Monthly Archives: July 2018

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1ST 2018- KINGS OF THE KING

Memorise: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 1 Peter 2:9
Read: Daniel 4:28-37
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Bible in one year: Esther 4 – 7, Matthew 12:9-32

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

1. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak in the day of judgement.” Matthew 12:36
2. It is unfortunate that King Nebuchadnezzar did not know the above scripture; perhaps he would have been spared the agony of experiencing God’s humbling judgement for seven years. While he strolled in his palace on a day like any other, he flippantly attributed his conquests and success to his ability, forgetting that there are kings and there is the King of Kings. He did not consider the benevolence of God Almighty in his rise to greatness, and this attitude sent him to God’s school of humility. May you never have to learn humility by passing through this school in Jesus’ Name.
3. As children of God who have been made kings unto God, there are many lessons we should learn from King Nebuchadnezzar.
4. As revealed in today’s memory verse, the reason for our divine election as Kings is to show forth the praises of the Almighty Abba Father, who has called us out of darkness into the marvellous light of His Son, Jesus (Revelation 1:6). We have indeed been made joint-heirs of the throne of our Lord and Saviour (Revelation 3:21, Ephesians 2:6).
5. Based on Nebuchadnezzar’s experience, it will be dangerous for us to forget that we are who we are only because of God’s grace. The Holy Spirit reminds us of this in 1st Corinthians 4:7, saying: For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”
6. Children of God should be conscious of the fact that we were not redeemed to boast or to please ourselves. Revelations 4:10 reveals that the elders in heaven lay their crowns at God’s feet in worship and adoration; this is exactly what the King of kings expects from us also.
7. The question is, how seriously do you take the Lordship of Jesus Christ over your life?
8. Christians who live in lawlessness due to unlimited liberty are saying that they have no King above them. Therefore beloved, examine yourself today to see whether you have taken control of your life away from the King of kings. If you have, quickly return the authority over your life back to Him.
9. Furthermore, do not forget that your crown as a king under the King is called the crown of righteousness; therefore, walk and reign on His behalf in perfection (2nd Timothy 4:8).

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The truth is that no king can contend or be compared with the Almighty God, way maker, excellent God, the one who was, who is and who is to come. If you have always failed to give Him the honor and glory, beware so as to be free from seeing the wrath of God. He’s a jealous God and will not entertain sharing of His glory. Let’s examine ourselves and if you are guilty of not honoring your maker, amend your ways. God bless pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point: confess to the Lord your submission and loyalty to His lordship over your life.
Hymn
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 fulfil.
 
I need Thee every hour
Most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine Indeed,
Thou blessed Son.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: TUESDAY, JULY 31ST 2018- WORKING FOR PEACE

Memorise: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Read: Hebrews 12:12-15
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Bible in one year: Esther 1-3, Matthew 11:20-12:8

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

1. Today’s memory verse reveals the blessedness of working for peace. It is amazing that the Master Himself said that working for peace is what truly identifies us as children of God. How I pray that everyone who professes to be a child of God will take working for peace very seriously!
2. The first peace you need to work towards is peace with God. God Himself is trying to make peace with you. In 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 He says to you: “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespass unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
3. We broker peace with our Maker when, like the prodigal son, we come to the altar of repentance to confess our sins with a promise and commitment never to go back to them again. When we do this, we have this assurance from 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4. In our Bible text, we are told to follow peace with all men. This cannot be possible until we have reconciled with God first. When we are reconciled with God, the Bible says God will make our enemies be at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7). When your enemies are at peace with you, that enemy that has been blocking your way to success will be used by God to pave the way to your breakthrough. This is the blessedness of working for peace.
5. In addition to making peace with God, you should also endeavour to live peaceably with your neighbours. In Matthew 5:25, Our Lord Jesus Christ counselled us, saying: “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.”
6. It is unfortunate that some believers find it difficult to amicably settle their difference with fellow believers. This is dangerous, and as Jesus Christ said, the price of being irreconcilable may be as high as going to hell. May this not be our portion in Jesus’ Name.
7. Have you been reconciled with your Maker and your fellow men, especially those in the household of faith? Do not forget that those who work for peace are blessed. Tap into this blessing today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

It has become normality for some believers to pick up fight with anybody at any time. Some other believer derive joy in having a fight between two other people escalate. They have forgotten totally that being in peace with all men is one of the requirements to see God. Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Our life should draw men to God in all we do and not chase them away instead. Let’s make our ways right as regards today’s devotional. May the Lord help us all in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point: Reconcile with God and your neighbor today, if you have anything against him or her.
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.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, JULY 30TH 2018- THESE HE DID FOR YOU

Memorise: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even as death of the cross. Philippians 2:8
Read: Luke 22:41-44
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 12-13, Matthew 10:40-11:19

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

1. Obedience is the willingness to submit oneself to the will of God and to live by His will.
2. The Bible emphasizes the importance of obeying God’s commandments, gives reasons why obedience is necessary and states the rewards promised to obedient people.
3. The Bible also presents Jesus Christ, the Messiah, as the perfect example of obedience and directs us to follow in His footsteps.
4. Jesus Himself made several statements to admonish, encourage and even command us to follow and learn from Him. In John 10:27, He said: “My sheep hear my vice, and I know them, and they follow me:” The call to imitate Jesus in thought, speech and action is repeated in several places in the Bible, but in Philippians 2:5, the Holy Spirit took it a step higher, saying to us:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
What mind is He talking about here? He is referring to the loving, merciful, self-abasing, self-sacrificing mind which was in Jesus Christ.
5. Although Jesus was the anointed Son of God, He made Himself of no reputation. Our Lord did not think Himself, neither did He serve His own interests. He came not to be ministered to, but rather to minister and give His life as a ransom for many. To carry out His assignment here on earth, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death. These descriptions of His sacrifice sum up the nature of mind the Holy Spirit is referring to.
6. Obedience to the will of God demonstrates the reality of a person’s faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:15).
7. Christ’s humility created the grounds for our total commitment and submission to the will of God. It also earned Him the title of “Author of Eternal Salvation” (Hebrews 5:9). Oh, how great His love for us is! Because of His great love for us and His determination to save us from the wrath of God, He became obedient unto death – even the death of the cross.
8. God’s own dear Son came in the form of a man to fulfill all the requirements of God’s law for the sake of His people. Having fulfilled all righteousness, He submitted Himself in a shameful and excruciating death on the cross of Calvary.
9. Since Christ’s love for us is to evident, the least we can do for His sake is to love one another as He loved us ( 1 John 4:9-11). This is the essence of Christianity: to develop a good appreciation of what Jesus did for us and to follow in His steps to the benefit of humanity and the glory of God.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:13‬. Constantly meditate on this verse of the Bible and forget not that for your own sake someone gave up His life. For you to have Peace live a river, someone paid the price. Desist from disobeying Him and do not let  cross to be in vain. We are grateful to God for blessing our generation with Pastor E.A Adeboye. May God keep him for us in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, please grant me a heart of total submission and obedience to You, in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He shed on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, JULY 29TH 2018-ARE YOU HEAD INDEED?

Memorise: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.
Read: Deuteronomy 28:13-14
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 10-11, Matthew 10:16-39

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

1. For you to walk in the reality of the truth that God has made you the head, you need to understand the significance of being the head. For this reason, we shall be looking at some of the responsibilities of the head in the body so that we do not disappoint the One who has graciously made us the head.
2. According to today’s memory verse, our Lord Jesus Christ has been made the Head over all things for the benefit of the Church, which means that we derive our right and authority to be head in every area of life from Him, you can be sure that your attempts to function as head will be an exercise in futility.
3. It would be a great waste of Christ’s work of grace if you fail to manifest as the head.
4. Beloved, when you pray that God should make you head as He promised in Deuteronomy 28:13, do you put into consideration the corresponding responsibilities? For example, it is in the head that we have sight (the eyes).
5. As head of a family, clan, department in Church, business or community, are you ready to function as an effective eye for the body? I believe you don’t want to be a blind head. For example, as the head for a family, have you really caught the vision for the wellbeing of your family or do you allow your family grope in darkness towards doom?
6. Do you see errors of indiscipline in your family and overlook them by turning your eyes away? Are your eyes not already blinded by the delicacies of sin? Furthermore, in the head lies the ability to speak (the mouth). As the head of a church, has your mouth been padlocked by the gifts of criminals and harlots in your congregation, so much so that they now occupy positions in God’s sanctuary? The head is also the centre of hearing (the ears). As the head, do you still hear from God for the people you serve? When last did you hear from God about your people? Lastly, the head contains the brain which thinks for the body.
7. Some family heads have relinquished their thinking role to their wives and children.
8. Their children now dictate what is right or wrong to them. Some girls have changed their mothers’ wardrobes because they see their clothes as ‘old school’. They have arranged wardrobes that now contain what used to be underwear as the main clothes for their mothers. And these mothers have conceded to such abomination. My prayer for every head today and those who are aspiring to be heads is that you will be head indeed. I prophesy that you will begin to effectively fulfil the functions of the head from today in Jesus name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Another great insight to His word. Being Head truly entails great responsibilities that can only be handled divinely. As the head contains, the eyes, Ears, mouth, brain etc therefore if you agree to be the head as the Bible says “And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:”
Deuteronomy 28:13 , then you must ensure all these senses are active to receiving divine information and thereafter releasing as well. You must be able to use the ears to hear and listen when God speaks and use the mouth to Pray constantly to God so that the ones under the head will not collapse. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please make me head indeed and don’t let me fail in my responsibilities.
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.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SATURDAY, JULY 28TH 2018- ARE HIS COMMANDMENTS GRIEVOUS?

Memorise: For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1st John 5:3
Read: Psalm 119:97-106
97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 9, Matthew 9:27-10:15

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

1. We often need to remind ourselves of what it means to be born again so that we do not lose sight of who we are. To be born again means that the control of one’s life has been given or surrendered to Jesus Christ. 
2. From the moment a person makes this decision, the Lord Jesus Christ is meant to be in charge of his or her life. One of the important features of being born again is transformation, which is described in the Bible as putting on the new man (Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10).
3. This occurs through a process of continuously renewing the mind with the word of God (Romans 12:2).
4. When a person becomes born again, he or she is a new creature, from whom old things are passed away and all things have become new (2nd Corinthians 5:17). The old things that have passed away include the old ways of thinking and acts that lead to disobedience. The old man, present in all of mankind, is disobedient by nature. This Adamic nature finds the instructions of God oppressive and can never submit to His authority. 1st Corinthians 2:14 says: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
5. In contrast to the old Adamic nature, the mind of the new man is subject to the control and influence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Whenever the new man receives any instruction from God, it is joyfully obeyed – God’s commandments are not in any way burdensome to him. Indeed, the new man loves to obey God (1st John 5:3). However, to reassure our hearts that He is not in any way a taskmaster, Jesus in Matthew 11:30 said: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
7. Through these words and several others, we know that God’s motive behind every commandment is our own good.
8. The system of the world is one of the main factors that make obeying God’s commandments seem difficult, but we thank God that the new man in us has overcome the world (1st John 5:4).
9. True children of God find the world with all its trappings unattractive.
10. Everything the world has to offer, in the form of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, cannot dominate a child of God any more (Romans 6:14). 
11. Today’s Bible reading paints a perfect picture of the resultant effect of resolving to obey God’s commandments. The word of God suddenly becomes sweeter than honey. This leads us to hate falsehood and keeps us away from evil behaviour.
12. Obedience to the word of God gives superior understanding and divine wisdom. Having been taught by God Himself, we become wiser than our enemies. You will find it easy to obey God’s word henceforth in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”Romans 6:13-14. Obeying the word of God is never to hurt, limit or even restrict but rather pre-condition to attaining divine resources. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please give me divine wisdom, and take me far above my enemies in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in
the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our
way!
While we do His good will, He
abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and
obey.
Chorus
Trust and obey, for there’s no other
Way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust
and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a
cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it
away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh
or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and
obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a
sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly
repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown
or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and
obey.
But we never can prove the
delights of His love
Until all on the alter we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the
Joy He bestows,
Are from them who will trust and
obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we
will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the
way;
What He says we will do, where
He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: FRIDAY, JULY 27TH 2018- PREPARING FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Memorise: Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Read: 2nd Timothy 4:6-8
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 7-8, Matthew 9:9-26

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

1. “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.” 2nd Peter 1:14 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” 2nd Timothy 4:6
2. It is amazing to read the words of Peter and Paul in the above verses of scripture. They spoke of their impending deaths as though they were making preparations for a trip to a better country.
3. Contrary to the common human response to issues relating to death, there is no trace of fear or anxiety in their words.
4. We have important lessons to learn about death from these great apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 9:27, the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul saying: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” He also spoke through Peter in 1st Peter 4:7 saying: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
5. These two great apostles had no fear of death because they knew that death was just a vehicle to transport them to the glorious place Christ had prepared for them. They could look death in the eye without flinching because they had lived their lives in holiness, doing the will of God from a heart of love. They lived a victorious life over the devil, and were not held bound by the world with all its trappings. They knew with certainty that death would only be a passage of life in eternity, and that once they close their eyes in death they would be carried into the presence of Jesus by His holy angels. Death and the grave had no power over them, and they could truly say: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1st Corinthians 15:55
6. God deliberately gave us these two apostles as examples so that we would learn from their attitude.
7. We who are alive today are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, appropriating the victory He has won for us over death by shedding whatever fear of death we may still have.
8. Christ has indeed delivered us from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15). His expectation is that we will begin to make preparations for our flight to eternity, either by death or by the rapture.  Finally, in words of Amos 4:12, I plead with you today: “PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD”!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Many believers out of ignorance are engraved in fear of death. Death shouldn’t be an issue of fear if you are genuinely living in Christ. “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:15. Brethren Jesus paid it all on the cross,  there is a glorious future for you and there is life after death( sleep) as the Apostle regards it as falling asleep. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”1 Thessalonians 4:13 
That is the good news: there is hope for you in Christ. May God empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Key Point
What is your attitude towards death, and are you prepared to take a flight to glory through it?

Hymn

I have decide to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
The world behind me, the cross
before me;
The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY, JULY 26TH 2018- FATHER CHRISTMAS OR GIVER?

Memorise: And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. Luke 15:14
Read: Luke 15:11-16
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 4-6, Matthew 8:18-9:8

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

1. A giver is a person who gives generously to the poor and needy in obedience to the word of God. A giver makes it a point of duty to pay his or her first fruits and tithes, gives offerings and also makes other necessary financial contributions to his or her local church.
2. Meanwhile, ‘Father Christmas’ is a term used in some parlance to describe an extravagant spender: one who unnecessarily spends a lot of money that he or she cannot afford. A Father Christmas is often typified by exaggerated, excessive or immoderate behaviour and wastefulness which may result in personal harm.
3. Blessings are like talents entrusted to our care by God. He has called us to be givers and wise stewards of His investments in us.
4. God frowns at any form of wasteful or extravagant behaviour in His children.
5. The word of God guides our attention towards the right kind of open-handedness and generosity of spirit, which reflects love and worship towards God by showing concern for the poor and the less privileged in our society (Proverbs 19:17). I pray that God will bless you so much that you will become a source of blessing to your generation in Jesus’ Name.
6. The Bible provides us with some examples of sinful extravagance or wastefulness.
7. A good example is found in our Bible text, where the prodigal son gathered all his inheritance together and left for a far country where he wasted all he had through extravagant spending.
8. In Philippians 3:19, the Holy Spirit admonishes us that those who mind earthly things, whose god is their belly, will end up in destruction.
9. Proverbs 6:26 further tells us that those who lavish their hard-earned money on strange women and cheap girls will eventually become diminished to the value of a piece of bread.
10. Extravagant or wasteful spending usually leads to poverty. This is what happened to the prodigal son. After he had squandered all his inheritance, he had to take up enjoyment in the worst kind of job in order to survive. I pray that you will never commit any error that will turn your life upside down again in the Name of Jesus.
11. Extravagant and wasteful spending is no substitute for doing what God requires of you (1st Samuel 15:22, Micah 6:7-8).
12. Without any doubt, God is more interested in Christians who are determined to do their best to meet His requirement of holiness and righteous living.
13. The extravagant spending of an unrepentant sinner in the house of God is at best viewed as an attempt to bribe God, and this is abomination to Him (Proverbs 21:27).

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

What should we say about the multitude of extravagant sinner in churches today? Should we assume that they are doing all out of ignorance or conclude as Pastor Adeboye has written in today’s devotional “extravagant spending of an unrepentant sinner in the house of God is at best viewed as an attempt to bribe God, and this is abomination to Him (Proverbs 21:27). There are many lovers of Christ in this generation but few lover of the cross. If you find yourself in this category, please desist from such act, it’s indeed unacceptable unto God. We pray that the Lord shall renew the strength of Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please let my love offerings always be acceptable in Your sight in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in
the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our
way!
While we do His good will, He
abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and
obey.
Chorus
Trust and obey, for there’s no other
Way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust
and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a
cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it
away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh
or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and
obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a
sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly
repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown
or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and
obey.
But we never can prove the
delights of His love
Until all on the alter we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the
Joy He bestows,
Are from them who will trust and
obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we
will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the
way;
What He says we will do, where
He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: WEDNESDAY, JULY 25TH 2018- PROSPERITY MADE EASY

Memorise: But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:25
Read: James 1:21-25
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 1-3, Matthew 7:24-8:17

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

1. The issue of prosperity is an area where many in the Body of Christ today hold dangerous misconceptions. So many people come to church today in search of blessings, either financial or otherwise, but they are not interested in getting born again in truth.
2. They care less about holiness or righteousness and are not committed to the service of God in anyway, but they are prepared to do anything the pastor says with respect to sowing seeds and giving sacrificially in order to be blessed. Unfortunately, many in this category are youths. After they have practiced sowing and sacrificial giving for a while and the blessings are not forthcoming, they begin to pile up accusations against God and His servants. Although some pastors may be taking advantage of the innocence and ignorance of these young minds, such youths have themselves to blame because they have access to the word of God and are intelligent enough to read and understand the principles of prosperity as laid down by God.
3. In several passages of the Bible, God promises His people prosperity in physical, material and spiritual things, and He also reiterates His intention to make them great and exalted above all other people of the earth, but this is always based on one condition OBEDIENCE.
4. Without exception, the Bible always presents obedience as the prerequisite to blessings. James 1:25 stressed the point that anyone who continues to live in obedience to the word of God shall be blessed in his or her deeds.
5. The pronouncement of multiple blessings on Israel in Deuteronomy chapter 28 was also based on the condition of obedience in Deuteronomy 28:1. Therefore, obedience to the word of God is not negotiable for anyone who is looking up to God for blessings.
6. Another important thing to note is that God expects His children to continue in obedience, since the matter of their prosperity is already settled (Deuteronomy 28:2). 
7. The Creator of heaven and earth is a master planner and He knows how to make everything perfect in His own time. For this reason, giving Him a time limit within which you expect Him to perform His work is not wise and may lead to disappointment.
8. When God promised to build me a city instead of the two-bedroom apartment I was asking for, I didn’t know His timing, but I waited patiently for Him. Months later, God started His wonders at the Redemption Camp, and about 40 years later, the project has become a huge success, although God is not done with His wonders yet. I decree that the same God will perfect your package of blessing and deliver it to you very soon in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Let us take time to critically examine today’s memory verse. “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25. What is the perfect law of liberty? They are the instructions and commands of the most High. Similarly, the Bible says “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.”Deuteronomy 28:1-2 . Therefore the key to partake in these blessings is being doer not just hearer of the word. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please give me the grace to obey You in all areas of my life in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in
the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our
way!
While we do His good will, He
abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and
obey.
Chorus
Trust and obey, for there’s no other
Way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust
and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a
cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it
away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh
or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and
obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a
sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly
repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown
or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and
obey.
But we never can prove the
delights of His love
Until all on the alter we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the
Joy He bestows,
Are from them who will trust and
obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we
will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the
way;
What He says we will do, where
He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: TUESDAY, JULY 24TH 2018- OTHER END-TIME SIGNS

Memorise:  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Acts 2:17
Read: Acts 2:17-21
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Bible in one year: Ezra 9-10, Matthew 7:1-23

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

1. When considering the signs of the end-times, we are usually so engrossed with looking at the negative things that will happen that we often lose sight of the positive ones.
2. There are several positive things the Spirit of God has indicated will occur in these end times, and children of God who are wise will put these to heat and watch out for them so as not to miss out on what God is doing in our time. One of such positive signs is found in Micah 4:1 “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.”
3. This speaks about the prosperity and the glorification of God’s Church before the whole world. It also speaks of the great harvest of souls that God will send to His Church through this prosperity.
4. Anyone who has his or her ears on the heartbeat of God’s Spirit will know that we live in the time when this sign is being fulfilled.
5. The wise will connect themselves to what God is doing through His Spirit and experience this prosperity, while the foolish will continue to argue that prosperity is not for God’s children.
6. Another of positive sign is the great outpouring of revival, which the Holy Spirit spoke about in Acts 2:17, saying:”And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:” This has already started, and a greater outpouring is gathering momentum among the youths. For this reason, the Church must begin to prepare the youths for the greater revival that is coming.
7. This is not a theological proposition, but a truth that is founded on God’s word. We must therefore allow God to use us to bring it to pass.
8. The old ones in the Body of Christ will dream dreams for the youths to carry out. There must therefore be collaboration and understanding of our distinct roles in God’s programme for these end times.
9. While our elders like Moses sit on the mountain to seek the Lord’s face, our Joshua must take the battle to the enemy’s gates with their God-given vigour (Exodus 17:8-15).
10. When we follow this divine pattern, the battle will be won decisively by the Church of Jesus Christ on earth, and the kingdom of God our Father shall be gloriously inaugurated at the second coming of His Christ.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

We must be at alert and be delibrate in seeing to it that this scripture above is fulfilled in us and through us. We must participate fully in actualising this ministry. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, let Your kingdom come in its fullness, and let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Hymn
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, JULY 23RD 2018- REMOVE THE LOG, PLEASE

Memorise: Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preaches a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Romans 2:21
Read: Matthew 7:1-5
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Bible in one year: Ezra 7-8, Matthew 6:16-34

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

1. Today, we will be reflecting on the subject of hypocrisy.
2. In general terms, hypocrisy is the habit of pretending to be what one is not. Hypocrites especially pretend to be morally upright but in reality, they are morally bankrupt.
3. Jesus Christ identified the Pharisees as perfect examples of hypocrites, and He exposed some interesting characteristics they possess. Let us consider some of these traits, so that we can guard ourselves against them.
4. Simply put, hypocrites are blind to their own faults (Matthew 7:5), they are ignorant of the current move of God (Luke 12:56), they do not know what is important to God (Luke 13:15-16) and they obsess over the traditions of men (Mark 7:8).
5. Furthermore, they lack knowledge on God’s true expectations of His people (Matthew 23:14-15), and love to make public displays of their moral and religious standing (Matthew 6:2). Hypocrites view themselves as the only godly, virtuous and spiritual people around.
6. Consequently, they are highly judgemental of other people’s mistakes and shortcomings in public, whereas they themselves may even be guilty of worse sins in secret.
7. A careful consideration of these characteristics may reveal one or two that may be evident in your life. I pray that God will destroy every root of hypocrisy in your life today in Jesus’ Name.
8. Jesus often called the Pharisees hypocrites because of the conflict between their external actions and their internal state (Matthew 23:27-28).
9. In order not to end up like them, we must thoroughly check ourselves often. Do you seldom preach to yourself as a Christian? Do you find yourself practicing what you preach against? Do you have the habit of crucifying others when they fall into error? Are you judgemental of other people’s mistakes? Is your internal state consistent with your external works? Are you in anyway hypocritical in thought or action?
10. May the Lord shine His light into our hearts and deliver His Church from hypocrisy in Jesus’ Name. Jesus compared hypocrites to whitewashed to tombs and to dishes that are clean on the outside but dirty on the inside (Matthew 23:25-28).
11. It’s such a scary thing to be viewed as neat and clean outside while the internal space that matters most is in despicable condition.
12. This illustration also speaks to Christians who are deemed to be mature, and yet are secretly involved in shameful things. If you are in such a situation, it is time to remove the log from your eyes and straighten out your life.
13. Your efforts to do away with hypocrisy will receive God’s approval in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Thank God for another reflection. Truly hypocrites are blind to their own faults but they are conscious and observant of mistakes of others. Could we assume that it’s out of ignorance? No, it’s is out of pretence and such attitude is not acceptable in the Kingdom of God. A word is enough for the wise, so let’s consider our ways and make right our wrongs. God be praised for His son Pastor E A Adeboye.

Prayer Point: Father, please help me to be honest with myself henceforth in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
Nearer, my God, to Thee;
Nearer to Thee;
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
There let me see the sight,
An open heaven;
All that Thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise,
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

Please follow and like us:
20
Posted by admina