Monthly Archives: August 2018

Memorise: I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. Ecclesiastes 10:7
Read: Proverbs 6:4-11
4 Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids.
5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, And like a bird from the hand of the [a]fowler. The Folly of Indolence
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no [b]captain, Overseer or ruler,
8 Provides her [c]supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.
9 How long will you [d]slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—
11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
Bible in one year: Psalm 45-50, Matthew 24:15-35

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

1. The Preacher’s observation in today’s memory verse is worthy of our reflection.
2. It is indeed an interesting sight to see servants promoted to the level of riding on horses; of course, God is more than able to do this for those who love Him. However, it is an evil thing when princes are relegated to the position of walking on foot as servants. For those who profess to be god’s special people, such a situation is an anomaly and must be avoided. It is practically the same as performing below potential. The pertinent question we should consider is how come those who should be served are now in servitude? Thankfully, our Bible reading does not only reveal the cause, it also reveals the cure.
3. Laziness is the root cause of performing below potential.
4. Any price taught in the web of laziness will not amount to anything in life. Instead, his or her inheritance will go to other hands that are diligent, because God’s principle set out in Proverbs 12:24 says: “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”
5. Poverty sends people to the field of servitude, and this is inevitable for the indolent.
6. There is the story of two friends who went to an oracle to know their future. The seer turned to one of them and said, “Hail, the future king!” On hearing these words, he went away and began to celebrate himself as the future king, even though he was still in rags. The seer turned to the other man and said, “You will die in abject poverty”. He was dejected, but determined in his heart that he would fight to be successful, and so he went into the jungle and began to farm. After many years, he became prosperous, having plenty goods with male and female servants. A famine came to the town where his friend was living, still waiting for his “kingdom” to come. While searching for food, citizens of this town discovered the hardworking man and his abundance of supplies. They begged him to become their king, promising to serve him in exchange for food to survive the famine. That was how a man who was supposed to die in penury became a king, while an expectant “future king” remained poor for the rest of his life.
7. In conclusion, please note that diligence itself is time-bound.
8. There is time for everything under heaven. When some things are done belatedly, their purpose ends up being defeated.
9. Our Bible text teaches about the ant, which provides food in the summer and gather what it needs in harvest.
10. What you do today determines what becomes of you in future.
11. The cure for poor performance is proper preparation. For example, if your ambition is to become just a messenger, you don’t need a university education for that. However, if you desire to become a captain of industry, more often than not, you will need more than elementary education to achieve this. A word is enough for the wise.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Firstly, I like to say when you know your God and who you are in Him you will easily and consciously maximise your potential wherever you find yourself. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Proverbs 22:29 May God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

 
Prayer Point: Father, lift me up above mediocrity, and grant me grace to pay the price of good success.
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

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20

Memorise: For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3
Read: John 2:1-5
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
Bible in one year: Psalm 40-44, Matthew 23:29-24:14

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

1. One Christian virtue that is gradually disappearing from the lives of believers today is the virtue of waiting for God’s appointed time.
2. The story in today’s Bible text reveals the necessity of following the divine time-table for all events, even if it involves waiting. There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and Jesus was invited there, together with His mother, Mary, and His disciples. While the ceremony was going on, they discovered that there was no more wine for people to drink. Mary came to Him and requested Him to do what only He could do. However, it was not yet time for this. Jesus’ response in John 2:4 reveals the importance of waiting for God’s appointed time: “…Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.”
3. Mary’s response was equally noteworthy. She agreed with Him that the hour had indeed not come; nevertheless, the celebrants’ need required attention. She instructed the servants of the host that when the hour had fully come, they should do whatsoever Jesus instructed (John 2:5). In obedience to her, these servants waited. Although we don’t know how long they waited on Jesus, we know that at the appointed time, He gave the instructions that put an end to the need at the feast. God will speak to your needs today in Jesus’ Name.
4. There are lots of lessons from the series of events that occurred at this marriage feast; first of which is that Mary’s instruction to the servants could be regarded as prophetic. She was confident that Jesus would do something about the situation. To avoid losing the miracle, she put the servants on notice to obey any command from Jesus.
5. Another lesson for us is that Mary stopped worrying herself after she had taken the matter to the Ultimate Helper.
6. Many children of God worry so much that they become incapacitated, even after a word of prophecy about their situation has gone forth.
7. A fellow who met me during one of my prayer walks at the Redemption Camp, Nigeria, asked me to pray for him, and I prophesied to him, saying “God bless you”. To my surprise, he still asked me to pray for him. I wondered in my heart what other prayer was greater than “God bless you” – a prayer of blessing with no limit. I prophesy to a reader of this devotional today: “God bless you.” May the Lord grant you the faith to receive this blessing in Jesus Name.
8. The third lesson is that the expected miracle eventually came, even though they had to wait.
9. This is the promise of God to a user of this devotional today: “All the pleasant prophesies that came to you before today shall come to pass at their appropriate time.” However, please do whatever God commands you to do.
10. Be obedient to God’s word.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Obedience is great key to obtaining God’s promises. 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. Another great key I faith. Hebrews 11:1‭-‬2 says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.” May we not miss our Miracle because of disobedience and unbelief in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God bless and continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, I receive the fulfillment of all Your prophecies into my life today in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
My faith look up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh. May my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

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20

Memorise: Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Peter 3:7
Read: Malachi 2:13-17
13 Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.
14 You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
15 Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.[a] So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.
16 “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,”[b] says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.
17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”
Bible in one year: Psalm 36–39, Matthew 23:1-28

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

1. Apart from sexual infidelity, one other way of defiling the matrimonial bed is through domestic violence. This can come from the man or the woman.
2. God hates violence generally, but particularly despises it in marriage, and for this reason, He said in Malachi 2:16: “For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with is garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.”
3. The breakdown of affection between married couples is a highly emotional issue with God, so much so that in today’s Bible reading, the tears, weeping and crying emanating from the agony of broken marriages made Him disregard the people’s worship, as we see in Malachi 2:13: “And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering anymore, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.”
4. Many people don’t know that domestic violence particularly among married couples, is a great hindrance and stumbling block to their spiritual growth and blessing. This is the reason why the Holy Spirit sent these words to the Church in 1 Peter 3:7, saying: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”
5. Violence, wife battering, husband battering and the like directly offend the Almighty God.
6. I have on many occasions told the story of a man whose only daughter was maltreated by her husband. This man hated his son-in-law so much that his hatred made him terribly sick. It was not until he forgave his son-in-law that he was able to recover from his sickness. This is how much domestic violence can destroy lives and families. Husbands, you are inviting the wrath of God upon your life when you maltreat the redeemed daughter of Zion you are priviledge to have as wife.
7. Note that in Malachi 2:16, when expressing how much He hates divorce and domestic violence, God used the Name He uses in combat.
8. Therefore, stop defiling your bed with violence against your spouse, either physical violence or verbal violence.
9. Wives should learn to submit to their husbands, irrespective of what the world thinks about his (Ephesians 5:22-23).
10. Beloved, the truth is that unless we allow Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to come into our marriages, the expected peace may continue to elude us.
11. Therefore, I appeal to you to raise an altar of submission and corporate worship to the Lord Jesus Christ in your home, and you will begin to experience peace and prosperity in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Action Point: Go to God in repentance for any form of violence you have introduced into your home.
Hymn
God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty
Your love has wrought;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!
God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!
God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
Strives to show other Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honoured guest;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!
God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

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20

Memorise: Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4
Read: Proverbs 5:15-21
15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 A loving doe, a graceful deer  may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
21 For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
Bible in one year: Psalm 32-35, Matthew 22:23-46

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

1. “Flee fornication.
2. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body” 1 Corinthians 6:18.
3. The above verse of scripture states God’s views on sexual immorality; which should be taken very seriously by every wise person. The only institution in which God permits sexual relationships is marriage. For this reason, the Holy Spirit says in Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
4. To the Almighty God who created it, marriage is honourable. Today’s Bible reading enjoins us to gratefully enjoy sexual relations as one of the benefits of holy matrimony. We must however be content to enjoy sexual relations within marriage only.
5. It is an act of ingratitude, insatiability and greed for a person to go after sexual partners other than his or her spouse.
6. This act grieves God’s heart just as it grieved Him when Adam and Eve abandoned all the other fruits they could have eaten in the garden, only to eat that which was forbidden (Genesis 3:11). It is interesting that when God gave Eve to Adam, He gave her to him completely and wholeheartedly. We can imagine a marriage ceremony in which God walks Eve down the aisle and hands her over to Adam “to have, to hold, to cherish and to enjoy.” God’s desire is for spouses to enjoy each other, which is why Proverbs 5:19 says: “Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe: let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.”
7. What a generous, loving and pleasant Father we have in God, who has blessed us with all things to enjoy ( 1 Timothy 6:17).
8. In as much as He has given us all things to enjoy, we must enjoy them within the boundaries He has set in His word.
9. Having been good to you by giving you that sweet spouse, He is posing this question in Proverbs 5:20 to you as food for thought: “And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger.” The stranger here is that extramarital sex partner.
10. Beloved, don’t be an ingrate; the consequences will be grievous for you. Hold tight to the partner God has blessed you with and enjoy him or her only.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

All things are given to us through Christ, however, we must identify the principles and laws of God and endeavor to do His will. Many have gone into captivity out ignorance and disobedience. The Bible says “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭. May we never enter into such destruction. Let’s give honour to God’s instructions and work out our salvation with fear and trembling. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, I thank You for giving me the privilege of marriage. Please help me to keep my marriage holy as You designed it to be, in Jesus’ name.
Hymn
God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty
Your love has wrought;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!
God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!
God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
Strives to show other Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honoured guest;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!
God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

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20

Memorise: He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10
Read: 1 Timothy 6:6-11
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, [a]and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Bible in one year: Psalm 27-31, Matthew 22:1-22

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

1. Love can be very good if it is geared towards God and the things He approves of. However, love and be very dangerous if it tends towards the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye or the pride of life (1 John 2:15-16).
2. One object we must never cast our affection on is money. In 1 Timothy 6:10, the Holy Spirit warns us of the dangers of falling in love with money, saying: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” He went further to provide the antidote to the love of money, saying in 1 Timothy 6:6-8: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
3. Our memory verse says something very profound about the love of money. It warns that if we love silver, it will never satisfy us, and that it is vanity to be obsessed with accumulating wealth, such as houses, cars, landed property, laurels of all kinds, chieftaincy titles, degrees of all sorts etc. These are all vanity in the sense that they will never give the satisfaction that our soul craves.
4. Apart from that, we can also die at any time and leave everything behind, as seen in story of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-20. It is therefore a great disservice to your peace and tranquility to love money or wealth.
5. Based on his personal experience, Solomon spoke on this in Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 where he said: “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.”
6. Beloved, seek godliness with contentment, which can only be found in Jesus Christ.
7. I encourage you to totally surrender your heart to Him, including that secret lust for money.
8. The rat race for material things that will all fade away will only lead to frustration at the end of the day. However, having Jesus in your heart is a treasure that will never fade.
9. Have you lost so much money or have you been disappointed financially, so much so that you are contemplating suicide? Please don’t do it!
10. Jesus offers you abundant life, and it has provision and contentment in it. Reach out and receive it from Him today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Beloved believers, I want to enjoin us to meditate on 1 Timothy 6:6-8. I believe if we truly meditate on it, our perspective and mindset as regards excessive lov for money will change. It says “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” May God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, circumcise my heart and cause contentment to take firm root in it, 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: And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:15
Read: Luke 10:17-24
17 Then the [a]seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but [b]rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
22 All[c] things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see;
24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”
Bible in one year: Psalm 21-26, Matthew 21:28-46

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

1. In order to show that our Father is in charge of the affairs of this world, it may be necessary for children of God to engage in some spiritual fireworks that would lead to a spectacle.
2. To demonstrate His supremacy over Satan before the whole world, our Lord Jesus Christ made a public spectacle of Satan while He was on earth. He cast demons out with just a word, He commanded unclean spirits and they obeyed Him, and to crown it all up, He made their master, Satan, fall as lighting from heaven (Matthew 8:16, Mark 1:27, Luke 10:18).
3. To show that His superiority over the devil was not a fluke, He also empowered His disciples to make a spectacle of the kingdom of darkness, which they did. Not only did Jesus make a spectacle of Satan in this world, He went to the domain of the kingdom of darkness when He died, and boy, were there fireworks! The highlight of this event is seen in Colossians 2:15: “And having spoiled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
4. Hallelujah! Our Lord triumphantly made an open show of Satan and his cohorts in the spirit realm to show that He reigns supreme in both the natural and spiritual world.
5. To demonstrate the superiority of our God, we also have been mandated to make a spectacle of the kingdom of darkness and their works, just as our Master did.
6. Elijah was a prophet of God who engaged in a spiritual spectacle that disgraced the kingdom of darkness on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:21-39). Elijah had given the prophets of Baal the chance to showcase the power of Baal, whom they claimed to be supreme. Although they prayed to Baal from morning till evening, nothing happened. 1 Kings 18:27 says: “And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awakened.”
7. It was an interesting display which culminated in all onlookers confessing the lordship of the God of Elijah (1 Kings 18:39).
8. After disgracing the devil and making a spectacle of him, our Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 10:19 fortified us with all that we need to victoriously put up a spiritual spectacle like Elijah did. He said to us: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” With this mandate, instead of the devil making a mockery of us, the reverse should be case.
9. In your affairs today, use your God given authority to put the devil down and exalt our God.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Every seed gives birth after its own kind and for this reason we must exhibit the character of our Father in heaven. He is a mountain mover and devil and his cohorts shake at His sight. We should be firm and bold to do all these and even more. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

Prayer Point: Father, prove Yourself in my life. Let those the devil is using to look down on me begin to look up to me for help as they acknowledge Your supremacy manifesting through me.
Hymn
Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory
If the Lord be for us we can never fail,
Nothing ‘gainst His mighty power can eer pereval.
Chorus:
Conquerors are we, thr’o the blood of Jesus
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood of Jesus
Through the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.
In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press,
Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;
Not to us but unto Him the praise shall be,
For salvation and for blood bought victory.
Unto Him that overcometh shall be given,
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from Heaven,
Over yonder He the victors palm shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear.

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20

Memorise: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed towards his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10
Read: Nehemiah 5:14-19
14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor’s provisions.
15 But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16 Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and [a]we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work.
17 And at my table were one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to us from the nations around us.
18 Now that which was prepared daily was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine. Yet in spite of this I did not demand the governor’s provisions, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
19 Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
Bible in one year: Psalm 17–20, Matthew 21: 12-27

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

1. God desires that we boldly come before His throne of grace to express ourselves with sincerity of heart and purpose (Hebrews 4:16, Job 38:1-3).
2. Apostle Peter is one child of God who was sincere. He did not pretend as though he did not know what he wanted from God. After Jesus discussed the price of being His disciple, Peter boldly and sincerely asked Him what would be the gain of those who paid this high price. Here is Jesus’ response in Matthew 19:28-29: “…Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’s sake shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
3. The Holy Spirit also corroborates this truth in today’s memory verse. The essence of these promises of reward is to encourage you not to be weary in well doing.
4. In today’s Bible reading, there is another classic examples of someone who would not settle for pains without gain. Nehemiah knew that the God he served was not unrighteous as to not reward him handsomely for his labour and sacrifice in His vineyard. For this reason, he consistently prayed to God to remember him for good.
5. He was not like the older brother of the prodigal son, who served his father without asking for his reward as a faithful son (Luke 15:11-31).
6. Let’s take a closer look at Nehemiah’s prayer in Nehemiah 5:18-19: “Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.”
7. This prayer reveals the sacrifice Nehemiah consciously made to get the project of rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls done. He boldly stated his case to the One who alone could reward him richly.
8. This is a great lesson for children of God who are laboring day and night in God’s vineyard and have nothing to show for it because they do not ask Him for a reward. James 4:2 says “You have not, because you ask not.”
9. I pray that the Almighty God will reward your labour of love as you begin to ask of Him from today in Jesus’ name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Paul the Apostle said it well “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:58‬ . One assurance that we have in the Almighty God whenever we work for Him is victory. When you understand the promises of God for being a faithful servant, you become unmovable and steadfast in well doings. May God continually strengthen and empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, as I labour in Your vineyard, please remember me for good in Jesus’ Name
Hymn
(Tune: There shall be showers of blessing)
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sinners will soon be forgiven
Prodigals will come home soon.
Chorus:
Shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Rivers in desert now flowing
Halleluyah to our king.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sickness and sorrow will be gone
Bondage will be forgotten.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
The barren will be fruitful soon
Failure will be forgotten.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Poverty will be forgotten
Stagnancy will soon be gone.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
To all miracles are given
There shall be celebrations
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Many will have testimonies
Of prayers answered fully
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
One of us will chase a thousand
Two will conquer ten thousands.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Songs of praises we will sing
Halleluyah to our King.

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Memorise: let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 1 Corinthians 7:20
Read: Judges 9:7-15
7 Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them: “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, That God may listen to you!
8 “The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’
9 But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I cease giving my oil,With which they honor God and men, And go to sway over trees?’
10 “Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us!’
11 But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit, And go to sway over trees?’
12 “Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us!’
13 But the vine said to them, ‘Should I cease my new wine,Which cheers both God and men, And go to sway over trees?’
14 “Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us!’
15 And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you, Then come and take shelter in my shade; But if not, let fire come out of the bramble And devour the cedars of Lebanon!’
Bible in one year: Psalm 9 – 16, Matthew 20:21:11

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

1. There is a lesson of eternal value in the parable found in our Bible text. One of Gideon’s sons named Jotham gave this parable against Abimelech, a child of Gideon’s concubine, who conspired with his mother’s people to kill his other brethren.
2. Our lesson comes from the different responses of the trees in the parable when discussing which tree should be made the king. First is the olive tree, which refused to be made king over all the other trees because it felt that the demands of palace life would prevent it from using its fatness to produce oil for anointing kings, priests and prophets.
3. The olive tree considered its calling as a producer of oil to be far superior to being a king. It knew that without fulfilling its purpose, no king, priest or prophet could be installed. The olive tree therefore decided to stay within its calling as a producer of oil. What a great lesson!
4. Next up was the fig tree, which also turned down the throne because it felt that the fruits it was producing were more important to humanity than being a king. The vine also believed that the wine made from its fruits was of greater importance to God and man than being the king of trees. How amazing! the question is, if trees of the field are so wise as to stay within their God-given roles in the divine arrangement, how come men are bereft of this wisdom? The Holy Spirit says in 1 Corinthians 7:20: “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.”
5. More than ever, it is pertinent for the Body of Christ to embrace this truth. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, the Holy Spirit makes it clear to us that we all have different callings: “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”
6. More often than not, those who struggle to occupy positions that they consider to be “juicy” lose their original place in God through covetousness. They even become destructive to the Body of Christ, like the bramble tree in Jotham’s parable (Judges 9:14).
7. Beloved, do you know your calling? Are you operating within this calling? Are you satisfied with how God has made you and the assignment He has committed to your hands to profit His body? As you honestly answer these questions, it shall be well with you in Jesus’ name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Recognising your calling and staying within it is a great move in fulfilling your purpose in life. The diverse calling of each and everyone of us is to be channelled to work together and produce great result that will draw many to Christ and expand the kingdom of God. May we recognise and fulfil our purpose in Jesus name. God be praised for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, show me my place in the operation of Your kingdom on earth and help to stay in it.
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

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Memorise: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. I Corinthians 3:6
Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.
11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.
14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,
15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”[b]
Bible in one year: Psalm 1 – 8, Matthew 20:1-19

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

1. One thing that interests me very much about our Father in heaven is that He loves collaboration.
2. In the beginning, He demonstrated this attributes when He wanted to create man in His image (Genesis 1:26). He summoned the opinion of the Godhead, because the man to be created must bear resemblance to them all. After creating man, He went ahead to share some of His responsibilities with him, which was one the reasons why He created man in the first place.
3. All through history, God has been working in Partnership with man on earth. When He would destroy the earth due to the proliferation of evil, He found Noah as a worthy instrument to partner with in warning people of the impending doom and building an ark of salvation (Genesis 6.)
4. When the salvation of mankind was to be activated, God saw a worthy vessel in a young virgin called Mary. God partnered with her and she surrendered her womb for His use (Luke 1:26-38).
5. When Christ came, He quickly summoned some people with whom he worked until He went to the Cross, and He commissioned them to continue from where He stopped after His ascension into heaven (mark 3:14-19, Acts 1:6-9).
6. These examples show that God’s use of partnerships in carrying out His divine agenda is established. I pray that the Almighty God will open your eyes today to see how important you are in His plans.
7. Paul got the inner workings of God’s principle of multilateral partnership right.
8. In today’s memory verse, he explained that he might plant and Apollos might water, but the increase only comes from God. In other words, the success of the divine agenda is the collective responsibility of God and His human partners, especially in the area of soul-winning.
9. Our Lord Jesus Christ also made this clear in John 15:4-5. To win the whole world for Christ requires a multilateral partnership with each and every one of us playing our part. Those who are given to preaching should continue to preach, and those called to ministration should do so as unto the Lord.
10. Those who have the priviledge of staying on in their secular jobs should know that the purpose is to finance the work of the full-timers, while full-timer should not see themselves as being more spiritual than those who God has kept in secular jobs to bring meat into His storehouse.
11. At the time of reward, it shall be as decreed in 1 Samuel 30:24: “…but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.”All that is required of you is faithfulness in your given area of stewardship.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

God is supreme and His supremacy cannot be altered or contended with. However, we have seen several occurrences where God requires partnership with man to fulfill His Assignment on earth. A good example is Moses; a man who thought he could not even attempt the task given to him by God due to his personal disability and fear. Eventually, God gave Him assurance and built his confidence to work with Him. Same with Joshua, Apostle Paul etc.The question is, have you ever made yourself available for such partnership? ““Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭ God is always willing to reason with you, but are you ready to reason with Him? God bless and empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, please unite Your Church and drive away the spirit of division, so that we might unite for expoilts.
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: And Jesus answered him, saying, it is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:4
Read: Genesis 25:29-34
29 Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called [a]Edom.
31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”
32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”
33 Then Jacob said, [b]“Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.
34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
Bible in one year: Job 39-42, Matthew 19:13-30

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

1. Food can be very powerful. Adam and Eve lost their life of bliss, peace, abundance, glory and honour to food.
2. It is rather unfortunate that many people today are still losing their great destiny to food.
3. It is amazing that in spite of the abundant food provided by God for Adam and Eve, they still developed an appetite for that which was forbidden. It is quite easy to look at them now and judge them, but when you look at the world today and see how food is wrecking the lives of many, you will be shocked.
4. To fast is the most difficult thing for some people because their belly has become their master, and even in some cases, their god (Philippians 3:19). When you read the account of how food destroyed Esau’s destiny and consider that the devil also tried to use food to destroy the destiny of our Lord, you will realize that addiction to food can actually devastate a person’s life.
5. In Genesis 25:29-34, poor Esau had just returned from his hunting expedition with juicy bush meat. However, instead of settling down to prepare a meal with it, he lusted after Jacob’s pottage, which was ready to eat. Unknown to him, Jacob had been eyeing his priviledge as the first born. It did not take Jacob much time to start bargaining with Esau for what he had always desired from birth. While Esau lusted for food, Jacob lusted for the birthright of the firstborn. Within a few minutes, they struck a bargain. Esau got the food he desired and Jacob went away with the priviledge of the firstborn. By the time Esau realized the value of the birthright he sold for food, it was too late (Hebrews 12:16-17).
6. It may sound unbelievable, but many ladies have sold their pride of virginity for food. Many housewives have become unfaithful to their husbands because of the generosity of a man who comes to their aid when there is no food at home. A good number of men are now polygamous because they could not control their appetite for the delicious meals of strange women.
7. Beloved, here’s the good news: although the first Adam fell for food, the second Adam triumphed over the temptation of food brought by the same tempter (Luke 4:3-4).
8. As seen from Christ’s example, the only way to avoid falling into the devil’s temptation is to heed to the word of God.
9. If you will overcome the devil in the area of food, the end can never justify the means for you. A stone that is turned into bread will never digest if you happen to eat it; it’s just a lie designed by the devil to steal from you.
10. So please, don’t eat your destiny. Rather, be guided by the word of God. A job you get by sleeping with the personnel manager will not last; it will only bring sorrow and great disappointment to your life. Be wise today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

This part of today’s devotional deserves extra attention and meditation. the part says “the only way to avoid falling into the devil’s temptation is to heed to the word of God.” Study God’s word deeply and the devil can never triumph in his wile against you in Jesus name. May God continually renew Pastor E.A Adeboye’s strength in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, please help me to value faithfulness to Your word above anything like food that represents a means of survival.
Hymn
Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory
If the Lord be for us we can never fail,
Nothing ‘gainst His mighty power can eer pereval.
Chorus:
Conquerors are we, thr’o the blood of Jesus
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood of Jesus
Through the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.
In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press,
Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;
Not to us but unto Him the praise shall be,
For salvation and for blood bought victory.
Unto Him that overcometh shall be given,
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from Heaven,
Over yonder He the victors palm shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear.

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