Monthly Archives: June 2017

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, JUNE 11TH 2017- ACCEPTED TIME

Memorise: (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2nd Corinthians 6:2
Read: 2nd Corinthians 6:1-2
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Bible in one year: Joshua 18-19, Jeremiah 47:1-48:8

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

1. God is never late for any appointment. He is always on time.
2. Looking at the experiences of different people in the Bible, this has been shown to be true over and over again.
3. For the man who had been sick for 38 years, when his appointed time finally came and the once-in-a-year miracle platform God had put in place could not meet his need, Jesus personally picked him out from the crowd and healed him by His own will (John 5:1-6). Also, when the appointed time came for the woman who had been bent over for 18 years, the Lord healed her without her asking for it (Luke 13:10-13). Habakkuk 2:3 says, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
4. One thing you should learn from this is that God has a timetable, and His timetable may be completely different from yours. He has a set time for every event in the lives of His children. It is like setting an alarm clock to a particular time; when the alarm rings, God will address the issues at stake.
5. Another lesson worth learning is that until God’s appointed time for a particular matter to be addressed dawns, God may appear silent on the issue, even when He has all the facts and figures of the situation at His disposal.
6. If He knows what an individual is going through, and He chooses to watch carefully and quietly, He may just be doing so in order to see how the fellow will respond to the situation.
7. Would he stand in faith and resist the devil, or give up his faith and cling to doubt, fear and unbelief? Would he draw nearer to God or go further away from Him? Would he down tools and stop serving God, or would he continue serving God in the midst of no divine response to his problems?
8. When God keeps quite at such times, He may want to test your faith to see how elastic it is. It may be very frustrating when God is silent on an issue, but never get to the point of thinking or believing that He does not know what you are going through.
9. He knows it better than you do. He sees what you see and what you don’t see within the circumstance. Just trust in Him and hold on to Him in faith.
10. Love Him more, worship Him more, serve Him more and keep trusting Him more. In the end, you will be victorious.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

There is indeed an acceptable time. As the word of God says “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:”‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1‬. Most times we are just inpatient with God to the extent of forsaking His ways by looking for alternatives. What have you found to be the best alternative or remedies instead of waiting until the appointed time of God. What is running through your mind? Have you already set a time for God to intervene concerning a situation and the conclusion is death incase you don’t receive answer? May we never die or expire before our appointed time of blessing. May God continually increase and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

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

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL:SATURDAY JUNE 9TH 2017-SIN BRINGS DEATH

Memorise: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
Read: Matthew 1:18-21
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORDappeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Bible in one year: Joshua 15-17 Jeremiah 46:13-28

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

1. Todays memory verse clearly states that the reason why Jesus Christ came to this world was to save His people from sin. Many people fail to realise the horrors of sin, hence they toy with it. If only they knew how terrible sin is, they would maintain a great distance from it. Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death. This “death” is not limited to physical death but also extends to every area of life. Do you know that sin can lead to physical death?
2. Going by the laws of many countries today, if a man is convicted of killing a fellow human being, he might have to pay with his own life. In this case, the sin of murder has led to physical death. Beyond physical death, sin can also bring about material death, marital death, spiritual death, and more. Do you know that for failing to comply with the divine commandment on tithes and offering, some people who once enjoyed a boom in their businesses have had to face dryness of the worst kind – almost to the point of begging for food? This is how sin can bring about material and financial death. It can also attract emotional death. A man or woman cheating on his or her spouse wi|| bring about emotional death in that relationship.
3. ln any way you have attracted death to yourself, may the mercy of God intercept judgment and turn its sword away from you in Jesus’ Name!
As far as God is concerned, there is only one penalty for sin, and that is death (Ezekiel 18:20). lt is important to note here that this death is separation from God. If you were brought before the judgment throne of God, accused of just one act of sin, you would not be made to face a sentence of three months, one year or even five years imprisonment; God’s judgement for every size of sin is the same – death.
4. Today, we categorise sin according to our understanding. We call some sins “high crimes” while some others are seen as harmless. However, whether a sin is so light or so “innocent” that everyone approves of it does not matter to God. All sins fall short of His standard and are all punishable by death. We are created to live our lives fully connected to God, but when sin comes in, it separates us from our only Source and Sustainer.
5. If the Blood of Jesus is not applied to wash away a person’s sins, the drift away from God continues until physical death occurs and the fellow is forever banished to Hell. In what way is your sinful lifestyle bringing death upon you today? Rise up and run to the cross of Jesus Christ, asking for forgiveness of sins and cleansing by His Blood. Invite Him to come into your heart, and thereafter keep a great distance from sin.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Many of us find it difficult to accommodate or even accept topics like this, but the truth will always remain and the word of God cannot be broken. According to what I heard from a great man of God, “sin is even deadlier than death itself”, because any saint who dies has eternal life and therefore death has no victory of the saints. But the only thing regardless of the gravity that can deprive one from enjoying this eternity with Christ is SIN ( Simple Instruction Neglected), May we never be ignorance and depart from the ways of God. Let’s always be in the spirit to enjoy peace and life. Consider Romans 8:6 ” For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. God bless our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him with greater wisdom to impact us more in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point:
Father, in Your mercy, reverse every form of death I have brought upon myself.
HYMN 11: l HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS
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,
I still will follow;
Though none go with me,
I still will follow;
Though none go with me,
I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’II carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’Il carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’Il 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: FRIDAY, JUNE 9TH 2017- GOD: A WONDER

Memorise: For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15
Read: Isaiah 57:15-16
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
Bible in one year: Joshua 12-14, Jeremiah 45:1-46:12

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

1. “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11
2. One amazing thing you need to know about our God is that He is a wonder! For example, In 1 John 4:8, the Bible says that God is love, and yet in Hebrews 12:29, the same Bible says this God is consuming fire!
3. When you hear that God is love, you will think of embracing Him, but just then, you also hear that He is a consuming fire and you freeze, asking yourself if you want to embrace fire!
4. Another wonder of God has to do with His size or form. The Scriptures says God is so big that the heaven and the heavens of heaven cannot contain Him (1st Kings 8:27). It also says that Heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool, meaning that as He sits in Heaven His legs touch the earth (Isaiah 66:1).
5. Just imagine how great and long those legs are! What of His arms? The Bible says His arms are everlasting and so long they can reach any distance (Deuteronomy 33:27).
6. When you try to picture how super-massive this God is, then you will begin to wonder how such a God can become small enough to reside inside of you. 1st John 4:4 says, “Ye are of God little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
7. God is truly awesome and a wonder we cannot comprehend. As massive as God is, He can still relate with us at our tiny, very little level. As high as He is, He can still reach down to those who are lowly placed or have a heart of humility.
8. In fact, from the height of heights, God is able to see those who are of a humble spirit. And He relates with them while ignoring the proud.
9. Are you like God? Is the position you occupy not distancing you from those who are not as fortunate or as privileged as you are?
10. If you are truly of God, your privileged status will not hinder you from reaching out to those who are impoverished.
11. Recently, the wife of one of the richest men on earth visited an African country and identified with the poorest people there by trekking a good distance to fetch water like the poor women there. She carried a bucket of water on her head and trekked all the way back. She also joined in washing the dishes in a very poor neighbourhood. That is a minute example of what Jesus did by leaving His heavenly throne and becoming a man (Philippians 2:5-8).
12. Can you leave your throne to reach out to the lowly?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The integrity of God is beyond philosophy of this world. Our father in the Lord is very right as he stated above “God is truly awesome and a wonder we cannot comprehend. As massive as God is, He can still relate with us at our tiny, very little level. May the lord help us in Jesus’ name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for today’s insight into the word of God.

Key Point
If you have truly encountered Jesus Christ, there is nobody that you cannot relate with.
HYMN
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the *worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the *rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
 
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
 
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then *I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY, JUNE 8 2017- WHY GOD SOMETIMES DELAYS

Memorise: And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; Genesis 2:21
Read: Genesis 2:21-22
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Bible in one year: Joshua 10-11, Jeremiah 44:20-30

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

1. From experience, we know of a truth that God answers prayers. It is also common knowledge among those who walk with God that on several occasions, despite consistent prayers, God may take His time before intervening in a given situation.
2. In fact, in some cases, He may allow the situation to deteriorate to its extreme limits before He steps in. This was the experience of Mary and Martha, sisters to Lazarus (John 11:1-6).
3. Why would God wait until you are completely helpless before He turns things around? It could be because He does not want you to tamper with what He is about to do.
4. When a doctor wants to perform an operation, he puts his patient to sleep. When God was about to form Eve out of Adam, He put him into a deep sleep. Genesis 2:21 says, “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof.”
5. Do you know that God still likes to do some great things without any contribution or interference from us?
6. Sometimes, He may allow us to get to a point of helplessness before He moves in to begin His work. He wants you to be absolutely surrendered to Him so that when He begins to do what He wants to do, you will not consider your own ideas.
7. If you are ever so self-willed, you may need to visit the bus stop of helplessness repeatedly, but if you are completely yielded to Him, this may not occur too often in your life. How submissive are you to God?
8. Similarly, God may take His time before coming to your aid because it is in those extreme moments that prayers are said from the depth of the soul (1st Samuel 1:15).
9. When you are totally helpless, you will pray from your heart and not from your head.
10. In Matthew 15:21-28, when the woman whose daughter was grievously tormented of the devil came to Jesus asking for help, the Lord ignored her, and the disciples asked that she be sent away because she was too noisy. The woman simply said, “You haven’t heard any noise yet. Whether you like it or not, I am not leaving here without my miracle.” Then the Lord said to her, “I cannot give the children’s bread to dogs.” She said, “Fine, I agree I am a dog, but this dog is going to get her miracle today.” Since she had no alternative, she knew she had reached her last bus stop, and she refused to give up.
11. People who are totally helpless pray a different kind of prayer compared to those who have alternatives.
12. Whatever your needs maybe today, as you ask God, He will answer you in Jesus’ Name.
13. Have you reached your final bus stop? Is Jesus Christ your last hope, or do you have other alternatives.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Many believers have failed to ask for better interpretation of what this verse implies “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.” Genesis‬ ‭2:21. The deep sleep was caused upon Adam to allow God fulfill His perfect will concerning him. When God is interested in your case, sometimes He desires us to be very patience, not that He’s too weak to perform quick miracles but He loves to take glory in situations that have been given up on by men. But unfortunately, we usually fail to wait for the perfect time of God. May we have the grace to abide with the perfect timing of God. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for daily impacting us with the word of God.

Action Point
Some delays are in your best interest. Ask God to make every delay to work in your favour.
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! 

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7TH 2017- PLEASE GOD AND NOT SELF

Memorise: Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34
Read: 2nd Timothy 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Bible in one year: Joshua 8-9, Jeremiah 44:11-19.

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

1. From Matthew 6:10, we understand that man was created to do God’s will on earth so that he can ultimately continue doing so when he gets to Heaven.
2. Although God has a plan for everyone He created, He will not force us to do anything against our will, because He created us as free moral agents with the power of choice.
3. After Adam sinned, he lost God’s glory and began to pursue a life of self-will (Romans 3:23). This self-will has ultimately led to self-centeredness in mankind. When you study the vices that the Holy Spirit forewarned us will be rife in the last days, you will discover that one common theme summarises them all: selfishness.
4. In the world of instant gratification and individualism that we live in today, it is either you are God-centred or self-centred. It is either you consider how an event will benefit God’s Kingdom or how you will personally benefit from it.
5. If you are a lover of self, it will be difficult for you to really please God. Why? Your service will be plastic and superficial, having no depth in the things of the Kingdom.
6. A self-centred individual cannot make sacrifices for God. All he or she is interested in is personal convenience, whether in service, worship or giving. If such a fellow gives a big donation to any kingdom project, you will discover that the motive behind the giving is to have it announced for the sake of his or her ego.
7. A self-centred fellow lives in rebellion against God. He loves pleasure a lot because it delights Him. Samson lived such a selfish life, even as a leader of God’s people. He could not be controlled by his parents because selfish people are in charge of their own lives, not God or anyone else. His parents warned him against marrying an unbeliever, but he refused. He went ahead because she satisfied the lust of his eyes and that of his flesh (Judges 14:1-3).
8. Your choice in life must be God-centred. Jesus is our perfect example. While on earth, He was mainly preoccupied with doing His Father’s will (John 4:34). Any time His personal desire clashed with that of His Father, just like it happened at the Garden of Gethsemane, He subordinated His will to God’s will (Luke 22:41-42).
9. What kind of life are you living? Are you pleasing yourself or making God happy in all that you do?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Living according to God’s original plan for our lives is one of the best thing we can do for ourselves. Doing otherwise will either lead to failure or death in most cases. When we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will also lead and direct our path to a great success. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for blessing us with today’s devotional in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, in all that I do, help me always remember to please You and not myself.
HYMN Prayer point
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: TUESDAY, JUNE 6TH 2017- INSTANT OBEDIENCE

Memorise: Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. Titus 3:1
Read: Acts 8:26-38
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 
Bible in one year: Joshua 6-7,
Jeremiah 43:8-44:10

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

1. Philip was a man of good report and full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3-5). Beyond this, he was also a man of instant obedience.
2. In todays Bible reading, just after concluding an extremely successful crusade in Samaria, the word of the Lord came to him saying, “Philip, leave this city and go to the desert.” What was his response? “Yes, Lord!”, and off he went. He did not even ask what he was going to do there. He did not ask what was going to happen to his converts in the city he just moved. When he got to the desert, he saw a man in a chariot and the Holy Spirit spoke again: “Get into to that chariot.” Without hesitating, he said, “Yes Lord”, and he complied. He was indeed a man of instant obedience! Once he received an instruction and recognised the voice as that of the Holy Spirit, he immediately swung into action. How soon do you comply with divine directives?
3. Some people hear God and they pretend it is not God speaking.
4. When it comes to giving away something precious or something of great sacrifice: a treasured car, a mansion, large sums of money or a choice piece of land in a prime area, some people begin to pretend it is the devil speaking to them. They would begin to rebuke Satan where Satan is not even present.
5. Do you have this character of instant obedience? When some people receive an instruction from God, they will say they want to pray about it. Are you praying about it so that God will change His mind?
6. Some will say they want some time to think about it. Some others will say, “Lord, l have heard You, but let me first discuss it with my spouse.”
7. How fast do you respond to divine instructions?
8. In the early days when I was a worker in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, being in possession of a car was a big challenge. Why? You could get to the headquarters of the church at Ebute-Metta, Lagos, in the morning, and after being greeted, you would be told, “Brother, please go to Ondo State (about 5 hours drive away) and pray with a particular brother who is sick” Getting to Ondo, you may be told, “Sorry, he moved to his home town over the weekend”, and you would have to go there and trace his location. Nobody would give you money for fuel. When you got to church in the morning, you could not say when you would get back home. All you were expected to say is, “Yes Sir”.
9. God is looking for those who can say “Yes Lord”, and He will use them for signs and wonders.
10. If you can obey God promptly, you will go very far with Him.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Instant obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit is key to pleasing God and obtaining the blessing in return. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13‬ The above scripture explains the truth about the desire of God about obedience to His commands. May the Lord almighty help us. God’s wisdom will continue in the life of His son Pastor E.A Adeboye for this wonderful piece in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, give me grace for instant obedience.
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 pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r 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: MONDAY, JUNE 5TH 2017- DESPERATE?

Memorise: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12
Read: Mark 2:1-5
1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Bible in one year: Joshua 3-5, Jeremiah 42:18-43:7

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

1. While some people encounter God and ask Him for nothing, some others ask for crumbs while some few ask big. Also, while some people are ready to wait until their desires are granted, some others are desperate.
2. Even though God has the ability to do all things, how fast your desires will be granted is often determined by your level of desperation.
3. Desperate people do desperate things to get results, and so, the attitude of their prayer is usually different from that of those who can wait.
4. In our Bible reading for today, when four men brought their friend who was paralysed and bedridden down to Jesus, they did not like what they saw: all the doors and windows were blocked and a big crowd surrounded the house. So what did they do? After studying the situation, these four friends observed that only the roof was free, and an idea struck their minds. They wiggled their way to the roof, tore it open, and lowered their friends into the place where Jesus was. The Lord Jesus Christ had to suspend everything else He was doing to attend to their friend.
5. How desperate are you to receive your miracle? If you say you are desperate, where are the signs of your desperation?
6. Desperate people break protocol! They refuse to wait where others would, and try out new measures that others may never think of.
7. Desperate people refuse to be limited by what limits others, and they will do everything possible to get the result they desire.
8. When God sees desperate faith in action, He is most unlikely to turn it down. Infact, God allows such. Hence, Matthew 11:12 says “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”
9. If you are not desperate, you would be placed at the end of the line. If you are a bit violent, you can end up in the middle of the queue, but if you are truly desperate, you will be moved to the front, irrespective of how long others have waited to get there.
10. Desperate people are persistent. They draw up the attention of other people in their bid to get what they desire.
11. Although desperate people can really be a “nuisance”, they don’t care about who they inconvenience as long as they get what they want.
12. How desperate are you for divine intervention over your situation? Cry out to God today and let Him hear the desperation in your voice and see it in your actions, and He will surely answer you.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

It’s so sad that in the body of Christ, people don’t really understand the principles to activate the blessings of God. Being desperate to received what we desire from God is not a sin as many assume. When we consider Matthew‬ ‭7:7‬ which says  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” The interpretation of this verse is that we should keep knocking and searching until we receive. It also means that getting what we desire from God is beyond just asking, it might require searching. Imagine the parable of Jesus about a woman who was desperate to get her right from the wicked judge in Luke 18:1-7 “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?” This story is to let us know that God wants us to be persistent and desperate. May God help us. God be praised for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye. May he wax stronger in Jesus name.

Key Point
A desperate fellow persistently tables just one request before God and cannot wait to receive a positive response on it.
HYMN
1 Through the love of God our Saviour,
all will be well.
Free and changeless is his favour,
all, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us,
perfect is the grace that sealed us,
strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
all must be well.
2 Though we pass through tribulation,
all will be well.
Ours is such a full salvation,
all, all is well.
Happy, still in God confiding,
fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
holy, through the Spirit’s guiding,
all must be well.
3 We expect a bright tomorrow,
all will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
‘All, all is well.’
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
in our living, in our dying,
all must be well.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, JUNE 4TH 2017- VULNERABLE?

Memorise: If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Proverbs 24:10
Read: 2nd Samuel 17:1-3
1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:
3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.
Bible in one year: Joshua 1-2, Jeremiah 42:1-17

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

1. “And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:” 2nd Samuel 17:2
2. The above scripture reveals one of the strategies that our adversary, the devil, uses to get at us: he seeks to attack and strike us when we are weary and weak.
3. No matter how strong you are spiritually, you are still vulnerable, because every human being is limited and weak.
4. Understanding your vulnerability and mitigating it is one of the keys to living a triumphant Christian life.
5. When you feel weak and vulnerable, that is a good time to fast and pray. The truth is, when you are vulnerable, you are at your moment of least resistance to sin. In such moments, just a little pressure can make you fall in sin.
6. However, being vulnerable reminds us that we were made from dust and reveals to us that we greatly need God’s help (2nd Corinthians 12:9).
7. Indeed, you are most vulnerable when you need help the most and help is nowhere near. It is during such moments that you need to go to God confessing your helplessness and asking for His help lest you fall.
8. How does one end up in a vulnerable state? Continuous exposure to temptations can gradually weaken your defence. This is why you must avoid every appearance of evil. For example, if alcohol used to be your lord before you were saved, after accepting Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you would be wise to keep away from parties and social outings where alcohol would be served. You would also need to avoid viewing media publications promoting alcohol and sever your links with drinking pals; otherwise, if you continuously frolic around these, you will soon become vulnerable.
9. In addition, repeatedly avoiding or neglecting spiritual tools that can build up your spiritual muscles and defences will definitely make you vulnerable.
10. If you cannot pray, fast, study the Bible, and attend Church services with the brethren on a regular basis, you will soon become vulnerable.
11. Similarly, if you keep bad friends or advisers, or you are a lone ranger who fails to mix, you will definitely become vulnerable.
12. It is difficult to bend and break a broom but very easy to break a single broomstick.
13. Before striking, the devil will usually try to isolate an individual from those who can help him or her resist temptation. This is why you need God to choose true friends for you.
14. Lastly, failure to develop your faith spiritually will leave you vulnerable. Fortify yourself today!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 When we submit to Him it becomes easy for us to do His will. We long to please Him at every moment and time. And as we seek His face the devil is shut out of our lives hence we become invulnerable to his attack. May God continually strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Action Point
Are events separating you from fellow believers as you tilt towards loneliness? Watch it! It could be another ploy of the devil to isolate and finish you off.
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: SATURDAY, JUNE 3RD 2017- SCATTER TO INCREASE

Memorise: There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Proverbs 11:24
Read: Proverbs 11:23-25
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Bible in one year: Acts 27-28, Jeremiah 41:4-18

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

1. John 15:16 says you have been chosen to bear fruits and to sustain these fruits. To bear fruit, you are required to win souls regularly.
2. Newly saved souls are like new born babies that require a lot of care and nourishment in order to grow into adulthood (1 Peter 2:2).
3. To sustain such converts therefore, there is a need for us to keep planting churches. No wonder Genesis 1:28 says that if you are fruitful, you must strive to multiply.
4. Plant a parish and continue planting more. Just repeat the right things you are doing that works. Do not wait to start a church of 2000 people. You can start small churches of about 20-50 people and these will grow into churches of 100, 150 and more. The house fellowship unit can be effectively used in doing this. You can start a house fellowship with just a few people and as it grows, you can split it and have another house fellowship centre. In doing this, you are applying the principle of scattering to multiply. As these grow, you will soon have enough people to start a church parish.
5. How effective is your house fellowship centre? Are you even a member of a house fellowship?
6. Another area where you can apply the principle of scattering to multiply is in the area of giving. Luke 6:38 says if you give, you shall receive in return. Keep giving and God in His own way will give you your reward.
7. Today’s Bible reading reveals that it is possible to scatter but yet increase, whereas you can hold back and remain poor.
8. There is a particular man I know; when he goes anywhere and people get to know he is around, they would gather round and he will fling bundles of money at them; every one of them then scrambles for their share of this money. Someone once asked me why this man does this, and I told him that the devil knows the principle of scattering to increase. lf you go to a witchdoctor for a charm to make you rich, one of the conditions he would likely give you is that you must learn to scatter some of your wealth to the poor.
9. This is a universal principle; so if unbelievers practice it, they will get results. So would believers if they can practice it.
10. Consider the weeds that grow rapidly around us; they multiply so fast because they scatter their seeds through the wind, water and by sticking to so many different things.
11. In the past, those of us who were Bible study leaders went all out to meet the needs of the gospel by sacrificing our salaries and the little we had. Today, many years after, I see the same people who once lived in a room and parlour now living in their own mansions.
12. Are you ready to pay the price of multiplication through scattering?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The one that owns everything can never lack anything. When we are asked or admonished to give it is for us to get blessed. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38 He loves a cheerful giver. So whatever we give to God either in service or money, it should be done joyfully. A lot is put in by a mother to nurture an infant to adulthood. This is a process through night and morning. I pray we shall not be weary in scattering that we may increase in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for blessing us daily with the word of truth; the word of God.

Action Point
When you want to scatter your seeds, start with needy members of your local church.
HYMN
1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Saviour above.
Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
2. There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
[Refrain]
3. There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honour Thy Word.
[Refrain]
4. 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!
[Refrain]
5. There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.
[Refrain]

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: FRIDAY, JUNE 2ND 2017- BELIEVE AND DOUBT NOT

Memorise: And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. Luke 1:20
Read: Luke 1:5-20
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Bible in one year: Acts 24-26, Jeremiah 40:7-41:3

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

1. Do you know that God is a person and not a force? Because He is a person, He has emotions. His emotions are manifested in Him being pleased or displeased, happy or grieved, and so on.
2. Those who are wise will seek to do the things that will make God respond to them with a favourable emotion.
3. One way you can upset God is by doubting Him. According to Hebrews 11:6, before approaching God, you must believe that He exists and that He will respond to your call. It is pretty impossible to relate with God without faith. In fact, Romans 14:23b says, “…. For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
4. Once you give room to doubt as regards to who God is and what He can do, you have opened the door to sin.
5. How can the One who made the heavens and earth make a promise to you and you will not believe Him? How can the One who brought water out of a rock, and the One who turned a valley of dry, useless bones into a full-bodies army not be trusted (Exodus 17:5-6, Ezekiel 37:1-10)? If He could resurrect a whole army, resurrecting you is simply a walk in the park for Him. It is a great insult to doubt that God can do what He says He will do. Are you living by faith or in doubt?
6. God feels personally displeased when we doubt Him. It is a worse situation when His servants who should know Him better, get caught up in the web of unbelief.
7. It is important to know that God responds to your doubts and unbelief. When God sent Angel Gabriel to tell Zacharias that his aged wife would have a baby, he found it difficult to believe because they had both grown old. For the reason of his unbelief, he was struck with dumbness until the prophecy was fulfilled.
8. Are you trusting God for the fruit of the womb but you are now over 40 or even 50 years old? Have you like Zacharias given up on the possibility of having a child? Do not give up on God!
9. Always remember this: if God chooses to give you a baby at the age of 70, He will definitely renew your body and make it able to carry the baby. Your age will definitely not diminish, but your body will be renewed and made younger.
10.Trust Him.
11. At the point when some people already have their miracle quite close to them, they suddenly begin to doubt God and hence destroy the process.
12. Stop doubting God! You can never get anything good from it.

 

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

There has never been any record of a good result from doubting God. Doubting the creator of the universe is a big sin. Doubt is not of faith and it can displease God. Why will man know what can displease God and go ahead with it? Let’s strive to please our Maker in all we do, it is wise to do so. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in strength, wisdom, knowledge and understanding in Jesus name.

Key Point
You are either in faith or in doubt but definitely not in both. Where are you?
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! 

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