Monthly Archives: October 2018

Memorise: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12
Read: Proverbs 7:6-23
6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
Bible in one year: Jeremiah 3-4, Luke 7:36-8:3

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

1. In these perilous times, life is so full of struggles and hard labour that do not always result in success. All around the world, people invest precious time and money into obtaining high school and college education, only to graduate and discover that jobs are nonexistent. In some cases, people invest years into specialized training in various crafts and trades, only to graduate and begin to source for financial backing and start-up capital without success.
2. There are some who manage to gain employment with private companies or who succeed in starting small scale businesses, but some years down the line, they find themselves back in the labour market due to harsh economic realities. These hardships have made the availability of ready-made provision very attractive to the average person, especially in developing countries like we have in Africa.
3. The dire economic situation in different parts of the world has led some Christians to wrongly assume that every opportunity that comes their way is God’s providence, not realizing their error until contrary events begin to happen to them in the process of exploiting these “opportunities”. I pray that no matter the prevailing conditions in your community, the Lord will divinely open doors of genuine opportunities to you in Jesus’ Name.
4. In Africa and several developing countries, the difficult political and economic situation coupled with security challenges have led a lot of people, especially youths, into traps that initially appeared like ready-made provision. These traps could come in form of employment with very attractive pay packages, ‘juicy’ marriage offers, ‘fantastic’ business opportunities or even invitations to travel abroad. Hidden behind these seemingly great offers are terrible vices like prostitution, drug trafficking, criminal syndicates, fraud, occultism and the like. For example, many young people have honoured invitations to travel abroad only to get trapped in sex trafficking or being used as drug couriers.
5. Some people have entered neck deep into what they thought was an ordinary business relationship, into powerful occult groups. Many vulnerable youths are enticed into armed gangs which eventually result in untimely death for so many. As seen in today’s Bible reading, you must recognize that the devil’s ready-made provisions are nothing but deadly traps. God has assured you that He will provide all your needs and settle all your problems (Hebrews 13:5, 1 Peter 5:7). Therefore, beware of the devil’s traps!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

’

Simple advice to every believer is to put total trust in God for provision because the bible says/; The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Glory to God for His son Pastor E.A Adeboye for this devotional.

Prayer Point:
Father, preserve me from ever falling into the trap of false opportunities, in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
2. 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.
3. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
6. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back

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20

Memorise: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
Read: 1 Timothy 2:3-6
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
Bible in one year: Jeremiah 1 – 2, Luke 7:18-35

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

1. In ancient times, a ransom was a price paid to secure the freedom of a slave, captive or prisoner. It had to be paid in full in order to cancel a debt or obligation, set one free from liabilities and charges, or secure an exemption from punishment.
2. A ransom is associated with redemption, atonement, deliverance and salvation.
3. In every situation requiring the payment of a ransom, victims are helpless because they cannot effect the payment of their ransom.
4. In the same sense, humanity was in a hopeless and helpless situation because we lacked what was required to pay the price for our liberation from the penalty of sin. Thank God that Jesus Christ stepped in as a substitute for all humanity, paying our ransom in full.
5. The ransom He paid is effective for anyone on the face of the earth who by faith in the word of God receives salvation as a gift of God through Jesus Christ. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus said: “Even as the Son of ma came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
6. Through His suffering, painful death on the cross and glorious resurrection on the third day, He paid in full every price demanded for the redemption, atonement, deliverance and salvation of humanity. Therefore, if you are still under any form of bondage, receive your freedom now in the mighty Name of Jesus.
7. Now that Jesus Christ has paid our ransom in full and completely wiped away everything contrary to our destiny in God, what next? The answer is found in Romans 6:22: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
8. God expects that having freed you from the shackles of sin, you will not return to its bondage again. You ought to remain free by walking in holiness, exercising the power to live above sin that God has deposited in you (Romans 6:14).
9. The end result of staying true to this is everlasting life. 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” We are called out of sin to live a holy life.
10. Jesus paid your ransom in full; now show appreciation and reciprocate His love by living holy as from today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:5‭-‬7 Our Lord Jesus Christ went through a lot for us to fully enjoy God’s love. We should live everyday with this consciousness and appreciate His love and sacrifice by obey Him and doing His will. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point: Thank the Lord for the ransom He paid in full on your behalf. Think over any area of life where you are in bondage and prayerfully.
Hymn
Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal of love;
Wake te immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us, with those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

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20

Memorise: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Read: Psalm 37:4-6
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
Bible in one year: Isaiah 65-66, Luke 6:46-7:17

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

1. Trusting God is one of the best things a child of God can ever learn to do.
2. The moment you learn to trust God, life will become beautiful because you will begin to experience a kind of peace you never knew existed.
3. Initially, it can be quite hard for us to trust God due to the fact that His ways are higher than our ways, and until we get to know Him well, His instructions and commands might seem strange. Nevertheless, as a child of God, it is important that you learn to trust God blindly. Even if you cannot see around the bend, you should trust Him enough to know that He will always lead you aright.
4. No matter how unconventional God’s ways are, one thing is sure: He has your best interest at heart. Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
5. Trusting God involves taking the backseat and letting God handle the major decisions and situations in your life. It involves letting your will be so lost in His will until you start to see things from His perspective and feel things through His heart. It takes a lot of trust in another individual to be able to let go of your own will and let that person’s will prevail in your life.
6. You can only trust someone that you love, so if you don’t love God genuinely, you cannot trust Him.
7. There was a day I was driving down from Ilorin to Lagos and my fuel tank was almost empty. Unknown to me, a fuel scarcity was on, and so all the filling stations I saw along the way had no fuel. I cried to God and He asked me to take my eyes off the fuel gauge and continue driving to Lagos. Although my fuel tank was already on reserve at the time He told me to do this, I said to Him “Yes Lord”, and kept on driving. To the glory of God, I kept on driving till I got to my house in Lagos. After I parked the car, I looked at the fuel gauge and it read empty! If I did not trust God completely, I would have parked my car in a sage place along the way and gone through stress of finding an alternative means of getting home, instead of taking the risk of getting stranded along the way.
8. The devil specializes in sowing seeds of doubt in our hearts so that our faith in God will diminish, because he knows that the moment you start doubting God, you will not be able to receive anything from Him (James 1:6-7).
9. For this reason, it is very important to remind yourself of the good things God has done for you and others in the past.
10. Encourage yourself with these testimonies in order to rekindle your faith. Learn to trust God, because it shows your love for Him.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall [a]direct your paths.” When the Lord directs our paths, stumbling is never allowed but we must trust Him, belief Him and hand over our all to Him before we can experience this. May God continually uphold and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Key Point: If you don’t learn to trust God, then don’t expect anything from Him.
Hymn
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.
Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
Thy fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.

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20

Memorise: For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. James 2:13
Read: Psalm 51:1-14
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Bible in one year: Isaiah 61-64, Luke 6:24-25

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

1. For us as human beings, mercy is one of the most essential attributes of God, because this is God’s character by which He faithfully keeps His covenant, fulfills His promises and maintains His relationship with His children, despite our shortcomings, unworthiness and unfaithfulness (Romans 9:15-16).
2. Mercy connotes goodness, favour and steadfast love (Ephesians 2:4).
3. The most prominent aspect of mercy is the compassionate disposition to forgive an offender in order to help his or her sorry situation. The Bible shows that Jesus is God’s mercy personified, and by His death and resurrection, we have open access to God’s mercy. 1 Peter 1:3 says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
4. God’s mercy brings about the conversion of sinners, instructs the ignorant, counsels the doubtful and comforts the sorrowful. It also forgives and overlooks injurious acts, and patiently puts up with human errors and weaknesses.
5. The mercy of Jesus Christ earns us His free legal representation before the Father, and secures the Spirit’s continued intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. Against this background, we can boldly say that God’s mercy prevails over judgment, as stated in today’s memory verse.
6. Interestingly, two terms are commonly used to explain the relationship between mercy and judgment in this passage. One says mercy “rejoices against” judgment, while the other says mercy “triumphs over” judgment. Both descriptions paint vivid pictures of victory and celebration in a seemingly hopeless situation.
7. Knowing that judgment is the deserved consequence for sin, the intervention of divine mercy that turns things around and makes a culprit ‘rejoice against’ and ‘triumph over’ judgment is indeed a miracle.
8. The ultimate act of God’s mercy is the work of substitution that Jesus Christ performed on the cross of Calvary. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
9. God’s mercy is still flowing from the throne of grace today. Irrespective of your shortcomings, go before this throne in humility, and you will receive mercy to triumph over sin, sickness, failure, poverty and everything that is working against your peace.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Anyone who finds mercy from the Lord attracts favour at all times. “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14 May we find mercy in all our ways in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. I pray that God will grant Pastor E.A Adeboye great strength and grace for greater works in Jesus name

Prayer Point: Father, please let Your mercy prevail over every unfavourable judgment against my life, in Jesus’ name.
Hymn
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Chorus:
Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this I see
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my pleas
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ‘tis all of grace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my hope and peace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

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20

Memorise: For the word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the diving of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Read: 1 John 4:1-6
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
3 and every spirit that does not confess [a]that Jesus [b]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Bible in one year: Isaiah 58-60, Luke 6:1-23

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

1. The greatest battle that has ever been fought and is still being fought is in the heart of man. This battle is being fought by God on one side and the devil on the opposing side. Whoever wins this battle ultimately wins control over the soul of the individual over whom the battle is being fought.
2. The devil has been interested in the souls of men ever since God created us, and his plan has always been to destroy as many of us as possible.
3. Our Lord Jesus Christ revealed the devil’s plan to us and offers us God’s solution, saying in John 10:10: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
4. Through the ages, the devil has succeeded in taking over the lives of so many people, and for this reason, the Lord said in Matthew 7:13: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” In spite of all the devil may try, my prayer for you is that I will see you in heaven in Jesus’ Name.
5. In the world today, there is so much wickedness and confusion everywhere. Sin has become so common place that it is very strange and rare to see someone who is pure and refuses to be a part of the evil of the day. These are some of the signs Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24:3-31.
6. In order to further achieve his alms, the devil has employed false prophets into his service. They go around disseminating false doctrines which are even more dangerous to Christians, because they can make a person think that he or she is saved while they are actually on their way to hell. One of the reasons why many of these false prophets are so successful is that they keep telling people what they want to hear and not what the Bible says (2 Timothy 4:3).
7. The Bible is the written word of God, and so, anyone who deviates from it by as much as a dot is not of God and doesn’t have your best interest at heart (2 Peter 1:20-21).
8. God’s word is absolute, and it must be preached in its pure form.
9. The best way to guard your heart in these perilous times is to fill it with the word of God and to constantly meditate on the word as much as possible.
10. Once you give your life to Christ and are sanctified by God, it is important to ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit so that Jesus Himself can fill you to overflow with His Spirit and mark you for Himself.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

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

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20

Memorise: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou came forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5
Read: Jeremiah 1:1-10
1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin,
2 to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. The Prophet Is Called
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified[a] you; I [b]ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”
7 But the Lord said to me:“Do not say, ‘I am a youth, ’For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.
9 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.”
Bible in one year: Isaiah 54-57, Luke 5:17-39

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

1. The Almighty is a God of plan and purpose. By His wisdom, He preordained events and occurrences right from the beginning of creation to the end of time in eternity.
2. From His words to Jeremiah in today’s Bible reading, we understand that the purpose for which a person is born is hidden in His divine will. It is reassuring to know that irrespective of human objections or the devil’s opposition, the thoughts of God and His predestined plans for things shall come to pass (Isaiah 14:27).
3. It is also humbling to note that whatever God has purposed to do in any circumstance will surely be accomplished with or without us.
4. Let me share a strange occurrence that happened to me as I was growing up in my small village, Ifewara, in Southern Nigeria. I once saw a prophet and laughed at him. As I laughed, the prophet turned to me and said, “Keep laughing at me, but one day you also will be a prophet.” I laughed the more and sarcastically said, “Not just a prophet, but indeed a prayer warrior.” Obviously, this prophet saw a glimpse of what God had in store for me, but I was completely ignorant of it. I pray that the power of God will bring the purpose for which you were born to pass, even in the face of opposition in Jesus’ Name.
5. No one can successfully thwart God’s efforts or frustrate His purpose, especially with respect to predestination. Ephesians 1:11 says: “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” In light of this scripture, when you cooperate with God in agreement with His divine purpose, you will experience unprecedented success, but when you choose to work against His purpose, the result is bound to be failure.
6. I once told my children that all human beings are only playing their predefined roles in the script written by God before the creation of the world. It is only sensible for wise actors to diligently study the script to properly interpret their roles and memorize their lines, so that their performance will run smoothly in sync with other players and in accordance with the overall purpose of the production. In this regard, Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
7. This means that irrespective of what you are passing through in life, the most important thing is to ensure that your life is in agreement with God’s purpose as revealed in His word. After you do this, you can sit back and watch God crown your efforts in life with success.
8. In order to give you an expected end, He will work everything out in line with His predetermined purpose.
9. What a glorious God we serve! Hallelujah!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Many believers have missed the purpose of God for their lives. Some other category of believers don’t even know they have a purpose talkless of knowing what their purpose is. A life well spent is simply interpreted as a life of purpose. It means full manifestation of God’s purpose for one’s life. I pray the Lord will help us to fulfill our purpose in life in Jesus name. May God continually strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, please grant me grace to fulfill Your purpose for my life 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

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20

Memorise: Jesus answered and said unto him. If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23
Read: Revelation 21:1-3
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
2 Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
Bible in one year: Isaiah 51-53, Luke 4:38-5:16

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

1. Our God is the Creator of heaven and earth. “The All-sufficient One” is one of His many Names, and it describes an important attribute of His.
2. As a self-existing Spirit, He does not need anything outside of Himself for sustenance or existence (John 5:26, 1 Timothy 6:16). It therefore seems strange to think that God has a need.
3. Let us ponder on what the elders in heaven are saying in their worship, as revealed in Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
4. From this statement of adoration, “God’s need” can be understood from the perspective of the purpose for which He created all things. He created all things for His own pleasure, and He specifically created mankind for the purpose of communion or fellowship. This truth is reinforced by the words of our Lord in today’s memory verse.
5. The constant fellowship that God had with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day is also a manifestation of this truth (Genesis 3:8). Several scripture passages speak of a link between the creation of mankind and acts of devotion such as praise and worship. Isaiah 43:21 says: “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.”
6. God’s desire for fellowship is therefore not a need as we understand ‘need’, but an expression of God’s grace, mercy and love towards humanity (1 Corinthians 1:9).
7. The essence of the Christian life is to fellowship with God.
8. Everything created before man was not suitable for this purpose because they were not created in His image and so could not relate with Him on an interactive level. Genesis 5:22-24 contains the fascinating account of Enoch who walked with God in close fellowship so much so that God took him away with Him. Similarly, Abraham also fellowshipped with God to the extent that he received the distinction of being called the friend of God (2 Chronicles 20:7, James 2:23). David’s fellowship with God was also exemplary that God testified of him in Acts 13:22c, saying: “I have found David the son Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.”
9. As a result of the finished work of redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ, God now makes His permanent abode with us, in the form of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us (John 14:23, 1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, our fellowship with God is established on the spiritual union we have with Jesus, which will be made perfect when we see Him face to face (John 14:20-21). I pray that everything hindering your fellowship with God will be destroyed today in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

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

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Memorise: He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. Matthew 26:42
Read: Matthew 6:9-10, James 4:13-15
9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
James 4:13-15
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow [a]we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”;
14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
Bible in one year: Isaiah 48-50, Luke 4:14-37

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

1. Because God is the creator of all things in heaven and on earth, He holds supreme authority over everything, and He does whatever pleases Him (Psalm 135:6).
2. His desire is that every creature in heaven and on earth should do His will.
3. The will of God is God’s plan and purpose for each entity in His creation at given time.
4. Only those who have submitted themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ can readily do God’s will from their heart (Psalm 40:8).
5. There is only one person on earth who knows the will of God at any particular time, and 1 Corinthians 2:11 reveals that person: “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” Therefore, anyone who does not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in him or her can neither know nor be submissive to the will of God (1 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 8:7). Even if such people attend church meetings and worship services, they will still find the word of God and the lifestyle of His kingdom questionable, burdensome and even offensive.
6. Whenever an unconverted person is confronted with the will of God as revealed through His word, an antagonistic tension develops in their heart, which the conviction of the Holy Spirit works to douse.
7. Because the corrupt carnal nature of man sees itself as the master of the universe, human beings love to exercise their freewill over everything including the forces of nature and even God’s divine power. This has led some people to erroneously see the power of human freewill as being superior to God’s divine authority. However, children of God do not walk in this folly.
8. As children of God, we recognize that the exercise of freewill outside the will of God is false freedom which leads to slavery and captivity to worldly pleasures, addictions, pride, inordinate ambition, immorality, and the like. These are the very same things that Jesus sacrificed so much to deliver us from. Therefore, we submit our freewill to God in the process of discovering and following God’s purpose for our lives.
9. Any exercise of freedom that gives a person the liberty to live recklessly without due consideration for divine purpose and life after death is actually the freedom of fools.
10. God’s will for His children is always good and in their best interest (Jeremiah 29:11). It is the essence of life and the only way by which we can fulfill our destiny.
11. You can continually know God’s will for your life by discerning it in the place of prayer (Ephesians 5:17, Colossians 1:9).
12. Your heavenly Father expects you to ensure that His will is done in your life, family, church and community (Matthew 6:10). Are you doing this?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Brethren, it is a terrible thing for a man to live his life without the will of God, Infact the  end of such fellow is predictable. We cannot ignore the fact that sometimes exercising this will can be difficult but the end is gain. Just like Pastor stated above ” we submit our freewill to God in the process of discovering and following God’s purpose for our lives”  Hence, you cannot live by His will and miss your purpose on earth. May the Lord give us the grace to abide to the Will of God. Thank you Pastor E.A Adeboye for this devotional, May God enrich you the more. 

Prayer Point: Father, I submit myself anew to the lordship of Your Spirit. Please let Your will be done in my life, 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

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Memorise: Then said his wife unto him, dost thou sill retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die. Job 2:9
Read: Judges 16:24-31
24 When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said: “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy, The destroyer of our land, And the one who multiplied our dead.”
25 So it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may perform for us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them. And they stationed him between the pillars.
26 Then Samson said to the lad who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars which support the temple, so that I can lean on them.”
27 Now the temple was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there—about three thousand men and women on the roof watching while Samson performed.
28 Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”
29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left.
30 Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.
31 And his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel twenty years.
Bible in one year: Isaiah 45-47, Luke 3:23-4:13

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

1. Prayer was established by God as a means of dialogue between Himself and His covenant people.
2. Our Lord Jesus Christ engaged in prayer in His lifetime and also taught His disciples how to pray (Matthew 14:23, Matthew 6:9-13).
3. As His disciples today, we pray with the assurance of His promise in Matthew 21:22, which says: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive.”
4. The fact that our Lord engaged in all night prayer shows how significant prayer is (Luke 6:12). In Matthew 17:21, He revealed to us that some challenges in life may not be overcome without fervent prayers and fasting.
5. God’s attitude and response to prayer differs based on the identity of the person praying. 1 Peter 3:12 says: “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
6. Based on this verse of scripture, only those who are in right standing with God should expect answers to their prayers. If you have not received the gift of righteousness which comes from being born again, I implore you to give your life to Jesus today. I pray that every request you make to God as from today shall be answered by fire in Jesus’ Name.
7. Despite the obvious power of prayer and the various examples of answered prayer in the Bible, certain circumstance threaten our very existence and shake the foundations of our faith, causing us to render defeatist prayers to God.
8. A defeatist prayer is the kind of prayer made with an expectation of imminent failure, assumption of hopelessness and a resignation to fate.
9. Defeatist prayers carry a belief that God cannot intervene in the situation at hand. May you never doubt the ability of God to save you in the time of trouble in Jesus’ Name.
10. In Job 29:9, Job’s case got so bad that he was given a defeatist option of cursing God and choosing death. Similarly, after great exploits for God, followed by victories and celebrations, Elijah’s life was threatened by a wicked queen called Jezebel. He became so distressed that he prayed this defeatist prayer in 1 Kings 19:4: “… It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.”
11. In like manner after the Lord departed from Samson, he lost everything, including his eyesight, and he began to grind corn for his enemies in captivity. This situation forced him to pray a defeatist prayer in Judges 16:30, saying “Let me die with my enemies.”
12. Irrespective of what you are passing through, I encourage you to never render a defeatist prayer to God. Although it might not be easy, remember that your faith is toughened when it passes through fire. Therefore, have faith in God and hold on to Him. Please don’t ever give up on God!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Believers must learn how to pray effectively and rightly. Anxiety can lead to defeatist prayer and this why apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:6 that “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” With the right prayers and faith, victory is sure for us regardless of how terrible what we are facing is. May God continually empower and increase Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Action Point: Father, please don’t let my faith fail in the day of adversity in Jesus’ Name
Hymn
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamp 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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Memorise: Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:7
Read: Matthew 18:1-7
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,
3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe to the world because of [a]offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
Bible in one year: Isaiah 43 – 44, Luke 3:7-22

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

1. Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke in very strong terms against offences in today’s Bible reading. I therefore believe it is a wise thing for us to understand what they are and try to avoid them.
2. Offences is a biblical term which refers to an obstruction lying on a pathway over which one may stumble. It is anything that hinders and tends to trip one up in the course of living a righteous life. A hindrance in this regard often stands for temptations to sin.
3. One source of offences that was mentioned by the Lord in His sermons is the cravings of our body (Matthew 18:8-9). Another source which He also mentioned are the people we interact with on a day to day basis (Matthew 18:7, Romans 16:17).
4. The Lord made it clear that a life without any obstacle, hindrance, stumbling block or temptation is impossible, but that anyone who places obstacles in other people’s path or who leads others into sin is already cursed by God (Luke 17:1). Jesus declared that great sorrow awaits them, so that it would have been better if they were not even born. All those who are behind your problems in life shall run into the wrath of the Almighty God in Jesus’ Name.
5. Some people have mastered the art of setting traps for others, and they themselves have become a living trap, supporting anything that ensnares or hinders people from pleasing God and deriving satisfaction from causing people to stumble. They ensnare unsuspecting and ignorant people, and mislead innocent and immature Christians into fatal errors that lead to hell. Greedy for money, power and fame, they consciously build an army of loyal followers in order to exert their influence on them. They falsely appear as saints and subtly present another “gospel” that is completely different from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their message is built on human wisdom and understanding but carefully wrapped in a garb of spirituality. They have a warped understanding of the Bible, which they present as new revelations from God or “prophetic preaching”. Their message of easy-going Christianity has led many people into worldly lifestyles and complacency in holy living. Through their activities, many have missed the high mark of God’s calling.
6. You will notice that some of these offender are experienced pastors who are knowledgeable in the things of God but deliberately mislead others. Therefore, be warned about the existence of such characters within the Church of God.
7. Watch carefully to prevent yourself from falling into their trap. I pray that the rod of the wicked one shall not fall upon your portion, and you will not be led away from the presence of God in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

We should be a light in our world and draw men to God through our character. Never be a stumbling block or an obstruction to anyone! 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, please grant me grace to perceive offences and to live above them in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
Nearer, my God, to Thee;
Nearer to Thee;
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
There let me see the sight,
An open heaven;
All that Thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise,
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

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