Monthly Archives: June 2018

Memorise: My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. James 3:1
 
Read: Acts 28:1-6
1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 23, Acts 14:19-15:11

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

1. In a bid to evade the verbal chastisement of the word of God coming from the mouth of fellow believers, some Christians quote these words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1-2: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Such Christian conveniently forget the words of 2 Timothy 4:2, which says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
2. While it is true that some Christians today are quick to judge others for the situation they are passing through, which is an attitude the Lord warned us against, it does not mean that we cannot declare the counsel of God whenever we are so moved by the Spirit of God to do so. The question is, what is the difference between having a judgement attitude and declaring the whole counsel of God through teaching or preaching? Just like vengeance, judgement also is the prerogative of the Almighty God.
3. As demonstrated in the story of the adulterous woman, He alone is the accurate and righteous Judge. From that story, we see that man’s judgement can be faulty, because the one judging others may be guilty of the same sin (John 8:7-9). Only God is without sin, therefore He alone is competent enough to pass judgement. Indeed, He has passed judgement through His word, and He will confirm this judgement through the Lord Jesus Christ on a day He has appointed (John 12:48, Romans 2:16).
4. To be judgemental is to judge wrongly. Many are prone to doing this, and this is the reason why we were warned not to judge.
5. Paul’s experience in today’s Bible reading is a typical example of the error of man’s judgement. The Lord had just spared the lives of Paul and those whom he was travelling with on account of Paul’s right standing with Him. While the apostle was gathering stocks to increase the heat of the fire that was keeping them warm, a poisonous snake caught him by the hand. Some of the native people of the land where they were shipwrecked jumped to the conclusion that Paul was evil and that was why nemesis was still after him, even though he had managed to survive a shipwreck (Acts 28:4). How wrong they were!
6. Let us therefore be cautious before drawing connections between events because our knowledge is limited.
7. Let us allow the word of God speak the judgement of God by itself and not insert our own speculations and motives into the fray.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

’

It is far better for us as believers to carefully and sincerely admonish other believer in an occasion whereby such is involved or engaged in a wrong doing than being judgemental. Many are guilty of jumping into conclusion when another is wrong even when they are not sure of what they are saying or thinking. It is my prayer that every little foxes that spoils the vine shall be removed from our lives in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in wisdom and grace in Jesus name.

Action Point:
Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)
Hymn
Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal of love;
Wake te immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us, with those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

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20

Memorise: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James 1:14
 
Read: James 1:12-16
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 21-22, Acts 13:48-14:18

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

1. The message from the Holy Spirit to you today is that you must take responsibility for your actions in life.
2. It is important to note that many trials and temptations we encounter in life are neither from God nor from the devil. You may then want to know where temptations emanate from.
3. The Bible is clear on this: we cannot put the blame at God’s doorstep. James 1:13-14 says “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”
4. It is expedient for us to differentiate between temptation and examination.
5. Examination is intended to yield a positive result, whereas temptation is intended to yield a negative result.
6. Concerning temptations, if you are unable to overcome, you end up in a worse place or state compared to where you were before being tempted. However, with regard to examinations, you usually get promoted once you successfully complete the examination.
7. We can conveniently say that God examines those He wants to entrust with divine assignments (Genesis 22:1, Deuteronomy 8:2).
8. Conversely, the devil, also referred to as the tempter, takes advantage of a man’s lust and vulnerabilities to tempt him or her, using the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life (1 Thessalonians 3:5, 1 John2:16).
7. The truth of the matter is that man is responsible for his actions and inactions. However, the problem with us is that while we love to enjoy the freewill divinely bestowed on us, we are often not comfortable with being held responsible for whatever repercussions or actions bring to our lives.
8. We can see a classic example of man denying responsibility in the way Adam responded to God’s query as to why he ate the forbidden fruit. Genesis 3:11-12 says, “And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”
9. Beloved, you are responsible for your own actions and inactions. Adam misused his freewill, and his descendants are still suffering the consequences.
10. Misuse of freedom leads to bondage, so beware!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:12‭-‬14 We must prayerfully strive to overcome every temptation that com our way. Whe w resist the devil, he flees from us. May God continually uphold and strengthen us and Pastor E.A Adeboye even as he is equipped for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please give me the wisdom to make the best use of the liberty I have obtained through Christ my Lord.
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.

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20

Memorise: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Psalm 103:2
 
Read: Psalm 103:1-5
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 19-20, Acts 13:26-47

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

1. There is a wise saying in my native language which says, “If you don’t know how to think of God’s goodness, you are not likely to know how to give Him thanks.”
2. Thinking about God’s goodness is one great attitude we need to learn from today’s Bible reading. In this passage of Scripture, David preached to himself on the need to praise, worship, thank and reverence God. He also outlined some of the reasons why he needed to be thankful. I believe we should emulate David’s attitude and borrow from his list of reasons to be thankful.
3. On his list of reasons to be thankful, David first considered the forgiveness of his sins. We so often take the blessing of forgiveness of sins for granted, but we need to remember that it is because of the Lord’s graciousness and mercy that He chooses to forgive our sins.
4. It is not difficult to simply say “Lord, I thank You for the forgiveness of my sins.” We also need to remember and be thankful that our Lord Jesus Christ is still engaged in intercessory prayers for us continually (Romans 8:34).
5. The next thing David mentioned on his list is the blessing of healing. The doctors often use a slogan that reads: “We care, God heals”. Who then besides God should take the glory?
6. David also mentioned deliverance from destruction. We all know that evil pervades the world we live in; it’s only the mercy of God that keeps His children from harm. Do you thank Him for this?
7. What about His lovingkindness: a kindness that is not ordinary but full of love? What about His tender mercies: mercy that is affectionate and adds no sorrow?
8. Do you thank Him for the food you eat? He satisfied your mouth with good things so that you are energized to go about your daily tasks, and He renews your strength like that of the eagle. Do you thank Him for all these?
9. Beloved, be sincere with yourself today. Do you think you are grateful to this Great Father who has been sustaining you physically and spiritually? You have walked in the valley of the shadow of death several times and He has kept you. You have been tempted severally but you escaped the net of the devil and his agents.
10. Take a look around you and count your blessings; name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. It is expedient for you to spend quality time in God’s presence today to worship Him like never before.
11. However, let this not be a one-off event in your life; ensure you sustain a habit of thanksgiving from today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Most of us are guilty of ingratitude to God. It is my prayer for God to please have mercy on us. Numerous blessing we enjoy is by grace and not by the works of our hands. Thank You God this day for all we enjoy in You. We are grateful to God for blessing our generation with Pastor E.A Adeboye. May His name alone be praised.
 

Action Point:
Withdraw to a private place and worship God like never before.
Hymn
Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God
Through all or life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
To keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
Of this world in the next.
All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and Spirit blest,
Who reign in highest heaven
The one eternal God,
Whom heaven and earth adore,
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

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20

Memorise: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16
 
Read: Proverbs 11:30-31, Matthew 28:18-20
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 18, Acts 13:1-25

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

1. Queen Esther shows us one example of how to get our request granted quickly. Although she had prepared a sumptuous banquet for the king and fed him well, she did not dwell on her own needs; neither did she make any request of him on the first banquet night. She prepared another banquet the second night, and after being treated well again by the queen we see the king himself insisting that Queen Esther ask whatever she wanted. Esther 7:2 says, “And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine. What is thy petition, queen Esther? And it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? And it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.” At this point, the queen presented her request and it was granted without delay. When you follow Queen Esther’s example in your prayer life, you will get expedited answers to your prayers.
2. Today’s memory verse reveals one of the ways of receiving expedited answers to your prayers. It clearly state that if you are fruitful, whatever you ask the Father in the Name of Jesus will be granted.
3. Many people do not realize the blessings that accompany the great assignment of soul-winning.
4. I have taught my children on several occasions that the shortest route to receiving answers to their prayers is through soul-winning. This is a divine truth that cannot be wished away, because it is the word of God.
5. The good thing about this assignment is that you are not the one to win souls: Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit does the job. The Holy Spirit is responsible for convicting the hearts of sinners (John 16:8). All Jesus wants of you is to make your mouth, resources and time available for His use.
6. What happened to Peter when he made his boat available to Jesus at the lake of Gennesaret will happen to you as you yield yourself and your resources to God for soul-winning today in Jesus’ Name (Luke 5:1-7). It is interesting to note that after Peter surrendered his boat for God’s use, Jesus Christ did not wait for Peter to ask for a miracle; He just went ahead and granted Peter what he did not ask or bargain for: a great catch of fish that that filled two boats. If He could do it for Peter, He will also do it for you when you table your requests after you have yielded yourself to soul-winning.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

There is a deep part of God we can access only through soul winning. This means that we cannot enjoy some particular blessings until we begin to win souls! Many desire to step out and win souls severally but couldn’t due to one thing or the other. However, the Holy Spirit can help us to be bold and also equip us with all the things we may need in the cause of the soul winning. I therefore enjoin us to dare to experience God in a totally different dimension, renew our relationship with the Holy Spirit and start reaching out to lost souls today. May God continually uphold and increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, grant me the grace to make myself and my resources available for soul-winning today in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal of love;
Wake te immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us, with those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

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20

Memorise: Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Numbers 14:28
 
Read: Numbers 14:20-29
20 Then the Lord said: “I have pardoned, according to your word; 21 but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord—
22 because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice,
23 they certainly shall not see the land of which I [a]swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.
24 But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.
25 Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valley; tomorrow turn and move out into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea.”
Death Sentence on the Rebels
26 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
27 “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me.
28 Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you:
29 The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. 
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 16-17, Acts 12:6-25

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

1. Apostle James gave a profound description of the power embedded in the tongue. In James 3:5-6, he wrote: “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the ocurse of nature; and setteth on fire of hell.”
2. In Numbers 14:20-29, we see in practical terms the evil effect of misusing the tongue. Moses had sent out some men to spy out the Promised Land. Ten out of the twelve spies that were sent out returned with an evil report driven by unbelief. They said many things which showed their lack of confidence in the God of their fathers, despite the fact that He had severally demonstrated His mighty power to them in the course of their journey through the wilderness. They seemed not to know their own worth and hence they described themselves as grasshoppers and the inhabitants of the land as giants (Numbers 13:33). This testimony of the faithless spies angered the Lord and He gave this verdict contained in Numbers 14:28: “Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you.”
3. This outcome, caused by the evil report of the ten spies, establishes the truth of (Proverbs 18:2), which says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” We all will be accountable to God for every word that we say. It is therefore crucial that we are conscious of the pronouncements and confessions that proceed from our mouths.
4. Beloved, you need to exercise more caution in times of distress and anger to avoid making negative pronouncements against yourself, your situation, your children and everything that concerns you.
5. When you find yourself in difficult situations, ensure that the words you speak profess your faith in God that He is able to do what He says He will do, in spite of the prevailing circumstances around you.
6. I pray that as you open your mouth today, the Lord will fill it with words that will bring glory to His Name. I pray that you will be able to see the hand of God in every situation around you through the eyes of faith from now on in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Words are powerful regardless of its form. This is why believers must cultivate the habit of speaking good words to others and even to themselves. It may take time for the effect of our words to become evident but it will surely come to pass. Our good word will produce evident results in our lives in Jesus name. We are grateful to God for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye and we pray that God will give him strength on every side in Jesus name.

 
Action Point:
After you have worshipped God today, take out time to prophesy good things into your life
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.

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20

Memorise: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:14
Read: Isaiah 40:28-31
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 14-15, Acts 11:19-12:15

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

1. I have taught my children on serveral occasions to imbibe the characteristics of the eagle. One of these outstanding characteristics is that eagle fly alone.
2. It is not out of pride or the empty feeling of self-sufficiency that they do this; rather, it is because keeping company with other birds during flight is a form of weight and distraction for them.
3. A disciple of Christ must emulate this attribute of the eagle if he or she would safely arrive home in heaven at the end of his or her life.
4. The problem with many children of God is that they seem to have lost sight of the fact that the path they are following is so narrow that it cannot accommodate a crowd (Matthew 7:14). This is the reason why a disciple of Jesus Christ must possess this characteristic of flying alone. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, Paul clearly admonished that evil communication corrupts good manners: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”
5. It is disheartening to note that there are many wolves in sheep’s clothing in the Church today, which is why every purposeful believer needs to have the mindset of an eagle.
6. Another noteworthy characteristics of eagles is that they are selective  about what they eat and where they live. Moreover, they never fly against the wind.
7. As a purposeful believer you also must be selective about what you consume: what you listen to, what you look at and what you expose your mind to.
8. What you regularly feed your spirit, soul and body with will determine what you will draw on in the day of trouble.
9. You must be selective of the company you keep because your companions strongly influence what you are exposed to.
10. Like the eagle that never flies against the wind, the purposeful believer must also be mindful of the move of the Holy Spirit and ensure that he or she is never aligned against His work.
11. Beloved, I encourage you to choose to be an eagle for Christ from today and the Lord will renew your strength according to Isaiah 40:31. You cannot fly by your own strength, but the Holy Spirit will help you if only you give yourself completely to Jesus Christ today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“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:” 1 Peter 2:9 To show forth God’s light requires us to be focused and separated for His work. We have to stay away from everything that can make us unfit for His kingdom. May God help us in our Christian race in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye and energize him for greater impact in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, Make me an eagle for Christ today and cause me to fly for You.
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.
Though none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Though none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Though none go with me, still I
Will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross 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.

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20

Memorise: Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. James 4:2
 
Read: Exodus 15:22-26
22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.
23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.[a])
24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.
26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
 
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 12 – 13, Acts 10:44-11:18

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

1. One deadly habit that is very common among the people of God today is murmuring.
2. Like the Israelites of old, many children of God today engage in it without even realizing it! It is indeed a silent destroyer. For this reason, the Holy Spirit warns us against it in 1 Corinthians 10:10 saying: “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” Do you know that there are times we think we are praying but we are actually murmuring?
3. In our Bible reading, the children of Israel were at Marah, where they found water that God had done for them, they did not consider that He already knew that they would pass through Marah and would have gone ahead of them to make provision for the water they would drink. All they could think of doing was to murmur about the bitter water.
4. The characters at play in the events that occurred at Marah are indicative of the two types of Christians we have in the Church today.
5. The first type behaves like the multitude who murmured, while the second type behaves like Moses who cried to the Lord for a solution.
6. It is interesting to note that the murmuring of the multitude did not exercise in futility because their murmurings did not change the bitterness of the water. The prayer of Moses, on the other hand, yielded positive results because his cry to God moved God into action. God showed him what to do to reverse the situation, and the people’s need for good water was met.
7. This mirrors what is happening with Christians today. We murmur about what we desire and the lack of it, instead of actually asking God and trusting that if He wills, our prayers will be answered.
8. Beloved, you need to ask yourself today which type of Christian you are between the two types we have considered.
9. I beseech you to examine your prayer life and relationship with God before answering this question. Are you the type of Christian mentioned in our memory verse, just lusting, desiring and fighting for things but yet getting nothing?
10. You need to ask God to reveal to you the truth on where you stand today. May the Almighty God hear your prayer in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7‭-‬8 Having some things happen in our lives is solely dependent on us. The scripture above said ask it shall be given to you and not grumble as you pray. It is very easy to get the details of some Christians because they narrate everything about them to God who knows all things. The rhema in today’s devotional is simply be specific when requesting from God in the place of prayer! We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

 
Prayer Point:
Father, please forgive me for all the murmuring I have done against You consciously or unconsciously; I promise not to do so again. Please turn my unpleasant situation around today in Jesus’ Name
Hymn 2
I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Chorus:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh.
I need Thee every hour
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
I need Thee every hour
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
I need thee every hour
Most Holy one;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.

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Memorise: But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6
 
Read: Luke 21:1-4
1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.
2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.
3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” 
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 10-11, Acts 10:24-43

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

1. It may interest you to know that a great number of Christians and Bible scholars do not understand or refuse to understand the deeper meaning of today’s memory verse.
2. What does it means to sow sparingly? Sowing sparingly is the act of giving only a little back to God from the resources He has blessed you with.
3. How do you quantify “little”? Little means the smallest part of a thing. Sowing sparingly is therefore giving just the smallest part of what you are able to give to God.
4. An illustration of how we are expected to give can be seen in Luke 21:3-4: “And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.”
5. The above scripture can be described as the mathematics of giving from God’s perspective.
6. The quality of your giving is hidden in what remains in your pocket after you have given to God.
7. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that the rich give unto God out of the abundance of what we have (I align myself with the rich in verse 4 because I want to be numbered among the flourishing); whereas, the poor among us, in spite of their need, give all or almost all that they have. This clearly tells us that those of us who are rich should not compare what we give with what others give because we are not all operating on the same level of prosperity.
8. Do you know that in the parable of the unprofitable servant, if the servant who received five talents had only gained two additional talents, he would have received less commendation than the servant who received two and gained two more (Matthew 25:14-30)? To whom much is given, much is expected.
9. This is the reason why it is dangerous to indulge in self-comparison with others.
10. The story of the giving widow also shows that it is wrong for us to despise the poor for giving the little that they have. More often than not, they have given a higher percentage of what they have compared to the rich amongst us.
11. Unfortunately, in our churches today, we no longer see the type of outburst of appreciation that Jesus Christ expressed over the action of the poor widow. Sadly, instead of commending, we rather despise those who give out of their poor condition.
12. Beloved, the question is, after you have dropped your offering, how much do you have left for wants (not needs)?
13. I appeal to you sow bountifully into the work of God’s kingdom when next the opportunity comes your way, and you will reap bountifully in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The Holy spirit through our father in the Lord Pastor E.A Adeboye has revealed an area to be taken care of in our giving in today’s devotional. A lot of believers sow or give from their convinience zone. Many could do far more than they did but they keep what will be enough to sustain them before letting go of the little or plenty they sow. Only those that yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit as regards giving soars in their finance. I refuse to sow sparingly in Jesus name. We pray that God will uphold and prosper Pastor E.A Adeboye in all His ways in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father please give me a liberal heart so that I can always sow bountifully into the work of Your Kingdom and into the lives of brethren
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.

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Memorise: If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Proverbs 24:10
 
Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
1 Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters,[b] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might
10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.[c]
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 9, Acts 10:1-23

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

1. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
2. Our Lord Jesus Christ never hid from us the truth concerning the Way we have been called to.
3. In the above verse and in several other passages of Scripture, He did not mince words, informing us of the trials, tribulations and persecutions we will face while walking with Him on the straight and narrow way (Mark 10:30, Matthew 24:9).
4. Because we are aware of this truth, we should therefore courageously stand firm in the face of trials of our faith and tribulations. Our memory verse says that if you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. What do you do when you discover that your strength is small in proportion to the tribulations you are facing? You cry to God to increase your strength just as our Lord cried to the Father for help in the Garden of Gethsemane, when He was confronted with the great agony of carrying the weight of the sins of the whole world. The Father heard His cry, and He sent an angel to strengthen Him (Luke 22:41-44). What the Father did for Jesus, He will also do for you.
5. Let us consider some salient points from Paul’s words of encouragement in today’s Bible reading to the brethren in Thessalonica who were facing tribulations. First and foremost, he made them know that the Body of Christ understood what they were passing through and appreciated their endurance in the face of tribulations.
6. Secondly, he tried to lift their spirits by reminding them that their endurance of tribulation would earn them a place in the kingdom of God, and so they should not be weary.
7. Thirdly, he taught them that God would not allow those who were persecuting them to go unpunished. The essence of this was to discourage these brethren from seeking to avenge themselves of their persecutors, since vengeance is the Lord’s and He would definitely repay evil men.
8. Furthermore, he reassured them of the prayers of the saints for them. The heat of these prayers would keep them going irrespective of the cold winds of tribulation blowing against them.
9. We must learn from these points not to condemn brethren who are passing through tribulations or trials of faith. There is a tendency for us to always attribute the suffering of the saints to the sins they have committed and to condemn them to everlasting “self-examination”. Instead of attributing their tribulation to sin, the Church took glory in the patience of the Thessalonians in the midst of tribulation (2 Thessalonians 1:4).
10. Beloved, be encouraged that the difficult phase of life you are passing through will come to an end soon. So, don’t give up! Your Master shares in your tribulation. Be of good cheer because He has overcome the world for your sake.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Critical question was asked in today’s devotional “ What do you do when you discover that your strength is small in proportion to the tribulations you are facing?” We should always return to the source of your strength and cry to Him for refilling. Because greater is He that lives in us. Moreover He will never leave you, all you need is to maintain a right standing with Him“ But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

 
Prayer Point:
Father, please strengthen me further as I journey through the wilderness of the world.
Hymn
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
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.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
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.

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20

ANOTHER GEHAZI?
Memorise: Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
 
Read: 2 Kings 5:20-27
20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
22 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
24 And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 7-8, Acts 9:23-43

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

1. Being endowed with spiritual gifts comes with great responsibility and the need for accountability. Grave consequences are also attached to their misuse. For this reason, every child of God needs to be very careful not to take undue advantage of the gifts of the Holy Spirit deposited in them by God.
2. Our Lord Jesus Christ knew that man was susceptible to abusing the power of God, and so He warned His disciples against merchandising the free gift of God (Matthew 10:8). He sternly told them that what they had received freely must also be freely given out.
3. It is a fearful thing to turn the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us into objects of merchandise traded for money, favours or gifts. This is what Simon tried to do when he offered money to Peter to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost operating in Peter’s life. Acts 8:18-19 says: “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” Knowing the implication of this act, Apostle Peter rebuked him sharply and advised him to desist from such diabolical ways. Unfortunately, this is the attitude of some people concerning the ministry of the gospel today.
4. Today’s Bible reading speaks about a potentially mighty prophet of God who denied himself the opportunity of receiving multiple portions of Elisha’s anointing, all because he loved material possessions. 2 Kings 5:20 says, “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.”
5. The astonishing part of the above scripture is that Gehazi was not the vessel through whom Naaman was healed! In spite of the fact, he was still hell-bent on getting some form of reward for the miracle Naaman had received. In the same vein, no minister of God can perform any miracle.
6. Jesus is the only miracle-worker, and all Christians are vessels through whom these miracles are performed. Therefore, taking advantage of His works through His Spirit in us is fraudulent and diabolic. We must be very careful so that we do not become victims of the grave consequences of such acts of covetousness like Gehazi.
7. The good Lord will bless you in His own way and in His own time as you surrender yourself for His use in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“Taking advantage of His works through His Spirit in us is fraudulent and diabolic.” What a revelation and deep truth that requires instant action of repentance! Some believer’s have turned themselves to mini God over a gift or talent they received freely from God forgetting that someday we will give account of all we received from Him. God will help us in Jesus name. And may He continually keep and preserve Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, I don’t want to be another Gehazi; please help me to know when to receive and when to reject gift as I minister before You in Jesus’ Name
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.

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