Monthly Archives: April 2017

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12TH 2017- DIVINE VISITATION II

Memorise: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people. Luke 1:68
Read: Jeremiah 29:10-11
10 For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Bible in one year: Leviticus 23-24, Jeremiah 12

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

1. “And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.”Luke 7:14-16
2. The account of events in the above passage of Scripture is indicative of what a divine visitation looks like.
3. Divine visitation with its attendant supernatural occurrences brings joy to the heart of those visited.
4. I pray that God will visit you today and your joy shall be full in Jesus’ Name.
5. In our Bible text today, Prophet Jeremiah gave a revelation concerning the future deliverance of Israel from bondage. He prophesied that this would be realised by the power of divine visitation.
6. When God comes visiting, He comes with deliverance from bondage and servitude like He did when He visited the children of Israel in Egypt (Exodus 4:31). When the children of Israel, because of their spiritual decadence found themselves in Babylonian bondage again, His love for His friend, Abraham their father, compelled Him to promise another divine visitation.
7. In Jeremiah 29:10, He sent His word to them in Babylon saying: “For thus saith the LORD, that after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to his place.”
8. Also, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, prophesised under the influence of the Holy Spirit about the coming of redemption of Israel through yet another divine visitation (Luke 1:68).
9. Divine visitation brought salvation to mankind, when God personally came in the form of man to dwell among us, suffered, died and rose again so that we may obtain salvation (1st Timothy 3:16).
10. Beloved, do you want a divine visitation of salvation?
11. Jesus Christ says this to you today: “Behold, I stand at the door; and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelations 3:20
12. Open the door of your heart to him today, accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour, and He will come in right away and give you the gift of salvation.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

God is mighty, merciful and kind. If He in His greatness steps out to visit us either directly or indirectly then we can be sure of a turn around. Zacchaeus never remained the same after Jesus visited him. Father Abraham, Lot, Paul, Zechariah, Obed Edom to mention a few are examples of people visited by God and their stories turned around for good. I pray that every unpleasant story we are battling with will turn around as the Lord visit us in Jesus’ name. We bless God for the author of this devotional Pastor E.A Adeboye. May God strengthen him in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Lord Jesus, please visit me today, make Your abode in my life and give me Your gift of salvation.
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, APRIL 11TH 2017- DIVINE VISITATION I

Memorise: And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. Genesis 21:1
Read: Genesis 18:1-10
1 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
Bible in one year: Leviticus 21-22, Jeremiah 11:9-23

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

1. Our God is a benevolent God; He visits an individual, He does not come empty-handed.
2. If you are privileged to receive a visitation from Him, you can be sure you are in for pleasant surprises.
3. My prayer for you is that God in His infinite mercy will visit you today in Jesus’ Name.
4. When Abraham entertained three strange men in his tent, little did he know that they were messengers of the benevolent God.
5. Take a closer look at all the effort Abraham put in just to entertain visitors he could ordinarily have regarded as casual passers-by. Genesis 18:6-7 says, “And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measure of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.”
6. From this passage, it is obvious that Abraham engaged his entire household in making these visitors comfortable.
7. There are many lessons you can learn from Abraham’s experience which will make it possible for you to enjoy the blessing of receiving a divine visitation.
8. First, you must be hospitable if you want to experience a divine visitation. Concerning this, the Holy Spirit in Hebrews 13:2 says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
9. God visits those who share His attribute of generosity. God is so generous that He gave His only begotten Son as a ransom for our sins. Consequently, He became the Father of millions of people who were once alienated from Him.
10. Secondly, when you are showing generosity or hospitality, you must do it willingly, and not as if you are being constrained to do it.
11. The angelic visitors would not have waited if they had noticed unwillingness in Abraham, his wife or his men in receiving them. It was after the strange visitors had eaten their fill that they delivered the message they brought from God. Angels don’t eat human food, so how come theses ones ate the food Abraham served them (Genesis 18:8)? This can only be explained by the sovereignty of the Almighty God. They were transformed and given a human nature in order to be able to eat, so as to teach us valuable lessons.
12. One of these lessons is that when God requests for your tithe, offerings or your first-fruits, it is because He wants to set you up for a divine visitation in your business or chosen career. Be wise!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Some events are orchestrated by God for our own sake either to answer our prayers or to manifest Himself in our situation. The way and manner that we respond to this event matters a lot as it sparks the fulfilment of God’s plan. When the love of God is shed abroad in our heart, it does not only make us love God without restrictions, this love is extended to fellow human being. In today’s devotional, the God sent to Abraham in human form and he didn’t miss that divine visitation. May we never miss God’s visitation in Jesus name. However, we have to be ready all the time in our hearts, mind, spirit, deeds and ways to welcome the Lord when He visits. When the love of God dwells in us we are positioned to love all that is His as well as others. Then we can discern with the help of the Holyspirit when God visits us. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for this great devotional. More grace for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please visit me with your awesome presence today.
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: MONDAY, APRIL 10TH 2017- THE KING IS COMING

Memorise: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1st Thessalonians 4:16
Read: Acts 1:9-11
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Bible in one year: Leviticus 19-20, Jeremiah 10:17-11:8

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

1. One of the reasons why there is spiritual decadence in the Church today is the loss of focus on the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus knew this would happen and for this reason, He gave us the parable of a king who went on a journey to a far country, leaving behind his servants to work and await his return (Luke 19:12-27).
3. Our King is coming back to be the judge of both the living and the dead.
4. As a preview of the nature of the judgement He will declare against those who rejected His Lordship over their lives, Luke 19:27 says, “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.”
5. Beloved, this will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name. However, you must always remember that our King is coming, and you must also remember what He is coming to do. This attribute will guide you on how to comport yourself in readiness for His return.
6. Do not be deceived by the error of those who claim that Jesus Christ will not come again or that He has already come in the spirit. These are all lies of the devil.
7. The angels who addressed the early disciples after Jesus was taken up to Heaven said this to them in Acts 1:11: “….This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.”
8. You can therefore rest assured in your heart that Jesus will surely come back.
9. Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming to put the devil where he belongs (Revelations 20:10).
10. All the angels that fell along with the devil, referred to as demons, will also partake of the eternal damnation that will befall him (Matthew 25:41).
11. Our King is also coming to give rewards to every believer according to his or her works. The Lord in Revelation 22:12 says, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
12. Beloved of God, ensure you are one of those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
13. If your name is already there, work hard to receive commendation and a good reward from the Master.
14. If you labour for the expansion of God’s Kingdom through evangelism and witnessing or through giving and intersession, you can be sure you will not miss your reward when the King returns.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

I pray that we shall be commended and not condemned when our king arrives in Jesus name. Our father Pastor E.A Adeboye told us in today’s devotional that when we labour for expansion of God’s kingdom by evangelism, witnesses, intercessions and giving we can expect reward. This should be done genuinely and willing and not to impress our pastor or show off. Our work here on earth matters a lot because we shall be judged by these works. May our work not be burnt that we may receive reward in Jesus name. We bless God for the author of this devotional. May he wax stronger in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, at the second coming of your Son, Jesus Christ, may I not be put to shame please give me the grace to be watchful as I live according to your word.
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 me peace pursue.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, APRIL 9TH 2017- THE PRICE OF DISCIPLESHIP

Memorise: 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. Matthew 11:29
Read: Luke 9:23-26
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Bible in one year: Leviticus 17-18, Jeremiah 10:1-16

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

1. After giving your life to Christ, you need to go further in your walk with God by becoming a disciple.
2. Many Children of God these days don’t know that discipleship has a price. They don’t even know that Jesus Christ, the Master, has a yoke that they must share with Him.
3. The early disciples, with great difficulty, got to understand this truth on the eve of the crucifixion. While agonising over the inevitable death on the Cross, Jesus Christ asked the disciples to pray and watch along with Him, but instead, they slept. Matthew 26:40-41 says: “And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
4. We are so blessed to have a Master who knows our frame. He knows that the flesh is weak, even though the spirit is willing.
5. Our willingness to share in His yoke qualifies us to be His disciples.
6. Today, many people don’t want to be taught this aspect of the gospel. They prefer the doctrine of relativism, which teaches that the end justifies the means.
7. Those things that the Lord Jesus Christ abhorred are being courted by some so-called believers today. This should not be so!
8. In our Bible reading today, Jesus Christ gives a vivid description of the price we must pay to be true disciples of His. In Luke 9:23-24, He said: “….If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
9. This is the price of discipleship. There are many so-called “disciples” today who are far from being disciples.
10. Many cannot even deny their ungodly friends, not to talk of denying themselves. They hold tenaciously to the world contrary to the word in 1st John 2:15-17 which says: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
11. Beloved, are you a true disciple of Jesus Christ or do you want to be one?
12. Ponder on these things and don’t deceive yourself.
13. Always remember what the Holy Spirit said to us in 2nd Timothy 2:12: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.”

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The truth is as a disciple of Jesus Christ we must be ready to face crucifixion. We have to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him daily. We have to let go of all and live for Him alone. Luke 9:23-24 says:And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Paul understood this scripture so well and decided to live for Christ such that he had the conviction that if he dies it’s gain and his living is for Christ. Philippians 1:21-For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us- 2 Timothy 2:12. We must always remember Romans 8:17-18 which says: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Let’s strive to be His true disciples here on earth. May God help us in Jesus name. God be praised forever more for a disciple like our father in the Lord Pastor E.A Adeboye. The ability to turn even more to Christ is released unto him in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, the grace to follow You in spirit and in truth, please give me today.
HYMN
1 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2 Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
4 Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
5 Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee. 

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SATURDAY, APRIL 8TH 2017- OBLIVIOUS TO YOUR TRUE STATE?

Memorise: But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 1st Timothy 5:6
Read: Revelation 3:14-19
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: Leviticus 15-16, Jeremiah 9:12-26

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

1. It is amazing that many people are suffering today but they do not realise it. Is it even possible to suffer without knowing it? Of course, it is!
2. The Bible passage in our memory verse points to one of such scenarios.
3. A prostitute and his or her clients think they are enjoying life by indulging in indiscriminate sex and getting paid for it, but in the sight of God, they are dead. The reality of the word of God will knock on their door the day the doctor announces their HIV status.
4. A drunkard also is one who is “suffering and smiling”. The Bible gives a vivid description of the pitiable state of a drunkard in Proverbs 23:31-35.
5. It is also possible for people who profess to belong to God to be oblivious of their true state in the sight of God. For this reason, we must always look at ourselves through the mirror of God’s word, and wait on the Lord in the place of prayer to hear what His opinion of us is.
6. In today’s Bible text, we see the verdict of our Lord Jesus Christ on the state of the Church of the Laodiceans. After the Lord x-rayed their spiritual life, their self-delusion became apparent for all to see. He gave His assessment in Revelation 3:17: “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:”
7. This is food for thought for these churches in these last days which major on the so-called “prosperity gospel” to the detriment of the spiritual well-being of their congregation.
8. Such churches are actually miserable, poor, blind and naked – they are suffering without knowing it.
9. In Acts 3, Peter and John were going for a prayer meeting at the temple, and a lame man looked up to them in expectation of receiving alms from them.
10. Pay close attention to these words of Peter to him in Acts 3:6: “…Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
11. The lame man walked because the early disciples were rich in the things of God, even though they were poor in material things.
12. Today, many churches have sliver and gold, but they no longer have the effective use of the Name of Jesus Christ.
13. Beloved, let us go back to our first love, rather than groping in the darkness of self-delusion that we are fine.
14. Many problems that were alien to the early Church are now common place in the modern Church.
15. Ministers of gospel are being carried here and there for healing. May God have mercy on us.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

To realise our true state in Christ, we must often look at ourselves through the mirror of God’s word. If we discover that we are off the track from what the scripture says we should retrace our steps rather than deceiving ourselves. As we continuously seek God’s face to know our stand in Him through study of God’s word, prayer and fasting I pray He will reveal to us and lead us unto the right path in Jesus name. We pray for strength and greater ability for our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, open my eyes to see where I have missed it, and help me to retrace my steps back to You, the Lover of my soul.
HYMN
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary. Refrain
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me. Refrain
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share. Refrain

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: FRIDAY, APRIL 7TH 2017-THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY

Memorise: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:21
Read: 1st Samuel 1:9-11
9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
Bible in one year: Leviticus 14, Jeremiah 8:18-9:11

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

1. Most good things in life come at a cost.
2. Many Children of God may find it hard to accept this truth, but doesn’t change its reality.
3. The reason why some children of God may not want to accept this reality of life is that our salvation is freely given to us. They would reason that since the precious salvation of our souls is free, other precious things of the kingdom should also be without a cost. They forget that although salvation is free for us, it came at the expense of the precious Blood of Jesus, shed through His gruesome death on the cross.
4. The fact that it is given to us for free does not mean it was freely acquired by the Giver.
5. Just as a child should not think the bread he is eating freely from his father’s table is actually free – as the father would have laboured for the money with which the bread was purchased – believers also should not think that it cost the Father nothing to give His only begotten Son for the redemption of our souls.
6. When Jesus Christ was healing the sick and delivering those that were oppressed by demons during earthly ministry, the disciples wanted to perform the same feat. They were however disappointed when they discovered that they could not do what the Master was doing. They therefore asked Him why they could not cast a demon out (Matthew 17:19). Here is the Master’s response to them in Matthew 17:20-21: “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
7. From this response, we understand that you cannot be eating three square meals with snacks in between and expect demons to obey your every command.
8. Years ago, my children in Britain asked me to begin conducting a monthly Festival of Life Service in the U.K. I declined, the reason being that I could not minister at a Festival of Life Service without making adequate spiritual preparations.
9. Hannah, Samuel’s mother, knew that God needed a priest to replace Eli, and so she promised God that if He gave her a son, she would give the boy back to Him. God immediately granted her request because she was ready to pay a price for what she wanted.
10. Beloved, what is the motive behind your request? If it is to glorify God, be sure you will have it today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

How true? So true! There is a price to pay! For everyone who wants to make a difference and impart lives such must be ready to pray and fast. Even our Lord Jesus whose conception, birth, growth and being was miraculous fasted and prayed on several occasions. The fact that He is supernatural did not hold Him back from these spiritual exercise. Miracles don’t just happen. Healing don’t just take place. Words of knowledge and wisdom don’t just flow and get manifested. Spiritual seed and exercise precedes such occurrences. Genuine ministers and children of God who pulls God’s presence to wrought wonders engage in serious fasting and prayer always. God will give us the grace to subdue our body and its desire so as to engage in spiritual exercise that will cause a change in our lives and world in Jesus name. Thank God for Pastor E.A Adeboye. He is a blessing to our generation.

Prayer Point
Father, grant me the grace to constantly mortify the deeds of the blood through fasting and prayer, so that Your Spirit may operate freely without hindrance in my life.
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 me peace pursue.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY, APRIL 6TH 2017-THE POOR IN SPIRIT

Memorise: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
Read: Luke 18:9-14
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 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.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his housejustifled rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humble the himself shall be exalted.
Bible in one year: Leviticus 13, Jeremiah 8:4-17

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

1. Some people believe that the poor are automatic candidates for making heaven; hence they see them as being blessed. Nothing could be further from the truth.
2. This error is derived from a wrong interpretation of the scripture in today’s memory verse.
3. No matter how poor you are, if you are not reconciled with your Maker, the Kingdom of heaven is a mere illusion for you. Whereas, you may be as rich as Father Abraham himself was, and when you die, you will still make heaven. Revelation 19:5 says, “And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.”
4. Irrespective of whether you are rich or poor, once you meet the condition for admission into the Kingdom of God, you will be granted access.
5. What is this condition? Revelations 21:27 gives us insight into this: “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that deflleth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
6. The question then is this: What type of “poor” was Jesus referring to in Matthew 5:3? It is the poor in spirit, and not the poor in wealth or riches.
7. Who then are the poor in spirit? They are those who realise their spiritual insufficiency as touching the requirements of God with regards to righteousness, and they have a thirst in their spirit to overcome this inadequacy.
8. This thirst will metamorphose into a search for God and for His mercy.
9. The Almighty God is always waiting to receive such people, and He leads them on the path of righteousness through His Son, Jesus Christ.
10. Like the publican in today’s Bible reading, the poor in spirit have no righteousness of their own, and hence, they cry for the mercy of God.
11. The “rich in spirit” on the other hand will never cry for God’s mercy; they will always rely on their own righteousness.
12. Of such is the Pharisee in our Bible text. Concerning the poor in spirit (the publican), Jesus Christ said “this man went down to his house justifled rather the other the other.” Therefore, for anyone to enter into the Kingdom of heaven, such a fellow must first humble himself or herself at the Cross of Jesus Christ, confess his or her sins, forsake them with a promise never to return to them again, and then ask for grace to live a life that is pleasing to God Almighty (1 John 1:9).

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Matthew 5:6 -Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. The rich have abundance unlike the poor that lack. The poor therefore falls in the category of they that thirst and hunger and the scripture above made it clear that they will be filled. God likes it when we are open in our unrighteousness and unfaithfulness. He is willing to accept anyone who comes to Him plain. It is left to us to humble ourselves and ask for His mercy. I pray we shall reign with Him in the end in Jesus name. Father prosper your word in us and flood the author of this devotional with greater wisdom and deeper insight into your word in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, l humble myself before Your throne of grace today; please forgive my spiritual pride and take me to Your side by Your mercy. At the end of my life, let me reign with you.
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:
O deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
ln 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.
[Refrain]
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
[Refrain]
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
[Refrain]
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
ln His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
[Refrain]

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5TH 2017-DIVINE HEALING

Memorise: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. Matthew 9:21
Read: Luke 13:11-16
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, there are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Bible in one year: Leviticus 10-12, Jeremiah 7:27-8:3

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

1. As children of God living in times of advanced technological developments, one truth we must never lose consciousness of is that God is still in the business of healing people.
2. Some may want to ask why God still cares about healing people, since He has endowed humanity with laudable insights into the causes and cures of various sicknesses and diseases. The answer is not far-fetched: there are sicknesses that are not of physical origin; rather, they are demonically inflicted. Orthodox medicine is incapable of healing such sicknesses.
3. Although orthodox medicine will always have a name for every sickness or disease it is confronted with, the truth of the matter is, some of these afflictions have their operations being supervised from the pit of Hell.
4. Today’s Bible text tells the story of a woman who was bound by the spirit of infirmity for eighteen years. Jesus Christ ministered deliverance to her, and He set her loose from that bondage of sickness. We might not have known the source of her infirmity, but for the opposition voiced against her being healed on the Sabbath day. Jesus, in His response to the objections raised, revealed the source of this woman’s infirmity to be Satan. ln Luke 13:16 He said: “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?”
5. Nevertheless, the good news is: irrespective of whether a sickness stems from demonic or physical sources, the Almighty God is still interested in healing His people of all ailments afflicting them, especially those who believe in what He is capable of doing.
6. In Jeremiah 32:27, the Lord Himself challenges us with this question: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”
7. By this, He is telling us that since He created the human body, He cannot be incapable of fixing any problem that may arise within it.
8. Automobile manufacturers cannot be incapable of fixing problems emanating from their inventions. In the worst case scenario, they will replace a problematic part of an automobile, and the whole system will bounce back to life.
9. Even if automobile manufacturers cannot fix the problems of their inventions, the Almighty God can fix His.
10. There is no sickness too small to attract God’s attention; neither is there any sickness too big to intimidate Him.
11. The onus is on you to develop the living faith that will attract His healing hands to perform the needed miracle on you.
12. My prayer for you is that your body will receive divine healing today in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

When we hear some testimonies, it sounds so big that we wonder how it happened. The potter can break down and remould with no stress. His greatness and power cannot be described. Man cannot phantom His miraculous ability. Nothing is too big for Him to turn around. All He needs from us is mountain moving faith. Let’s put our faith to work to get our desired healing and we shall return with a testimony in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for blessing us with the word of God through this devotional in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please lay Your healing hands on me and heal all my infirmities.
HYMN
The great Physician now is near,
The sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
Oh! hear the voice of Jesus.
Refrain:
Sweetest note in seraph song,
Sweetest name on mortal tongue;
Sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.
Your many sins are all forgiven,
Oh! hear the voice of Jesus;
Go on your way in peace to heaven,
and wear a crown with Jesus.
[Refrain]
All glory to the risen Lamb!
l now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Savior’s name,
| love the name of Jesus.
[Refrain]
His name dispels my guilt and fear,
No other name but Jesus;
Oh! how my soul delights to hear
The charming name of Jesus.
[Refrain]

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: TUESDAY, APRIL 4TH 2017-CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW COVENANT III

Memorise:
He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. Matthew 19:8
Read: Matthew 5:31-32
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Bible in one year: Leviticus 8-9, Jeremiah 7:8-26

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

1. The paradigm shifts introduced by the Lord Jesus Christ ever since He came to reveal the perfect will of the Father to us are indeed numerous. One of these is in the area of divorce and remarriage.
2.The Jewish leaders hated the teachings of Jesus and the change He came to introduce; for this reason, they wanted him dead fast!
3. Indeed, no man ever spoke like Jesus did.
4. The amazing thing is that these leaders believed they were doing the will of God by killing Him. John 11:49-50 says, “And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.”
5. Just like these Jewish leaders of yesteryears, some church leaders and pastors today try to justify their error in the area of divorce and remarriage, thinking that they are doing what is expedient for themselves or for the parties concerned.
6. In our Bible reading for today, in opposition to the accepted standard of His time, Jesus revealed the perfect will of God concerning this. Hear what He said: “But l say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” Matthew 5:32
7. In Matthew 19:3-10, when Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees on the issue of divorce as applied from the time of Moses, they were shocked to learn His standpoint on this matter. Jesus revealed to them that they had been living under the permissive will of God in this area (Matthew 19:8), and He also reinforced what He had already said about divorce and remarriage in His Sermon on the Mount. Just as so many people are perplexed by this teaching today, even the disciples of Jesus were also perplexed by it (Matthew 19:10).
8. However, that is the verdict of the new covenant. We have to accept the standard the Master has set and walk in it.
9. Whoever has ears, let them hear what Jesus Christ is saying to those who want to enjoy the provision of the new covenant in His Blood.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Christ is an embodiment of wisdom and knowledge. This is so because He is one with God and the Holy Spirit. For this reason He had deep revelation and was able to give insight as regards several issue. As seen in our reading today, His standard does not concur with divorce. Devil is aware that God detest divorce and so he is channelling effort to seeing that most homes don’t stand. We are to plant our families on the solid rock and I believe there no storm can bring it down. May the works of the devil never prosper in our families in Jesus name. As we are watered daily by studying the Open Heavens Daily Devotional so shall the Lord water our father Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, help me to meet up to the standard of the requirements of the new covenant, and bless me through it, in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
1. On a hill far away
Stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’II cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
2. O that old rugged cross,
So despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
[Refrain]
3. In that old rugged cross,
Stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
[Refrain]
4. To that old rugged cross
I will ever be true,
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he’ll call me some day
To my home far away,
Where his glory forever I’ll share.
[Refrain]

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY 3RD APRIL 2017-CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW COVENANT II

Memorise: And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members shall perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:29
Read: Matthew 5:27-30
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Bible in one year: Leviticus 6-7, Jeremiah 6:22-7:7

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

1. Under the old covenant that God had with the children of Israel, a person was not guilty of sexual immorality, like fornication or adultery, until they performed the act. This was the basis of the poser thrown at Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees in John 8:4-5: “They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?”
2. What they failed to realise was that Jesus came to establish a new covenant with mankind and not to perpetuate the old.
3. Under the new covenant, Jesus made it clear that it is not until you sleep with someone other than your spouse that you are guilty of sexual immorality. Rather, in Matthew 5:28, He said thus: “… Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
4. This is food for thought for us who live in such times as this, where nudity and lust are glorified and glamorised by the world.
5. This however should not be the case in the Church of Jesus Christ.
6. When we promote the lust of the eye by allowing nudity in the Church, we expose members to sexual immorality, even if they do not actually carry out the act.
7. A member of the choir who dresses seductively to lead praises and worship songs will not lead the congregation into the presences of God; rather, he or she will leave the congregation worse off than they were before coming to church.
8. This is not a question of being legalistic; it is a matter of divine principle as put forth by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
9. We should remember that God can only be worshipped in spirit, because He is a Spirit.
10. When we then, in the name of liberty, promote adultery and fornication through lust, are we operating in the same Spirit as the Almighty God we claimed to worship?
11. Hear the recommendation of the Lord Christ in Matthew 5:29: “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”
12. Based on the standard laid out in this recommendation, if a member of the Body of Christ conducts himself or herself in a way that exposes the people of God to committing sexual immorality through lust, such a fellow should be corrected in love and warned to desist. Further appropriate spiritual sanctions can be applied if the fellow does not heed this warning.
13. Are you in any way living in sexual immorality? Repent and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you!

     

    SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

    Many ignorantly or internationally make others go astray by their deeds, words and ways. Our Lord Jesus in Matthew 18:7-9(AMP) says: “Woe (judgment is coming) to the world because of stumbling blocks and temptations to sin! It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person on whose account or through whom the stumbling block comes! “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble and sin, cut it off and throw it away from you [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into everlasting fire. If your eye causes you to stumble and sin, pluck it out and throw it away from you [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; it is better for you to enter life with only one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell.” There is curse on the channel through which stumbling block comes. When Christ lays emphasis on a particular subject or issue, it is important for us to take heed. He repeated the same thing He said in our memory verse in the above scripture also and that shows we have to eliminate everything that can hinder us from entering into the kingdom of God. We will never function as stumbling block in the body of Christ in Jesus name. God be praised for today’s charge and may He bless the vessel used in Jesus name.

    Prayer Point
    Father, restrain me from becoming a stumbling block to my fellow believers in all that I do.
    HYMN
    On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
    the emblem of suffering and shame;
    and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
    for a world of lost sinners was slain.
    Refrain:
    So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
    till my trophies at last I lay down;
    I will cling to the old rugged cross,
    and exchange it some day for a crown.
    O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
    has a wondrous attraction for me;
    for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
    to bear it to dark Calvary. Refrain
    In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
    a wondrous beauty I see,
    for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
    to pardon and sanctify me. Refrain
    To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
    its shame and reproach gladly bear;
    then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
    where his glory forever I’ll share. Refrain
     

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