Memorise: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with Truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:14
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:7-11
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 21 Acts 7:23-43

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

1. Life is full of complex challenges which can be overwhelming. These challenges have frustrated some people to the extent that they despair of life itself, leading them to take drugs, join the occult or even commit suicide, all in a bid to “escape” the reality of life’s problems. I pray that you will never be overwhelmed by the challenges of life in Jesus’ Name.
2. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not say we would be immune from trials and tribulations in life (John 16:33); rather He provided us with the sure armour with which we can confront and triumph over everything the enemy throws at us.
3. To be victorious in life, you need to first understand that life’s most devastating battles are not physical, but spiritual.
4. Challenges that have their origin in the spirit realm have to be confronted with spiritual tools, which might appear foolish to the natural man. To help us be triumphant, Ephesians 6:14 introduces two important components of our armour: Truth and Righteousness.
5. A life of truth is a transparent and honest life that is based on the word of God, which Jesus declared to be truth (John 17:17).
6. Living a life of truth is powerful (2 Corinthians 4:2).
7. Lies of any form are of the devil, and so when you live a lie, the devil will have foothold in your life with which to afflict you (John 8:44).
8. However, if your life is based on the truth of God’s word, the devil will find nothing in your life to use against you. This was the situation with the Lord Jesus on the night He was betrayed. The devil came to examine His life to see if indeed He was without sin before going to the cross of Calvary, so that he could accuse Him of it and destroy the work of salvation before the last lap even started.
9. In John 14:30 the said: “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”
10. Thank God that Jesus had the truth in His armour and there was no lie in Him. Little wonder He declared to Pilate that truth was the purpose of His life (John 18:37).
The breastplate of righteousness is another critical part of our armour. 2 Corinthians 6:7 says: “By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”
Righteousness is a gift that puts us in right standing with God and produces a life of uprightness in us (Romans 5:17, Ephesians 4:24).
11. Having received the gift of righteousness, we are empowered to do the works of righteousness ( 1 Corinthians 15:34, Romans 6:18).
12. Standing upon and walking in Christ’s righteousness defeats every rage of the devil against us. Are truth and righteousness part of your armour today?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Key Point:
If the devil examines your life, will he find a lie that he can use as a foothold for his attack?
Hymn
I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Chorus:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh.
I need Thee every hour
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
I need Thee every hour
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
I need thee every hour
Most Holy one;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.

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20

Memorise: Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Acts 3:6
Read: Acts 1:3-8
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 20 Acts 7:3-22

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

1. In Matthew 13:45, our Lord Jesus Christ likened the kingdom of heaven to precious pearls which a merchant sought. On finding just one of great value, he went and sold all that he had to buy it. In other words, there are some things worth more than gold, which every wise man or woman must go after. In addition t the kingdom of God, the anointing of the Holy Spirit is another of such things. I have on several occasions encouraged our ministers to seek the anointing more than any material thing.
2. Today’s memory verse confirms the prime value of the anointing over any material thing in the life of a believer, particularly ministers of God. Although the early Church leaders did not have much in terms of material possessions, they were rich in the anointing of the Holy Ghost. One ordinary day, Peter and John were going into the temple for prayers when they saw a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb begging them for alms. The lame man was used to receiving alms, but Peter and John had nothing to give except the anointing. This anointing caused the lame man to rise up and walk. What Peter and John had was more than gold.
3. In our Bible text, we read about the promise Jesus Christ made to His disciples concerning the Holy Spirit, who is the Giver of the anointing. Jesus told His disciples that they must wait for the coming. Jesus told His disciples that they must wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit before they could begin to exercise the authority in the Great Commission. For you to receive the anointing, you must learn to wait upon the Lord. It is worth waiting for because after the Holy Ghost anointing has come upon you, you will begin to effortlessly do exploits for God just as Peter was doing after he was baptized in the Holy Ghost.
4. Beloved, it is wisdom to prefer the Holy Ghost anointing to material things because at the end of the day, the anointing will attract those things that men run after to you. A classic example of a wise servant of God was Elisha, who demanded the double portion of his master’s anointing. It is rather unfortunate that the man who should have inherited the anointing of Elisha chose to inherit material things from an ex-leper.
5. Alas, he inherited leprosy along with the material things he coveted (2 Kings 5:26-27). May that not be your story in Jesus’ Name. To receive the anointing, you must believe in the Name of Jesus Christ and live according to His standards. Develop a relationship with the Giver of the anointing by making Him your friend, and He will readily release His power to you.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Truly being spiritually endowed is greatly profitable and it is wise to seek anointing of the Holy Ghost and be spiritually gifted just as Apostle Paul encouraged the church to covet the gift of the Spirit in 1 Corinthian 12 vs 31 ” But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way”. May the Lord help us. Glory to God for using His son Pastor E.A Adeboye in bringing to us His word daily.

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

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20

Memorise: for who hath despised the day of small things? Zechariah 4:10a
 
Read: John 6:1-14
1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 18-19, Acts 6:1-7:2

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

1.One of the lies of the devil, which every child of God must reject, is that you have nothing good in your hands that can bring profit to your life.
2. To perpetuate this lie, the devil may trivialize that gift of God in you as though nothing substantial can come out of it. Contrary to this lie, in Job 8:7, the Holy Spirit says to you: “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.”
3. Our memory verse also encourages us not to despise the day of small things. This was the problem with the unprofitable servant in Matthew 25:14-30. He thought he was not given enough talents to trade with and so he went ahead to hide what he was given. The consequence of this was that even the talent he was initially given was taken away from him, and he was punished for being slothful, indolent and insubordinate.
4. Beloved, what is that physical or spiritual gift you are looking down on? The Lord asked me to tell you to value it well so that it will not be taken away from you. Are you given an assignment that you think belittles your status in the Church or in your secular place of work? Please embrace it and do it as unto the Lord.
5. In John 6:1-14, we read of how the disciples nearly missed the miracle of multiplication because they could not see how five loaves and two fishes could be used to feed several thousands of people. The widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 also had a fantastic source of income, but she did not know it until the Lord had mercy on her and led her to Prophet Elisha, who opened her eyes to the “oil well” in a corner of her house!
6. Another lesson from the feeding in the desert is the blessing attached to giving. Imagine if the boy in this story had refuse to release his fish and bread under the assumption that it was too small to feed the multitude!
7. Some people die in abject poverty because they are stingy. They refuse to give from what they have until they become millionaires and have enough to spare!
8. Many people think that they need millions before they can start a business that will lead to financial breakthrough.
9. Beloved, all you need to do is to ask God what line of action you should take.
10. Ask Him to take the lead and to be your senior partner while you follow. I pray that the Lord God of increase will increase you this season in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

’

Little can become super large or plenty when God is in it. Moses rod did a lot more than an ordinary rod could do because God was at work. God wants to bless as many people that makes move to multiply that which the Lord has deposited in them. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

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

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20

Memorise: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:6
 
Read: Acts 27:18-25
18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 16 – 17, Acts 5:22-42

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

1. Many children of God are genuine in their Christian walk, but they do not know their rights in God. For this reason, they unfortunately still live at the mercy of the enemy.
2. A classical example of someone who knew his position in God is Elijah. How I wish all children of God would be just like Elijah in this regard. I tell you beloved, if this were the case, the whole world would have been won into the kingdom of God by now. When confronted by a group of soldiers ordered by the king to terminate his ministry, Prophet Elijah in 2Kings 1:10 simply decreed: “…if I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty….”
3. Exactly what Elijah decreed was what happened, and this happened twice before the third group of soldiers learnt their lesson.
4. The move of God is not found in the multitude of words or in vain repetitions but in the power of the Holy Ghost. However, you cannot walk in this realm without knowing who you are in Christ.
5. Based on today’s Bible text, I have often taught my children that Paul had some credit in his account with God, and so for his sake lives were saved from physical perdition. Having given his all to Christ, he was conscious of the credit he had with Him. For this reason, when he suffered shipwreck with a host of other prisoners, crew and soldiers, he prayed that God should spare their lives. He even encouraged them to eat because God had spoken with him, assuring him of the safety of every life in the ship. Many lessons can be derived from this, the most profound of these being that Paul knew his position in Christ. In other words, He understood his rights in Christ.
6. Do you know your position in Christ? Are you aware of your kingdom rights? Can you gauge your credit balance with God?
7. The knowledge of your current standing with God will cause you to improve your relationship with Him in order to appropriate the benefits of life in Christ. When you do this, I can assure you that you will no longer find yourself living at the mercy of the devil and circumstances again.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

’

Anyone who knows God truly doesn’t get timid or afraid regardless of how scary a situation is. Daniel 11:32 says “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” God bless and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

 
Action Point:
Examine yourself to see how much credit you have with God. Endeavour to increase your credit with Him so that you can always have something to draw from in the days of adversity.
Hymn
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
The rumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
And strength to strength oppose.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your won
Put on the Gospel armor,
And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
Shall reign eternally.

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20

Memorise: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
 
Read: John 8:42-47
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 14-15, Acts 5:1-21

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

DEVOTIONAL

1. Many people cannot identify the enemy’s stronghold, and that is why they remain under his bondage perpetually.
2. It is unfortunate to observe that even many so-called “deliverance ministers” are victims of this ignorance too! This has rendered the efforts and zeal ineffective and has even made them victims of the enemy they claim to deliver people from.
3. What is the enemy’s stronghold? The answer is found in John 8:44: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
4. The story of how man fell in Genesis chapter 3 corroborates the reality that deception is the strongest chain with which the devil has held men down over the ages.
5. Many times, I wonder why those who are seemingly educated or enlightened are caught in the trap of the devil, but then I quickly remember my own days of ignorance. I remember an occasion where despite all the logic I had learnt from mathematics, I still went to a witchdoctor for protection, and he gave me a charm which eventually turned out to be a lie of devil. I had two accidents in one day with this charm hanging in a hidden part of the driver’s seat of my car. Thank God for saving me!
6. In Genesis 3:2-3, Eve told the old serpent, which is the devil, what God had said about the forbidden fruit in the middle of the garden, but the father of all liars said to her: “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
7. This was the epitome of all lies, and the devil is still using this strategy to destroy people’s lives and send them to an eternity in hell.
8. Beloved, which of the devil’s lies have you believed? Is it the lie that some books of the Bible, especially the epistles of Paul, were not originally written for you and so are not applicable to you? Is it the lie that tithes and first fruits are Old Testament ordinances and so should be ignored by New Testament worshippers? I pray for you, just as Jesus did, that you will embrace the truth in the infallible word of God today, and this will set you free (John 17:17).
9. The great truth you need to embrace today is found in the words of 2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

The word of God is true and it can never loose its power. Devil often tries to decieve believers with his lies which are pure mirage. “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” Psalms 119:160 I will therefore encourage us to stand firm and hold on to the word of God which is the word of truth in all we do. We are grateful to God for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye in this generation. May God empower him for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point: Father, please give me divine wisdom to always detect the lies of the devil so as to always escape his snares in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
In that old rugged cross, I stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where his glory forever I’ll share.

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20

Memorise: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15
 
Read: 1 Timothy 1:11-17
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 12 – 13, Acts 4:23-37

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

1. Everyone has a story, but our individual stories are different. I prophesy into your life that your story will be a pleasant one to hear in Jesus’ Name.
2. When the creation story began in Genesis chapter 1, it was a pleasant story of restoration. Genesis 1:1-3 says: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 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 waters. And God said, let there be light: and there was light.”
However, at the appointed time, God Almighty made a way for all mankind to change this story. He made unlimited grace available to us.
3. This grace is unlimited because it is available to all who will receive it to change their story. It was this grace that changed the story of people like Apostle Paul who we read about in our Bible text today.
Beloved, your story can change as well if you will give your life to Christ and completely yield to His lordship.
4. If a chief among sinners like Saul of Tarsus could become Apostle Paul, I assure you that your own story will also change if you believe in the work of redemption that Christ came to offer us.
5. After you accept this work of redemption, all other unpleasant stories about you like joblessness, poverty, sickness, handicapping situations, demonic oppression and eternal death will change. You will have a new story to tell, like the man who was born blind but whose story changed in John 9:25.
6. After God has changed your story, be willing to share it with others, just as Paul and the man born blind did. When you do this, God will continue to give you new pleasant stories to share to the glory of His Holy Name. What is your story today?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

’

Our testimony brings others who are yet to experience God’s touch assurance and hope. It is therefore very important for us to share our testimonies to inspire others. May God continually uphold and increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in wisdom and might in Jesus name.

 
Prayer Point:
Father, please give me a pleasant story to share to the glory of Your Holy Name
Hymn
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Chorus:
Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this I see
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my pleas
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ‘tis all of grace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my hope and peace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

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20

Memorise: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
 
Read: Esther 4:5-16
5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate.
7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
Bible in one year: 1 King 11 Acts 4:1-22

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

1. It is important for everyone to know what he or she is living for.
2. When you do not live for something, you will exist for anything – good, bad or ugly.
3. Due to the nature of man, it takes determination to live for good (Ecclesiastes 9:3, Romans 7:21-24).
4. Those who live for God live for good, while those who live for the devil live for evil.
5. In Ecclesiastes 12:13b-14, the Holy Spirit reveals the essence of our living to us when He said: “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” The question today is: What are you living for?
6. Esther 4:5-16 tells the story of a young lady who decided to live for God and His people. She was ready to die if only the will of God would be done in her life through it. Despite the fact that she was a queen, she declared, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
7. In a similar situation, the book of Daniel tells of how three Hebrew boys disobeyed the decree of King Nebuchadnezzar when he wanted to lead them into idolatry. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to be thrown into the fiery furnace in order to obey their God (Daniel 3:16-18).
8. Today’s memory verse offers an answer to the question of what we should live for.
9. When we decide to live for Christ, everything will fall into place spiritually, and when we are settled spiritually, other aspects or our lives will receive meaning and fulfillment. This is the reason why our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6:31-33: “Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
10. Some people live for the food they will eat, the clothe they will wear, the house they will live in and the car they will ride in, all at the expense of their soul. However, if you hearken diligently to the words of the Lord to seek Him and live for Him, everything else will follow.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Our purpose in life should be to live for Him. We should live daily for all that is His and we can be sure of living a fulfilled life. This truth dawned on Apostle Paul when he made the declaration in our memory verse for today. May the light of this truth shine in our hearts also in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

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

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Memorise: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:25
Read: Ezekiel 37:1-10
1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,
2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest.
4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 9-10, Acts 3

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

1. Bones are often associated with dead bodies or with death itself.
2. Dry human bones symbolise a human body that has been dead for an extended period of time: in some cases, for hundreds or thousands of years. By this time, it is impossible for anyone in the right frame of mind to contemplate any means by which such bones will come back to life again. This was the situation in the valley of dry bones when God asked Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” Knowing well that it is impossible by any human means for those bones to live, but also being conscious of the fact that he was standing before the One that created the universe by the power of His word, Ezekiel tactically answered by saying “O Lord God, thou knowest.” Then the Lord asked the prophet to prophesy to the bones, and in Ezekiel 37:7, as soon as he prophesied, this happened: “…there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.” I therefore prophesy to everything that stands as dry bones in your life and to every symbol of death in your family; hear the word of the Lord: Be restored back to life now in the Name of Jesus.
3. In Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones brought back to life by God’s Spirit, the resurrection of the bones is used as a symbol.
4. Ezekiel’s vision is not directly related to life after death, but rather with the salvation of God’s people from captivity and exile.
5. Some people are locked up in a strange land, enjoying the pleasures of sin. Some are addicted to harmful behaviours, burdened by their conscience and far away from the Spirit of God. They are dead like the dry bones! However, as the Spirit of God sends the breath of life into them, their return to their Creator can be likened to new life rising from the grave.
6. To anyone that is in bondage, captivity or exile, to anyone that has been displace from his or her position, to point of no return in life, I decree once again: Let there be a noise and a shaking from heaven that will set you free from now on in Jesus’ Name.
7. The dry bones were sitting quietly in their forgotten state, fully surrendered to the power of death that held them bound. They were without any hope until God told Ezekiel to prophesy to them. One more time, I prophesy that the wind of the Holy Spirit will blow against every agent of death that is holding your life and destiny bound right now in the Name of Jesus.
8. This marks the beginning of real progress in your life, and henceforth you will be unstoppable in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Our faith is a great key to having dry bones live again. Our Lord Jesus Christ made it clear to us in Mark 9:23 that anything is possible regardless of how bad the situation is if we believe. “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23 The ancient of days is our Father and there is nothing He cannot turn around. May we sing a new song as every dry bone in our lives receives life 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, please let everything about me that is dead and dry live again by Your grace and power in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
(Tune: There shall be showers of blessing)
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sinners will soon be forgiven
Prodigals will come home soon.
Chorus:
Shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Rivers in desert now flowing
Halleluyah to our king.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sickness and sorrow will be gone
Bondage will be forgotten.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
The barren will be fruitful soon
Failure will be forgotten.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Poverty will be forgotten
Stagnancy will soon be gone.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
To all miracles are given
There shall be celebrations
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Many will have testimonies
Of prayers answered fully
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
One of us will chase a thousand
Two will conquer ten thousands.
We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Songs of praises we will sing
Halleluyah to our King.

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Memorise: For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6
Read: Matthew 18:23-35
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 8, Acts 2:29-47

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

1. Mercy is an attitude of compassion, care and concern, grounded in love and sympathy towards others. It is God’s nature that is fundamental to His creation.
2. As one of God’s attributes, mercy is also a key character He demands from His people.
3. Our compassion towards others as Christians is usually activated by God’s compassion for people.
4. It is expected that those who have received mercy from God would respond to human suffering with much concern and work to ameliorate this suffering.
5. Apostle Paul recognized that his conversion from a life of rebellion against God and his subsequent call to the ministry was a product of God’s mercy. Here is his testimony in 1 Timothy 1:13: “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”
6. For this reason, he had so much passion to propagate God’s mercy to others through the gospel of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
7. In today’s Bible reading, a servant who owed ten thousand talents was pardoned by his master, but as soon as he left the presence of his master, he met a fellow servant who owed him a hundred pence. He exacted the full force of his power on this poor fellow servant without mercy, casting him into prison. When this matter got to his master, in Matthew 18:33, his master simply asked him: “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” This clearly indicates to us that we are beneficiaries of the great mercy of God so that we also can become dispensers of this same mercy to all those who come in contact with us.
8. Apostle Paul valued his conversion as a product of great mercy, so much so that he spoke about mercy more than any individual in the Bible. His messages, interactions with people and handling of situations were based on the backdrop of God’s mercy.
9. God’s people who are beneficiaries of His great mercy are expected to be channels of divine mercy in the church and in the world. That is the reason why in Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of God, He presents mercy as a primary characteristic of God’s kind of life and as a demonstration of His sovereignty.
10. The power of love embedded in the message of the gospel speaks of God’s mercy, while transforming the lives of men by destroying the works of the devil demonstrates this mercy.
11. Mercy ultimately leads to hunger for souls and to handling the people of God with tender care.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

If the nature of God is compassionate and mercy and we are truly His children, being merciful in our environments would not be a challenge. Our heart cry should be towards the perishing souls in our neighborhood if we are passionate about them. If you have known Light and you refuse to impact it upon your siblings who are still in darkness it is not good. Let’s pray to God to give us tender heart towards souls. 
God be praised for His son Pastor E A Adeboye in Jesus name.
 

Prayer Point:
Father, please fill my heart with Your tender mercy and a hunger for souls in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal of love;
Wake te immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us, with those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

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Memorise: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3
 
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-11
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 7, Acts 2:1-28

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

1. It is important for a child of God to recognize and understand the purpose and the multifaceted life we are called to by God. For this reason, the Holy Spirit reveals to us in 2 Timothy 2:3 that we have been called to be soldiers of Jesus Christ.
2. A soldier does certain things to fulfill his or her vocation. Enduring hardness, shunning worldly pleasures and distractions, and keeping to the rules of military service are some of the basic characteristics expected of a soldier.
3. Soldiers are also required to fight to defend the territorial integrity of their country from external attacks. In addition, they are to engage in warfare to expand the territory of their commander-in-chief, monarch or emperor.
4. As it is in the physical so it is in the spiritual. The comportment of a soldier is that of discipline, and a Christian soldier should be even more disciplined. This will help him or her to endure hardness, which means learning to be full and also to be empty as the situation demands (Phillipians 4:12).
5. If a soldier of the cross is not disciplined enough to endure hardness, he or she will end up like Esau, who sold his birthright for a plate of pottage (Hebrews 12:16).
6. Our Lord Jesus laid down a good example for us to follow in this regard when He refused to turn stone into bread even though He was hungry (Luke 4:3-4).
7. A soldier of Jesus Christ avoids any distraction that would take his or her focus away from the way of the cross he or she is fighting to defend. Materialism is not a problem for a true soldier of Jesus Christ who has learnt to be modest. Concerning this, our Commander-in-chief in Luke 12:15 said this to us: “….Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he posseseth.”
8. Just as soldiers fight to defend the territorial integrity of the kingdom of their king, a soldier of Jesus Christ fights against sin, which destroys mankind and God’s created world, by preaching the gospel. He or she preaches the love of God so that men may embrace it and live a good life that will impact the lives of others positively.
9. Soldiers of Jesus Christ do not only fight to defend, they also attack the opposing kingdom of the devil. They do this by proclaiming the word of God, which is alive and powerful, against the workers of iniquity.
10. While putting on the whole armour of God, soldiers of Christ also exercise their divinely given authority in the place of prayer. They have no time for frivolities because they are always watchful.
11. Beloved, are you numbered among the soldiers of Jesus Christ? Are you thriving in spite of the challenges of the call to fight against unrighteousness? May the Lord see you through to the very end in Jesus’ name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

One of the characteristics of a true soldier of Christ is discipline. It is very important for every believer to always remember their main assignment on earth and not allow vain pleasures of this age to distract them from the purpose of God. One of the key words from today’s devotional is “prayer”. Hence, diligence in the place of prayer equip and empowers soldiers of Christ to be able to devastate the kingdom of darkness. Moreover, righteousness is also key as the Bible says “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”James‬ ‭5:16‬b. God be praised for His son Pastor E.A Adeboye.

 
Prayer Point:
Father, please uphold me to the very end, deliver me from all forms of worldly entanglement and grant me grace to please You all the way.
Hymn
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
The rumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
And strength to strength oppose.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your won
Put on the Gospel armor,
And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.
Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
Shall reign eternally.

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