of divination and sorcery. He said: “…Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” The end of the story was victory for Israel and great defeat for the Philistines. David used the weapon he had proven and found to be true; the name of the Lord.
ACTION POINT
Use the Name of the Lord to confront the battles you are facing today and you will see them crumble before you. The Name is lethal.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10
Read: 1st Samuel 17:38-47, (KJV)
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.
Bible in one year: Daniel 7-8, Psalms 78:40-55
MESSAGE
One unfortunate thing about the spiritual warfare of this end-time is that many warriors of the Cross use weapons that have not been proven. As a result, they either die on the battlefield or become prisoners of spiritual wars.
Many of us are familiar with the story of David and Goliath, but it is possible that we missed one or two lessons in the story. As we continue to read and mediate on this popular story, we can gain insights into more reasons why the story was recorded for us to learn from. The first lesson we can learn is the fact that king Saul, as bad as his state of spirituality might have been as at that time was very concerned about the safety of the young man who was proving to be a “dare devil”. He put on David the weapons of his own defence. The question is; if this armour could help, how come the original owner did not use it to free his nation from the threat of the giant? We can quickly learn that it is a curse to be under a weak or discouraged leader. What saved the day was that David realised that the battle was not just a physical battle. So, he quickly turned spiritual in his approach to the battle with, (humanly speaking) the most ridiculous weapon of war. In fact, Goliath himself felt that the battle had turned to a comic drama.
1st Samuel 17:42-43
“And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.”
Another lesson, particularly from the above scripture is that in spite of the disdainful weapon that David was carrying, Goliath still employed his spiritual allies; he cursed David by his gods. How I wish that all children of God will realise that it is not the grammar of the language they use that will do the work of conversion; it is by the Spirit of our God. Human methods have never worked in the history of the Church, men and women of God who succeeded in the ministry were those who allowed the Spirit rather than self might, power or administrative acumen to lead in their ministries. David was a better match for this warrior who was fighting through the spirit of divination and sorcery. He said: “…Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” The end of the story was victory for Israel and great defeat for the Philistines. David used the weapon he had proven and found to be true; the name of the Lord.
ACTION POINT
Use the Name of the Lord to confront the battles you are facing today and you will see them crumble before you. The Name is lethal.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Wednesday 12 October 2016
13 OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
DIVINE PARTNERSHIP – Thursday October 13th 2016
Memorise: Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalms 41:1
Read: Psalms 41:1-3, (KJV)
1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
3 The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
Bible in one year: Daniel 4:34-6:28, Psalms 78:17-39
MESSAGE
When is the link between divine partnership and consideration of the poor? As we may know, divine partnership has to do with partnering with the Almighty God. What is the connection between being in the same business with God and our attitude towards the poor? In our Bible reading for today, we discover that when we remember and help the poor, the Lord will deliver us from trouble. The reason is that the Almighty God watches over the poor and listens to their cry.
When you respond to the cry of the poor, you are responding on behalf of their Maker who will in return replenish your pocket. The Bible says in Proverbs 19:17:
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
Another thing that will happen to someone in divine partnership is that the fellow shall be preserved. The tendency is high and it is common to many cultures that the poor live at the mercy of the rich. In Isaiah 3:14, the Bible says:
“The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.”
So, when someone decides to take care of the poor instead of maltreating them, the Lord will preserve the fellow so that he can continue the good work. The one who panthers with God in taking care of the poor earns longevity for himself. The Lord promised in His Word that whoever spares the poor of violence shall live. The Bible says that the poor shall never cease out of the land, therefore, He commanded us to remember the poor and the needy (Deuteronomy 15:4-11). When we partner with God in taking care of the poor, the Lord will bless us mightily beyond our wildest imagination.
Another blessing which accrues from partnering with God via taking care of the poor, is that the Lord promised to deliver us from the will of our enemies. Every right thinking fellow will do all things possible to keep a dutiful servant alive. Divine healing is the portion of whoever will take it upon himself to care for the poor on behalf of God. The Lord promised to visit the caretakers of the poor on their sick beds if at all they become sick; and when He visits, healing is guaranteed. The Lord also promised to make your bed for you if you will remember the poor and meet him at the point of his or her need. Beloved, there are many ways whereby we can partner with God; caring for the poor is one. We can learn a lesson from developed countries that take care of the poor. They are more comfortable than those countries which have no plan for the poor in the land. This is a food for thought for developing countries.
ACTION POINT
Draw up a charity plan for the poor around you and prayerfully embark on helping them in your own little way.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalms 41:1
Read: Psalms 41:1-3, (KJV)
1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
3 The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
Bible in one year: Daniel 4:34-6:28, Psalms 78:17-39
MESSAGE
When is the link between divine partnership and consideration of the poor? As we may know, divine partnership has to do with partnering with the Almighty God. What is the connection between being in the same business with God and our attitude towards the poor? In our Bible reading for today, we discover that when we remember and help the poor, the Lord will deliver us from trouble. The reason is that the Almighty God watches over the poor and listens to their cry.
When you respond to the cry of the poor, you are responding on behalf of their Maker who will in return replenish your pocket. The Bible says in Proverbs 19:17:
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
Another thing that will happen to someone in divine partnership is that the fellow shall be preserved. The tendency is high and it is common to many cultures that the poor live at the mercy of the rich. In Isaiah 3:14, the Bible says:
“The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.”
So, when someone decides to take care of the poor instead of maltreating them, the Lord will preserve the fellow so that he can continue the good work. The one who panthers with God in taking care of the poor earns longevity for himself. The Lord promised in His Word that whoever spares the poor of violence shall live. The Bible says that the poor shall never cease out of the land, therefore, He commanded us to remember the poor and the needy (Deuteronomy 15:4-11). When we partner with God in taking care of the poor, the Lord will bless us mightily beyond our wildest imagination.
Another blessing which accrues from partnering with God via taking care of the poor, is that the Lord promised to deliver us from the will of our enemies. Every right thinking fellow will do all things possible to keep a dutiful servant alive. Divine healing is the portion of whoever will take it upon himself to care for the poor on behalf of God. The Lord promised to visit the caretakers of the poor on their sick beds if at all they become sick; and when He visits, healing is guaranteed. The Lord also promised to make your bed for you if you will remember the poor and meet him at the point of his or her need. Beloved, there are many ways whereby we can partner with God; caring for the poor is one. We can learn a lesson from developed countries that take care of the poor. They are more comfortable than those countries which have no plan for the poor in the land. This is a food for thought for developing countries.
ACTION POINT
Draw up a charity plan for the poor around you and prayerfully embark on helping them in your own little way.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Tuesday 11 October 2016
12 OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
THE BELIEVER’S AUTHORITY II – Wednesday October 12th 2016
Memorise: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
Read: Luke 10:17-20, (KJV)
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Bible in one year: Daniel 3:1-4:33, Psalms 78:9-16
MESSAGE
As it was pointed out yesterday, the power and authority which Jesus Christ has made available to believers cannot be imagined by natural minds. Some people subject themselves to life-long bondage because they are looking for power and protection outside Jesus. Hebrews 2:14-15 says:
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
One of my spiritual children testified that it was the grace of Jesus Christ that prevented him from entangling himself in occultism. Before he met the Lord, he had determined to join as many secret societies as could be found on the earth, to ensure his security. Fortunately for him, he met the Lord and he is now exercising the authority of a believer.
Beloved, the believer’s authority is yours if you genuinely accept Jesus Christ. This authority was given to us without measure. Our Lord said He has given to us authority over all the powers of the enemy and that nothing will by any means hurt us. When we rely on this, we will live our lives in peace even in the midst of a storm. Our Lord Jesus Christ is in the boat, it will not capsize. However, we must use the authority to our advantage. The story was told of a man who inherited magical powers to ward off evil and dispel whoever might want to harm him on a journey which he set for himself. As he started on the journey, he sighted robbers, taking the song to be true of the man, ran away for their lives. And that was how the woman saved the day for her husband. The lesson we should learn from this story is that, though the authority to conquer the devil and his cohorts are available, unless we exercise it in holy boldness, we remain as powerless ad though it isn’t available. To exercise authority over sickness, demonic oppression, poverty and all unpleasant situations, we need to be believers indeed by being born again through faith in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Also, we need to live according to the Word of God.
We must be doers of the Word because it is the authority of the Word that we honour that can help us in times of trouble.
ACTION POINT
Begin to exercise faith the Son of the Living God, and you will experience the supernatural.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
Read: Luke 10:17-20, (KJV)
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Bible in one year: Daniel 3:1-4:33, Psalms 78:9-16
MESSAGE
As it was pointed out yesterday, the power and authority which Jesus Christ has made available to believers cannot be imagined by natural minds. Some people subject themselves to life-long bondage because they are looking for power and protection outside Jesus. Hebrews 2:14-15 says:
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
One of my spiritual children testified that it was the grace of Jesus Christ that prevented him from entangling himself in occultism. Before he met the Lord, he had determined to join as many secret societies as could be found on the earth, to ensure his security. Fortunately for him, he met the Lord and he is now exercising the authority of a believer.
Beloved, the believer’s authority is yours if you genuinely accept Jesus Christ. This authority was given to us without measure. Our Lord said He has given to us authority over all the powers of the enemy and that nothing will by any means hurt us. When we rely on this, we will live our lives in peace even in the midst of a storm. Our Lord Jesus Christ is in the boat, it will not capsize. However, we must use the authority to our advantage. The story was told of a man who inherited magical powers to ward off evil and dispel whoever might want to harm him on a journey which he set for himself. As he started on the journey, he sighted robbers, taking the song to be true of the man, ran away for their lives. And that was how the woman saved the day for her husband. The lesson we should learn from this story is that, though the authority to conquer the devil and his cohorts are available, unless we exercise it in holy boldness, we remain as powerless ad though it isn’t available. To exercise authority over sickness, demonic oppression, poverty and all unpleasant situations, we need to be believers indeed by being born again through faith in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Also, we need to live according to the Word of God.
We must be doers of the Word because it is the authority of the Word that we honour that can help us in times of trouble.
ACTION POINT
Begin to exercise faith the Son of the Living God, and you will experience the supernatural.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Monday 10 October 2016
11TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
THE BELIEVER’S AUTHORITY I – Tuesday October 11th 2016
Memorise; Then He called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. Luke 9:1
Read: Luke 9:1-6, (KJV)
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.
Bible in one year: Daniel 1-2, Psalms 78:1-8
MESSAGE
A believer’s power and authority are two potent legacies that are highly irresistible beyond any man’s imagination. However, it is unfortunate that many children of God do not recognize them. This is the reason why the devil batters them on every side. As a result of this ignorance, the victor becomes a victim of circumstances. I pray for someone using this devotional; you will never be a victim of circumstances in Jesus’ name.
Power is the ability to perform a function and this is what Jesus Christ has made available to all His genuine disciples. Authority is more valuable than power because you can have the ability to do something, but if you don’t have the authority, you may not be able to. For example, with the power of the gun, you can hunt wildlife in the jungle, but if you are not licensed to hunt wildlife in the jungle, but if you are not licensed to hurt and you do, you may be jailed. In John 5:25-27 the Bible says:
“Verily verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgement also, because he is the Son of man.”
Interestingly, according to today’s memory verse, this power and the authority to perform have been given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ:
“Then He called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”
When a (so called) child of God is now caught in situations that are unbecoming of a saint and he then says “it is the work of the devil!” such a believer does not know the authority he has. The power to live above sin is made available through the work of redemption that Jesus Christ wrought at Calvary. The Bible says in 1st John 3:8:
“He that commiteth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
When you come to Jesus Christ and you believe that He came to save you from the power of sin, He will not only forgive you, but will also give you the power to go and sin no more (John 8:11). This is the assurance that we have; that the grace of Jesus Christ will deliver us from the dominion of sin (Romans 6:14). My prayer is that you will not be beaten by the power of sin in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
I prophesy to my life: I will no longer be a victim of sin, but a victor in Jesus name, Amen.
Written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise; Then He called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. Luke 9:1
Read: Luke 9:1-6, (KJV)
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.
Bible in one year: Daniel 1-2, Psalms 78:1-8
MESSAGE
A believer’s power and authority are two potent legacies that are highly irresistible beyond any man’s imagination. However, it is unfortunate that many children of God do not recognize them. This is the reason why the devil batters them on every side. As a result of this ignorance, the victor becomes a victim of circumstances. I pray for someone using this devotional; you will never be a victim of circumstances in Jesus’ name.
Power is the ability to perform a function and this is what Jesus Christ has made available to all His genuine disciples. Authority is more valuable than power because you can have the ability to do something, but if you don’t have the authority, you may not be able to. For example, with the power of the gun, you can hunt wildlife in the jungle, but if you are not licensed to hunt wildlife in the jungle, but if you are not licensed to hurt and you do, you may be jailed. In John 5:25-27 the Bible says:
“Verily verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgement also, because he is the Son of man.”
Interestingly, according to today’s memory verse, this power and the authority to perform have been given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ:
“Then He called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”
When a (so called) child of God is now caught in situations that are unbecoming of a saint and he then says “it is the work of the devil!” such a believer does not know the authority he has. The power to live above sin is made available through the work of redemption that Jesus Christ wrought at Calvary. The Bible says in 1st John 3:8:
“He that commiteth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
When you come to Jesus Christ and you believe that He came to save you from the power of sin, He will not only forgive you, but will also give you the power to go and sin no more (John 8:11). This is the assurance that we have; that the grace of Jesus Christ will deliver us from the dominion of sin (Romans 6:14). My prayer is that you will not be beaten by the power of sin in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
I prophesy to my life: I will no longer be a victim of sin, but a victor in Jesus name, Amen.
Written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Sunday 9 October 2016
10TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
FAITH LIKE A CHILD’S? – Monday October 10th 2016
Memorise: And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Read: Matthew 18:1-6, (KJV)
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 46:19-48:35, Psalms 77:11-20
MESSAGE
The child-like faith is what everybody requires, not only to make it to heaven but also to enjoy his or her days on the earth. If we do not believe this because it sounds illogical, we must believer it because Jesus said it. What is then required of us is to pray for the kind of faith that is comparable with that of a little child. The first thing about a little child is that he is very trusting. In my living room several years ago, there used to be a portrait of a little child looking so innocent with the inscription; “Non Problem”. The faith that will enable us not to see problems but see only God who specialises in solving problems is the best for us.
Another characteristic trait of little children is that they forgive easily. Unlike adults who keep malice, children forgive and forget the wrong done to them almost immediately after it’s done. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:32:
“And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Children fulfil his Biblical injunction freely. Children could be very generous with their things except in some unusual occasions. Without knowing the spiritual implication of their actions, children are tender hearted with their peers. This is exactly what God wants from us. In Colossians 3:12-13, the Bible also says:
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another and forgive one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
There are many blessings we will access from the throne of God our Father if we can begin to take after children. For example, if we freely forgive those who wrong us like a child will do, our prayers will receive quick answers from God. In Mark 11:25, Jesus Christ said:
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
This instruction that comes from our Lord is simply saying that before we pray, we must first forgive! We can see the reason many of our prayers are not answered; we refuse to forgive. I pray that a user of this devotional will find grace to forgive and be kind hearted in Jesus’name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please help my faith and transform me to be able to forgive freely and be tender hearted in Jesus’ name.
Written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Read: Matthew 18:1-6, (KJV)
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 46:19-48:35, Psalms 77:11-20
MESSAGE
The child-like faith is what everybody requires, not only to make it to heaven but also to enjoy his or her days on the earth. If we do not believe this because it sounds illogical, we must believer it because Jesus said it. What is then required of us is to pray for the kind of faith that is comparable with that of a little child. The first thing about a little child is that he is very trusting. In my living room several years ago, there used to be a portrait of a little child looking so innocent with the inscription; “Non Problem”. The faith that will enable us not to see problems but see only God who specialises in solving problems is the best for us.
Another characteristic trait of little children is that they forgive easily. Unlike adults who keep malice, children forgive and forget the wrong done to them almost immediately after it’s done. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:32:
“And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Children fulfil his Biblical injunction freely. Children could be very generous with their things except in some unusual occasions. Without knowing the spiritual implication of their actions, children are tender hearted with their peers. This is exactly what God wants from us. In Colossians 3:12-13, the Bible also says:
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another and forgive one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
There are many blessings we will access from the throne of God our Father if we can begin to take after children. For example, if we freely forgive those who wrong us like a child will do, our prayers will receive quick answers from God. In Mark 11:25, Jesus Christ said:
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
This instruction that comes from our Lord is simply saying that before we pray, we must first forgive! We can see the reason many of our prayers are not answered; we refuse to forgive. I pray that a user of this devotional will find grace to forgive and be kind hearted in Jesus’name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please help my faith and transform me to be able to forgive freely and be tender hearted in Jesus’ name.
Written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Saturday 8 October 2016
9TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
I MUST DECREASE – Sunday October 9th 2016
Memorise: He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
Read: John 3:25-30, (KJV)
25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 44:15-46:18, Psalms 77:1-10
MESSAGE
For Jesus Christ to be fully formed in us, we must learn the secret of reducing our carnal nature to the level of divine approval. In Colossians 3:5-6, Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ said:
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate, affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.”
When a person is born, he is born loaded with traits that are in enmity with God and consequently brings His wrath. Another apostle of Christ lists some things that make a typical fallen man; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life (1st John 2:15). These are the sins into which the first man and woman fell and we inherited. We must get rid of them if we want Christ to be fully formed in us. The pride of life is a subtle and complex sin for many reasons. Firstly, the proud will never accept that he is proud; this makes the sin very complex until the power of regeneration comes upon the individual. He surrenders his life to Christ for total deliverance. It takes the direct opposite of pride to go to Calvary and confess one’s sins. Moreover, it takes an acceptance of his actions as sinful before the fellow can confess them. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke on this matter when He told the story of the Pharisee and the Publican in Luke 18:9-14:
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner…. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
In the Bible reading for today, John the Baptist teaches us some lessons, in spite of his position as a prophet, he knew his limitation; he knew his boundary. He pointed his audience to the original Messiah. From his proclamation, we got the title for today’s devotional reading: Jesus must increase while we must decrease. Our carnal man must be mortified so that Jesus Christ can increase in us, and gradually, we shall be transformed to conform to the image of the Son of the living God. Beloved, I want to encourage you to make a decision to decrease, that Jesus may increase. Let the fruits of the Spirits listed in Galatians 5:22 characterise your lifestyle.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please help me to be transformed to the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ my Saviour.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
Read: John 3:25-30, (KJV)
25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 44:15-46:18, Psalms 77:1-10
MESSAGE
For Jesus Christ to be fully formed in us, we must learn the secret of reducing our carnal nature to the level of divine approval. In Colossians 3:5-6, Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ said:
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate, affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.”
When a person is born, he is born loaded with traits that are in enmity with God and consequently brings His wrath. Another apostle of Christ lists some things that make a typical fallen man; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life (1st John 2:15). These are the sins into which the first man and woman fell and we inherited. We must get rid of them if we want Christ to be fully formed in us. The pride of life is a subtle and complex sin for many reasons. Firstly, the proud will never accept that he is proud; this makes the sin very complex until the power of regeneration comes upon the individual. He surrenders his life to Christ for total deliverance. It takes the direct opposite of pride to go to Calvary and confess one’s sins. Moreover, it takes an acceptance of his actions as sinful before the fellow can confess them. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke on this matter when He told the story of the Pharisee and the Publican in Luke 18:9-14:
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner…. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
In the Bible reading for today, John the Baptist teaches us some lessons, in spite of his position as a prophet, he knew his limitation; he knew his boundary. He pointed his audience to the original Messiah. From his proclamation, we got the title for today’s devotional reading: Jesus must increase while we must decrease. Our carnal man must be mortified so that Jesus Christ can increase in us, and gradually, we shall be transformed to conform to the image of the Son of the living God. Beloved, I want to encourage you to make a decision to decrease, that Jesus may increase. Let the fruits of the Spirits listed in Galatians 5:22 characterise your lifestyle.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please help me to be transformed to the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ my Saviour.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Friday 7 October 2016
8TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
DIVINE PROVISION – Saturday October 8th 2016
Memorise: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Read: Matthew 17:24-27, (KJV)
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 42:1-44:14, Psalm 76
MESSAGE
Divine provision is in play when you know that what you have is not by your strength, power or ability. For example, when you work like a rat and you get the wages of an elephant without being fraudulent, you can be sure that the blessing is from above. One the contrary, when a man works like an elephant and all he can show for his labour is the wages of a rat, you can be sure that the fellow needs divine provision. The reason for the last scenario is the fall of man which earned him a curse associated with poverty and suffering. As a matter of fact, every man, particularly a child of God, needs divine provision to be able to make ends meet. This is the reason Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, told the Church at Philippi that God will supply all their needs according to His riches in glory through Jesus Christ, who has taken care of the sin that brought hardship and insufficiency to the life of man.
Divine provision begins with the provision God made for the atonement of our sins. God gave His only begotten Son as provision for our sins. John 3:16-17 says:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Having settled the problem of sin, the Lord now makes available to us the abundance of His riches, The death of Jesus Christ cancelled the curse that subjected us to a life of penury and made available to us divine provision. 2nd Corinthians 8:9 says:
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
He demonstrated this by the thousands he fed with that incredibly small meal which He multiplied just so that the need of the people will be met. Also, in the Bible reading for today, divine provision came forth to meet His personal need and that of Peter from the mouth of a fish. I pray for someone reading this devotional today; the Almighty will cause His divine provision to come upon you and meet you at the point of your needs in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, I present my needs to you today, please meet them all in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Read: Matthew 17:24-27, (KJV)
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 42:1-44:14, Psalm 76
MESSAGE
Divine provision is in play when you know that what you have is not by your strength, power or ability. For example, when you work like a rat and you get the wages of an elephant without being fraudulent, you can be sure that the blessing is from above. One the contrary, when a man works like an elephant and all he can show for his labour is the wages of a rat, you can be sure that the fellow needs divine provision. The reason for the last scenario is the fall of man which earned him a curse associated with poverty and suffering. As a matter of fact, every man, particularly a child of God, needs divine provision to be able to make ends meet. This is the reason Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, told the Church at Philippi that God will supply all their needs according to His riches in glory through Jesus Christ, who has taken care of the sin that brought hardship and insufficiency to the life of man.
Divine provision begins with the provision God made for the atonement of our sins. God gave His only begotten Son as provision for our sins. John 3:16-17 says:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Having settled the problem of sin, the Lord now makes available to us the abundance of His riches, The death of Jesus Christ cancelled the curse that subjected us to a life of penury and made available to us divine provision. 2nd Corinthians 8:9 says:
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
He demonstrated this by the thousands he fed with that incredibly small meal which He multiplied just so that the need of the people will be met. Also, in the Bible reading for today, divine provision came forth to meet His personal need and that of Peter from the mouth of a fish. I pray for someone reading this devotional today; the Almighty will cause His divine provision to come upon you and meet you at the point of your needs in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, I present my needs to you today, please meet them all in Jesus’ name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Thursday 6 October 2016
7TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
THE LORD; MY HEALER – Friday October 7th 2016
Memorise: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1st Peter 2:24
Read: Isaiah 53:1-5, (KJV)
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 40:41, Psalms 75
MESSAGE
The title of today’s devotional requires deep thought. The Lord is asking us to personalise this truth today? The reason is not far-fetched; the healing virtue of Jesus Christ is very potent and available for YOU.
In today’s Bible readings, we are reassured that Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Healer because He paid for our healing with His Blood. Apart from reassuring us, the Bible passage also draws our attention to some other truths; not believing that God heals His ailing people is an ancient unbelief that is meant to subject humans to perpetual suffering. In the book of Numbers 21:6-9, the serpents sent to the Israelites as a result of their sins had bitten them, God then directed Moses to make and lift up a serpent for whoever was bitten to look upon for healing; as many as looked lived. This is type of healing God provides through our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 3:14-15, Jesus Christ said:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
The power and secret of sickness and diseases which ultimately leads to death is hidden in sin. This is the reason why Jesus Christ often first of all attacked sin in the lives of the people He thereafter healed (Matthew 9:2-6). Healing is easily procured when the sick’s sins are forgiven him.
This is why the Psalmist says:
“Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Psalms 32:1
He is our unfailing Healer because He paid the dues for our healing, in that He atoned for the cause of sicknesses and diseases (Matthew 26:28).
To access divine healing, therefore, we must have a covenant relationship with the Healer, because by His stripes only, can we be healed. In other words, by the atonement of Jesus Christ, our healing is forever settled. To have a covenant relationship with the Healer, therefore, we must respond to His call to repentance, and surrender the totality of our lives for Him to control. The body that has been dedicated to Jesus Christ shall be spared the sicknesses that make people miserable. When we give our lives to Christ, the next thing to do is to graduate to the level of belief that, henceforth, Jesus Christ will be our Healer. We now become candidates for divine healing and we can graduate to the level of enjoying divine health.
ACTION POINT
Make sure your salvation is genuine by re-examining yourself to ensure that you have faith in the healing power of Christ.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1st Peter 2:24
Read: Isaiah 53:1-5, (KJV)
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 40:41, Psalms 75
MESSAGE
The title of today’s devotional requires deep thought. The Lord is asking us to personalise this truth today? The reason is not far-fetched; the healing virtue of Jesus Christ is very potent and available for YOU.
In today’s Bible readings, we are reassured that Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Healer because He paid for our healing with His Blood. Apart from reassuring us, the Bible passage also draws our attention to some other truths; not believing that God heals His ailing people is an ancient unbelief that is meant to subject humans to perpetual suffering. In the book of Numbers 21:6-9, the serpents sent to the Israelites as a result of their sins had bitten them, God then directed Moses to make and lift up a serpent for whoever was bitten to look upon for healing; as many as looked lived. This is type of healing God provides through our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 3:14-15, Jesus Christ said:
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
The power and secret of sickness and diseases which ultimately leads to death is hidden in sin. This is the reason why Jesus Christ often first of all attacked sin in the lives of the people He thereafter healed (Matthew 9:2-6). Healing is easily procured when the sick’s sins are forgiven him.
This is why the Psalmist says:
“Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Psalms 32:1
He is our unfailing Healer because He paid the dues for our healing, in that He atoned for the cause of sicknesses and diseases (Matthew 26:28).
To access divine healing, therefore, we must have a covenant relationship with the Healer, because by His stripes only, can we be healed. In other words, by the atonement of Jesus Christ, our healing is forever settled. To have a covenant relationship with the Healer, therefore, we must respond to His call to repentance, and surrender the totality of our lives for Him to control. The body that has been dedicated to Jesus Christ shall be spared the sicknesses that make people miserable. When we give our lives to Christ, the next thing to do is to graduate to the level of belief that, henceforth, Jesus Christ will be our Healer. We now become candidates for divine healing and we can graduate to the level of enjoying divine health.
ACTION POINT
Make sure your salvation is genuine by re-examining yourself to ensure that you have faith in the healing power of Christ.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Wednesday 5 October 2016
6TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
THIEVES IN THE SANCTUARY II – Thursday October 6th 2016
Memorise: Thou therefore which teachest another; teachest not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, does thou steal? Romans 2:21
Read: 1st Samuel 2:12-17, (KJV)
2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.
2:13 And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a flesh hook of three teeth in his hand;
2:14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the flesh hook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
2:15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
2:16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
2:17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 37:15-39:29, Psalms 74:12-23
MESSAGE
The worst of all thieves in the church are the ministers who take the tithes, offerings and the first-fruits collected from member for their personal use. You hear them say, “He who serves at the Altar must eat from the Altar.” As true as this statement may be, custodians of the Lord’s sanctuary should be wary of greed and the love of money.
1st Timothy 6:10-11 says:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee all things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, meekness.”
In the Bible reading for today, the children of Eli corrupted the people’s sacrifice through greed. Unfortunately, the same thing is happening today; some ministers of God, through greed, have made the tithes, offerings and first-fruits that people bring to the sanctuary unacceptable to God. Sometimes, members of the congregation suspect this foul play and begin to ask the ministers in charge what they use their tithes and offerings for. Though the ministers should be accountable to God through men, however, the tithes and offerings become an abomination before the Lord when the givers monitor it to the extent of wanting to know what God does with it. This is the reason some people claim to be paying their tithes and offerings and there is nothing to show for their giving.
In Matthew 6:3-4, Jesus Christ said:
“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
It is dangerous when brethren are not being encouraged or motivated to give more because they do not have anything to show for their previous giving. This happens when they begin to develop a negative attitude towards the way their pastors handle the finances of the Church. Some people leave their local assembly to go and pay their tithes and offerings elsewhere. This is counterproductive. Hence, the ministers handling God’s assets must be very careful. They must not become thieves in the sanctuary. The Lord enjoins us to fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life whereunto we have been called, and keep away from the love of this world. If it is dangerous to rob God by not paying our tithes and offering, it is deadly to steal out of the one that the brethren are faithfully contributing for the advancement of the Kingdom business. We must learn from the children of Eli and the children of Samuel himself (1st Samuel 8:1-5).
PRAYER POINT
Father, please deliver me from the demon called mammon and don’t let me end up like Judas Iscariot.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: Thou therefore which teachest another; teachest not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, does thou steal? Romans 2:21
Read: 1st Samuel 2:12-17, (KJV)
2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.
2:13 And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a flesh hook of three teeth in his hand;
2:14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the flesh hook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
2:15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
2:16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
2:17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 37:15-39:29, Psalms 74:12-23
MESSAGE
The worst of all thieves in the church are the ministers who take the tithes, offerings and the first-fruits collected from member for their personal use. You hear them say, “He who serves at the Altar must eat from the Altar.” As true as this statement may be, custodians of the Lord’s sanctuary should be wary of greed and the love of money.
1st Timothy 6:10-11 says:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee all things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, meekness.”
In the Bible reading for today, the children of Eli corrupted the people’s sacrifice through greed. Unfortunately, the same thing is happening today; some ministers of God, through greed, have made the tithes, offerings and first-fruits that people bring to the sanctuary unacceptable to God. Sometimes, members of the congregation suspect this foul play and begin to ask the ministers in charge what they use their tithes and offerings for. Though the ministers should be accountable to God through men, however, the tithes and offerings become an abomination before the Lord when the givers monitor it to the extent of wanting to know what God does with it. This is the reason some people claim to be paying their tithes and offerings and there is nothing to show for their giving.
In Matthew 6:3-4, Jesus Christ said:
“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
It is dangerous when brethren are not being encouraged or motivated to give more because they do not have anything to show for their previous giving. This happens when they begin to develop a negative attitude towards the way their pastors handle the finances of the Church. Some people leave their local assembly to go and pay their tithes and offerings elsewhere. This is counterproductive. Hence, the ministers handling God’s assets must be very careful. They must not become thieves in the sanctuary. The Lord enjoins us to fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life whereunto we have been called, and keep away from the love of this world. If it is dangerous to rob God by not paying our tithes and offering, it is deadly to steal out of the one that the brethren are faithfully contributing for the advancement of the Kingdom business. We must learn from the children of Eli and the children of Samuel himself (1st Samuel 8:1-5).
PRAYER POINT
Father, please deliver me from the demon called mammon and don’t let me end up like Judas Iscariot.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Tuesday 4 October 2016
5TH OCTOBER THE 2015 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
THIEVES IN THE SANCTUARY I – Wednesday October 5th 2016
Memorise; Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour; working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Ephesians 4:28
Read: Malachi 3:8-9, (KJV)
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 35:1-37:14, Psalms 74:1-11
MESSAGE
One sad thing going on among the children of God is that some are stealing from the sanctuary of God and the people concerned are doing it with impunity.
There are many ways a person can steal from the sanctuary of God. The most common way to almost every Bible reading Christian is when you deny God one-tenth of your income, Malachi 3:8 says:
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
When someone eats all his income without giving back one out of ten of it, the fellow is stealing from the sanctuary, because the tithe belongs to the sanctuary of God.
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10
Another way of stealing from the sanctuary is by refusing to give your first-fruit to the Lord as He requested from His covenant people in Deuteronomy 26:2:
“That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there.”
Some people will argue that the ordinance of the first fruit belongs to the Old Testament era. I have always asked them about the numerous promises of God in the Old Testament which they often quote and claim to their advantage. Fro example, I asked some of them who took me up on whether the promise of being “the head and not the tail” isn’t found in the New Testament. Or “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Which is also in the book of Matthew. The truth of the matter is that the scriptures which are favourable to the flesh are easily quoted and claimed. Those that take the steam out of their so called personal freedom and finances are pushed to the background. The first fruit is the property of the Almighty God in His sanctuary. We must give it to Him through the custodians of the genuine sanctuary of God. I pray for someone using this devotional; the Holy Spirit will convince you of the truth about tithes, offerings and first fruit.
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me to abstain from stealing from you sanctuary, and help me to perform the required restitution for the damage I have done to Your honour, when I denied You of Your tithes, offerings and first fruits.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise; Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour; working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Ephesians 4:28
Read: Malachi 3:8-9, (KJV)
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 35:1-37:14, Psalms 74:1-11
MESSAGE
One sad thing going on among the children of God is that some are stealing from the sanctuary of God and the people concerned are doing it with impunity.
There are many ways a person can steal from the sanctuary of God. The most common way to almost every Bible reading Christian is when you deny God one-tenth of your income, Malachi 3:8 says:
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
When someone eats all his income without giving back one out of ten of it, the fellow is stealing from the sanctuary, because the tithe belongs to the sanctuary of God.
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10
Another way of stealing from the sanctuary is by refusing to give your first-fruit to the Lord as He requested from His covenant people in Deuteronomy 26:2:
“That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there.”
Some people will argue that the ordinance of the first fruit belongs to the Old Testament era. I have always asked them about the numerous promises of God in the Old Testament which they often quote and claim to their advantage. Fro example, I asked some of them who took me up on whether the promise of being “the head and not the tail” isn’t found in the New Testament. Or “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Which is also in the book of Matthew. The truth of the matter is that the scriptures which are favourable to the flesh are easily quoted and claimed. Those that take the steam out of their so called personal freedom and finances are pushed to the background. The first fruit is the property of the Almighty God in His sanctuary. We must give it to Him through the custodians of the genuine sanctuary of God. I pray for someone using this devotional; the Holy Spirit will convince you of the truth about tithes, offerings and first fruit.
PRAYER POINT
Father, help me to abstain from stealing from you sanctuary, and help me to perform the required restitution for the damage I have done to Your honour, when I denied You of Your tithes, offerings and first fruits.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Monday 3 October 2016
4TH OCTOBER 2016 :OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
ENDURE TILL THE END – Tuesday October 4th 2016
Memorise: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Mark 13:13
Read: Mark 13:3-13, (KJV)
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 33:34, Psalms 73:18-28
The Christian race is not a short one but a marathon; you know there is a finish line but you can’t see it. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not hide this truth from us when He said:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angles of heaven, but my Father only.”
Matthew 24:36
To endure suggests that one would have to live with some things that are not compatible with our nature. This is a truth that some 21st century believers are not ready to live with. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that we should come and learn of Him. In the process of learning from Him, we must take His yoke upon us. The burden of our Lord Jesus Christ is justice, righteousness; love for God and acceptable service of humanity, particularly those in the household of faith.
The Bible says:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10
What calls for endurance in Christian walk and why should we endure? Jesus Christ confronted the people of old about the fact that they hated Him, because He stood for the truth which His Father sent Him to tell the world.
“… If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham … If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”
John 8:39-40, 42
Against this background, our Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples and us by extension, that He was sending us forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, and that we should be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves. He went further to tell us what was to come:
“And ye shall be hated of all men of my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Mathew 10:22
Beloved, as we journey through the wilderness of this world towards our heavenly home, don’t let us forget that this way is a narrow one. It takes a lot of discipline and self-denial to scale through successfully. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way according to the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us forge ahead and the Lord will see us through to the heavenly Canaan in Jesus’ name. Whatever situation that may warrant your backsliding shall be destroyed this day in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Go into the world today and obtain your victory in Jesus’ name.
Father, please see me through the journey of life and don’t let me perish with the world.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Mark 13:13
Read: Mark 13:3-13, (KJV)
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 33:34, Psalms 73:18-28
The Christian race is not a short one but a marathon; you know there is a finish line but you can’t see it. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not hide this truth from us when He said:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angles of heaven, but my Father only.”
Matthew 24:36
To endure suggests that one would have to live with some things that are not compatible with our nature. This is a truth that some 21st century believers are not ready to live with. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that we should come and learn of Him. In the process of learning from Him, we must take His yoke upon us. The burden of our Lord Jesus Christ is justice, righteousness; love for God and acceptable service of humanity, particularly those in the household of faith.
The Bible says:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10
What calls for endurance in Christian walk and why should we endure? Jesus Christ confronted the people of old about the fact that they hated Him, because He stood for the truth which His Father sent Him to tell the world.
“… If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham … If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”
John 8:39-40, 42
Against this background, our Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples and us by extension, that He was sending us forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, and that we should be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves. He went further to tell us what was to come:
“And ye shall be hated of all men of my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Mathew 10:22
Beloved, as we journey through the wilderness of this world towards our heavenly home, don’t let us forget that this way is a narrow one. It takes a lot of discipline and self-denial to scale through successfully. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way according to the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us forge ahead and the Lord will see us through to the heavenly Canaan in Jesus’ name. Whatever situation that may warrant your backsliding shall be destroyed this day in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Go into the world today and obtain your victory in Jesus’ name.
Father, please see me through the journey of life and don’t let me perish with the world.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
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