Memorise: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22
Read: James 1:21-25
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Bible in one year
Ezekiel 47-48, John 7 40-8:11

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

While driving on a highway, you would often see a road sign that indicates “Bumps ahead” or “Sharp bend ahead”. Seeing such a sign, a wise fellow will immediately slow down while a foolish fellow will keep speeding. When the danger that should have been averted happens, everyone will consider such a driver to be foolish. This scenario describes the case of those who Read the Bible and see some truths in it that will save their lives but choose not to act on what they have read.
Today’s Bible reading tells us that the word of God is like a mirror which shows us what needs to be changed in our lives. It is a dangerous kind of foolishness to read or hear the word of God and not act on it. Some people hear the word and resolve to do something, but they procrastinate taking actions until their resolve fades away with time. They are like a man dressed up to go out who sees in the mirror that his tie is a little too far to the right, but then leaves the front of the mirror without correcting it. if after a while he remembers that his tie is a little off to the right and then tries to adjust it to the left, he may adjust it a little too far to the left, the wise thing to do is to make the adjustment while still in front of the mirror. If you hear or read any word from God that requires you to make an adjustment in your life, you must do so immediately, because delay may be dangerous.
Many years ago, my Father in the Lord preached a message on keeping our environment clean if we wanted God to live in our homes. He also said that the kind of music we listened to would determine if the Spirit of God would be comfortable dwelling in our homes. My wife and I got home late and tired that day, but tried as we were; we raised up our mattress and swept off a lot of dirt from under our bed. We also broke and threw away all the secular tapes that we had in the house. We acted on the word immediately and we were better off for it. Matthew 13:23 says:
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
When you have heard a word that can change your life for the better, the devil knows it, and he immediately springs into action to steal it from you. You must be on guard, and your best strategy is to act on the word before he brings distractions and suggestions that will destroy the fruits that God intends the word to yield in you. Are you just a hearer of the word or a doer of it?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

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Prayer Point: Father, please make me head indeed and don’t let me fail in my responsibilities
Hymn 4
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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: And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 1 Peter 3:13
Read: Deuteronomy 28:7-13
7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 45-46, john 7:25-39

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

1. It is surprising to see professing Christians fretting and cringing before agents of the devil. Some would not even want to go to their villages for fear of evil doers. When they visit, they literally lie that all is not well with them in the city because they are afraid that if the villagers realize that they are making it, they may do something to affect them adversely. This is not right at all. For me, it was after I gave my life to Christ that I finally had the boldness to visit my village. In those days, witches were almost flying in broad daylight in my village, but thanks be to God that things have now changed so greatly that my village is now for Christ.
2. Take a look at today’s memory verse again and believe in the infallible word of God therein. Also believe these declarations of God to you in Deuteronomy 28:7: “The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.”
3. If you live by these words of God in faith, you become untouchable to the enemy, irrespective of whatever he throws at you. However, to activate the power in God’s word, you need to reverence the word.
4. The proof of reverencing God’s word is obeying what it says. That is why today’s Bible readings clearly states that if we listen to the voice of the Lord and obey His commandments, only then will we be partakers of His promises. We therefore become untouchable when we live our lives in reverence to God’s word, which is quick, powerful, prevailing and sharper than any two-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12 says: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart.”
5. No wonder the Holy Spirit advised us to allow the word of God dwell in us richly in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16). The devil cannot destroy you if you live according to the word of God, because the word will fight for you even without you knowing it.
6. Some people don’t have a revelation of God’s word in Hebrews 4:12; this scripture means that the word is active, doing warfare silently without people even knowing that it is at work. For these reasons, you must pay attention to the word of God by meditating on it day and night. That is the secret to being untouchable indeed!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Many believers pretend to love God and that we are on His side but this is not true. Anyone that truly love God will do His will and this automatically puts us in a place of safety away from the devil’s vices and wickedness. Whose are you? God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.
 

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

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20

Memorise : Jesus saith unto her, said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shaouldest see the glory of God? John 11:40
Read: Matthew 8:5-13
5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. 
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 43- 44, John 7:1-24

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

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

1. There is a different key that opens each door in a house. This fact of life also applies to the things of God.
2. There are certain things you must do in order to receive a miracle at any point in time.
3. The most important key to open the door is the act of exercising faith. The fact that you have been in church for decades does not guarantee that you have the kind of faith that can get you the miracle you desire.
4. In the story behind today’s memory verse, despite Mary and Martha’s closeness with Jesus Christ, their faith was so weak that they did not believe their brother could be raised from the dead. Jesus had to prop up their faith by admonishing them to believe in order to see the glory of God.
5. In contrast to this, in today’s Bible reading, we see a manifestation of great faith that received commendation from our Lord. The centurion had faith that Jesus did not need to be physically present with his critically ill servant before He could heal him. Remarkably, it was the Lord Himself who described the centurion’s faith as “great”! I pray that you will also begin to walk in this type of faith in Jesus’ Name.
6. Do you know that there are times when the faith of a member of the congregation is greater than that of the pastor? There is this testimony of one of my daughters who came to me for prayer that God should change the sex of her baby from female to male because the husband said he would send her packing if she gave birth to another female child. As I tried to persuade her to accept the will of God for that baby, since it was already confirmed beyond reasonable doubt that the child in her womb was a girl, she told me, “Daddy, but you taught us that with God nothing shall be impossible!” at that point, I decided to agree with her in faith. Beloved, this daughter of mine got what she wanted because the Lord changed the sex of her fully grown foetus from female to male.
7. In addition to faith, humility could also be seen in the centurion. Despite his stature as a high ranking Roman officer, he did not see himself as worthy enough to have the Lord come into his house. This attitude of humility worked for the centurion, and it will work for you as well.
8. If you have pending acts of repentance or restitution to fulfill, go ahead to do them in humility. Don’t forget to add the icing of praise to your prayer, and you will receive your miracle today in Jesus Name. 

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24 When we pray, we must have faith that we will receive what we are praying about. Prayer is a key and faith is also a key. These two is very important and it should be taken with all seriousness. May God help us all in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually uphold and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

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

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20

Memorise: likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought : but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26
Read: Luke 18:35-43
35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 41-42, John 6:52-71

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

“And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, saying, what wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Luke 18:40-42
It is intriguing that Jesus asked a man who was obviously blind the question that He did in the above scripture. This indicates to us that even though our cries may catch God’s attention, we still need to apply His principles in order to receive anything from Him. The blind man got Jesus’ attention through His persistent cries, but he still needed to fulfill the principle of asking to receive, before his eyes were opened.
There are several lessons we can learn from the story narrated in today’s Bible reading. Firstly, when we cry to God in the Name of Jesus Christ, we receive divine attention, as this blind man did. I pray that you will receive heaven’s attention as you cry to God today in Jesus’ name. Secondly, the blind man knew what he needed, and he got it. Do you really know what you need from God or are you occupied with what you want? These are two different things. For example, the blind man needed his eyesight, though he might have also wanted food. Priorities differentiate needs from wants. This is why the presence of the Holy Spirit is paramount in the life of a believer. We may not accurately know what we need, but the Holy Spirit helps us to pray aright in order to receive our petition. Teaching us this all important work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life, Romans 8:26 says”
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought : but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.”
Moreover, we also learn from this story that Jesus did not assume what the blind man wanted Him to do; instead, He asked and listened to what he had to say. The man might have desired to receive food or money, like the lame man at the gate of the temple in Acts 3:5-6. Another lesson we learn today is that the Father will give us whatever we ask in faith in the Name of Jesus Christ. The question is, do we really know what we need from God, and do we have enough faith to receive it from Him?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

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What a privilege to be connected with the one whose resources is umlimited. What do you want from God? May you receive in this season. Please be encouraged never to under estimate what the Lord can do for you. Blessed be the Lord for His son Pastor E.A Adeboye.

Prayer Point:
Father, please give me that which is Your perfect will for me today, as only Your will is good enough for me.

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20

Memorise: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2
Read: Luke 13:6-9
He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 40, John 6:25-51

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

The parable told by Jesus of the farm owner and his fruitless fig tree should make us realize that nothing goes for nothing. The farm owner was not keeping the fig tree on his farm for decorative purposes; he wanted it for fruits. After waiting for years, the tree remained fruitless, and so he decided to get rid of it. Beloved, are you fulfilling any purpose in God’s kingdom? Are you just a statistic on the number of Christians alive or are you bearing fruits?
As long as you have breath, you have a purpose and cannot afford to stay fruitless, lest the farm owner decides it’s time to cut you down. The terrifying part of today’s story is that the farm owner was prepared to disregard his labour of past years over the fruitless fig tree and ignore the potential of getting any fruits from it in future. At that point, he only counted the tree as nothing but a waste of farmland.
In today’s memory verse, Jesus clearly stated that every branch in Him that does not bear fruit will be cut off. As a born-again Christian, you are one of His branches (John 15:1). Every believer needs to be the branch of the vine that yields fruit and is pruned to yield more fruit, particularly the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Our actions, purpose and attitude need to flow from the fruit of the Spirit for us to be considered fruitful.
The good news today is that the vine-dresser intervened on behalf of the fruitless fig tree, asking the owner to give him one more year to carefully manage it. If it still remained fruitless after one year, then the owner could finally decide to cut down the tree. Beloved, examine yourself today to determine if you are currently fruitless. Perhaps you are even undergoing your one year grace period before being cut off and replaced with a fruitful tree? What is the motive behind your actions and work for God today? Are you exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit in all that you do? In addition to manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, we are also expected to bear fruits of souls into God’s kingdom, and these fruits must remain. The fruit of souls you win to Christ will remain when you follow them up and teach them the ways of the kingdom. May the Lord strengthen you as you faithfully do all this in Jesus’ name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

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Today’s devotional might have met you unexpectedly because it is indeed a bitter truth. It is rare message of the season. Let us just examine ourselves and adjust where necessary. May will never be disqualified by God due to fruitlessness. Thank you Pastor E.A Adeboye for this devotional, more Grace in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, help me to fulfill the purpose for my existence in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN 7
WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE
1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal of love;
Wake the 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.
2. 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.
3. 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: who can count dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! Numbers 23:10
Read: Revelation 14:9-13
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 38-39, John 6:1-24

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

Today’s Bible text and memory verse reveal the blessing of dying the death o the righteous. As long as Jesus tarries, everyone, including Christians will die. At the point of death, each person will either be in a state of righteousness or unrighteousness. The question you need to answer is which state you will be in when your time comes.
The Holy Spirit had made it clear that there is nothing we can do of our own accord to attain righteousness. In Isaiah 64:6, He said:
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Who then are the righteous? Paul, in his letter to the Romans, explains that we only become righteous when we submit ourselves to the righteousness of God made available through Jesus Christ. Romans 10:3-4 says:
“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Beloved, if the Lord calls for your soul today, will your death be that of the righteous? If we look at the other side of what the Spirit is saying in Revelation 14:13, He clearly warns that anyone who does not die in Christ will have everlasting unrest. This will not be our portion in Jesus’ Name.
Submitting to the righteousness of God is not just about giving your life to Christ, but rather a continuous journey of submitting to God’s will and living daily for Him. Beloved, can you boldly say that you are living a life that is in total submission to God’s will? Can you say you have a relationship with God where you commune with Him and know what He wants you to do with your life daily? The temple veil that prevented the children of God from having a direct relationship with Him was torn on the day of crucifixion, signifying that everyone can now relate with God personally (Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 4:16). This is the foundation of living a righteous life and the source of assurance that all you are doing is in line with His will for you. I pray that you will have a deeper relationship with God from today.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

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Prayer Point: Father, please guide me as I begin to deepen my relationship with You, and cause me to hear from You on what You will have me do at every point in time.
Hymn
1. 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.
2. For my cleansing this I see
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my pleas
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
3. Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ‘tis all of grace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
4. 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: Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6
Read: Ephesians 4:29
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
 
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 36-37, John 5:30-47

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

1. As seen in today’s memory verse, the Holy Spirit demands that our speech be seasoned with salt.
2. When cooking, it does not matter how many delicious ingredients you have in the soup, if you don’t add salt, your food may taste bland. In the same way, no matter how holy or filled with the Holy Spirit you claim to be, if your speech is not seasoned with salt, you are distasteful to God and man. In fact, all your claims are lies, because Luke 6:45 says: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
3. In other words, what comes out of your mouth is an indication of what is in your heart. If you are truly holy and filled with Holy Spirit, it will reflect in your words and show in how you speak to others.
4. When you become born again, one of the first changes that will be noticed in you is your language. Evil words will no longer be able to come out of your mouth because they are no longer in you.
5. From James 3:3-4, we understand that if our tongues can only be under the control of Jesus Christ, then we will walk in His perfect will: “Beloved, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which thought they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor listeth.”
6. If people complain about the way you talk, then you need to check your salvation. If your words are bringing sorrow to others, then your speech needs to be seasoned with salt.
7. Are you using the same tongue that you use to praise God to also insult people? Are you telling lies with your tongue and also quoting scriptures with that same tongue?
8. If your tongue is not for Christ, it does not matter how much of His word you say, it is powerless and useless in your mouth.
9. Some preachers preach for long hours and the word does not seem to have any effect in the lives of people; the reason is because the tongue preaching is not of God.
10. If you can consecrate your tongue to God, you will see a serious transformation in the power of your words. Your words will begin to heal the sick, deliver captives, raise the dead and convict sinners.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew 5:13 God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.
 
Key Point: Watch your heart, because that is where your words are formed. Speak life where everything seems dead, speak peace wherever there is conflict, and speak love to the depressed.
Hymn
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

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Memorise: And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62
Read: 1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
 
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 34-35, John 5:1-29

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

1. There is a natural feeling in every human being called nostalgia. It is the feeling you get when you miss someone or something that was once a part of your life.
2. When you become born again, a lot of things about you change. Your friends, choice of drinks, fun spots, daily schedule, speech and many more things change.
3. The difference between being born again and just keeping away from the things is that when you are born again, you become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old man dies and a new man with new appetites is born. You will begin to long for times of fellowship in church, and when you wake up in the morning, you will not be able to do anything else until you have read your Bible and have had your quiet time with God. The bad things you used to do will being to irritate you and you will now feel ashamed that you once did them. For this reason, when I see some Christians whose conduct suggests that they still miss the world, I begin to wonder if they ever really became born again.
4. Sometimes, people angrily says, “He is very lucky that I have given my life to Christ; if it were in those days when I was in the world, I would have slapped him!” They also say, “If we were not in church, I would have finished you!” People who speak this way about their days in the world are actually missing the world, and in their heart, they have already gone back to the world. If remedial steps are not taken, they will soon be completely backslidden.
5. When you talk about those bad old days as if they were good old days, without any form of shame, you are missing the world. You need to pray to God to consecrate you afresh.
6. Whenever I remember my days in the world, I feel ashamed of myself. I see that old man as a great fool, and I detest the things he valued so highly then. Great fear comes on me when I consider that I would still have been on my way to hell if Jesus had not saved me. If this is not how you feel when you remember your days in the world, then something is wrong somewhere. The devil has begun luring you back into the world and you need to take heed lest you fall.
7. The devil is very wily, and he knows how to make a person backslide without the fellow even realizing it.
8. You must wake up from your slumber and push his ideas out of your mind with God’s help. Keep away from those things and people who make your old lifestyle look attractive to you.
9. Do not forsake the fellowship of the brethren, and pray without ceasing. You will not go back to the world in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4 Being in Christ is the best place anyone can be. And missing the world is a great mistake anyone who claims to be in Christ can make. May we go deeper in Christ and in His saving grace in Jesus name. May God strengthen and empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, in any way I miss the world without realizing it, please make me see it and rescue me from the tricks of the devil in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
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.
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.
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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Memorise: And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression: Deuteronomy 26:7
Read: Deuteronomy 26:6-9
6 And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
7 And when we cried unto the Lord God of our fathers, the Lord heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:
8 And the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:
9 And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey. 
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 33, John 4:31-54

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

1. Without question, every man or woman born into this world needs help at one point or the other. Knowing what to do when the need for help arises is a factor that differentiates victors from defeated people.
2. A fellow ends up being defeated and frustrated simply because he or she could not access the help needed to overcome the challenges of life at the appropriate time. I pray that help will come to you speedily this season in Jesus’ name.
3. Another factor that causes defeat is that some people don’t even know when they need help. This is a serious situation. They move in circles on the same spot, thinking that they are making progress. You need to continually examine whether you need help so that you don’t end up wasting precious time struggling alone.
4. The great work the Lord committed into the hands of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has taught me this vital lesson. When I became the General Overseer, I suddenly realized that I could not do the work by my strength and resources alone. So, the first thing I did was to make the original Owner of the work, the Holy Trinity, My Senior Partner and Ally. The next thing I did was to raise ministry helpers so that the work could be done as quickly as possible. If God is ministering to you to be a ministry helper, don’t hesitate to obey Him.
5. Another thing you need to do when you suddenly realize that you need help is to know where the help will come from. In today’s Bible reading, while under affliction and oppression, the Israelites correctly identified the LORD God of their fathers as the sure source of help, the next thing you must do to secure your needed help is to connect yourself to that source and abide by the principles of that source. For example, if you have identified God as your surest Source of help, Deuteronomy 28:1-4 should be your guiding principle. You should not allow anything to derail you – not even the world with its technological advancements and ‘modern’ way of doing things, because many civilizations have come and gone, but God and His principles remains unchanged (Hebrews 13:8). In John 15:4, Jesus Christ told His disciples: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
6. Moreover, you must look up to God in prayer for the fulfillment of His promises, like Daniel did in Daniel 9:1-3. When you do this, you can be sure that the testimony in Psalm 34:5 will become a reality in your life. It says: “They looked unto him, and were enlightened and their faces were not ashamed.”

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Knowing that God is the only Ally and ever present help in time of need is so important. Often we get carried away with the issue at hand and forget the only source of help for all that look up to Him. May we find help in Him in Jesus name. We are daily blessed and refreshed as we study the Open heaven devotional. May God continually strengthen and uphold Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point: Go to God in prayer, asking for His help in whatever area you need help. Do not hesitate to reach out to those God ministers to your heart as channels of help to meet your needs.
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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Memorise: For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Romans 9:15
Read: Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 
Bible in one year: Ezekiel 31-32, John 4:7-30

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

1. One observable fact about human beings is that anytime they engage in wrong deeds that deserve to be punished and the punishment does not occur, they will assume that they can press forward with their evil deeds without any consequences.
2. In other words, impunity reigns where justice does not take its full course. For example, if you commit a sin in a secret, and you hear the pastor say, “There is nothing hidden that will not come into the open,” you will get worried with thoughts like “Oh, I have done this thing and my secret will soon be out!” However, after you wait for a while and your secret is not exposed, you will then say to yourself, “Oh! So they lied; I can continue enjoying myself in sin and no one will know!” Don’t be deceived; you are only enjoying God’s mercy for a while. You need to understand that the gate of mercy is a very wide gate. Speaking of its dimensions, Psalm 108:4 says: “For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.”
3. Anybody can run through the gate of mercy, no matter how big his or her sins are, but this gate has a peculiar manner of closing. It closes very rapidly in a way no one can explain. As big as it is, this gate of mercy can snap shut within a split second. For this reason, Proverbs 29:1 says: “he that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
4. Once the gate of mercy snaps shut for an individual, it can never be opened again, irrespective of how much anyone pleads.
5. Someone very close to me was brought to us for prayers one day. She was very sick and close to death. As I laid my hand on her, I felt the anointing flow through my hand, but as it got to her head, it returned immediately. I asked God why, and He said, “I have had mercy and warned her several times, but she wouldn’t listen. It is now My turn to refuse to heal her.” I ran to the altar and cried to God, saying “Please Lord, You said You don’t want the destruction of a sinner and Your mercy endures forever; please have mercy!” I ran back to her and placed my hand on her head again. The anointing flowed through my hand, got to her head and returned again. I ran back to the altar, pleading for God to have mercy on her, but before long, she died.
6. Although the gate of mercy is very large, please don’t take it for granted; it can suddenly close at any time!
7. For every sinner, there is always a last chance. If you are in secret sin, you don’t know what time God has fixed as your won last chance. It might be the last time you got away with that sin. Why don’t you confess and forsake you sins today. Surely, no sin is worth the price of eternity.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:7 God desires every sinner’s repentance and there is joy in heaven if a sinner repents. However, there is need for such sinner to turn away from sin as quick as possible. May it never be too late for us to find our way to God’s grace in Jesus name. God bless and continually strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Key Point: Change now before it is too late.
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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