Monthly Archives: June 2018

Memorise: And at the end of ten days their countenance appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. Daniel 1:15
 
Read: Daniel 1:5-20
5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel,
10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[a] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.
13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”
14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.
16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.
19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service.
20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 5 – 6, Acts 9:1-22

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

1. A while ago, I was led to make a statement which some people did not take seriously, because it did not meet with faith in their hearts. The statement was that the use of excessive make-up is a sign of inferiority complex. I went further to say that people only try to “make up” for what is not good enough.
2. I strongly believe that the Almighty God is the most perfect designer, and in His infinite wisdom He has designed you the way He feels is best for His glory. After all, in Revelation 4:11, the Holy Spirit reveals that He created us for His pleasure: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
3. If God created you for His pleasure, it means that what any other person says about how your mouth is shaped, your colour, your height, the hair on your head or even your accent is irrelevant!
4. The reason for the inferiority complex a lot of people suffer from can be traced to the fact that the glory of God is absent from their lives.
5. Not only was Adam satisfied with the way God made him before the fall, he also appreciate the looks of his wife and admired her with a passion (Genesis 2:23-25). However, after the fall, he was not only fed up with himself, he also saw fault in the wife God “gave” him (Genesis 3:10-12).
6. Today’s Bible reading narrates the determination of some young Hebrew men who decided to live a consecrated life, in spite of the fact that they were captives in a strange land. This should serve as a lesson to Christians who live outside their homeland and decide to throw decency out of the window because of the prevailing situation in the land of their sojourn.
7. Beloved, I implore you to seek something that is needful today, which is the glory of God upon your life through living a consecrated life. Once the glory of God is upon you, you will be the delight of your generation.
8. Sin robs man of God’s glory, and when God’s glory is out of a man’s life, his or her life becomes miserable and susceptible to demonic attacks.
9. It was the glory of God upon Daniel that shut the mouths of lions that would have devoured him. It was the glory of God on the young Hebrew men’s lives that made them look fairer and fatter than their peers.
10. May the glory of the Lord come upon you today as you consecrate your life to the Almighty in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The glory of God in our lives surpasses every other thing because it supplies all required of man to shine and have a beautiful life. This is why the glory of God is important in the life of every believer. In our daily living, we should let people assess us and see the glory of the Lord without struggle. Do not misrepresent God. If anyone or thing is telling you false identity of yourself, please discard it today and confess just like David said “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”Psalms‬ ‭139:13-14‬. We bless God for Pastor E.A Adeboye and pray that God will give him strength and greater ability to do greater works in Jesus name. 

Prayer Point:
Father, please grant me grace to live a consecrated life, and cover me with Your glory.
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: And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Matthew 20:27
 
Read: 2 Samuel 23:1-5
1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
2 The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 3-4, Acts 8:26-40

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

1. The nature and purpose of leadership has been misunderstood by mankind from time immemorial, and this is the reason why most people crave for leadership positions so much.
2. Leadership, when viewed from the right perspective, can be very enslaving, because the fame and popularity that come along with it may take away your sleep and freedom. However, when God puts you in a leadership position, He will also give you the grace to conduct yourself appropriately to meet His expectations.
3. God’s expectation of what leadership should be is explained by the Lord Jesus Christ in today’s memory verse.
4. It is amazing that even the disciples did not understand God’s principles on leadership. This is evident in the fact that it was their agitation over who among them would occupy the highest position that led Jesus to explain what leadership really means.
5. From God’s perspective, leadership means to serve.
6. It is no longer news that leadership in the Church today is out of tune with our Lord’s expectation of leaders being servants.
7. Some leaders use their leadership position to oppress those under them. Proverbs 29:2 says: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”
8. It is dangerous for a leader to oppress his or her subordinates because as they groan and cry unto God under such leaders, heaven will respond and the consequences that follow might be devastating. This has led to the destruction of several people who held leadership positions.
9. Frankly speaking, from God’s perspective, leadership is synonymous to servitude. It is servitude because a leader is expected to be under God’s absolute control, living a life of total submission that is enslaved to doing God’s will (Hebrews 10:7).
10. A leader must lay aside personal freedom take on the yoke of Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:29).
11. As a leader, taking on the Lord’s yoke means you have relinquished control over the manner of your speech, the places you go to and the things you do.
12. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself had to do all these as our leader John 5:19, John 8:28, John 12:49). In John 5:30, He said: “ I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”
13. If you find yourself in a leadership position, you have to be careful of what you do with the priviledge of leading God’s heritage, so that you will not be damned in the end (1 Peter 5:1-4).

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The last paragraph in today’s devotional should be given so much attention so that we can make correction or take heed as the case may be. The common saying “Leadership by good example” means the leader must first do whatever it is he expects the followers to do. This was evident in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. And as He is our model, we should emulate and do His will all round. 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.
Prayer Point: Father, thank You for the privilege of being a leader over Your people; please help me to lead Your people according to your expectations
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: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18
Read: Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 1 – 2, Acts 8:4-25

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

1. Today, we are reflecting on the final two components of the armour of God mentioned in our Bible text. These are prayer and supplication, characterized by perseverance.
2. Regardless of the sophisticated weapons available to a soldier, if he or she cannot persevere, these weapons will have little or no effect. Therefore, it is very important to emphasise the attribute of perseverance in the place of prayer and supplication.
3. Imagine what would have become of Daniel’s requests and fasting if He had not persevered in prayers and supplication for 21 days (Daniel 10:2-13).
4. PRAYER
Prayer is the key with which we unlock the heavenly armoury in order to access divine weapons for our spiritual battles. Our Lord Jesus Christ said something about prayer that many Christians seem to ignore, particularly in spiritual warfare. At the garden of Gethsemane, He gave us this counsel: “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
5. Even the Almighty God who became man admits here that the flesh is weak. Therefore, to overcome temptation, we need to watch and pray.
6. Adam’s victory would have been glorious if he did not fall into the temptation of the devil. Little wonder when the second Adam came, He took the issue of prayer very seriously and also revealed the importance of prayer to us.
7. SUPPLICATION
To supplicate is to ask with every sense of humility and not in arrogance like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14. Arrogance and a sense of entitlement will not allow some children of God to persevere in the place of prayer. They time God in prayer and command Him to “do it now” or they will quit serving Him!
8. Humility means surrendering to the will of God regardless of your desire and expectations. It is coming to God with trust that He will do what is best for you.
9. Beloved, the sure armour is Jesus Christ. He is the truth, the righteousness of God in us, the Good News of peace and the Word of God personified.
10. Our faith in Him earns us salvation. In His Name we receive answers to our prayers. Accept Him and put Him on today, and your victory is guaranteed.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Praying without ceasing does not only prevent us from devil’s wiles and temptations, it also opens us up for miracles. Our Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 18:1 reiterated this “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” If anyone also choose to be humble and ask in reverence, such can be sure to receive. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”James 5:16 May God continually increase and uphold Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can have an effective prayer life for total victory over my adversaries.
Hymn
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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20

Memorise: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17
 
Read: 2 Corinthians 6:1-7
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 22 Acts 7:44-8:3

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

1. Yesterday we examined truth and righteousness as components of the sure armour of God. Today, our memory verse introduces two more components of this armour: Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit.
2. SALVATION
Our complete victory against the enemy begins and ends with the salvation of our souls.
3. Our warfare with the kingdom of darkness started in the Garden of Eden, where the devil stole the mandate to rule over this world from Adam.
4. Eve chose to believe the devil’s lie and Adam disobeyed God by yielding to the devil. Adam sold himself and by extension his descendants to the enemy when he sinned against his Maker. This is the reason why Jesus always addressed the problem of sin first before addressing any other problem confronting those who came to Him. Before Jesus healed the man sick of the palsy in Luke 5:17-26, He said to him:
“Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” Luke 5:20b
Jesus is still addressing the issue of sin first today. This is the reason why I know that as you surrender your life to Jesus today, the helmet of salvation will be your heritage, and you will have victory over your tormentors in Jesus’ Name.
5. SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.
The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. It is an offensive weapon with which we attack the enemy, and it is powerful through God to the pulling down of the devil’s strongholds.
6. Hear what the Holy Spirit says in Hebrews 4:12 about the power that is inherent in God’s word:
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
7. Today, people short-change themselves by not taking heed to the word of God.
8. I assume that people who trivialize the word of God don’t know that it is the powerful attacking piece of our sure armour with which we obtain victory.
9. Note that it is the word of God that you respect that will work for you when you apply it in spiritual warfare. I encourage you therefore to let the word of God dwell in you richly. Meditate on it and make it a part of you.

SHORT REFLECT ON BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Whoever receives Christ becomes save and that is salvation. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.2 Corinthians 5:17 As seen in today’s devotional, salvation is a tool against the devil. Also the sword of the Spirit is a tool and this sword is the word of God. It is therefore important for us to study the word of God and make it a part of us so that it can become a tool for victory in our period of trial. Jesus overcame the devil’s test by using the written word of God. “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Matthew 4:10 May we be doers of God’s word in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, grant me grace to continually treasure and uphold the salvation of my soul, and help me to live by Your word daily 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.

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20

Memorise: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with Truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:14
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:7-11
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 21 Acts 7:23-43

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

1. Life is full of complex challenges which can be overwhelming. These challenges have frustrated some people to the extent that they despair of life itself, leading them to take drugs, join the occult or even commit suicide, all in a bid to “escape” the reality of life’s problems. I pray that you will never be overwhelmed by the challenges of life in Jesus’ Name.
2. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not say we would be immune from trials and tribulations in life (John 16:33); rather He provided us with the sure armour with which we can confront and triumph over everything the enemy throws at us.
3. To be victorious in life, you need to first understand that life’s most devastating battles are not physical, but spiritual.
4. Challenges that have their origin in the spirit realm have to be confronted with spiritual tools, which might appear foolish to the natural man. To help us be triumphant, Ephesians 6:14 introduces two important components of our armour: Truth and Righteousness.
5. A life of truth is a transparent and honest life that is based on the word of God, which Jesus declared to be truth (John 17:17).
6. Living a life of truth is powerful (2 Corinthians 4:2).
7. Lies of any form are of the devil, and so when you live a lie, the devil will have foothold in your life with which to afflict you (John 8:44).
8. However, if your life is based on the truth of God’s word, the devil will find nothing in your life to use against you. This was the situation with the Lord Jesus on the night He was betrayed. The devil came to examine His life to see if indeed He was without sin before going to the cross of Calvary, so that he could accuse Him of it and destroy the work of salvation before the last lap even started.
9. In John 14:30 the said: “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”
10. Thank God that Jesus had the truth in His armour and there was no lie in Him. Little wonder He declared to Pilate that truth was the purpose of His life (John 18:37).
The breastplate of righteousness is another critical part of our armour. 2 Corinthians 6:7 says: “By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”
Righteousness is a gift that puts us in right standing with God and produces a life of uprightness in us (Romans 5:17, Ephesians 4:24).
11. Having received the gift of righteousness, we are empowered to do the works of righteousness ( 1 Corinthians 15:34, Romans 6:18).
12. Standing upon and walking in Christ’s righteousness defeats every rage of the devil against us. Are truth and righteousness part of your armour today?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Key Point:
If the devil examines your life, will he find a lie that he can use as a foothold for his attack?
Hymn
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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20

Memorise: Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Acts 3:6
Read: Acts 1:3-8
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 20 Acts 7:3-22

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

1. In Matthew 13:45, our Lord Jesus Christ likened the kingdom of heaven to precious pearls which a merchant sought. On finding just one of great value, he went and sold all that he had to buy it. In other words, there are some things worth more than gold, which every wise man or woman must go after. In addition t the kingdom of God, the anointing of the Holy Spirit is another of such things. I have on several occasions encouraged our ministers to seek the anointing more than any material thing.
2. Today’s memory verse confirms the prime value of the anointing over any material thing in the life of a believer, particularly ministers of God. Although the early Church leaders did not have much in terms of material possessions, they were rich in the anointing of the Holy Ghost. One ordinary day, Peter and John were going into the temple for prayers when they saw a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb begging them for alms. The lame man was used to receiving alms, but Peter and John had nothing to give except the anointing. This anointing caused the lame man to rise up and walk. What Peter and John had was more than gold.
3. In our Bible text, we read about the promise Jesus Christ made to His disciples concerning the Holy Spirit, who is the Giver of the anointing. Jesus told His disciples that they must wait for the coming. Jesus told His disciples that they must wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit before they could begin to exercise the authority in the Great Commission. For you to receive the anointing, you must learn to wait upon the Lord. It is worth waiting for because after the Holy Ghost anointing has come upon you, you will begin to effortlessly do exploits for God just as Peter was doing after he was baptized in the Holy Ghost.
4. Beloved, it is wisdom to prefer the Holy Ghost anointing to material things because at the end of the day, the anointing will attract those things that men run after to you. A classic example of a wise servant of God was Elisha, who demanded the double portion of his master’s anointing. It is rather unfortunate that the man who should have inherited the anointing of Elisha chose to inherit material things from an ex-leper.
5. Alas, he inherited leprosy along with the material things he coveted (2 Kings 5:26-27). May that not be your story in Jesus’ Name. To receive the anointing, you must believe in the Name of Jesus Christ and live according to His standards. Develop a relationship with the Giver of the anointing by making Him your friend, and He will readily release His power to you.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Truly being spiritually endowed is greatly profitable and it is wise to seek anointing of the Holy Ghost and be spiritually gifted just as Apostle Paul encouraged the church to covet the gift of the Spirit in 1 Corinthian 12 vs 31 ” But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way”. May the Lord help us. Glory to God for using His son Pastor E.A Adeboye in bringing to us His word daily.

Prayer Point:
Father, the anointing of the Holy Spirit is more than enough for me; please release it to me to
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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Memorise: for who hath despised the day of small things? Zechariah 4:10a
 
Read: John 6:1-14
1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 18-19, Acts 6:1-7:2

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

1.One of the lies of the devil, which every child of God must reject, is that you have nothing good in your hands that can bring profit to your life.
2. To perpetuate this lie, the devil may trivialize that gift of God in you as though nothing substantial can come out of it. Contrary to this lie, in Job 8:7, the Holy Spirit says to you: “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.”
3. Our memory verse also encourages us not to despise the day of small things. This was the problem with the unprofitable servant in Matthew 25:14-30. He thought he was not given enough talents to trade with and so he went ahead to hide what he was given. The consequence of this was that even the talent he was initially given was taken away from him, and he was punished for being slothful, indolent and insubordinate.
4. Beloved, what is that physical or spiritual gift you are looking down on? The Lord asked me to tell you to value it well so that it will not be taken away from you. Are you given an assignment that you think belittles your status in the Church or in your secular place of work? Please embrace it and do it as unto the Lord.
5. In John 6:1-14, we read of how the disciples nearly missed the miracle of multiplication because they could not see how five loaves and two fishes could be used to feed several thousands of people. The widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 also had a fantastic source of income, but she did not know it until the Lord had mercy on her and led her to Prophet Elisha, who opened her eyes to the “oil well” in a corner of her house!
6. Another lesson from the feeding in the desert is the blessing attached to giving. Imagine if the boy in this story had refuse to release his fish and bread under the assumption that it was too small to feed the multitude!
7. Some people die in abject poverty because they are stingy. They refuse to give from what they have until they become millionaires and have enough to spare!
8. Many people think that they need millions before they can start a business that will lead to financial breakthrough.
9. Beloved, all you need to do is to ask God what line of action you should take.
10. Ask Him to take the lead and to be your senior partner while you follow. I pray that the Lord God of increase will increase you this season in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

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Little can become super large or plenty when God is in it. Moses rod did a lot more than an ordinary rod could do because God was at work. God wants to bless as many people that makes move to multiply that which the Lord has deposited in them. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please increase the little I have today 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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Memorise: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:6
 
Read: Acts 27:18-25
18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 16 – 17, Acts 5:22-42

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

1. Many children of God are genuine in their Christian walk, but they do not know their rights in God. For this reason, they unfortunately still live at the mercy of the enemy.
2. A classical example of someone who knew his position in God is Elijah. How I wish all children of God would be just like Elijah in this regard. I tell you beloved, if this were the case, the whole world would have been won into the kingdom of God by now. When confronted by a group of soldiers ordered by the king to terminate his ministry, Prophet Elijah in 2Kings 1:10 simply decreed: “…if I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty….”
3. Exactly what Elijah decreed was what happened, and this happened twice before the third group of soldiers learnt their lesson.
4. The move of God is not found in the multitude of words or in vain repetitions but in the power of the Holy Ghost. However, you cannot walk in this realm without knowing who you are in Christ.
5. Based on today’s Bible text, I have often taught my children that Paul had some credit in his account with God, and so for his sake lives were saved from physical perdition. Having given his all to Christ, he was conscious of the credit he had with Him. For this reason, when he suffered shipwreck with a host of other prisoners, crew and soldiers, he prayed that God should spare their lives. He even encouraged them to eat because God had spoken with him, assuring him of the safety of every life in the ship. Many lessons can be derived from this, the most profound of these being that Paul knew his position in Christ. In other words, He understood his rights in Christ.
6. Do you know your position in Christ? Are you aware of your kingdom rights? Can you gauge your credit balance with God?
7. The knowledge of your current standing with God will cause you to improve your relationship with Him in order to appropriate the benefits of life in Christ. When you do this, I can assure you that you will no longer find yourself living at the mercy of the devil and circumstances again.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

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Anyone who knows God truly doesn’t get timid or afraid regardless of how scary a situation is. Daniel 11:32 says “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” God bless and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

 
Action Point:
Examine yourself to see how much credit you have with God. Endeavour to increase your credit with Him so that you can always have something to draw from in the days of adversity.
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.

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20

Memorise: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
 
Read: John 8:42-47
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.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 14-15, Acts 5:1-21

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

DEVOTIONAL

1. Many people cannot identify the enemy’s stronghold, and that is why they remain under his bondage perpetually.
2. It is unfortunate to observe that even many so-called “deliverance ministers” are victims of this ignorance too! This has rendered the efforts and zeal ineffective and has even made them victims of the enemy they claim to deliver people from.
3. What is the enemy’s stronghold? The answer is found in John 8:44: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
4. The story of how man fell in Genesis chapter 3 corroborates the reality that deception is the strongest chain with which the devil has held men down over the ages.
5. Many times, I wonder why those who are seemingly educated or enlightened are caught in the trap of the devil, but then I quickly remember my own days of ignorance. I remember an occasion where despite all the logic I had learnt from mathematics, I still went to a witchdoctor for protection, and he gave me a charm which eventually turned out to be a lie of devil. I had two accidents in one day with this charm hanging in a hidden part of the driver’s seat of my car. Thank God for saving me!
6. In Genesis 3:2-3, Eve told the old serpent, which is the devil, what God had said about the forbidden fruit in the middle of the garden, but the father of all liars said to her: “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
7. This was the epitome of all lies, and the devil is still using this strategy to destroy people’s lives and send them to an eternity in hell.
8. Beloved, which of the devil’s lies have you believed? Is it the lie that some books of the Bible, especially the epistles of Paul, were not originally written for you and so are not applicable to you? Is it the lie that tithes and first fruits are Old Testament ordinances and so should be ignored by New Testament worshippers? I pray for you, just as Jesus did, that you will embrace the truth in the infallible word of God today, and this will set you free (John 17:17).
9. The great truth you need to embrace today is found in the words of 2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The word of God is true and it can never loose its power. Devil often tries to decieve believers with his lies which are pure mirage. “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” Psalms 119:160 I will therefore encourage us to stand firm and hold on to the word of God which is the word of truth in all we do. We are grateful to God for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye in this generation. May God empower him for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, please give me divine wisdom to always detect the lies of the devil so as to always escape his snares 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.

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20

Memorise: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15
 
Read: 1 Timothy 1:11-17
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 12 – 13, Acts 4:23-37

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

1. Everyone has a story, but our individual stories are different. I prophesy into your life that your story will be a pleasant one to hear in Jesus’ Name.
2. When the creation story began in Genesis chapter 1, it was a pleasant story of restoration. Genesis 1:1-3 says: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of waters. And God said, let there be light: and there was light.”
However, at the appointed time, God Almighty made a way for all mankind to change this story. He made unlimited grace available to us.
3. This grace is unlimited because it is available to all who will receive it to change their story. It was this grace that changed the story of people like Apostle Paul who we read about in our Bible text today.
Beloved, your story can change as well if you will give your life to Christ and completely yield to His lordship.
4. If a chief among sinners like Saul of Tarsus could become Apostle Paul, I assure you that your own story will also change if you believe in the work of redemption that Christ came to offer us.
5. After you accept this work of redemption, all other unpleasant stories about you like joblessness, poverty, sickness, handicapping situations, demonic oppression and eternal death will change. You will have a new story to tell, like the man who was born blind but whose story changed in John 9:25.
6. After God has changed your story, be willing to share it with others, just as Paul and the man born blind did. When you do this, God will continue to give you new pleasant stories to share to the glory of His Holy Name. What is your story today?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

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Our testimony brings others who are yet to experience God’s touch assurance and hope. It is therefore very important for us to share our testimonies to inspire others. May God continually uphold and increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in wisdom and might in Jesus name.

 
Prayer Point:
Father, please give me a pleasant story to share to the glory of Your Holy Name
Hymn
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Chorus:
Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this I see
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my pleas
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ‘tis all of grace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my hope and peace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

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