Monthly Archives: May 2017

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, MAY 22ND 2017- ASKING FOR NOTHING? 

Memorise: Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24
Read: Luke 15:25-32
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Bible in one year: Acts 3-4, Jeremiah 33:12-26

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

1. The benefits you derive from a person depends on how much that individual has and on how desperate you are to receive.
2. If God is the One you need something from, then you are dealing with the Almighty God who has all things and who can do all things.
3. Before approaching God, you need to first determine what you want and how much of it you want from Him. If your response is to ask God for nothing, I am afraid you will leave empty-handed. James 4:2 says, “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet have not, because ye ask not.”
4. In John 16:24, after several years together, the Lord addressed His disciples one day and said something that should shock us: “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
5. They lived, ate and slept with the Fountain of living waters, yet they failed to drink from it. Some people take contentment to the extreme. They think it is covetousness to ask God for anything decent, whereas God is waiting for them to ask.
6. How much have you asked from God? Are you like the disciples who asked for nothing? They asked for nothing at a time when others, who were not even walking with Jesus, were already using His Name to get benefits from Heaven (Luke 9:49-50).
7. Even God knows that having nothing is not good for you.
8. The container of joy of the fellow who asks for nothing will always remain empty, whereas God wants it to overflow.
9. In the parable of the prodigal son, the senior son is another example of those who swim in abundance but hardly ever ask for a bit of it. When his younger brother returned and his father declared a feast, he was annoyed. How could his father slaughter a cow to celebrate his brother’s return, whereas he had not even had a ram to celebrate his birthday with his friends? This was one major difference between the two brothers. While he never asked for the least of all he was entitled to, his brother did not mind exceeding his limits. The younger brother had asked for all he could get from his father and wasted it, and yet on his return, the father kept spending on his account. Whose cow was being slaughtered for the prodigal son? It was definitely that of the elder brother.
10. This teaches us that what you fail to ask for may be taken over by those who ask.
11. God gave you a mouth with which to ask.
12. Ask and ask big! From today, as you ask, God will answer you speedily in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

A closed mouth can be likened to or said to be equal to a closed destiny. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7‭-‬8. This scripture makes it clear that until you ask before you receive. As human beings we also don’t give out things atimes until we are asked. This also applies to our heavenly Father. Some do not know they have to ask and so they suffer in ignorance. Thank God for the knowledge we gain daily as we study this devotional. Now that it is clearly known to us that we need to ask for us to get, let us utilise our mouth in asking the father who so much love us to give His only begotten Son. We can be sure of receiving from Him as we ask in faith. Blessed be God for Pastor E.A Adeboye. We ask that may he flourish more in the things of God in Jesus name.

Key Point
When we get to Heaven and some people see what they asked for in comparison with what they could have asked for, they will feel seriously cheated.
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!
 

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, MAY 21ST 2017- SAUL BROKE THE PRIDE BARRIER

Memorise: The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:4
Read: Acts 9:1-11
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
Bible in one year: Acts 1-2, Jeremiah 33:1-11

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

1. Yesterday, we considered the need to fast often in order to maintain the Spirit’s control over the desires of our body. Today, let us consider another reason why we need to fast often, which is, to submit ourselves to God in humility (James 4:6-7).
2. David had this understanding and that was why in Psalm 35:13 he said, “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.”
3. Whenever you find yourself becoming haughty, too full of yourself or looking down on others, you need to declare a fast so as to subdue the rise of pride in your life.
4. Those who live in pride are distant from God. Even when He makes an attempt to reach such people, it will be very difficult because they have built a fence of pride around themselves.
5. One major reason why some people don’t accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, even after witnessing His power and miracles, is pride. Those worst hit by this attitude tend to be learned, enlightened and widely travelled people. This is why you need to pray against the spirit of pride hindering the salvation of your loved ones.
6. Let us take a look at the life of Saul of Tarsus and learn some lessons from him. He was very zealous and intelligent young man who wanted to please God, but he was proud. Meanwhile, God had been trying to reach out to him, but the fence of pride he had around him kept God out.
7. Do you know that pride directs? If you are proud, it will direct you in the way you go about things, in what you do and what you don’t do.
8. Whenever faith is combined with pride, at best, you will get religion.
9. As Saul tried to serve and please God in the atmosphere of pride, he drifted further away from the One he thought he was pleasing, to the point where he began to fight the One he was supposed to satisfy.
10. Pride blindfolds its victims. It makes a person work against what he or she originally set out to do or stand up for.
11. It wasn’t until Jesus manifested Himself to Saul that he realised he had been working against the God he thought he was serving. Nevertheless, after he humbled himself with fasting and prayer for three days, he received salvation, healing of his blind eyes, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and a divine call of God to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.
12. If only you can submit yourself to God in humility through prayer and fasting, you can connect with God’s purpose for your life.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Regardless of the level of the spirituality of any believer who is captivated with pride, spiritual growth will always be far from such fellow. God resist the proud and gives grace to the humble. Being humble in our relationship with God and men is great gain. For you to be greatly promoted by God as a believer, you must wear garment of meekness and humility. Consider what the Bible says “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” ‭‭I Peter‬ ‭5:6‬. Promotions is tied to your ability to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. Please, ask God to destroy any element of pride preventing your breakthrough today. May God empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, let all my loved ones who are separated from You through pride, overcome this barrier and yield completely to Your will today.
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.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SATURDAY, MAY 20TH 2017- HOW OFTEN DO YOU FAST?

Memorise: In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 2nd Corinthians 11:27
Read: Matthew 6:16-18
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 33-34, Jeremiah 32:36-44

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

1. One of my sons was travelling with me for the very first time sometime ago, and after we had been together for two days he asked me, “Daddy, why do you pray so much?” He said he observed that before we left the room, we prayed; when we got into the car, we prayed; on arrival at our destination, we prayed; when we entered the venue of the programme, we prayed; when we finished the programme, we prayed; on arrival at our lodging place, we prayed; also, when he peeped to check on me, he still saw me on my knees. Well, I pray a lot because prayer is an activity we are commanded to always engage in (1st Thessalonians 5:17).
2. How often do you pray? Do you use every available opportunity to pray?
3. Apart from prayer, another spiritual activity you should regularly engage in to keep you spiritual fit and growing is fasting.
4. Some people believe that doing a long fast for 30 days or 100 days is sufficient for one year. While this is a good spiritual exercise, there is still the need to continue fasting in the course of the year.
5. When the Lord addressed the question of why His disciples were not fasting often like those of John the Baptist, here is what He said in Luke 5:34; “But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.”
6. Since the Master has been received into glory, it is clear from His words that we now are expected to fast often.
7. Some people fast for a short period at a stretch and thereafter they want to feast for the rest of the year. This is not good enough.
8. A better practice is to find or create some time monthly or better still weekly to engage in fasting. Fasting was not strange to the patriarchs of old.
9. Fasting does you so much good spiritually, so it should be a part of your lifestyle. You can live a fasted life.
10. While detailing his experiences in life, Apostle Paul in 2nd Corinthians 11:27 said that fasting was a reoccurring activity in his Christian life: “In weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”
11. Most people who find it difficult to fast simply have a problem with discipline. They are so used to eating that they cannot sacrifice a few meals to seek God’s face.
12. Anyone who cannot control his or her appetite may remain enslaved to the body.
13. Fasting helps to subdue or break the controlling power that the weaknesses and desires of your body have over you.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Fasting is a spiritual exercise through which we can subdue the flesh for quick access to God and deep fellowship with Him. It was made known by our Lord Jesus in Mark 9:29 that certain miracles only come when we pray and fast. “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”Mark 9:29. Let’s activate the miraculous as we swing to action and fast rather than talking about it. May God help us all in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for daily feeding us with spiritual food.

Action Point
Stop talking about your plan to fast; just go ahead and fast. You can start with one day per week.
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.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: FRIDAY, MAY 19TH 2017- SACRIFICE OVERTURNS WRATH

Memorise: And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of sliver. 2nd Samuel 24:24
Read: 2nd Samuel 24:16-25
16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
17 And David spake unto the Lord when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house.
18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.
19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the Lord commanded.
20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the Lord, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The Lord thy God accept thee.
24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
25 And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 31-32, Jeremiah 32:26-35

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

1. Sacrificial sowing can deliver an unending harvest to you, make your harvest irreversible, make you the talk of the town and even turn away God’s anger from you.
2. In 2nd Samuel 24:1-25, we read about how God was provoked to anger by King David, thereby bringing God’s judgment on the people. So many people died in the ensuing pledge.
3. After the first wave of destruction, the angel was about to effect the second phase when God stopped him, while he was on Araunah’s farmland. David’s seer, Prophet Gad, came and instructed him to raise an altar to the Lord on Araunah’s farmland, where the angel was last seen. On arrival, Araunah went to welcome King David and he offered him all he needed to make the sacrifice, but David politely declined it. Why? It is simply because he knew the importance of sacrifice and the power of sacrificial seeds. “And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.” 2nd Samuel 24:24
4. When David pleaded with God to temper His justice with mercy and judge him instead of his innocent people, God said, “Alright, I will do something about that. I will overlook your errors, I will forgive you and stop my judgment, but you have to first bring me a sacrifice.” David agreed to give that sacrifice and he turned down Araunah’s offer to make the offering an easy one. He said, “This sacrifice must cost me something. It is a sacrifice in sorrow so that I can go home rejoicing.”
5. Some of us have found ourselves in a similar situation as David, where it was required of us to make painful and costly sacrifices in order to achieve our heart desires. However, instead of going headlong into it, we rather sought and received help from the Araunahs of this world to make the task an easy one.
6. Never accept an affordable or convenient alternative in the place of the sacrifice you need to make in order to enter into your desired breakthrough.
7. If you can make the required sacrifice, you will receive the joy you so desire.
8. If you can make the sacrifice, you can overturn God’s wrath from yourself or your family.
9. If you can stand in the place of prayer long enough and pay the price the situation you are facing requires, you will return with joy.
10. Are you ready to do this?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The weight of your sacrifice, attitude or gravity of your sacrifice can turn God’s face towards the one offering it such that a positive change is effected as well as seizure of wrath or punishment. Abraham, Jacob, solomon, David just to mention a few in the Bible that offered quality sacrifice that got God’s attention. In 2 Kings 3 king Moab sacrificed his eldest son and got freedom from the 3 kings whom God had promised to deliver Moab into their hands. This scripture pointed to the fact that even an enemy that has been marked for destruction got freedom because his sacrifice was heavy. David understood the implication of making sacrifice to God shabbily or without reverence in our Bible reading today and he didn’t risk doing otherwise even when the offer was made. When God asks for something from us it is not because He needs it but because He wants to bless us, revert a situation or establish something new. We should therefore always endeavour to carry out every of God’s instructions to the last order. This is because in doing this there is a great reward awaiting us. May we be ruled by our spirit and not the flesh in Jesus name. Pastor E.A Adeboye is a blessing to us and we pray that God will never leave nor forsake him in Jesus name.

Action Point
There is no alternative to a sacrifice that should be made. Just ask God for grace to do it.
HYMN
O Jesus, I have promised
  To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
  My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
  If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
  If Thou wilt be my Guide.
 
Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
  In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
  The murmurs of self-will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
  To hasten, or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
  Thou Guardian of my soul.
 
O Jesus, Thou hast promised
  To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
  There shall Thy servant be;
And Jesus, I have promised
  To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
  My Master and my Friend.
 
Oh, let me see Thy footprints,
  And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
  Is in Thy strength alone.
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
  Uphold me to the end;
And then to rest receive me,
  My Savior and my Friend.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY, MAY 18TH 2017- DEFENDING HIS NAME

Memorise: Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. Psalm 106:8
Read: Psalm 106:7-9
7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 29-30, Jeremiah 32:16-25

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

1. The Bible declares that our God is a very present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). This means that He is ever-present or always ready to help in the time of trouble.
2. There are several reasons why God makes His help available to a person.
3. Understanding these reasons and applying them to your life will go a long way in helping you experience God as an ever-present help.
4. One of these reasons is to fulfil His promises. God is very committed to His promises; hence, Psalm 89:34 says, “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.”
5. If He has purposed to help you, He will not change His mind midway. Number 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”
6. God’s word had integrity. He regards His words above His Name (Psalm 138:2). Every promise He has made to you shall be fulfilled speedily!
7. God cannot violate His word, so you can be sure that He will keep His promise to help you.
8. Another reason why God reaches out to help a man is for the sake of His Name.
9. If you genuinely belong to God, He will help you because you bear His Name and are called by His Name in this world (Acts 15:17). No wonder Psalm 106:8 says, “Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.”
10. That means His intervention goes beyond your asking. He will intervene to defend His Name and show His power.
11. At certain bus stops in life, some people will challenge you by asking “Where is your God?” some may even say “if your God is truly alive, He should have delivered you by now.” If you are in such situation, take heart and be unmoveable.
12. In Daniel 3:14-29, King Nebuchadnezzar initially asked the three Hebrew children “who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” However, By the time God was through with him, he publicly confessed that there was no God like their God.
13. Is your child in a situation that appears hopeless? Is your business or career going through some impossible storms? God will step into your situation and calm the storms!
14. The Lord is speaking peace to every impossible situation you are up against right now. He will surely bring you out of the storm, not just because of you, but because of His Name that you bear.
15. In that situation you are going through, the Lord will defend His Name, and He will not put you to shame. He will demonstrate His power just to give you the last laugh in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

God is Almighty, promise keeper, All sufficient and with Him all things are possible. Believe me brethren the word of God cannot be broken and His faithfulness is dependable. Like our father in the Lord stated above, God wants to protect His integrity and will never fail. It is always good to depend on His promises as the Bible says 
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:10-11‬.
However, we must be aware of where we belong, you must have a right standing with God to benefit in His faithfulness. Remember,  the Bible says “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs‬ ‭18:10‬ This means that only the righteous is permitted to run to that name. May God help us to remain righteous and I His will. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye. May his strength be renewed daily in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, in this present situation I find myself, arise and defend your matchless Name.
HYMNPrayer Point
1 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 
in a believer’s ear! 
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, 
and drives away our fear. 
2 It makes the wounded spirit whole 
and calms the troubled breast; 
’tis manna to the hungry soul, 
and to the weary, rest. 
3 O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend, 
my Prophet, Priest, and King, 
my Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, 
accept the praise I bring. 
4 How weak the effort of my heart, 
how cold my warmest thought; 
but when I see you as you are, 
I’ll praise you as I ought. 
5 Till then I would your love proclaim 
with every fleeting breath; 
and may the music of your name 
refresh my soul in death.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, MAY 17TH 2017- BLESSINGS WITH SORROW

Memorise: And he gave them their request; but sent leannest into their soul. Psalm 106:15
Read: Genesis 16:1-5
1 Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.
Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 28, Jeremiah 32:1-15

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

1. A lot of people have gotten their fingers burnt in the place of seeking an alternative to God’s promise.
2. When God’s promise is seemingly delayed, some Christians do not have the strength of character to keep waiting on the Lord and holding on to His promises; they therefore seek out and accept man’s alternative to God’s precious promises.
3. Not only does man’s alternative take you off God’s course and provide you with quick fixes that cannot really fix anything, they also give you momentary joy that cannot absolve you of sorrow.
4. This was the experience of Sarah. In today’s Bible reading, after Sarah gave her maid, Hagar, to Abraham to raise children through her, she was happy and relieved that her problem of barrenness seemed solved. But her relief soon turned into grief as her happiness became sorrow. Genesis 16:4 says, “And he went into Hagar, and she conceived and when she saw that she conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.”
5. Sarah took good care of Hagar, in expectation of using her as a means to an end. For the purpose of child-bearing, she exempted her from the usual chores that her fellow maids would perform. However, the moment Hagar conceived, the tables turned against Sarah. Suddenly, all attention shifted to the new queen of the house. Everyone and everything had to be at her beck and call. She no longer had regard for her mistress. Realising she now had what Abraham earnestly wanted; she used her pregnancy as an excuse for gross misbehaviour. She took over Abraham’s attention and the poor man hardly even had time for Sarah anymore. When she was disobedient and her mistress tried to correct her, she would simply tell her, “Madam, if you were ever pregnant, you would understand what I am going through.” That was the beginning of Sarah’s sorrow.
6. When you are tired of waiting for God’s will, plan or timing, and you decide to follow one of the alternatives that comes your way, you will only be hurting yourself.
7. May you not use your own hands to undo yourself!
8. When God blesses you, He removes every form of sorrow from it (Proverbs 10:22), but whatever blessing you think you can derive from substituting God’s plan with an alternative will only be short-lived and will definitely come with sorrow.
9. Some people who knew and turned down God’s will in marriage, following the dictates of their flesh, ended up in sorrow. A good number of them are secretly weeping today. They cannot cry out because people warned before venturing into such marriages, but their ears were deaf to those warnings.
10. In your own interest, take time to find out God’s will for you in every area of your life and patiently follow it. In years to come, you will understand why that was the best decision you ever made.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

When man decides to fix things themselve outside God’s plan, I ends up I agony and chaos. Why then won’t one wait on God and allow His will prevail over all circumstance we are faced with? He wants good for us and we should not choose evil because we are in haste. May God keep and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in his body and ministry in Jesus name.

Key Point
It is better not to be blessed, than to be blessed and have sorrow with it.
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

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: TUESDAY, MAY 16TH 2017- RELEASE YOUR FAITH!

Memorise: Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12
Read: Mark 11:22-24
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 25-27, Jeremiah 31:31-40

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

1. The ministry of signs and wonders is the ministry of God, and He reserves the right to partner with anyone He chooses (Hebrews 2:4).
2. He can partner with someone operating in any of the five-fold ministries: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers or evangelists. He can equally partner with ushers, choristers, instrumentalist, sanitation workers, etc.
3. When God partners with even an ordinary choir member or instrumentalist, demons will flee! This happened in David’s life when God partnered with him as just a harp player (1st Samuel 16:23).
4. Never look down on yourself! God can work with anyone who is willing to cooperate with Him. Are you willing? Are you ready to meet with His requirements?
5. Are you asking like some followers of Jesus once asked Him in John 6:28b: “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” Here is His response to you in John 14:12: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my father.”
6. Note however that if you desire to operate in the miraculous, you must be a person of faith.
7. Why? Faith attracts God into the ordinary situations of life. It brings the divine into contact with the natural. In fact, in Mark 16:17-18, Jesus says if only you can believe in Him, signs will definitely follow you.
8. Are you experiencing signs and wonders in your ministry? If you are not, it could be that you are not releasing your faith, not necessarily because you do not have faith.
9. If you lack faith in God, you could never be born again in the first place. If you followed the steps of salvation and become born again, you definitely have faith.
10. That same faith is required of you every time you go before God for sometime: whether to make a request, to worship or to praise Him. You need to release your faith.
11. In Mark 11:22-23, Jesus says if only you can release your faith, you can command a mountain to move, and it will go to the destination that you have sent it.
12. Faith is the key to the miraculous.
13. When you lay your hands on the sick and pray for them, do you release your faith as well? If you refuse to release you faith, nothing will happen.
14. When you pray, God looks for your faith before He acts on that prayer.
15. Beloved, where is your faith?
16. If you have faith, you will trust in God’s ability to meet your needs. If you have faith, you will have great expectations. If you have faith, you won’t seek any other alternative to God’s intervention. If you have faith, you will not be double-minded.
17. Where is your faith? Release it today! 

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Faith is a universal currency according to Bible scholars, and without which we don’t even think anyone can please God. Hebrew 11:6. It was also by faith that the elders obtained good reports Hebrew 11:2, meaning that all the testimonies of the apostles and other Heroes like Abraham came to manifestation by faith. God expects you to be rugged in your faith , it gives Him happiness and allow God to trust you to exercise your faith in any difficult situations, which in turn gives Him glory after settling you. Brethren release your faith today and let His name alone be glorified. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for this great insight.

Key Point
Faith is like an identity card that you must present whenever you go into God’s presence.
HYMN
1. My faith looks up to thee, 
thou Lamb of Calvary, 
Savior divine! 
Now hear me while I pray, 
take all my guilt away, 
O let me from this day 
be wholly thine! 
2. May thy rich grace impart 
strength to my fainting heart, 
my zeal inspire! 
As thou hast died for me, 
O may my love to thee 
pure, warm, and changeless be, 
a living fire! 
3. While life’s dark maze I tread, 
and griefs around me spread, 
be thou my guide; 
bid darkness turn to day, 
wipe sorrow’s tears away, 
nor let me ever stray 
from thee aside. 
4. When ends life’s transient dream, 
when death’s cold, sullen stream 
shall o’er me roll; 
blest Savior, then in love, 
fear and distrust remove; 
O bear me safe above, 
a ransomed soul! 

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, MAY 15TH 2017- WHEN GOD GIVES LAUGHTER

Memorise: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Matthew 3:9
Read: Psalm 33:8-11
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 23-24, Jeremiah 31:15-30

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

1. God makes you laugh when He turns His prophecies into decrees.
2. There is a difference between prophecies and decrees. When you hear “Thus says the Lord” that is a prophecy for which you will need to wait to see its fulfilment. In contrast, when God suddenly decides to issue a decree, such as “Let there be light”, you will know that your waiting period is over, as your miracle will manifest immediately. In Genesis 1:3, when God said “Let there be light”, there was no need to vote on it, and neither was there any delay, because He had decreed it.
3. Psalm 33:8-9 says one reason why the whole earth should fear God is that whenever He speaks, it is done. All He has to do is to speak, and the next moment, it is done.
4. By the grace of God, I have witnessed God operate in this dimension.
5. Sometime ago, a couple came to us believing God for the fruit of the womb. I asked them, “What kind of baby do you want” Their response wad simultaneous: the man wanted a boy while his wife wanted a girl. So I said we should better make it twins – a boy and a girl – and  both of them said “Amen”. Exactly nine months after, the man was carrying his baby boy and the wife was carrying her baby girl.
6. This season, God is saying let there be light, healing, fruitfulness, increase, promotion, victory over enemies and fullness of joy in your life, and so shall it be!
7. Moreover, God makes you laugh when He decides to show you His Almightiness.
8. After declaring that Sarah would have a child, she laughed, but denied laughing when He asked her why she laughed (Genesis 18:11-15). Then He asked, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?”
9. Every man definitely has his limits, and even spirits are limited, but not the Father of spirits (Hebrews 12:9). Hence, Luke 1:37 says nothing is impossible with our God.
10. He can suspend physical laws and have His way any day. Matthew 3:9 says this God can produce children out of stones!
11. Whatever the specialists have said cannot hinder my God. Where they are limited, He is not. The resources they lack, He has in abundance. What they do not know, is common knowledge to Him. His word is full of power and gives direction to anything He wants done. This is why I know that this season, everything standing in your way to laughter shall give way so that you can laugh.
12. You shall laugh last and your laughter shall be unstoppable!

 

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

I shall laugh last and my laughter shall be unstoppable in Jesus name! We are so blessed to have the knowledge of the greatness and power of God such that we are positioned to receive from Him if we believe. I am excited my father is the all sufficient God and when He makes one laugh, it is never seasonal but a permanent laughter. We should therefore pray always that His decree should be released into our lives that we may enter into immediate rest from sorrow and struggle. I pray we will experience laughter over every issue that we desire a change for in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed and blessed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. More grace to our father in the Lord Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, for every couple trusting You for the fruit of the womb in my local assembly, Please give them laughter today!
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 forgiv’n,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus;
Go on your way in peace to heav’n,
And wear a crown with Jesus.
All glory to the dying Lamb!
I now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Savior’s name,
I love the name of Jesus.
His name dispels my guilt and fear,
No other name but Jesus;
Oh, how my soul delights to hear
The charming name of Jesus.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, MAY 14TH 2017- NINEVEH’S FASTING EXPERIENCE

Memorise: So the people of Nineveth believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. Jonah 3:5
Read: Jonah 3:1-10
1 And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.
4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 21-22, Jeremiah 31:1-14

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

1. Fasting is a spiritual exercise every believer should often engage in because of the several benefits that can be derived from it.
2. When the Lord was teaching His disciples about fasting during His earthly ministry, what He said to them was “When you fast” and not “If you fast” (Matthew 6:16). The Lord’s choice of words shows that He takes it as a given that you will have to fast.
3. However, if you engage in a spiritual exercise such as fasting but lack an understanding of the basis for doing so, you may not be able to optimise your gains from it.
4. In other words, it is important to know why you should fast and to know what you stand to gain from fasting. Knowledge plays a key role here.
5. Why should you fast? Prayer and fasting can help to restore spiritual fervour in your relationship with God.
6. You can fast whenever you feel estranged or separated from God, whenever your heart is spiritually cold or when you sense that you lack sincerity in your humility.
7. You can also fast as a mark of repentance, and to seek pardon and restoration from sin. Sin separates anyone from God, but if fasting is properly engaged, the estranged fellow can be drawn into God’s presence for mercy.
8. If you take a look at Nineveh, you will see the effect of fasting in action. The people of Nineveh lived a very riotous life. They were engaged in several atrocities and abominable acts that called for God’s fiery judgment, like it happened in Sodom and Gomorrah. However, because of His righteous and merciful nature, God sent Jonah to go and warn them of His intention to destroy them because of their wickedness. As soon as Jonah sounded the warning, the people of Nineveh received the word and immediately declared a national fast. Nobody was exempted from this fast: the king, the nobles and even all their animals joined in the fast. Besides the fast from food and water, they abstained from all those things that provoked God’s anger, humbled themselves and cried out to God for mercy, and He heard them. Jonah 3:10 says, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”
9. If you realise you are far from God, you can set aside the things that gives the body pleasure; fast and pray earnestly, asking God for His mercy and you will see His hand.
10. If done according to heaven’s pattern, fasting is an exercise that can easily cause God to notice you as a candidate of His mercy. How often do you fast?  

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Fasting is a spiritual exercise that open door for the miraculous. Jesus told His disciples that fasting and prayer is important for them to be able to cast out demon. “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21. Apart from being able to put the body under and fast, we must also know the purpose for which the fast is engaged in. When fasting, apart from staying away from food some other characters or act can be dropped. Let us take note of all our father highlighted that fasting can do in today’s devotional and take advantage of it. We are grateful to God for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye. May God continually strengthen him in Jesus name.

Key Point
Fasting is a work of faith because it takes faith to fast and pray to a God you cannot physically see.
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.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SATURDAY, MAY 13TH 2017- FORBID EXTENSION!

Memorise: But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his external glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. 1st Peter 5:10
Read: Genesis 15:10-15
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.
Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 18-20, Jeremiah 30:10-24

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

1. One assurance you have as a believer is that the boat of your life and endeavours cannot sink.
2. Be assured that every storm, contrary wind and wave that is working against you is only for an appointed time. The Holy Spirit made this clear in 1st Peter 5:10 when He said, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you”
3. Beloved, don’t believe the lie of the devil that things will continue to get worse. They will not! Don’t believe that the unpleasant situation you find yourself in will persist. It will not!
4. Every pain, sorrow or distress is for a set time and it will definitely expire. After its expiration, the imperfect shall be perfected, the unstable shall be established, the weak shall be strengthened and there shall be divine settlement. These shall be your portion from now in Jesus’ Name!
5. However, sometimes, the devil attempts to extend the period of a trial of faith beyond what was originally sanctioned by God. This is why we need to know God’s will concerning a situation and thereafter stand on it.
6. You need to know your kingdom rights and insist on receiving them.
7. The devil is rightly called a thief in John 10:10. He steals what does not belong to him.
8. Any ground you fail to conquer in the Kingdom will be lost to the enemy’s camp. Any promise of God you do not know and lay claim to shall be lost to the enemy.
9. How much of God’s promises and prophecies do you know? How many of them have you laid claim to? Do you know that God can allow you go through a trial of faith situation for three years, but if you fail to know the exact duration or are not sensitive enough, the devil can take advantage of that situation and prolong the hardship?
10. This was the case in today’s reading. God spoken of Abraham’s descendants going into slavery in a strange land for a period of 400 years and thereafter they would come out with great wealth; but do you know that by the time the Israelites were delivered, they had spent an extra 30 years in slavery (Exodus 12:40)!
11. Even today, many believers have allowed the devil to enjoy extra time afflicting them. They have moved from the preset trial period to a period of satanic affliction, thinking they are still going through the God-ordained trial of faith.
12. How can you check this? Ask God. Seek His face over it. Use all the weapons you have as a Christian: the Name of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus, the promises of God and a life of holiness to combat that unpleasant situation. If the situation stops, it means your trial is over.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Our spiritual alertness and constant fellowship with God gives us the opportunity to know his plan, recognise His hand and act as well as stand firm against the devil’s wiles. When we stand right with God and firm in Him, the devil’s plight to extend certain trial of faith is averted. May God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for the daily spiritual food we receive through this devotional in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Every Satanic extension to my “trial of faith” period is terminated now in Jesus’ Name.
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.
 

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina