Monthly Archives: August 2017

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST 2017- A TARGET OF FORCES?

Memorise: Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth; thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Proverbs 6:2
Read: Genesis 35:16-19
16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.
18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.
19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 28-29, Ezekiel 33:30-34:10

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

1. Blessings and curses are two of the most powerful forces on earth, even though they function in opposite ways.
2. When present in any life, either of them can seriously affect the destiny of their recipient. Psalm 37:22 says, “For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.”
3. What does this mean? It means that if God blesses you, there is nothing you desire that you cannot get. This is why I am amazed whenever I come across some of my children and they say to me, “Daddy, please pray for me”, and when I respond saying “God bless you”, they still ask me to further pray for them. I tell such people that I have already prayed the greatest prayer anyone can pray for them, because if God blesses someone, all his or her problems will be over. As a user of this devotional, I say to you, God bless you!
4. Proverbs 10:22 reveals the power of the blessings that God gives; it says, “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”
5. If you are blessed of the Lord, you will definitely inherit the earth. You will have all you want. However, if you are cursed by God, you will find out that when God curses a person, that fellow will sooner or later become desolate.
6. What is a curse? A curse is an invitation to all the forces in heaven, on earth and underneath the earth to combine forces and resources to work against a person, until he or she is completely destroyed. So when an individual is cursed, demons, men, animals and even the elements will work against that fellow.
7. Let us consider the example of Rachael in Genesis 31:31-35. After Jacob served Laban, he finally left to return home. Then came Laban in hot pursuit after Jacob, and he caught up with him. Laban then said to him, “You have taken my two daughters and my cattle, and now you have equally stolen my idols.” Jacob denied stealing the idols and said whoever stole them should die. Unknown to him, his beloved wife Rachel had stolen these idols and sat on them. They checked everywhere but the idols were not found. Jacob thereafter left Laban in annoyance. Later on, in Genesis 35:16-19, shortly after delivering her next child, Rachel died. The curse her husband had pronounced eventually worked against her.
8. May you not use your own mouth to undo yourself or members of your family in Jesus’ Name!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

There is power in our tongues and we should know this. We should also know the fact that we are blessed by God and cannot be cursed. He has also made us a blessing and we should indeed be a blessing to others and not curse them. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! Numbers 23:23 The Lord’s blessing was on Isreal and this is why in the face of different storms they faced they triumphed. Even when Balak hired to curse them he ended up blessing them. (Number 23) We are the seed of Abraham, joint heirs with Christ and heirs according to the promise. We are blessed and should live in this consciousness therefore every curse over any believer should not stand. We are blessed and this shall be evident in our lives. May God continually bless and increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Key Point
A curse makes a person the target of negative forces.
HYMN
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
 

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY, AUGUST 31ST 2017- DIVINE WISDOM

Memorize: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraifeth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
Read: Daniel 1:18-20
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 25:27, Ezekiel 33:21-29

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

1. Wisdom is the quality of discerning what is true, what is ethically right, and what should be done in different situations.
2. Wisdom is fundamentally practical in nature.
3. Although God alone possesses wisdom in the absolute sense, as benevolent God, He is willing to give His wisdom to all those who seek it in humble reverence (James 1:5). We see the wisdom of God manifested in the work of creation and in the provision of redemption from sin through Jesus Christ.
4. Divine wisdom refers to the abilities given by God in every area of life including recognising and applying the provision of salvation through Christ Jesus, craftsmanship, knowledge and insight for right decisions in life, and several others.
5. Divine wisdom cannot be received by those who put their confidence in worldly wisdom, which is based on human cleverness and insight without God’s revelation.
6. God considers this human kind of wisdom to be foolishness. It may produce temporary success in life, but this will come to nothing in the long run. 1st Corinthians 3:19-20 says, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”
7. Worldly wisdom builds pride and false hope in people, so much so that it makes them arrogate success to themselves to the exclusion of the Almighty God (Proverbs 26:12, Isaiah 47:10). In Isaiah 29:14, God has declared that worldly wisdom shall perish.
8. Wisdom has its roots in knowledge.
9. Wisdom is the ability to correctly make use of acquired knowledge.
10. Divine wisdom leads to proper conduct because it is built on the fear of God (Job 28:28).
11. One of the dimensions that the Holy Spirit operates in is wisdom (Isaiah 11:2).
12. Those who desire to possess divine wisdom will therefore need to cultivate an intimate relationship with Him (Proverbs 1:20-26).
13. The Holy Spirit can fill a man’s heart with divine wisdom through the diligent study of God’s word (Psalms 19:7).
14. He can also give divine wisdom through revelation. This revelation can come in the place of observing how others live their lives, or through the study of nature.
15. Wisdom may also be received as a result of practical experiences of life and from parental guidance.
16. Divine wisdom can only be received by those who are willing to give up all reliance on their own human insight and understanding.
17. As you seek for divine wisdom by one or a combination of ways mentioned here, God will answer you and fill you up with His divine wisdom in Jesus’ Name.

  

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

As rightly defined by Pastor E.A ADEBOYE in today’s devotional “Wisdom has its roots in knowledge. Wisdom is the ability to correctly make use of acquired knowledge” . However, divine wisdom is greatly beyond human wisdom and the only source of acquisition of such wisdom is from the Almighty God. Also if we genuinely engage with the person of the Holy Spirit, having divine revelation will not be a challenge to us. Believers can’t accomplish much without divine wisdom as the Bible says Ecclesiastes 10:10 “Wisdom is profitable to direct. Hence, being able to consistently inquire and acquire from God is greatly profitable for decision making. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for blessing us with the word of God daily in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please teach me Your ways and lead me through the path of wisdom in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
1 God give us Christian homes! 
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught, 
Homes where the Master’s will is sought, 
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought; 
God give us Christian homes; 
God give us Christian homes! 
2 God give us Christian homes! 
Homes where the father is true and strong, 
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong, 
Homes that are joyous with love and song; 
God give us Christian homes; 
God give us Christian homes! 
3 God give us Christian homes! 
Homes where the mother, in caring quest, 
Strives to show others Your way is best, 
Homes where the Lord is an honored guest; 
God give us Christian homes; 
God give us Christian homes! 
4 God give us Christian homes! 
Homes where the children are led to know 
Christ in His beauty who loves them so, 
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow; 
God give us Christian homes; 
God give us Christian homes!
 

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30TH 2017- SURE AVENUES TO COMFORT

Memorise: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4
Read: Romans 15:4-5
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 22-24, Ezekiel 33:10-20

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

1. We are blessed to have a God that does not desert those who belong to Him.
2. In Hebrews 13:5, God promised never to leave nor forsake His own.
3. The divine presence of the Great Shepherd strengthens His sheep, so much so that they entertain no fear.
4. If you are His sheep, He is always with you; even when you cannot feel Him.
5. Do you know that in those moments when it appears as if God has gone on a journey, He is much more around you than you can imagine? When He promised to be with us always, He was not joking (Matthew 28:20).
6. Are you a sheep of the Great Shepherd? Are you feeling lonely or does it appear that God has forsaken you? He has not. He is right there by your side. He can hear your voice and your whisper. He can even hear your unvoiced wishes, and He will answer you. However, do everything to remain His sheep. Remain within His fold and shun every temptation to stray to the left or to the right.
7. If Jesus is the Shepherd of your soul, you will not lack comfort because He has promised to comfort you through His rod and staff (Psalm 23:4).
8. No one can make it through this pilgrim’s way without the comfort of the Great Shepherd.
9. One way we receive comfort today, as followers of Jesus Christ, is through the Holy Spirit. Hence, John 14:16 says, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”
10. When you go through loss or experience some very painful situations, you need the comfort of the Spirit to restore you to a state of peace. The Holy Spirit is so good at this. If however you create a gulf between yourself and the Holy Spirit, how would you then be comforted in the time of need?
11. From experience, the comfort you get from fellow human beings is grossly inadequate. Why? At best, man’s attempt at comforting you may satisfy mainly physical needs, but the comfort of the Holy Spirit can reach out to all areas of need, particularly the realm of the soul.
12. Another way of accessing real soothing comfort is from the word of God. Romans 15:4 says that this kind of comfort does not only deal with the unrest in your heart, but it also gives you hope. This is one reason why you should never be far from the Bible.
13. The word of God inspires hope.
14. If you feel hopeless, check yourself; you may find out that God’s word is scarce in your heart.
15. Are you feeling hopeless or in need of comfort? Reach out for God’s word today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The Holyspirit is our great comforter. However, when we shun his leading or ignore his love, voice and comfort he goes mute. Many times when grieving, the Holy Spirit leads us to certain scripture that lifts our burden instantly once we yield to the leading. This is a pointer to total submission to the Lord through obedience to His word and His Spirit. It’s well with us as we yield to His word and spirit in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Key Point
One crucial time you need the comfort of the Holy Spirit is when you are passing through a wilderness experience.
HYMN
1 God give us Christian homes! 
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught, 
Homes where the Master’s will is sought, 
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought; 
God give us Christian homes; 
God give us Christian homes! 
2 God give us Christian homes! 
Homes where the father is true and strong, 
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong, 
Homes that are joyous with love and song; 
God give us Christian homes; 
God give us Christian homes! 
3 God give us Christian homes! 
Homes where the mother, in caring quest, 
Strives to show others Your way is best, 
Homes where the Lord is an honored guest; 
God give us Christian homes; 
God give us Christian homes! 
4 God give us Christian homes! 
Homes where the children are led to know 
Christ in His beauty who loves them so, 
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow; 
God give us Christian homes; 
God give us Christian homes!
 

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: TUESDAY, AUGUST 29TH 2017- CHOSEN FOR A DIVINE PURPOSE

Memorise: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Read: Acts 17:24-31
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 19-21, Ezekiel 32:29-33:9

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

1. Many Christians interpret today’s memory verse with the notion that God favours some individuals or groups of people over others. This idea eventually developed into doctrine of “Election”, which suggests that some people are predestined for salvation and others for damnation.
2. Consequently, this doctrine of election has raised a lot of difficult questions in the minds of several people.
3. Why should a just and loving God favour certain individuals or groups of people over others? Why should a loving God command the elimination of some people without mercy?
4. A proper and diligent study of the Bible would lay these questions to rest permanently. Even a cursory look at the word of God shows clearly that God is good to all. He is not partial; neither is He a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
5. The above scripture makes it clear that Jesus was given for all men and women from all nations on the face of the earth, and anyone who believes in Him will obtain salvation. Therefore, those with warped interpretations of Scriptures that present our God in bad light, all in the name of “theology”, are not speaking the mind of God.
6. Through the manifestation of Jesus Christ, the whole world, without exception, stands before God with equal opportunity and access to the grace, mercy, favour and love of God. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
7. No matter who you are, you can come to Jesus with boldness and He will never reject or turn you down.
8. The statement in 1st Peter 2:9 is therefore absolutely correct for everyone who has accepted the Lordship of Jesus Christ over their lives. If you are one of such people, you can say with certainty that you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a member of a holy nation.
9. You are specially chosen to live in holiness and righteousness, to show forth the glory of God in all ramifications of life, and to live in good health, joy and peace.
10. Since you have been chosen for a divine purpose, I pray that you will surely fulfil your destiny in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

We are chosen, loved, saved and glorified not by our works but by grace. “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”Titus 3:4‭-‬6 The only thing required of us to be entitled to being a holy nation, royal priesthood and a peculiar people is confession of Christ as our Lord and Saviour. It is not a title but reality of who a believer is in Christ. May God be praised forever more for the privilege of being called His own in Jesus name. May God renew Pastor E.A Adeboye’s strength in Jesus name.

Action Point
Thank God for who you are in Christ Jesus as revealed in 1st Peter 2:9. Confess each of the titles that describe your standing in Christ in this verse of Scripture.
HYMN
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
[Chorus]
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
[Chorus]
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
[Chorus]

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, AUGUST 28TH 2017-BUILDERS FOR GOD

Memorise: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1st Corinthians 15:58
Read: Nehemiah 2:1-8
1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.
6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 16:18, Ezekiel 32:16-28

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

1. A builder is a person who is capable of handling the design, planning and construction of a building project.
2. A builder is obligated to execute a building project in compliance with the specifications of the blueprint he or she has been given.
3. Throughout the Bible, terms like building, foundation, house, temple, building block and cornerstones, are used figuratively. For example, the Bible presents God as a Builder in Hebrews 11:10, while 1st Corinthians 3:11 presents the Christian faith as a building which has Jesus Christ as the foundation.
4. Consequently, ministers of the gospel are co-labours with God and also builder (1st Corinthians 3:9).
5. Similarly, the duties and responsibilities of a minister of God can be compared to that of a builder in many ways. A builder should be a wise person who is skilled in the art and science of construction. Likewise, a minister of the gospel should be skilful in the art of building the souls of men. No ignorant preacher should be given this sensitive assignment.
6. A builder takes special care to lay the right foundation and selects the right materials to make the building well suited for the foundation. In like manner, ministers of God must be mindful of the materials they use in building the Church of God.
7. Christ is our Living Foundation who requires the use of living stones for building the Church (1st Peter 2:5-6).
8. Sometimes, a builder must first pull down an old structure and remove the resultant debris before laying a new foundation. Ministers of the gospel must also pull down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and remove the debris of many errors, indiscipline, false doctrines and damnable heresies.
9. There is an aspect of the building profession that involves creativity and craftsmanship. By these set of skills, much beauty, innovation, artistry, colour and style is achieved in a building project.
10. Similarly, the introduction of creative ideas into various aspects of the work of the gospel has produced enviable results across the world. However, caution must be applied because the Bible views certain creative works as whitewashed sepulchres (Matthew 23:27).
11. The decision to accept or reject any creative work is not driven by the work itself, but is determined by the spirit that motivates the worker.
12. Fine craftsmen can prostitute their talents by producing beautiful idols.
13. The Church of God is a work in progress and every Christian is duty-bound to make their contributions in compliance with the blueprint of Jesus and according to God’s specifications.
14. Let everyone take heed and watch how they build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Jesus has laid genuine and perfect foundation that must be followed by every believer regardless of your position or status. Ministers of the God should therefore follow such leading and build on the foundation of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

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

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, AUGUST 27TH 2017- DON’T RESIST; RUN!

Memorise: For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1st Corinthians 6:20
Read: 2nd Timothy 2:22-23
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 13-15, Ezekiel 32:1-15

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

1. While it is important for you to admit your mistakes with sorrowful heart, it is also important that you learn from these mistakes. Ask yourself: “How did I get here? What did I do wrong? How could I have avoided this outcome?”
2. To live triumphantly in this world, you need to pay very close attention to what the word of God says and follow it to the letter. 1st Peter 5:8-9 says you should steadfastly resist the devil, so if you resist, but do not steadfastly resist, you will surely fall.
3. On the other hand, in 1st Corinthians 6:18, we are commanded to flee fornication. In this case, God does not require resistance from you, but that you should take to your heels! If you then try to resist instead of running, you will surely fall.
4. Similarly, 2nd Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Clearly, there is a time to stand and a time to run.
5. If you stand when you should run, you will most likely fall.
6. Sometimes ago, I told male pastors not to have female secretaries, but some of them who thought they were wiser than I, called it gender discrimination. I told them that after they had become causalities of their wrong decisions, they would remember that I had earlier warned them. One of my very good sons, who knew the Bible very well, hired a female secretary. I asked him, “What are you doing? How can you be in the same office with this lady smiling at you? Eventually, you will end up working late with her. Go and ease her out.” He dragged his feet on this. Today, this same person is out of the ministry, out of his home and jobless. If not that he lives in a country where the government provides food for the jobless, he would have starved.
7. Some leaders are still toying with danger.
8. Some piglets once asked the mother pig, “Why are you always grunting? “The mother pig replied, “When you are as old as I am, you will know why.”
9. Avoid any source of temptation!
10. Resist when you should and run when you should.
11. Some people take it as an act of cowardice to run from those they feel sexually attracted to. No! It is not cowardice, it is wisdom!
12. God knows how He wired your body, so if He says you should run in a particular situation, please run for your dear life!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

For every believer, to heed is better than sacrifice. “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22” Whenever God tells us to do something, it is wise for us to do without any delay or extra thought. This is because His precept is the best to follow. He knows the end from the beginning and desires for us to be safe away from the devil’s wiles. The small prophet that disobeyed God’s instruction ended up being killed. (1 Kings 13) By running after resisting is therefore profitable to anyone who will. May God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for this great devotional and renew his strength in Jesus name.

Action Point
The Bible has the antidote to every situation; apply it diligently and you will never fall.
HYMN
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
 

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SATURDAY, AUGUST 3RD 2017- THE REWARD OF PROFITABLE STEWARDSHIP

Memorise: And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:12
Read: Matthew 25:14-23
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 11:12, Ezekiel 31:10-18

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

1. Christianity entails total submission to the will of God as revealed in His word.
2. A Christian must view God as the ultimate owner of everything, who decides to delegate and distribute a certain measure of His resources to each and every person, according to their ability, for the purpose of making profit.
3. In reality, all that we own isn’t really ours; they are blessings that have been graciously bestowed on us by the Lord (John 3:27).
4. For all that God has given to us, there’s an expectation that comes along with them.
5. The word “stewardship” summarises this arrangement.
6. A steward is a special servant employed to oversee and manage the affairs of a household according to the dictates of the owner. He or she is simply a servant who has been entrusted with the authority to make decisions on behalf of his or her master.
7. All purchases pertaining to the running of a household are made by the steward. Even some very important decisions are made by stewards. For example, Abraham entrusted his steward, Eliezer of Damascus, with the crucial responsibility of choosing a wife for his son Isaac (Genesis 24:2-4).
8. A true Christian operates under the same dynamics today.
9. As a steward over the heritage of God, you should be able to operate without supervision. Everything you do should be done as unto the Lord. You should make certain that the resources you are entrusted with are put to proper use for God and not for personal gain.
10. As God’s steward, you should do everything to ensure that the Lord’s resources are carefully deployed to accomplish His agenda.
11. A steward is a trustworthy ambassador that sometimes stands in the place of God to make decisions and take actions that could have far-reaching effects on people lives.
12. Christian stewardship is therefore an awesome responsibility that should be handled with utmost care. May you never mishandle your responsibility as a representative of the Almighty God in Jesus’ Name.
13. God has very important assignments He wants to execute in this world, and He has entrusted some of these into your hands. One of such assignments is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
14. God has chosen you as His primary tool to accomplish this awesome task, and He has appointed and equipped you to carry His message of salvation to those who are lost in sin. You must therefore take up this responsibility and fulfil the heartbeat of God.
15. In conclusion, here in this world, there are innumerable benefits awaiting all obedient servants of God.
16. However, the most important reward for profitable stewardship is to be a guest of Jesus at His marriage supper, and to stand before God’s throne to receive commendation and the crown of life from the Master. You will make it in Jesus’ Name.

 

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Total submission and 100% obedience is what every believer who is a true steward should do to God’s will. Everything about our work on earth revolves around obeying God daily as we go by in our daily activities. We must channel all resources and effort to accomplish the task of heaven citizen and ambassador here on earth. May we never be a vessel unto dishonour in Jesus name. God bless and continually strength Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

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

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: FRIDAY, AUGUST 25TH 2017- THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT

Memorise: And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Luke 12:47
Read: Matthew 25:24-30
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 8-10, Ezekiel 30:20-31:9

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

1. An unprofitable servant is generally identified as a steward that fails to put his or her talents to profitable use for his or her master. He or she is a wasteful person who is pleased to keep the master’s investment from yielding any profit. 
2. Among all the servants mentioned in the Bible, it was only the unprofitable servant that had the disrespectful behaviour of complaining and bringing charges against his lord. He had the audacity to accuse his master to his face of being a difficult and greedy person, wanting to reap where he did not sow! He created the impression that his master had all along been wicked, unfair and insensitive.
3. Although the unprofitable servant tried to portray himself as a humble and obedient servant, he ended up giving himself off as a self-righteous person, who had mastered the art of making excuses to cover up for slothfulness and failure. Trying to justify himself, he falsely argued that he became indolent and unproductive out of fear for his master. He forgot that a master’s commandment is a servant’s duty.
4. As a matter of fact, a servant always owes a debt of service to his or her master (Luke 17:7-10).
5. The unprofitable servant tried so hard to justify himself but he failed woefully.
6. God is not mocked; the excuses you have prepared to use on the Day of Judgment will not stand the rest of His scrutiny.
7. Brethren, every excuse that we give for failure to obey the commandments of God with regards to the use of our talents is simply evidence of rebellion against God.
8. The excuse that the unprofitable servant gave is the command plea of many Christians today, who complain that the Almighty God has no right to demand for the use of their time, money and ability for the promotion of His kingdom.
9. If you fail to put your God-given talents to profitable use, on the day of reckoning, you will hear the denunciation pronounced against the unprofitable servant: “Take therefore the talent from him!”
10. I pray that you will never receive words of condemnation from God in Jesus’ Name.
11. Many would ask, “What wrong have I done?” Search your heart. Have you fixed your Lord’s money in huge deposits and savings accounts, or tied up his investments in properties, exotic cars, exclusive furniture and an expensive lifestyle, all the while leaving souls to perish in their sins? Do you prefer to bury your talents out of selfishness because you care more about yourself and less about God and the expansion of His kingdom? Have you deliberately refused to put God’s endowments in your life to profitable use; thereby causing the benefits and profits due to God and man to be totally lost?
12. To be commended by the Master, we need to repent of our selfish lifestyle and yield to God in complete obedience.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

One way or the other, believers consciously and unconsciously give excuses for not doing what the Lord has called them to do. Some died without fulfilling their purpose of being. May this never be our portion in Jesus name. I enjoin us to search our minds, carefully answer the questions listed in today’s devotional by our father in the Lord and make amends. May we never be damned in Jesus name. We pray that the Lord will renew Pastor E.A Adeboye’s strength in Jesus name.

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

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY, AUGUST 24TH 2017- THE CHURCH OF GOD III

Memorise: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27
Read: Ephesians 1:1-4
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 6-7, Ezekiel 30:5-19

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

1. The Church of God is a living entity that thrives upon the life of God. The life of Jesus circulates freely through His Church, just as blood flows through the human body.
2. The Church of God feeds on heavenly food, which is the word of God, breathes the atmosphere of heaven, which are the commandments and principles that guide her operations, and thrives on the life of God that flows through her veins, which is the Holy Spirit. By implication therefore, the primary qualities and attributes of God automatically become the primary characteristics and nature of His Church.
3. In Isaiah 6:3b, the primary quality and nature of God is announced in this proclamation from Heaven: Holy, holy holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”
4. For this reason, today’s Bible reading declares that the Church of God was chosen by God to be holy and without blame before Him in love.
5. Holiness is the moral excellence of God that unifies His attributes and is expressed through His actions.
6. The Bible presents holiness as a nature that includes moral purity, separation from evil and a devotion to God’s glory. God is Holy, His Name is Holy, His words and everything about Him is Holy. As a result, in the Old Testament, the place of worship, the altar, the priests and the people had to be sanctified and made holy before rendering service to God (Exodus 29:44).
7. To be dedicated to God’s service, we also in this new dispensation must be set apart from the sins of this world. Hebrews 10:22 says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
8. God’s holiness provides a pattern for His people to emulate (1st Peter 1:16).
9. Holiness simply means separation from sin and devotion to God (2nd Timothy 2:19).
10. As a child of God, sin should not have dominion over you (Romans 6:14). You are expected to make holiness your lifestyle by walking in the fear of God always (2nd Corinthians 7:1). To this end, Colossians 3:5a says, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;”
11. This means you should put to death or destroy everything that is carnal in you, using the sword of the Spirit (Hebrews 4:12). It means your heart should continually be cleansed from carnality, using the water of God’s word.
12. Even though you are genuinely born again, your body still has passions, desires and appetites that must be allowed to break out beyond their legitimate bounds in the Lord. Be holy, and be sanctified!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Holiness is God’s nature and as His children, this virtue must be seen in us as well. Hebrews 12:14 reveals that anyone who is unholy cannot see God. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14 A believer who cherishes the things of the world gets polluted and becomes unholy. We should strive daily to live a holy life for this is God’s seed in us. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John 3:9 We thank God for Pastor E.A Adeboye and we pray that may God equip him with greater wisdom in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, grant me grace to keep myself under the control of Your Holy Spirit in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23RD 2017-THE CHURCH OF GOD II

Memorize: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13
Read: 1st Corinthians 1:1-11
1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:
3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 4-5, Ezekiel 29:10-30:4

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

1. The Church of God is the embodiment of Christ here on earth and for all eternity (Ephesians 1:23).
2. God will continue to inhabit His people, and His people will continue to live in Him and worship His majesty forever (John 14:16).
3. The Church of God on earth is the representation of His personality among men. She is the Body of Christ, filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit, and so, she renders all honour and adoration to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
4. Although the Church is operating in the world, there is no room for the world in the Church (John 17:16) “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
5. The Church of God is called to live in blameless unity.
6. Unity is a characteristic that distinguishes God’s people. We derived this characteristic from the nature of God in us; therefore, God expects His Church to manifest unity, through commitment to one another. In essence, the Church of God is one, because it is founded on one gospel, united in one Lord and walking in one Spirit (Ephesians 4:4-6).
7. However, the unity of the Church is constantly under attack because the enemy knows she is unstoppable when she walks in unity. Because it is inherent in our fallen human nature for people to be divisive, unity needs to be continually maintained and actively expressed in fellowship.
8. The fellowship that Christians share as a result of our common union with God through Jesus Christ is expressed as we share the triumphs and challenges of life together.
9. The Bible strongly emphasizes the importance of Christian unity. Act 4:32 says, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”
10. God exhorts the Church to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3-16).
11. We as Christians are to preserve the oneness that the Spirit imparts to all that are baptised into the Body of Christ, which is identical to the oneness of the Holy Trinity.
12. The unity of the Church should be evident in our love for one another, in worshipping together and in a practical commitment to one another, which is demonstrated through deep concern for the weak and a readiness to provide for the poor and needy.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Unity is so strong and with it a lot can be achieved and the insurmountable surmounted. This was revealed in Genesis 11. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Genesis 11:5‭-‬6 When the church of God works in unity it becomes easy to conquer the devil and his cohort. Also we must care for each other and be helpful both spiritually and physically. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for daily insight into the word of God through the Holy Spirit and this devotional in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please baptise your Church with true love and bind the Body of Christ together with a strong cord of unity in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
1 Onward, Christian soldiers, 
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
leads again the foe;
Forward into battle,
see his banner go!
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
2 At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise! [Refrain]
3 Like a mighty army
moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
one in charity. [Refrain]
4 Onward, then, ye people,
join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
in the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor,
unto Christ the King;
This thro’ countless ages
men and angels sing. [Refrain]
 

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