Monthly Archives: January 2017

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST 2017-FREE INDEED

Memorise: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
Read: John 8:31-36 (KJV)
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Bible in one year: Luke 12-13, Isaiah 28:14-29

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. A lot of people go to unbelievable and unimaginable places seeking for solutions to their numerous problems and challenges, but all to no avail.
2. Some people even go to the devil to find freedom. How can you seek freedom from an entity in bondage?
3. Today, I pray for you that every wrong avenue from which you have been seeking freedom will be shut in Jesus’ Name. The Almighty God will show you solutions to the challenges confronting you in Jesus’ Name.
4. It is often said that you cannot give what you don’t have. This is very true, and that is why you need to run to Jesus for all of your needs. There is no question in your life that He does not have an answer to. There is no problem He cannot solve, no sickness He cannot heal and no negative report that Jesus cannot overturn. There is no pit dug for you that He cannot close, neither is there any weapon fashioned against you that He cannot raise a standard against.
5. Beloved, it’s only in Jesus that you can have true freedom. If you really want to be free, you need to become a disciple of His.
6. A disciple of Jesus is a follower of His person and principles.
7. There are many people who go to church and deliverance meetings who are not disciples of Jesus. They are just among the multitudes who are interested in His miracles and blessing, and yet have no interest in making Him their personal Lord and Saviour.
8. Becoming a disciple of Jesus is a personal decision wherein an individual has to make up his mind to respond to the love of God. It is accepting to be on the Lord’s side. It is a deliberate intention to pay close attention to the word of God and allowing your life to be guided by it. This is the only way your freedom can be guaranteed.
9. Over and over again you hear in adverts that tobacco smoking is dangerous to health, yet some people have remained under its bondage. Even some medical doctors, who know the serious negative effects of smoking, cannot help themselves from the bondage of this habit.
10. Today, there shall be an end to every habit that is injurious to your life in Jesus’ Name.
11. Come to Jesus and surrender to Him absolutely. Only after doing this will you enjoy total freedom from all bondage of strange voices, satanic oppression, obsession, suppression and depression. He is the only Truth that can set you free.
12. Once you are set free in Jesus and you continue to abide in Him, no one can put you back in bondage again.
13. An end has come to all the works of the devil in your life. Now is the dawn of a new beginning. No matter how much you have been afflicted by the agents of hell, your freedom has finally come in Jesus’ Name. I release the power of God to deliver you from all demonic attacks right now, in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

There is always freedom in Christ Jesus for the bound. That is why He boldly called us to come to Him in Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” There is permanent peace in taking refuge in God through Christ Jesus. Once we surrender all to Him and remain in His presence by obeying all He’s commanded us to do, there is unending liberty for us. I pray we will receive the ability to obey His words and remain in His presence that we may enjoy permanent freedom from every oppression of the devil in Jesus name. More strength and ability for greater insight into the word of God is released on Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name. Amen.

Prayer Point
Thank you Father for the victory You have given me through Christ Jesus.
HYMN
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, No turning back
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
No turning back, No turning back
My cross I’ll carry, till i see Jesus
My cross I’ll carry, till i see Jesus
My cross I’ll carry, till i see Jesus
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the Cross before me
The world behind me, the Cross before me
The world behind me, the Cross before me
No turning back, No turning back

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: TUESDAY, JANUARY 31ST2017-UNDER A DIVINE CURSE?

Memorise: And Cain said unto the LORD, my punishment is greater than I can bear. Genesis 4:13
Read: Genesis 4:1-15 (KJV)
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;
12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
Bible in one year: Luke 10-11, Isaiah 28:1-13

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. Do you know that besides physical death there is also material death? One of the most dreaded and avoided passages in the Bible is Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
2. Ironically, one of the best loved and most read passages of Scriptures come from the first 14 verses of that same chapter.
3. People want to read about God’s blessings but they never want to be told about the curses. However, it is very instructive to read the passages that talk about the curses too, so that you can discern if your life is manifesting any of the curses and to seek spiritual help if that is the case.
4. These passages also help us to know what the God who blesses His obedient children can do to those who disobey Him.
5. It is also good to take a careful study of those who were placed under a divine curse in the Bible, so that you can steadfastly avoid their errors.
6. One repercussion for disobeying God is material death brought about by several agents of death.
7. According to Deuteronomy 28:15-68, for the act of disobedience, the disobedient fellow shall be cursed everywhere he or she goes. That means, spiritually, such a fellow is wearing the garment of curses!
8. When a person is cursed by God, wherever he or she goes, people will just find themselves opposing him or her, even without real provocation. Divine curses attract other types of curses to the fellow who is cursed.
9. Also, when an individual is under a divine curse, the curses that men placed on him will require no demonic power to make them work; they will just ride on the existing cursed climate surrounding the fellow.
10. It is a terrible thing to come under a divine curse! If you are under a divine curse, do everything possible today to come out of it!
11. For a fellow under a divine curse, everything God has made will begin to fight against that fellow. Friends will turn against him or her. Opportunity will shut its door. Good health will take its flight. Promotion will be on vacation. Success will run away. The life of that individual will attract all kinds of evils: disappointments, unending struggles, frustrations, sorrow, losses, wasted efforts, and every unpleasant experience.
12. When Cain was cursed by God in Genesis 4:11-12, he understood the spiritual implication of this and he immediately began to pray for divine mercy. If he did not do this, everything and everyone would have worked against him.
13. Does it appear like everyone and everything is fighting against you? Find out if you are under a divine curse and immediately go to God in repentance and ask for His mercy.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

According to Hebrews 10:31-It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Yet in His anger He is merciful and kind. Cain was cursed but God still placed a protective mark on him. There are certain things every believer must be very careful about. One of which is rejection from God however, if anyone falls in the hands of God to the extent of curse, such fellow is doom. Whatsoever God curses, it remains permanent such that only God himself can revert it. We have seen instances in the Bible due to disobedience that God released curse upon some characters and everything became miserable for them, example of such was the first man He created. After the curse upon the ground against Adam , the remaining years he spent on earth was useless without relevance. In bid to reverse this curse and redeem man, God in His mercy gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Beloved, the key to being free as revealed by our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye in today’s devotional is to immediately go to God in repentance and ask for His mercy. His mercy will truimp over every divine curse in our lives in Jesus’ name. We are daily blessed as we study the Open Heavens devotional and our prayer is that God should strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye daily in Jesus’ name.

Action Point
Are you under a divine curse and you desire to be free? Release anyone you have placed under a curse and ask for God’s mercy.
HYMN
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, JANUARY 30TH 2017-HARVESTING BEYOND BREAD

Memorise: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1st Corinthians 3:6
Read: 2nd Kings 4:8-17 (KJV)
8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
Bible in one year: Luke 9, Isaiah 26:20-27:13

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. To be a successful farmer, there are several activities you must carry out in the right order.
2. You have to get a suitable farmland, cut the grass and fall the trees, make the ridges and therefore sow your seeds. After sowing, you have to watch out for weeds that come to destroy your harvest, and when they show up, you have to take them out of the way. You have to also water your seed always. If you do all these, you will get a bountiful harvest.
3. All these are reflection of what you need to do in order to get a bountiful harvest in the Kingdom of God.
4. One important point you need to take to heart is that after you have done your part, God is the One who gives the increase (1st Corinthians 3:6).
5. Every increase that comes to your seed comes from God and not necessarily from the soil. This season, the Lord will give you increase in every good area you are sowing in Jesus’ Name.
6. However, what you reap will be determined by what you have sown. For instance, the young boy in John 6:5-13 did not only give bread, he also gave fish to Jesus.
7. If you give Him bread, He will multiply it back to you. If you give Him more than bread, you will also get more than multiplied bread. The boy gave the Lord bread and fish, and at the end of the day, he got 12 baskets full of bread and fish.
8. One lesson here is that sowing and reaping is not the exclusive preserve of adults. Teach your children to sow into the Kingdom of God.
9. Teach them to pay tithes on the gifts they receive from their uncles, aunties and friends of their parents. They can even tithe their pocket money as they go to boarding school or university. The earlier they imbibe such Kingdom principles, the better for them.
10. Indeed, if you give the Lord more than bread, you will get more than bread in your harvest.
11. In our Bible reading, rich woman of Shunem started by providing food for Elisha. She then moved beyond providing bread to providing accommodation. When her harvest came, God went beyond bread and took care of a long standing need in her life that she had already given up hope on: her desire for a child. The seed she sowed into Elisha’s life defied all scientific and diabolical reasons for her barrenness and gave her a baby boy.
12. God knows your needs – even your deep, unvoiced needs. What are you giving to Him? If you are not yet giving Him anything, start giving something today!
13. Are you giving only what you can easily part with? Take a step further today and sow sacrificially. Your seed will carve out a path into the fullness of your joy.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS


Every sacrificial giving recorded in the Bible led into bountiful harvest, miraculous happenings as well as great covenant which never failed. When the devil tried to take the child of the Shunammite, God restored him back to life. With your seed you can bring yourself to God’s heart such that He guards you jealously. I like to encourage us to take a step further and higher in our giving to God. Whatever we give to Him is not a loss, it comes back to us multiplied. The Lord will help us all in Jesus name. Thank God for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye who through the help of the Holyspirit wrote this devotional.
Prayer Point
Thank God for the body of Christ, the leadership and all that God is doing through His Church.
HYMN
There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.
There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, JANUARY 29TH 2017-DIRECTION FOR TRUE SEEKERS

Memorise: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable with him. Acts 10:35
Read: Acts 10:1-8 (KJV)
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Bible in one year: Luke 8, Isaiah 26:1-19

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” Romans 1:27-28
2. From the scripture above, it is true that nature abhors a vacuum. Your mind was designed to retain the knowledge of God. However, if it is not used for that purpose, do not be surprised that it will become filled with junk and warped reasoning.
3. How true the word of God is throughout the ages! What this scripture foretold centuries ago is exactly what we find being manifested right before our very eyes today.
4. One reason why some people attach themselves to sodomy, lesbianism, bestiality and all kinds of abominable acts today is because they have shut their hearts to the truth of God’s word. This includes those gays who profess to be religious. Such people do not have a true, inward relationship with God.
5. Are you battling with evil thoughts? Then fill your mind with the knowledge of God, His word, His ways and His testimonies, and there will be no space for junk and the lies of the devil in it.
6. Do you know that God is seriously searching for those who are seeking for Him? The Bible in Psalms 14:2 says: “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.”
7. Wherever He finds them, irrespective of the religious sect they belong to, one way or another, He charts a path for them to come out, get to know and serve Him in the right way.
8. This was the experience of Cornelius. This officer in the Roman army was still practising Judaism after Jesus had come to introduce salvation by faith in Him. Despite the fact that Jesus had come and had finished the work of salvation, and the gospel was being preached, Cornelius continued worshipping God the same way he had always done before. Nevertheless, God saw the sincerity of his desire for Him, and He arranged for Him to meet Apostle Peter, who taught him the new and living way to God.
9. There are people in different faiths who are truly seeking God but are doing so wrongly.
10. Pray that like Cornelius, God will lead them the right way, out of where they are into His kingdom.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

What an awesome insight from today’s devotional. It’s not possible for one to have a genuine encounter with JESUS and still maintain the old pertain and style of life. There must be a change in ones life, one must forsake all contrary practices and focus on Him alone the author and finisher of our faith. Do you assume to be a Christian But still worship other idol to complement you faith? Drop it, it won’t work that way. Corlinius was known to be a good man but his ways wasn’t pleasant to God. He was doing everything religiously. Let’s search ourselves and do proper examination of our worship to the almighty God. God bless our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye for opening himself up to be inspired by God through the Holyspirit in writing this devotional in Jesus name. Amen.

Key Point
Having a PhD in an academic discipline does not necessarily make you wise before God. Wisdom comes from seeking God.
HYMN
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, No turning back
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
No turning back, No turning back
My cross I’ll carry, till i see Jesus
My cross I’ll carry, till i see Jesus
My cross I’ll carry, till i see Jesus
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the Cross before me
The world behind me, the Cross before me
The world behind me, the Cross before me
No turning back, No turning back

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SATURDAY, JANUARY 28TH 2017-BE THANKFUL

Memorise: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4
Read: Luke 17:11-19 (KJV)
11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Bible in one year: Luke 7, Isaiah 24:21-25:12

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. One great expectation of the Almighty God is that man, whom He created in His image and likeness, will appreciate His benevolent deeds to them.
2. It is unfortunate, however, that from generation to generation man has been ungrateful. This is even more pronounced in these last days (Romans 1:21, 2nd Timothy 3:2). From today’s reading, we can see how expectant our Heavenly Father is for us to express appreciation whenever He does us good.
3. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to show us the character of the Father, revealed this expectation to us through His reaction when only one leper returned to say “Glory to God in the highest”, even though ten were healed. “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” Luke17:17-18
4. When we fail to appreciate God for who He is and for what He continuously does for us, we rob Him of His rightful glory and honour.
5. Indeed, ingratitude is an act of robbery against God. It is also dangerous, because your joy cannot be full if you are unthankful. Of the ten lepers that were healed, the only one we can consider to have received the fullness of joy is the one who returned to give glory to God, because Jesus crowned his healing with wholeness.
6. There is another dimension to being grateful to God, which has to do with our appreciation of what He did for us when He gave His only begotten Son as atonement for our sins.
7. The only way to show our gratitude for this gift is to accept His offer of salvation, which is free for us but which cost the life of the immaculate Son of God.
8. We must embrace this offer with every sense of gratitude because there are consequences for rejecting it. Hebrews 2:3 says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed into us by them that heard him;”
9. Beloved, the most profound gratitude we can show God, for all the things He has done for us, is to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to live by the ideals He brought from His Father. God bless you as you do so today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Brethren, we can pray amiss but can never praise amiss. The more grateful we are to God the more beautiful our lives become. Thanksgiving brings wholeness as we saw in the Bible reading for today. We should make thanksgiving our lifestyle. His praises should continually be in our mouth. Ephesians 5:20 says “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” The salvation of our soul is a great gift we should be forever grateful to God for. The sacrifice of His only begotten Son should move us to genuinely thank Him daily. May we never be an ungrateful heir in Jesus name. Thank God for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye who through the help of the holyspirit wrote this devotional.

Prayer Point
Father, I thank you for the salvation of my soul through Christ, my Lord. Help me to live by His teachings to the glory of your Holy Name
HYMN
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: FRIDAY, JANUARY 27TH 2017-PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

Memorise: And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. Luke 22:40
Read: Luke 18:1-8 (KJV)
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Bible in one year: Luke 6, Isaiah 24:1-20

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. In 1st Thessalonians 5:17, the Holy Spirit says this to us “Pray without ceasing”. This statement is not a piece of advice but rather a command. The reason why we should obey this command is revealed in the words for our Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples in Luke 22:40b “Pray that ye enter not into temptation.”
2. The disciples did not take this admonition seriously for obvious reasons of the sorrow that overwhelmed their hearts after their Master’s valedictory speech.
3. This is a lesson to us all that we should not allow circumstances weaken our prayer lives.
4. The result of their prayerlessness was catastrophic. Most of them lacked the courage to stand firm when their Master was arrested. They would have obtained the needed courage in the place of prayer. They therefore could not resist the temptation of running away.
5. Peter, the one who had appeared to be the boldest among them turned out to be bold only in the flesh; he ended up denying his master three times. He had no spiritual courage to follow through with his boast of readiness to die with the Master (Matthew 26:35). What a great lesson to us all! The arm of flesh will always fail (Jeremiah 17:5)
6. There are many lessons we can learn from the story of the widow in today’s Bible text; first of which is that the judge intervened in her case not because he was interested in her. Rather, it was her relentless prayer that compelled him to act and avenge her of her enemies.
7. Secondly, this woman did not change her prayer at any time. In other words, she was consistent in her prayer, and so there was no need for additional witnesses to be called in, or for more evidence to be presented.
8. Many people gamble in their lives, not knowing exactly what they need. They are unstable like the waves of the sea, being driven by the wind. Concerning such people, Apostle James in James 1:7-8 writes: “For let not that man think he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
9. Our Lord Jesus Christ through this story assures us that our heavenly Father, unlike the unjust judge, will answer us speedily, but on one condition: if we pray in faith and trust in His justice.
10. Therefore, ask of the Father today in faith, and you will receive beyond your wildest imagination.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

After powerful prayer section many Christians waters down the fire that has been set up with doubt. Some give up quickly in the space of little time if they see no result early enough. The widow in our Bible reading got her case attended to because of her persistence. Her visit to the judge prompted him to settle her before he ends up being weary. The fabulous thing to note in verses 7 and 8 is that we are assured of answers to our prayers as His chosen and loved one if only we pray without ceasing. The word of God is true and simple. If it is obeyed then no need for panic on any issue. It is full of the principle of do this and get that. I encourage us to pray in faith and trust in His justice for that is the way we can get a speedy response to our prayers. God bless our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him with greater wisdom to impact us more in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, avenge me of every adversary of Your plan and purpose of my life this year.
HYMN
1 Through the love of God our Saviour,
all will be well.
Free and changeless is his favour,
all, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us,
perfect is the grace that sealed us,
strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
all must be well.
2 Though we pass through tribulation,
all will be well.
Ours is such a full salvation,
all, all is well.
Happy, still in God confiding,
fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
holy, through the Spirit’s guiding,
all must be well.
3 We expect a bright tomorrow,
all will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
‘All, all is well.’
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
in our living, in our dying,
all must be well.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY, JANUARY 26TH 2017-SINGLED OUT

Memorise: And many leper were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. Luke 4:27
Read: Luke 4:25-27 (KJV)
25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
Bible in one year: Luke 4-5, Isaiah 23

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. When God opens treasures to you but blinds your enemies from seeing them, the experience is simply wonderful.
2.However, when your tomorrow becomes permanently settled for good, it is even more wonderful. This is what the Lord sent His word to do in Isaiah 3:10: “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.”
3. Beloved, if you are genuinely born again and in right standing before God, no matter what the devil does, no matter how hard he fights against you, and no matter the number of forces that gather together to stand in your way, you will prevail at the end.
4. Sometimes, God keeps quite and allows your enemies to believe that they have the upper-hand against you; but just when they think it is all over for you, the Lord will suddenly arise on your behalf and bring them under your feet.
5. Also, never think that your labours are in vain. They are not! God keeps a record of them. That you did not enter your harvest today does not mean your harvest is lost forever. You shall not lose your harvest!
6. There can only be some delay, some temporary setback, but you will enter your harvest.
7. Have you been separated from your harvest for so long? This season, the Lord will arise for you, scatter all the impediments on your way and give you a great harvest, in Jesus’ Name.
8. Beloved, it shall be well with you. Your tomorrow shall be alright. Your tomorrow is secured in God and not in your nation’s economy.
9. When God prospers you to the level where you can say, “By the grace of God, I now have enough to take care of me and my family for the rest of our lives”, then that can be described as being even more wonderful.
10. Beyond this, the experience of the widow of Zarephath in 1st Kings 17:8-16 can be described as most wonderful because, of all the households in a country suffering a nationwide famine, this widow’s household was the only one singled out for favour. The miracle of divine provision was limited to her particular household alone.
11. When you are singled out this way, the negative things that affect others will not affect you. Also, the good things that other cannot get, no matter how hard they try, will be yours with little or no effort.
12. This year, the Lord will single you out for protection against any form of famine, disease or pestilence. The Lord will single you out for an uncommon blessing that will leave your enemies in the dark in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Today’s devotional is a confirmation that regardless of the happenings around or family background, one can be singled out for a life of unending victory and abundance. Our Bible reading for today gave 2 examples of those singled out for favour. Our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye told us affirmatively in the devotional for today that “if we are genuinely born again and in right standing before God, no matter what the devil does, no matter how hard he fights against us, and no matter the number of forces that gather together to stand in our way, we will prevail at the end. This is a great encouragement and charge to us. All we need to do is to believe He can do all things, pray without ceasing and have Faith that it is settled. God bless our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him with greater wisdom to impact us more in Jesus name.

Action Point
Pray that the youths of your nation will get to know God and serve Him with all that they have.
HYMN
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
[Chorus]
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25TH 2017-TAMING THE COBRA

Memorise: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
Read: Luke 19:1-10 (KJV)
1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Bible in one year: Luke 2-3, Isaiah 22:5-25

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. There are so many wonderful things to know about the person of God the Son. His uniqueness is summarised in Colossians 2:9: “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
2. He came to this world in the form of flesh to demonstrate the character of the 3 personalities found in the person of God. This means that if you want to know more about all the other persons of the Godhead, all you need to do is to take a close look at Jesus.
3. He is the Great Physician who can heal all sicknesses and diseases. He is the One who can set the captives free and destroy all the works of the devil. Most importantly for us, He is the Saviour (Matthew 1:21).
4. When He visited Zacchaeus, He declared to him that He had come to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).
5. His blood cleanses from all sins (1st John 1:7), and it is only through His Name that we can be saved (Acts 4:12)
6. Several years ago, I visited an African nation and my host began to tell me about a particular government minister of that nation who was a very terrible man. He had killed quite a number of people and was so vicious that he was nicknamed “the Cobra”. When he said that, the Holy Spirit immediately told me to go and preach to him. I told my host, “I need to go and preach to the Cobra.” He looked at me in disbelief and said, “Sir, it appears you do not understand what I have been saying.” Then I replied, “If he is as bad as you say he is, then he needs salvation, and no other person can save him but Jesus.” My host reluctantly agreed to take me to his house, but he told me that he would stay back in the car. “If I wait for one hour and you do not come out, I will drive off”, he said. I agreed, and asked him to call the Cobra and inform him that a prophet is coming from Nigeria with a message for him.
7. When I met the Cobra at his house, I said to him, “Sir, I have a message for you from the Lord.” “What message?” He asked. “Your days are numbered, your judgment is at hand, your cup is about to overflow, but the Almighty God has sent me to tell you that despite all your atrocities, He still loves you.” Within 15 minutes of talking, the Cobra was on his knees asking how he could be saved.
8. Every “cobra” in your life shall be arrested today in Jesus’ Name! However, one effective way of doing this is by introducing Jesus Christ the Saviour to your enemies. I know this is the last thing some people will want to do.
9. If you lead your enemies to the Saviour, you will have rest because they will become your defence and supporters. Don’t stop until all your enemies are saved.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The wickedness that exist in some human beings is still active because they are yet to hear of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They are ready to hurt anybody including children of God. They pose as danger to the entire society but the seed of prayer sown through intercessions can change them in few minutes. This is because the foundation for their salvation has been laid in the spiritual realm first. Some saved children of God avoid those that are sinners like plague. They can’t preach to anyone with cigarette in his hand or anyone with mini skirt because they are unholy. Romans 5:8- But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We have been admonished in today’s devotional not to stop until all your enemies are saved. And by so doing we will experience progress without constraints. Matthew 5:44 says: But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Let’s not just be hearers of the word but doers also. God help us as we do the word in Jesus name. God bless our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye for opening himself up to be inspired by God through the Holyspirit in writing this devotional in Jesus name. Amen

Action Point
If all your enemies are saved, you will experience progress without constraints. Pray for their salvation today
HYMN
Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Refrain:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, JANUARY 23RD 2017-AFTER SOWING DON’T SLEEP

Memorise: For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: Isaiah 55:10
Read: Genesis 15:5-18
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
7 And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
8 And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
18 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Bible in one year: Mark 15-16, Isaiah 19:16-20:6

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. When our Lord Jesus Christ walked the earth, in several of His parables, He used the principles of farming to teach His disciples about how God’s Kingdom operates. It is therefore important for us to apply the knowledge of farming principles in our quest to obtain a good harvest from God’s Kingdom.
2. Isaiah 55:10 gives us some insight in this regard. “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:”
3. From this verse of Scripture, we understand that God is the one who gives seed to the sower. He gives you seed, and He expects you to sow it. Never eat your seed!
4. Even physical seeds usually taste bitter or unpalatable to the taste buds because they were not designed to be eaten in the first place. May God give you the grace to sow all the seeds you need to sow in order to generate your desired harvests!
5. Besides giving the sower seed, God also gives the eater bread. There is food for the eater and seed for the sower.
6. After sowing, God expects you to water the seed. Don’t go to sleep after sowing your seed – get ready for some really hard work.
7. As a farmer’s son, I can tell you a few things about farming. Before you can even sow, you have to clear the ground and build heaps. After sowing, you have to do some weeding. As your seed is germinating, weeds will begin to grow alongside; you have to get rid of these. While it may be easy to sow, it is not easy to weed.
8. One fellow can sow on a vast expanse of land, but it will be very difficult for the same fellow to clear that land all by himself.
9. To obtain a quality harvest, God expects you to follow sound farming principles. Learn from the farmer!
10. Not every harvest is meant for the stomach. Some must be kept aside for the next planting season.
11. After you have sown your seed, water it with prayer, fasting and thanksgiving. After Abraham offered a sacrifice to God, he did not go to sleep. He stood there watching, waiting for God to receive it. While he waited, he saw some birds descending on his sacrifice in order to destroy it. He drove them away and thereafter the fire fell.
12. You can weed your spiritual farm after sowing seeds by living righteously before God. The devil will come craftily to introduce tares of sin into your life so as to destroy your harvest. Hence, after sowing, you must remain holy, prayerful, thankful and completely obedient in order to enter into your harvest.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Our Lord Jesus in Matthew 13 told us of a parable of how the enemy of a sower came while he was asleep and sowed weed among the good seed he has sown. The devil is an enemy to all children of God. And his goal is to steal, kill and destroy therefore we must stand firm and be watchful in all we do. As said by our Father in the Lord, we are to water every seed sown continuously with prayer, fasting and thanksgiving until our harvest comes. Like Daniel we should not relent until the answer to our prayers is released unto us. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9. Let’s keep filling up our clouds with water, so that when it’s full it can empty itself on us (The harvest). We bless God for our Father in the Lord, Pastor E.A Adeboye for the grace to inspire and exhort us in today’s devotional yet again. ‎

Key Point
If you sleep after sowing a seed, your harvest may be a disappointment. Watch over your seed prayerfully.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, JANUARY 22ND 2017-PATHWAY OF THE FOOLISH

Memorise: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. Psalm 14:1
Read: Psalm 14:1-4 (KJV)
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.
Bible in one year: Mark 14, Isaiah 19:1-15

AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL>

1. One of characteristics of the godless is that they seek their personal goals without thinking about God. The things they seek after have overtaken the space that God created in them for Himself.
2. Do you know that today, believers, using the excuse of not having time, are chasing after material things at the expense of cultivating a personal relationship with God? “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Psalm 14:1
3. If you think in your heart that God does not exist, even when you have not verbalised such thoughts, God has heard you.
4. If you are one of those who believe that although God exists, He is too slow, too weak or too inconsequential to bring about the needed intervention in a given situation, you are in the same class with the godless. God simply call such people fools.
5. Why would God call someone a fool? If a person considers the whole observable universe – the sun, the moon, the stars, galaxies, planets, plants, the seas, lakes, rivers, beautiful landscapes, all the mineral deposits in the soil, water springs, the skyline, rain and various weather conditions – and still concludes in his or her heart that these things created themselves, though accepting that no human hand created them, such a person is best described as being on a fool’s path.
6. You do not need anyone to tell you that there is a God somewhere; a very great and massive God who created all these things, and who supervises their operations.
7. A fool is someone who denies obvious truths and facts. Similarly, a fool is one who decides to live the way he or she pleases.
8. Many people live the way he or she please. Many people live their lives the way they do right now because they never think of the day of reckoning.
9. Believe it or not, that day will come for everybody. A fool also is the fellow who pushes God aside but pursues the gift and blessing He gives.
10. How can you desire to receive gifts from God without wanting to know the Giver of such gifts?
11. Unfortunately, many believers are letting go of their personal relationship with God for material pursuits and are fast becoming fools. They are on the highway of foolishness.
12. Are you considered a fool? Repent, beat a retreat and make God your number one priority today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Most times we do numerous things that we considered as being wise but to God its absolutely foolish to Him. That is why the bible says “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. Our prayer is that God should give us the grace to always align with His will and purpose for our life. The truth is that many people have been overwhelmed with different philosophy that made them lost the supremacy of God and thereby handling the things related to God foolishly. That is why apostle Paul admonished in Colossian 2:8 “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Beloved, God is real and sovereign. God bless our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him with greater wisdom to impact us more in Jesus name.

Key Point:
Men hardly fail to take credit for their achievements, yet they readily rob God of His.

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