Monthly Archives: May 2018

Memorise: And the LORD said unto Moses, wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: Exodus 14:15
 
Read: Exodus 14:10-16, Luke 10:19
10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.
11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
15 And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
Luke 10:19
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 19-20, 1 John 2:7-27

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

1. It is one thing to be given authority, and it another thing to exercise the authority delegated.
2. Some Christians are suffering today because they do not exercise the divine authority given to them as children of God.
3. Some children of God are like Moses in today’s Bible reading, crying helplessly at the Red Sea with the army of Pharaoh fast approaching. The children of Israel also did not help matters because they murmured against his leadership at this critical point. The perfect storm faced by Moses at the Red Sea made him forget who he was and the enormous power of God had vested in him. In Exodus 7:1, God had told him: “And the LORD said unto Moses, See I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.”
4. Unfortunately, either Moses forgot this or his mind could not grasp the extent of its meaning. Although crying to God is not wrong by itself, there is time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This was not the time for Moses to cry; rather, it was a time for him to exercise the authority given to him by God. Nevertheless, God graciously reminded Moses that the authority to deal with the situation was already at his disposal. In Exodus 14:15-16 God said to him: “…..Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”
5. Beloved, do you know that God has given you the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and everything they represent?
6. Jesus Christ has given to us the power and authority to tread on all the powers of the enemy, and He promised that nothing shall by any means hurt us (Luke 10:19). However, to exercise this authority we must live according to the dictates of the One who delegated His authority to us.
7. A lesson from today’s story about Moses is that he exercise authority by the instructions of the Almighty God. He was not presumptuous as many would have been. His cry to God could mean “what should I do in this situation?”
8. Another lesson is that although the Lord had equipped him with the rod, he did not know the full extent of its power in solving the problems of the people he was leading. In other words, God has equipped his children with the necessary authority and power not only to defend themselves but also to rescue the perishing.
9. You have the authority to bring change to the chaos in the world around you, but are you putting this to use?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

A lot of believers have been endued with authority and power to wrought wonders and make storm calm. However, this power has become dormant and inactive because it has not been utilised. Now that it has been made clearer to us in today’s devotional how the authority we are endowed with should be used, we must make the power in us active again and turn things around for good. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional and it is ou prayer that God should continually uphold Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Stop any activity of the devil in your life and in the world around you by the authority given to you in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Hymn
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
The rumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
And strength to strength oppose.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your won
Put on the Gospel armor,
And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
Shall reign eternally.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy wrd. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38
 
Read: Matthew 8:5-13
5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 17-18, 1John 1:-2:6

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

1. The reason why many children of God are not living a triumphant life daily is because they refuse to submit themselves to the authority and lordship of their Father, the Almighty. Some are like the prodigal son who sought premature freedom and independence from his father (Luke 15:12-13).
2. In today’s Bible reading, we see a man who knew what it was to be under authority and the blessings that come along with it. This man is the centurion, whose faith our Lord Jesus Christ described as great.
3. After Jesus had decided to go with him to heal his servant, this centurion did not deem it necessary for Jesus to go to his house, because he was a man under authority and he understood the attendant implications of this. He knew Jesus Christ was under authority and had great authority. He also believed that if Jesus exercised His authority over demons from where He was, they would obey Him. Hear what he said in Matthew 8:8b: “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.”
4. It is interesting to note that contrast between the proud attitude of Naaman and the humble disposition of this centurion to spiritual authority (2 Kings 5:11).
5. The Holy Spirit reveals the secret to spiritual in James 4:7 where He says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” This is where the problem lies with some children of God. First things first: we must submit to the authority of God in His word before we can resist the devil and his attacks. When we follow this order, the devil will definitely flee from us because we are operating under God’s authority in His word.
6. Regardless of who is speaking it, the word of God must be respected and given its rightful place in our lives.
7. You must submit to the authority of God’s word by being a doer of it if you will experience a performance of its purpose in your life (James 1:25).
8. Beloved, are you under the authority of the Almighty God in His word? It is all well and good if you are. However, if you find it difficult to submit to God’s authority in His word, you will experience the frustration of the word not working for you. If you are in this situation, repent today and submit to God’s authority in His word that is for forever settled.
9. One more lesson you should learn from today’s Bible reading is that while many shall come from all over the world to benefit from the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the children of the kingdom who refuse to submit to God’s authority would be cast away. This will not be your portion in Jesus name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

’
Please check back for this part of the devotional few hours to the due date. God bless.
 
Prayer Point:
Father, please keep me under the pavilion of the authority in Your word today. Don’t let me depart from Your secret place.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He shed on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold. All things become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
 
Read: Genesis 35:9-15
9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
12 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.
13 And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.
14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 16-16, 2 Peter 3

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

1. Jacob was the second son of Isaac. His early life projects a lifestyle and behavioural pattern that closely matched his name, which can be interpreted as supplanter, impersonator, deceiver or usurper. However, he received mercy from the Lord and had a divine encounter where God decided to change his name.
2. In Genesis 32:28, God said to him: “…Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel….” The renaming of Jacob as Israel (which means “triumphant with God”) was a spiritual event that had far reaching effects on his physical life and his personality. Immediately after his identity was changed, Jacob stopped exhibiting the characteristics of his old name and began to behave in line with the meaning of his new name. The old things about Jacob passed away and all things became new for him as Israel. I pray for someone reading this devotional that every old symptom of sin, sickness, poverty, bondage and oppression shall pass away from your life today in Jesus’ Name.
3. It is important to note that what happened to Jacob in the Old Testament is closely related to the regeneration experience seen in the New Testament.
4. Regeneration is the change brought about by the Spirit of God, which makes a person a new creature in Christ Jesus.
5. The salvation that Jesus brought to us is not simply to energize the old creation with new ability and power; rather, it brings a new creature that has the divine nature of God (2 Peter 1:4).
6. It also ignites a spiritual process wherein everything working against the regenerated person is thoroughly dealt with (Colossians 2:14).
7. The practical result of this is spiritual regeneration evidenced by radical change in the nature, character, desires and motives of the transformed person.
8. This new creature is so new and different from the old that it even requires a new diet to survive, which is the word of God. That is why Matthew 4:4b says: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
9. Concerning regeneration, the key element is change. God is calling all of mankind to change though the power of His word. However, there is a strong resistance to this change in every human being (Romans 8:7).
10. This resistance come from the mind and the body, and must be overcome before any real change can manifest. The transformation experience requires serious effort to overcome this resistance (Romans 12:2).
11. Whenever anyone surrenders his or her life to Jesus, God takes hold of the old lifeless creature and fashions it into a new creature that is heaven-bound, full of life and suitable for His use. Have you experienced this transformation indeed?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

’
Please check back for this part of the devotional few hours to the due date. God bless. 
Key Point:
The inner transformation that Jesus gives must manifest as outward change for all to see.
Hymn
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
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.
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.
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.
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
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.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Know ye not therefore that they which are of faith, he same are the children of Abraham. Galatians 3:7
Read: John 8:39-43
39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 14, 2 Peter 2

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

1. The Bible documents several declarations of God’s covenant promises and blessings to Abraham, which are intended to overflow to his children (Genesis 17:2, Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 22:16-18).
2. Although God spoke these words to Abraham several thousands of years ago, generations from that period till now have continued to see His pronouncements manifest in very dramatic fashion.
3. Let us consider two of God’s pronouncements on Abraham. In Genesis 12:2-3, He said: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Also, in Genesis 22:17-18, God said: “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall posses the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed…”
4. The fulfillment of these words in the lives of Abraham’s direct descendants (the Jews) and in the lives of Christians, who are partakers of these promises by adoption, has resulted in a situation where people from all nations of the world seek to be numbered among Abraham’s children. However, claiming to be one of Abraham’s children does not confer this status on anyone; only fulfilling the necessary requirements does.
5. Romans 9:6-7 explains that in the sight of God, not even all of those who descended from Abraham biologically are children of Abraham for the purposes of receiving God’s covenant blessings.
6. Being a child of Abraham does not come through genetic connections. Galatians 3:7 tells us what confers this status on a person:“Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”
7. You can therefore see that is it only men and women of faith that are true children of Abraham, and so only they are recipients of Abraham’s blessings. In other words, faith is what qualifies a person to inherit Abraham’s blessings. Are you truly one of Abraham’s children?
8. The word of God in Galatians 3:6-9 tells us that irrespective of whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, rich or poor, male or female, white, black or brown, old or young, you can become one of Abraham’s children and gain access to the blessings promised to them if only you live by faith.
9. Some may ignore or reject this truth because they have no idea what it means to be a child of Abraham, or because they see no value in the awesome blessings promised to Abraham’s children. This attitude is not surprising, because the things of the Spirit of God are foolishness to the ordinary person (1 Corinthians 2:14).
10. I pray that the Lord will open your eyes to the truth of His word so that you can gain access to all of your inheritance in God in the mighty Name of Jesus.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Some people live in the direct opposite of what they ought to enjoy due to ignorance. Some other deprive themselves of this Abraham’s blessings because of sin. We as believers should know but also enjoy the full benefit of being Abraham’s seed. However, if this has not being your experience make your way right, change your thought and begin to enjoy what is yours. God bless and continually strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, impart my spirit with faith t appropriate all of my blessings in You in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
My faith look up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh. May my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
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.
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;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:1-4
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 12-13 2 Peter 1

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

1. The Bible tells us about the reality of both the physical world, which is the natural habitat of human beings and a spiritual world that is ruled and controlled by the Almighty God.
2. Although God created mankind and granted us access to the spiritual realm for the purpose of fellowshipping with Him, we lost that access when Adam and Eve sinned (John 4:24, Genesis 3:8). However, the moment a person becomes born again, that access to the realm of the spirit is immediately restored.
3. Unconverted souls remain permanently disconnected from the heavenly realm. That is why 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
4. The spiritual world is very much as real as the physical world, but only those who have access to it can see the sights, hear the sounds and even participate in the activities of heaven. I pray that God will sanctify you and grant you express access to the realm of the spirit in Jesus’ Name.
5. Living in the Spirit requires faith. Just as the eye produces conviction about the reality of objects in the physical world, so does faith produce the same conviction about things in the realm of the spirit, which are invisible to the natural eye.
6. Faith manifests itself by producing the assurance that what we hope for will happen. It also provides insight into the reality of things in the unseen spiritual world. These unseen realities from God offer an effective power for daily living to every man and woman of faith.
7. Speaking about the faith of Moses, Hebrews 11:27 says: “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”
8. Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable and receives the impossible. This is the testimony of every great child of God who has walked on the face of the earth, such as Abraham, Moses, the prophets and the apostles. They all saw things that others could not see and they believed them until they were manifested physically.
9. This is also the testimony of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. My father in the Lord saw some things through the eyes of faith that were practically impossible to believe at that time, but they have become history today. When I became the General Overseer of the Church, we could only afford a one-bedroom apartment; I therefore started praying to God for a suitable home to accommodate my family. God then spoke to me one day that I should stop praying for a house because He had decided to build me a city. I received it by faith and today, this city has become a reality, and God is not done with us yet. I pray that you will begin to see the invisible from today in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Please check back for this part of the devotional few hours to the due date. God bless.
Prayer Point:
Father, please sanctify me and open my eyes of faith today in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
My faith look up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh. May my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
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.
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;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-10 
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 10-11, 1 Peter 4:12-5:14

1. The Holy spirit often uses the imagery of running a race or participating in a sporting activity to portray the Christian life.
2. He does this to help us have a better understanding of the nature of the Christian life we are called to live, and to help us develop the right attitude required to be successful in it.
3. In 1 Corinthians 9:24 -25 He says ” know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one recieveth the price? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
4. Three important points are in focus in this passage. First, there are many participants in a sporting event but only the winner receives the prize. We are therefore encouraged to run the Christian race with a mindset of striving hard to obtain the reward and not just for the mere purpose of participating.
5. Secondly, as athletes struggle to reduce unforced errors in order to achieve expertise in their chosen sport, we are also advised to strive for mastery.
6. Thirdly, just as professional athletes must be disciplined in all things before they can achieve the level of skill required to become champions, so also must we be calm, moderate, self-controlled and disciplined in all things.
7. Christianity is very much like boxing or running a marathon: if your attitude towards training and preparation is lackadaisical, relaxed and carefree, then you must be prepared for a painful defeat or even a knockout on the big stage. I pray that you will never suffer defeat in the hands of your enemies in Jesus’ name
8. God is using this medium to bring to your attention the precaution and diligence that is required to secure victory in the Christian race in these perilous times.
9. He is urging you to give the race you are running all attention needed to ensure success.
10. He also presents before you the crown of glory which he will award to all those who are faithful to the end of the race (1 Peter 5:4). This crown is not a perishable bunch of flowers or a gold-plated medal of little value, but the glorious crown of everlasting life, which awaits all those who have successfully completed the Christian race.
11. You will be wise to give heed to the words of today’s memory verse by continually looking up to Jesus, who for the reward that was set before him endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
12. Nothing can be more glorious than making heaven and beholding the face of Jesus forever. Will you make it there?

Every believer must deliberately emulate Christ in our Christian journey. As much as He encountered test, trials, distractions, persecution and rejection, He stayed focused till He fulfilled His purpose. May we end our journey in glory and collect the crown prepared for us in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please help me to be successful in the Christian race in Jesus’ name
HYMN
I have decide to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow 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.
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:25
Read: 2 Kings 4:8-17 
8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 7-9, 1 Peter 3:8-4:11

1. Hospitability is the act of generosity and friendship shown towards strangers, and it includes the responsibility of protecting the interests of those received as guests.
2. God admonishes His children to be hospitable as part of our duty to others and in gratitude for the salvation, favour and mercy we have received from Him (Exodus 22:21).
3. Several passages of Scripture emphasise hospitality as a godly virtue (Romans 12:13, 1 Peter 4:9). Hebrews 13:2 says “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
4. Furthermore, the Bible mentions hospitality as one of the preconditions for becoming a leader in the Church (1 Timothy 3:2).
5. Hospitality has played a very important role in the Redeemed Christian Church of God right from the very beginning. It forms part of our core beliefs and practices. We teach that you don’t have to be rich to look after visitors. You can entertain four people with a single orange by slicing it into four parts and presenting it nicely on a decent plate with glasses of water. May you receive the true spirit of hospitality today in Jesus’ Name.
6. The Bible admonishes that since we naturally desire to receive hospitality from others, we should show it to others as well.
7. The Lord in Matthew 7:12 says, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Even when describing the type of fast that God finds acceptable, the Holy Spirit in Isaiah 58:7a said: “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?”
8. Deuteronomy 26:12 also speaks about feeding the stranger, the fatherless and the window. All these verses of Scripture shows that we are duty-bound as Children of God to provide for the needs of these classes of people regularly.
9. More importantly, Jesus clearly teaches that hospitality is going to be a major criterion that will be used separate the sheep from the goats on the last day (Matthew 25:33-35). This means that it will be practically impossible for anyone to enter heaven without being hospitable.
10. Jesus expects every Christian to love their neighbor as themselves. He expects us to use hospitality as a tool to spread the love of God and the good news of the gospel all over the world. I pray that you will yield yourself as an instrument of spreading God’s love everywhere through hospitality in Jesus’ Name.

How important it is for believers to be hospitable! By so doing we will draw many to Christ unknowingly. Love of Christ must be seen in all we do. Not only can we benefit from it, others that are related or close to us can do as well like it was in the case of Abraham and Lot. Hospitality is another way we can make our light shine in our world that they may praise our Father in heaven. It is also a great tool of evangelism which must be utilised fully. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

Action Point
Think of how you can use hospitality to spread the love of God and the message of the gospel in your locality. Draw up a plan and implement it.
HYMN
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
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.
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.
Take my sliver 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.
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.
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

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What sleekest thou? Genesis 37:15
 
Read: Genesis 24:12-26
12 And he said O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 5-6, 1 Peter 2:13-3:7

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

1. Divine connection simply means the connection of an individual to sources that would help to fast-track the fulfillment of his her destiny.
2. In Psalm 37:23, the holy Spirit teaches: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” This was the testimony of Abraham’s servant in today’s Bible text. He was amazed at the way the God of his master answered his simple childlike prayer of faith. Beyond his wildest imagination, things worked out in his favour because God had already sent His angels ahead of him to work everything out.
3. When you are divinely connected, people will think that you are wise or brilliant. Some may even mistake you for a genius! I pray for you today that God will give you divine connections that will confound everyone who hears about it in Jesus’ Name.
4. When we draw close to God and do his bidding, we earn ourselves divine connections (James 4:8). Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
5. Some people complain about following Jesus without anything to show for it. Such people may be in their season of sowing, or they might not have been following Him according to the pattern He has laid down. The Lord is a faithful covenant-keeper who cannot lie. In Matthew 19:29 He said: “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
6. If you have been walking with God with nothing to show for it spiritually and materially, take time to carefully evaluate your walk. If you need divine connection, you must be faithful to the profession of faith you made when you gave your life to Christ.
7. Our calling, like that of Abraham the father of faith, is a call unto holiness (Genesis 17:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:7). Abraham did not compromise his calling by going back to his father’s house. Don’t ever contemplate going back to the world; there is nothing for you there.
8. To be divinely connected, you need to add virtue and brotherly kindness to your faith, because faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
9. Renew your relationship with the Lord and let holiness become your watchword.
10. Endeavour to please Him in all your ways as the early Church did, and you will then experience divine connection.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

A deep insight to how we can enjoy divine connection is being shared I today’s devotional. Pleasing God in all ramification is a great key to enjoying this. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.
Prayer Point:
Father, please grant me divine connections that will lead to my breakthrough in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
Nearer, my God, to Thee;
Nearer to Thee;
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
There let me see the sight,
An open heaven;
All that Thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise,
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. Genesis 30:22
 
Read: Genesis 8:1-5
1 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;
2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 3-4, 1 Peter 1:13-2:12

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

1. Remembrance is the process of recalling the past or being able to bring to the fore of one’s mind an awareness of someone or something.
2. Although it is not in the nature or character of God to forget anything like we humans do (because He is the All-knowing God), the word “remember” is used in relation to God in several passages of the Bible to connote the reception of special attention from Him.
3. When God remembers a person for good, that person’s situation is transformed immediately. This is the reason why several people in the Bible cried to God to remember them. The Lord will hear your cry for remembrance today in Jesus’ Name.
4. In Judges 16:28, Samson cried “Lord God, remember me”, and the Lord answered him immediately. In Nehemiah 13:14, Nehemiah also cried, “Remember me, O my God”. When King Hezekiah was faced with death, He cried to God, “Remember how I walked before you in truth and with a loyal heart” (Isaiah 38:3). Furthermore, Jeremiah cried unto God to remember His covenant with Israel (Jeremiah 14:21).
5. In all these cases of people calling unto God for remembrance, He responded favourably and intervened in their situations. I pray that God will remember you for good and intervene in your situation today in Jesus’ Name.
6. When God remembers you, He will immediately put an end to everything that is working against your peace, just as He did for Noah when He commanded the flood waters to cease (Genesis 8:1).
7. When God remembers you, He will deliver you from all your troubles as He did for Lot and his family in Genesis 19:29. He will also put an end to barrenness and open your womb for fruitfulness, just as He did for Rachel and Hannah (Genesis 30:22, 1 Samuel 1:19).
8. By the grace of God, we have heard several heart-warming testimonies in the Redeemed Christian Church of God about what happens when God remembers His people for good after years of suffering, sorrow and pain. Barrenness of over twenty years has been terminated, incurable diseases have been healed, mental illness have been cured, captives have been delivered, generational curses have been cancelled, poverty has been terminated and destinies have been restored. I remember several previously barren women who God remembered and blessed with twins and triplets.
9. God remembered a certain lady who still used to wet her bed at over thirty years of age, and the bedwetting stopped instantly. Just as Jesus healed the impotent man after 38 years of being at the pool side (John 5), we have heard testimonies of wicked embargoes on marriage being lifted even after attaining 50 years of age.
10. God will remember you for good and give special attention to your case in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

It is clear that when God remembers a particular individual such person is transported to a level of victory that births testimonies. I pray that God will remember us all and our lives will take a new turn for good in Jesus name. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.
Prayer Point:
Father, please remember me for good today in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
(Tune: There shall be showers of blessing)
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sinners will soon be forgiven
Prodigals will come home soon.
Chorus:
Shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Rivers in desert now flowing
Halleluyah to our king.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sickness and sorrow will be gone
Bondage will be forgotten.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
The barren will be fruitful soon
Failure will be forgotten.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Poverty will be forgotten
Stagnancy will soon be gone.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
To all miracles are given
There shall be celebrations
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Many will have testimonies
Of prayers answered fully
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
One of us will chase a thousand
Two will conquer ten thousands.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Songs of praises we will sing
Halleluyah to our King.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Hebrews 12:16
 
Read: Genesis 25:29-34
29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 1-2, 1 Peter 1:1-2

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

1. The original intention and will of God for mankind is that we would maintain our innocence while still exercising our free will to make decisions in total obedience to His word.
2. His desire is for us to make decisions in conscious and deliberate submission to His authority, not out of ignorance but in innocence.
3. Life involves making decisions at different levels and under various circumstances.
4. To help us navigate our way through life successfully, the Scripture offers us guidance on how we should make decisions, while providing examples of good and bad decisions and their consequences.
5. Relying on human knowledge of good and evil motivates people to reason things out and arrive at seemingly good decisions that are based on prevailing culture, level of intelligence and personal preferences, without any serious consideration for obedience to the will of God.
6. The truth is, decision-making is the most vital aspect of life because the quality of a person’s decisions determines the level of success or failure he or she attains.
7. The Bible narrates some classic examples of bad decisions made over the ages and their consequences. The most harmful of these is found in Genesis 3:6: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof..” This was the decision that got the whole of humanity into trouble, but thank God for Jesus who redeemed us by His Blood. Another example is Esau who chose to sell his birthright for bread and pottage, and he lost it forever. Samson also made bad choices, including his decision to mingle with strange women, which destroyed his life, made him lose his power and cause him to die in the camp of his enemies (Judges 16:1). Furthermore, in 1 Samuel 13:8-9, King Saul’s decision to offer the required burnt offering in the absence of Prophet Samuel made him lose everything. The Lord will restore everything you have lost today in Jesus’ Name.
8. The Bible also contains examples of those who made good decisions. Joseph refused the sexual advances of his master’s wife, and God ensured that his dreams came to pass (Genesis 39:7-9). In Ruth 1:15-16, against all odds, Ruth decided to stay with Naomi, her mother-in-law, and the God of Israel settled her. She became the great grandmother of King David, and our Lord Jesus Christ later came out of her lineage.
9. I pray that you will not make the wrong decisions that will change the course of your life for evil in the mighty Name of Jesus.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Two good examples of positive and negative 
decisions were given in today’s devotional. Joseph made a positive decision and the end result was awesome while eve made a terrible decision that led to struggle for humanity. Decision making is a critical issue that must be careful considered by every believer, that is why we have the Holy Spirit who will always teach and guide us unto truth. May we never make decision that will lead to our destruction in Jesus’ name. God bless and empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please help me depend on You for all my decisions in life in Jesus’ Name.
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.
Chorus:
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 someday 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.
In that old rugged cross, I 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.
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where his glory forever I’ll share.

Please follow and like us:

20