Monthly Archives: September 2019

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2019-A CHURCH IN YOUR HOUSE?

MEMORISE:
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Acts 2:46

READ: Acts 10:34-44

10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

MESSAGE

We often tend to forget that the Church of Jesus Christ started in a home setting (Acts 1:12-14). The family unit is indeed a sub-unit of the entire Church. The home setting is therefore the best nursery to bring up young converts in the Lord, because at that level, it is very easy to avoid hypocrisy, as everyone is familiar with everyone. When the Holy Spirit asks the question that is today’s topic, He is actually asking us two things: are members of our household Christians, and do we have any fellowship of believers in our homes? In other words, do you allow the gathering of God’s people in your house for the purpose of sharing the word, praying and caring for each other? It is important to ensure that all members of our family are born again. The Lord considers His Church to be totality of people who have given their lives to Him and are living according to His Father’s ideals (John 7:16-17). We must therefore ensure that members of our household abide by His teachings.

Today’s memory verse describes the early Church’s communal way of life. The effect of this communal living was the expansion of the Church which Acts 2:47 describes, saying:

“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

Many people don’t know the tremendous blessings they deny themselves when they refuse to accommodate house fellowship centres in their homes. Are such people not aware of the story of Obed-Edom, who by divine arrangement allowed the Ark of the Covenant to dwell in his house and subsequently received overflowing blessings. 2 Samuel 6:11 says:

“And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.”

When King David heard of how the Lord had blessed Obed-Edom because of the presence of the ark in his house, he suddenly realised that he had pushed his blessings away to another by keeping the ark in Obed-Edom’s house. Allowing your house to accommodate a gathering of people in Christ’s Name is therefore a wise thing to do. In today’s Bible reading, the Lord led Peter to the home of Cornelius to preach the gospel of salvation. While he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon the “service” holding in Cornelius’ house. This was a manifestation of the fulfilment of Christ’s prophecy of a time when people will be able to worship God anywhere in Spirit and in truth (John 4:21-24). Church is where two or three people ate gathered in Jesus’ Name, and Jesus Christ will be there amongst them (Matthew 18:20). Bring Jesus into your home by establishing a fellowship in your house and make sure members of your family are the first beneficiaries of the grace it brings.

ACTION POINT:
Develop a powerful family prayer altar in your home, witness to your immediate neighbours and proceed further to establish a house fellowship centre in your home.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 1-3, Daniel 10:18-11:13

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 16: GOD, GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES

1. 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 Thy love hath wrought
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes

2. 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

3. God give us Christian homes
Homes where the mother, in caring quest
Strives to show others Your way is best
Homes where the Lord is an honoured guest
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes

4. 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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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2019 -THE PRINCIPLES OF GIVING

MEMORISE:
As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
2 Corinthians 8:15

READ: 2 Corinthians 8:9-15

8:9 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. 8:10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 8:11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

MESSAGE

Giving has always been a debated topic in Christendom. Nevertheless, irrespective of how controversial it has become today, it is still part of God’s mandate to us as Christians. Several passages of the Bible clearly instruct us to give, and several more tell us how rewarding it is. However, like many of God’s promises, there are principles to follow in order to reap its benefits. The Holy Spirit wants us to consider some of these principles today so that we can begin to reap the full benefits of giving.

The first principle of giving that you need to understand is that you must give your life to God first before giving Him a gift. God is not interested in your gift if you are not one of His children. Speaking on this, the Holy Spirit says in Proverbs 15:8a:

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD:”

Secondly, God expects us to give for the right reasons. The Lord said in Matthew 6:1:

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”

Most times when we give, we give to be admired by men. As Christians, we have to carefully consider our motive before we give. If you check and find out that the reason you want to give is to be seen as rich or zealous by other people, then it is better to keep your offering to yourself, because God will not acknowledge such giving.

The third principle to consider is based on 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, which says:

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

As important as it is to give bountifully, it is also pertinent that you give cheerfully. Whatever you give, do it with a cheerful heart and disposition.

Beloved, in order not to lose your reward, ensure that your every act of giving is consciously done to satisfy all the principles required. May God honour you and your gifts from today in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please make me a wise and cheerful giver.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 24-25, Daniel 10:1-17

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE

1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.

2.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.

3.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.

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5. 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.

6. 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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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2019:IT WILL BE PAID IN ARREARS!

MEMORISE:
Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. James 5:4

READ: Exodus 12:30-36

12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 12:31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. 12:32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. 12:33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. 12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 12:36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

MESSAGE

Whenever we read the story of how God paid the Israelites the arrears of their 430 years of labour, we are understandably excited, but we need to pay close attention to the lessons God is teaching us through it. The Holy Spirit said in 1 Corinthians 10:11:

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

Those who know the true God of the universe understand that He is a God of justice and equity, and He created us to live accordingly. In fact, He requires justice and equity not only from mankind but from all His creatures. For example, when rain falls on the earth, God expects the ground to yield her increase (Leviticus 26:4). This might be the reason why the Lord cursed the fig tree that was just receiving nutrients from the ground and sapping the energy of the gardener without producing the expected fruit (Mark 11:12-14, 20). The worst aspect of the Egyptians’ ill-treatment of the Israelites was that they did not pay them any wages; they actually subjected them to forced labour. It’s therefore not surprising that in Exodus 3:7, God said:

“…I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;”

Thankfully, God made sure that the Egyptians paid in arrears all that they owed the Israelites (Exodus 12:36). Are you in sorrow as a result of taskmasters dominating your life? This verse is a message coming from the Lord to reassure you that He sees your plight. The Lord will hear you as you cry to Him today over those taskmasters in Jesus’ Name. Beloved, when the Lord is on your side, you will not only win a battle without a fight, you will also gather the spoils of war, just as the Israelites gathered the wealth of the Egyptians in one night.

Moreover, this story also has a serious lesson for tyrant employers of labour. When the Lord begins to fight for the employees you have been exploiting, you will pay in a hurry, and it will be in devastating arrears! This truth is established in today’s memory verse, and the consequences that follow are clearly stated in James 5:2-3, which says:

“Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire…”

If you are guilty of this sin, please repent and restitute your ways without further delay.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please forgive me in any way I have defrauded others, and help me to restitute my ways. Also, let those holding all my wages that have been denied me release them in a hurry.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 23, Daniel 9:16-27

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU

1. While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.

2. Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2019:HEAVEN’S TESTIMONIAL

MEMORISE:
For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 2 Peter 1:17

READ: Numbers 12:4-10

12:4 And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 12:5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 12:9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. 12:10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

MESSAGE

When you observe the extent some people go to just to receive the commendation of men, you cannot but pity their lack of understanding. In whatever area of service you find yourself, please recognise that your service should be rendered as unto the Lord (Ephesians 6:7). With this mind-set, your focus will be set on heaven’s testimonial about you and not what people think. Noah was a man who received a great testimonial from heaven, according to Genesis 6:9 which says:

“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”

What a great testimony this is! No wonder he found grace in the sight of God and was spared the destruction that came on the earth through the great flood (Genesis 6:7-8). It was the grace of God that qualified Noah to be adjudged righteous and perfect. I personally consider this to be a form of divine approval. The whole world may approve of you but if God disapproves of you, it is a disaster. It is just like an individual who was unanimously voted into power by his countrymen, only to die before he was sworn in. How unfortunate!

Another person who got a testimonial from heaven was Moses. When his spiritual leadership was called into question by his siblings, God Himself declared His approval of Moses (Numbers 12:6-8). Those who truly belong to God do not need to devise schemes to obtain people’s approval, because the God they represent will announce them to the whole world in His own peculiar way. Our Lord said in John 10:37-38:

“If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”

Anyone who wants heaven’s approval must do the works of God, and the greatest of these works is the winning of lost souls. Jesus was all out to do His Father’s bidding and God Himself testified of Him, saying in Matthew 17:5c:

“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

Based on this testimonial, the whole world is still hearing Jesus today. This affirmation also gave His disciples the assurance that His words were not cunningly devised fables (2 Peter 1:16-17). Beloved, seek the testimonial of heaven today and your struggles to make it in life will become a thing if the past.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, testify to Your grace on my life so that the whole world may know that I belong to You.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 21-22, Daniel 9:3-15

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 10: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

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, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still 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?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2019: RAISING YOUR CHILDREN

MEMORISE:
And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13

READ: 1 Samuel 2:27-33

2:27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house? 2:28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? 2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 2:31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house. 2:32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever. 2:33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.

MESSAGE

Parents are stewards to whom God has entrusted children for proper care, and He expects to get a good report of their performance in this assignment. In essence, every parent is a caretaker of his or her children. As a parent, how are you carrying out this delicate assignment? Are you handling it with levity of putting in all the effort it requires? Modernisation is fast eroding good culture in our children. Many parents in the name of modernisation put tight and revealing clothes on their little children when they are going out. How do you expect little girls like that to dress when they become adults? Many parents complain about their teenage children’s choice of clothes and level of sexual exposure, without realising that they are the ones who caused it all. These days, some parents claim they don’t want to “force a religion” on their children, saying they want them to choose for themselves; so, they go to church and leave their children at home sleeping. However, when it comes to education, they force their children to wake up early to go to school. Can’t you see that the devil is already deceiving you into placing your child in his hands? How can you say your life is better because you met Jesus Christ, yet you want to leave your child to possibly choose something else? Ensure your children go to church and that they read their Bibles. Introduce them to the One who died to save their souls, doing the best you can to ensure that they are saved, and trust God to keep them in the light when they are old enough to be on their own.

It is unfortunate that the devil has also started deceiving people into thinking that using the rod on a child is wrong. You may not agree with me, but I know that God’s word is never wrong. Proverbs 23:13-14 says:

“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.”

In fact, the word of God says if you don’t use the rod on your child, then it means you hate that child (Proverbs 13:24). There is a difference between child abuse and chastising a child. You can withhold the cane and still abuse that child, whereas you can use a cane and correct in love. Let us get it clear: our attention should be on correcting with love and not on whether you use the rod or not. The word of God is ever true: if you love your child, you will always instruct that child and will not spare the rod when it is necessary to discipline him or her. Put in your best efforts to ensure that you raise your children in God’s way.

KEY POINT:
Are you training your children in God’s way or the way society dictates?

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2019: WISDOM & DEATH

MEMORISE:
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. Proverbs 1:32

READ: Proverbs 8:32-36

8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

MESSAGE

Rejecting wisdom is a pathway that leads to death. Any human endeavour that is not founded on wisdom will sooner or later die a natural death. This is the reason why the Bible says in Proverbs 4:7:

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Why does the absence of wisdom result in death? I believe the story of the fox, a cunning animal known for its wisdom, should suffice in illustrating this. The lion was feared as the king of all animals in the jungle. However, he had become terribly old and sick and could no longer chase down his prey, so he devised a scheme to help him get his food with ease. He caught a small rabbit and assured the rabbit that he would not kill it, if the rabbit would go and inform all the other animals in the jungle that he had changed from being wicked and was now very friendly. The rabbit delivered this message and soon enough, all the animals decided to visit the lion one after the other to convey their “get-well-soon” greetings to him. However, every animal that went did not return. When it was the fox’s turn to visit, he did not go inside the lion’s den; rather, he stayed outside and greeted the lion from a distance. The lion said to the fox, “Oh my friend, Mr. Fox, you also came? That’s very thoughtful of you; please come in! Why are you greeting me from so far away?” The fox replied, “O king of the jungle, live forever! I am okay outside here, thank you!” Startled, the lion asked, “How do you mean you are comfortable in the sun?” The fox answered, “To be frank with you, O king, I really doubt your sudden change of attitude, and I fear that you are not genuinely sick!” While the fox was saying all this, he kept retreating further and further away from the lion’s den. “When I got here, I saw the footprint of those who came in to greet you, but I cannot see any footprint coming out!” said the fox, and he fled for his dear life. This was how widon preserved the fox from ending up in the belly of the lion.

I encourage you to embrace wisdom in all you do. God’s word is the source of all wisdom, instilling godly fear in our hearts. A lover of wisdom is a lover of life, and to be wise is to embrace the principles of God’s word and the type of lifestyle it teaches. Doing so means death will be far away from you. Is wisdom your friend?

PRAYER POINT:
Father, I believe in the effectiveness of Your wisdom to guarantee life, please fill me with the wisdom that distinguishes a person in all areas of endeavour.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 18, Daniel 8:1-14

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: TRUST AND OBEY

1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey

Chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favour He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2019:POWER IN HIS WORD

MEMORISE:
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3

READ: Genesis 1:1-5

1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

MESSAGE

Those who fail to live according to God’s word don’t realise that they cannot attain their full potential in life without the power in the word, which created all things in the universe. Going against God’s word is like standing in the path of a moving train. Those who do this will only succeed in wreaking havoc on themselves now and in eternity. When an engine is used contrary to its manufacturer’s guidelines, it breaks down. For example, if you try to run a diesel engine on petrol, you will only end up watching the money you spent in buying it go up in flames. This illustration describes what happens when a person goes contrary to God’s word, either ignorantly or deliberately. Since all things were made by the word of God, it goes without saying that this same word has the power to repair and restore those things it created that have become faulty. Speaking on the restorative and curative power of the word, Psalm 107:20 says:

“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

It is therefore not surprising that God always emphasises compliance with His word.

Genesis 1:2 reveals that before the creative power of God’s word came into action, the earth was shapeless, empty and chaotic. However, when the omnipotent power of the word was released, the earth took good shape. Beloved, are you in despair because your life seems void and shapeless? If you allow God’s word to operate in your life today, everything will turn around for the better. When God commanded that there should be light, light came into being. Those who live by God’s word do not live in darkness, because Jesus is the Word of God and also the Light of the world (John 8:12). When He comes into your life, emptiness becomes history. For one reason or the other, some people have never experienced a good day since they were born. If they allow God’s Word, in the person of Jesus, to dwell in them, they will have a testimony like the one Peter had. As a fisherman, Peter laboured all through the night, without catching any fish, but when he allowed Jesus into his boat, he had a net-breaking and boat-sinking catch of fish in the same place where he had earlier laboured and caught nothing (Luke 5:4-7). It is indeed God who gives power to get wealth, and this power is in His word (Deuteronomy 8:18, Joshua 1:8). The light that God’s word gives is available to anyone groping in darkness. Remember, darkness is harmful, and so we need the light of God’s word to illuminate our paths so that we do not stumble or fall in a ditch. Psalm 119:105 says:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Beloved, embrace the infallible word of God today, and it will do you good.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, let Your word be glorified in my life from now on in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 16-17, Daniel 7:13-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: TRUST AND OBEY

1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey

Chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favour He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 2019:PRAY FOR YOUR LEADERS

MEMORISE:
Brethren, pray for us.
1 Thessalonians 5:25

READ: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

MESSAGE

Prayer is such a potent weapon that can do and undo things in people’s lives. It is so powerful that even the person praying cannot comprehend the extent of its reach. Those who walked with God in times past knew the importance of prayer, and this is what inspired Paul’s request in today’s memory verse. Even though he was a prayer warrior himself, he asked the brethren to continually pray for him and his team. Our Lord Jesus Christ also demonstrated the importance of prayer by often spending all night in prayer alone, encouraging His disciples also to be prayerful (Luke 18:1-8). In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for grace to accomplish the will of His Father and also asked His disciples to join Him in prayer, rebuking them when they did not do so. Matthew 26:38 & 40 says:

“Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me… And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?”

Paul also learnt from the Lord about the potency of corporate prayers, which is why he often craved prayers for himself and his team in his epistles. He believed that they could do nothing without God, and that God would do nothing without prayer, based on His principle in Matthew 7:7. On the surface, one would expect that pastors alone should pray for their flock, but in today’s Bible reading, we see an apostle giving the Church at Thessalonica a prayer request that the Lord would have His way in the ministry He committed to them. He also asked the Church to pray for their deliverance from wicked men who did not believe in the gospel, trying their best to stop its spread. The Church is facing a lot of obstacles today because we are not praying enough like the early Church did. Peter would not have escaped King Herod’s sword if the early Church was not fervent in prayers. The Lord answered their prayers by sending an angel to rescue him. Having witnessed the great impact of prayer, Apostle James wrote in James 5:16b, saying:

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Beloved, we ought to continually pray for our leaders. The temptations and battles facing Christian leaders are beyond what members of the Church can imagine. We must therefore faithfully and consistently pray for our spiritual and secular leaders so that they may not make mistakes in governance, and so that we can live a peaceful and holy life in this world (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Spiritual leaders need our prayers to administer their responsibilities correctly, and in order not to disappoint God and betray the trust reposed in them by the Church. Furthermore, they need our prayers to finish well and strong. Are you praying for them?

ACTION POINT:
Make it an obligation to pray for the spiritual leaders God has set over you on a daily basis.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 14-15, Daniel 7:1-12

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: TRUST AND OBEY

1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey

Chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favour He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2019: AVOID THESE SEVEN ABOMINATIONS

MEMORISE:
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
Proverbs 21:6

READ: Proverbs 6:16-19

6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

MESSAGE

There are many things that people do that hinder their progress in life or even permanently destroy their destiny. We shall be discussing seven of these today. From today’s Bible text, these seven include a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies and a person who sows discord among brethren. These all are abominable in the sight of God because of the great negative impact they have on the lives of others. For example, a proud look demeans a fellow human being, which can bring about low self-esteem, which in turn has led several people to commit suicide. In other words, a person can cause the death of another through pride. In addition, a liar is not better than a murderer. The story of Joseph proves this. But for the mercy of God, the lie Potiphar’s wife told against Joseph could have cost him his life, because it is a grievous thing indeed for a slave to attempt to rape his mater’s wife. Those who lie against their fellow human beings will not go unpunished by God unless they repent. Proverbs 26:28 says:

“A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”

Another abomination is nursing wicked and evil thoughts. Such thoughts, more often than not, lead to acts which the perpetrator might live to regret, like crimes of passion for example. For this reason, Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22a:

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:”

Mischief-makers are in danger of God’s judgement, and those who profit from the misfortune of others will not go unpunished. This also applies to those who bear false witness for any reason whatsoever (Exodus 20:16). The seventh abomination is the one that is common in the household of faith: sowing seeds of discord among brethren. This abomination is so deadly that it can set a whole church ablaze and give room for the devil to freely operate among the brethren because they are no longer walking in agreement. In Mark 3:25, the Lord said a house that is divided against itself cannot stand. No wonder Paul said we should look out for and avoid the so-called “brethren” who cause division in the Church (Romans 16:17). Beloved, God is warning us against these seven deadly abominations today. Repent if are involved in any of them.

ACTION POINT:
Examine yourself to see if you exhibit any of these seven abominations in your character and repent of it.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 12-13, Daniel 6:14-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: OH JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED

1 O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

2 O let me feel Thee near me,
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

3 Oh let me hear Thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
Oh speak to reassure me,
To hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.

4 O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in glory,
There shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

5 Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in Thy strength alone.
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then to rest receive me,
My Saviour and my Friend.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 2019:TEST EVERY SPIRIT

MEMORISE:
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

READ: 1 John 2:18-24

2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

MESSAGE

When I hear stories of how some children of God are being deceived by evil spirits and false prophets, I wonder if they read their Bibles at all. Deceptive evil spirits were not just created some years ago, they have been in existence and have been operating since the fall of their master, Lucifer, from heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 12:4&9). These evil spirits were in operation in the Old Testament and were called by many names, such as “lying spirit”, “familiar spirit”, and so on (1 Kings 22:23, 2 Chronicles 33:6). Knowing that their operation will be rampant in these last days, the Holy Spirit clearly forewarned us of the coming of false prophets who will be controlled by lying and other evil spirits. He told us that they will seek to deceive many by using the Lord’s Name. For you not to become one of their victims, the Holy Spirit says to us in 1 John 4:1:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

In light of this scripture, it is your duty as a child of God to test every spirit operating in anyone who claims to be a prophet of God. By His grace, God has given me some signs by which I recognise false prophets and the spirits under which they operate. I believe that every child of God should be equipped with such knowledge, based on God’s word, in order not be deceived by the signs and wonders of these imposters. After all, the magicians of Egypt replicated the miracles that God performed through Moses.

In 1 John 2:19, we are given a sign to look out for when testing the spirit operating in a fellow. This scripture says:

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

When you discover rebels who came out of the Body of Christ doing strange things that have no basis in God’s word or are based on strange interpretation of its message, you must be wary of such people. For example, they might say you need to kill a goat to ward off evil. Beloved, what can be said of a “prophet” who thinks that the Blood shed at Calvary is no longer effective and is seeking to replace it with the blood of goats? Such a person must definitely be operating under the influence of the devil. In order not to be deceived, you need to immerse yourself in the totality of God’s word, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide you into its truth. Beware of false prophets!

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please guide me into all truth by Your Spirit in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 10-11, Daniel 5:29-6:13

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 17: HOLD THE FORT

1 Ho! my comrades, see the signal,
Waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing,
Victory is nigh!

Chorus:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,”
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to Heaven,
“By Thy grace we will.”

2 See the mighty host advancing,
Satan leading on;
Mighty men around us falling,
Courage almost gone.

3 See the glorious banner waving,
Hear the bugle blow;
In our Leader’s Name we triumph
Over every foe.

4 Fierce and long the battle rages,
But our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander,
Cheer, my comrades, cheer!

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