Devotionals

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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Memorise: For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17
 
Read: Romans 3:20-25
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 5-6, Acts 1

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

1. Grace is God’s character by which He shows Himself as being compassionate, loving, merciful, accepting and generous to all of mankind.
2. God’s grace shields sinful mankind from His wrath, grants them forgiveness and bestows on them His righteousness so that they can live and grow up in faith and obedience to Him.
3. Grace and mercy are particularly expressed through God’s covenant with His chosen people and through Jesus Christ’s atoning death on the cross.
4. Throughout the Bible, the notion of grace is abundantly present even where the word is not mentioned. Whenever Jesus brought healing to the sick and deliverance to the oppressed, divine grace was on display. The grace of God is especially expressed through salvation from sin, offered by Jesus to all of mankind.
5. Speaking about Jesus as the embodiment of God’s grace, Titus 2:11 says, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” Jesus vividly explained the notion of grace through the parables of the prodigal son and the tax collector who was justified after praying for God’s mercy as a sinner (Luke 15:11-32, Luke 18:9-14).
6. Grace is a core part of the message of the Christian faith, and hence the message of the gospel is repeatedly labelled the “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 14:3, Acts 20:24). “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:14
7. It is important to note that divine grace is a gift of God, and it is abundant enough to secure forgiveness and redemption for anyone who is dead in sin, raising them up and making them sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:5-6).
8. This abundant grace also opens the door to healing from all kinds of sicknesses, and it delivers from captivity, oppression and all kinds of demonic powers. Furthermore, it is able to break down the strongholds of the devil and produce transformation in lives.
9. It is equally important to note that this abundant grace, though undeserved, is available for free! No one can ever meet the requirements or fulfil the conditions necessary for accessing the benefits that God’s grace gives. The least you can do is to thank God for it. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
10. The saving grace of Jesus Christ is available to all human beings without exception; do not reject or ignore it, but rather accept it with thanksgiving and your life will never be the same again. Amen!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

“It is important to note that divine grace is a gift of God, and it is abundant enough to secure forgiveness and redemption for anyone who is dead in sin, raising them up and making them sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:5-6).” This grace however is not to be abused but we should rather take advantage of it to lead glorious and peaceable life and also be blessings to others thereby extending God’s grace and love to them. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.
 

Action Point:
Thank God for the work His redeeming grace has done in your life, recounting them to Him
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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Memorise: Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. Proverbs 3:34
 
Read: Genesis 6:1-8
1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Bible in one year: 1 kings 3-4, Jude 1

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

1. Grace is commonly used in the Bible to describe the demonstration of God’s goodwill towards mankind, embodied in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the effects of that goodwill on human lives.
2. Throughout the Bible, God showed Himself gracious in His dealings with mankind.
3. In the Old Testament, the grace of God is spoken of in relation to three overlapping terms, which are goodness, love and mercy.
4. Each time the word ‘grace’ is used in the Bible, it connotes God’s goodness, love and mercy towards humanity. I pray that God will be gracious to you, and that you will continue to enjoy His grace throughout your life in Jesus’ Name.
5. God’s grace was responsible for Noah’s appointment into the special assignment that led to his entire family surviving the flood (Genesis 6:8). However, Psalm 145:9 says: “The LORD is good to all: an his tender mercies are over all his works.”
6. Although the application of God’s grace can be selective like in Noah’s case, it is available to all the works of God.
7. Everything that God created, both living and non-living things, enjoy God’s grace.
8. God upholds those who are falling and lifts up those who are bowed down by His grace. He opens His hands to supply all creatures their food and sustenance, thereby satisfying the desire of every living thing.
9. God by His love and mercy provides for plants and animals alike, ensuring that whatever they need is made available within their reach.
10. After pondering the goodness of the Lord, the Psalmist in Psalm 145 declared that God is near to all those who call upon Him, and He meets all their needs by His grace.
11. While speaking on the grace of God in several passages of the Bible, the Holy Spirit demonstrate that this grace is universal in nature.
12. The Holy Spirit speaks about God’s providence in caring for all His creatures, His help for needy, His love and compassion for the oppressed, and His concern for the sickly and the weak. All these are demonstrations of God’s grace.
13. Anyone who is thoughtful will find abundant evidence of the steadfast love of the Lord demonstrated throughout the whole universe. That is why Psalm 150:6 says, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the Lord.”
14. God, by His grace, has counted us worthy to be chosen from amongst the people of the world as His own special people, redeemed by the precious Blood of His Son, thereby making us His own special possession (1 Peter 2:9). Obviously, God has not treated us according to what our evil deeds deserve.
15. Our continued existence testifies to His redeeming grace, and this same grace provides the basis for our status as children of the Most High God.
16. Let somebody shout hallelujah!

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

God’s grace is a gift from God to us. This grace has given us the opportunity to live and enjoy much more than we deserve. Glory to God for His grace and loving kindness. We pray that God will continue to uphold and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please do not let Your grace go to waste in my life in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love
To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the rue life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.
Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light.
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render, O help us to see:
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, Victorious, Thy great name we praise

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Memorise: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Matthew 25:35
 
Read: Luke 10:30-37
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 2, 2 John, 3 John

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

1. In Matthew 25:31-33, the Lord Jesus Christ gave us a sneak preview of what Judgement Day will be like, and it is surprising that good neighbourliness is the only standard that was used to separate the sheep from the goats in this narrative.
2. The Lord did this to our minds for the events of the last days when people would become selfish and individualism would be rife. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…”
3. May I announce to you that this time is upon us. We live in times when the advent of social media and smartphones has drastically reduced human to human iteraction, with the attendant effect that people have little or no empathy and wicked acts are the norm.
4. These days, people hardly know what is going on with their next door neighbor while they are very much aware of what is going on with people thousands of miles away whom they have never met. May the Lord open our hearts to what is needful in Jesus’ Name.
5. Good neighourliness involves sacrifice.
6. When you consider the parable of the Good Samaritan, it is easy to imagine what was going through the mind of the priest who passed by the wounded man and did nothing. He might have assumed that the poor man’s situation was beyond remedy. He might have said to himself that it was not his place to help since he was not a medical practitioner or law enforcement agent. He might have pondered in his heart that the location was not safe for anyone to delay, and that while trying to help, robbers might attack him and make another of their victims. He might also have thought that stopping to assist the wounded man would eat terribly into his time, thereby making him late for his important appointment. Although these are all valid reasons not to stop by and help, anyone who is willing to make a sacrifice will set aside all these reasons and help a neighbor in distress.
7. The Church of God must fill the gap created by the deficiency of modern society, which has brought about unemployment, domestic violence, child abuse, divorce, drug addiction, sexual immorality and other unfortunate situations.
8. The Christian community must provide human warmth, homeliness, love and care in places ravaged by individualism, loneliness and lack of trust.
9. As modern society becomes increasingly hostile and dehumanizing, children of God must become increasingly accommodating, peaceful, hospitable and caring.
10. Good neighbourliness is a very important fruit of a transformed life and confirms that we possess the nature of God.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Please check back for this part of the devotional few hours to the due date. God bless you in Jesus name.
Action Point:
Plan a course of action to reach out to lonely people around you with God’s love.
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 he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. Luke 10:27
 
Read: 2 Kings 4:1-6
1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
Bible in one year: 1 Kings 1, 1 John 5

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

1. Today’s Bible reading tells the story of the widow of one of the sons of prophets, whose late husband owed some money to a heartless creditor, who threatened to take away her two sons as slaves.
2. After listening to her complaint, the man of God said to her in 2 Kings 4:3 “….Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow a few.”
3. This instruction indirectly placed the solution to her problem in the hands of her neighbours, because her ability to get the many empty vessels she needed depended on how good a neighbor she had been.
4. Among the Jewish people in Bible days, loans were not supposed to be commercial in nature; rather, they were to be given on a charitable terms. For example, interest-free loans would be given to assist a peasant farmer during a period of poverty.
5. The primary motivation of borrowers was to obtain relief from need rather than to further their economic enterprises. For this reason, lending with interest to the poor was prohibited in Exodus 22:25. God’s expectation is that lending to the poor will be a form of sacrifice motivated by the spirit of mercy and compassion in obedience to Him (Proverbs 3:27-28).
6. Although the Bible encourages us not to deny the poor and needy who approach us for help, we determine who deserves our help and how far we are ready to go on their behalf based on factors such as good neighbourliness.
7. In acts 9:36-41, the neighbours of Tabitha protested vehemently against her death and pleaded passionately with Apostle Peter for her to be raised back to life because she was full of good works and alms deed. In Luke 7:1-10, the elders of the Jews approached Jesus on behalf of a centurion who had a sick. They pleaded with Him, saying this man deserved His assistance because he had shown his love for them by building them a synagogue.
8. Without controversy, good neighbourliness played a very big role in these cases we have considered. In the case of the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-6, the fact that she went to her neighbours and got the vessels she needed indicates that she had been a good neighbor to them.
9. Imagine if she was the kind of person who was not known to her neighbours or if she was a proud and difficult person; she would have been denied the vessels she needed and her miracle would have been a mirage.
10. God charged us in Romans 12:18 to live peaceably with all men, knowing fully well that apart from it being a source of blessing to us, peaceful coexistence with our neighbours will give us the much needed opportunity to preach the good news to them.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Sometimes believers are deprived of God’s wonderful opportunities due to ignorance of what is assumed to be unnecessary. It is evident from today’s devotional and our bible reading that some destinies are just dependent on the kind of relationship and reputation with neighbors. The question is, who are you to your neighbors? Examine yourself today and make peace with your neighbors for kingdom sake. May God be praised for His son Pastor E. A Adeboye.

Action Point:
Make peace with every neighbor you are not at peace with.
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: Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew 24:42
 
Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-9
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 23-24, 1 John 4

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

1. In the realm of the spirit, being watchful means being alert to the current needs of the Christian race and being prepared for future happenings that will impact your eternal destination.
2. The most prominent of all future events predicted in the Bible is the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, which will precede the eventual end of the world.
3. The disciples asked Jesus about 2000 years ago, what would be the sign of His second coming and of the end of the world. In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus responded with a detailed explanation of the events that will signal His impending arrival.
4. In today’s Bible reading, children of God are advised to get ready for perilous times, false doctrines, deceivers, false prophets, high-mindedness of men, physical and spiritual warfare, increase in knowledge and technological advancements, worldliness and apostasy. In addition, all of humanity is enjoined to get ready for the judgement to come. I pray that you will not be left behind when the rapture occurs in Jesus’ Name.
5. “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:35-37
6. The admonition of our Lord to us in times as these is to watch. Current happenings around the world show clearly that we are in the end times.
7. As children of God, we cannot afford to lose focus for a moment. Our hearts must be kept with all diligence under constant watchfulness.
8. We must be on the lookout for the crafty approach of the enemy to attack the authority of the Bible.
9. We must watch against worldliness and the quest for ungodly pleasures.
10. We must watch against deception, false prophets, the introduction of another “gospel”, sexual immorality and societal acceptance of sinful practices.
11. On a personal level, you must be sober and vigilant in watching against temptation such as pride, high-mindedness, self-righteousness, complacency, lukewarmness, backsliding, spiritual bareness, stagnancy and rebellion against constituted authority.
12. You must not be confounded by the negative news on wars, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, economic meltdowns, national tragedies and civil unrest around the world. You should rather respond appropriately as one who has been adequately informed and is therefore well prepared for the rapture.
13. The Lord expects you to be sober, vigilant and very consistent in prayer.
14. You must pray for your leaders, the Church of God, your community and your family.
15. My desire is that if the trumpet should sound today, you will be raptured in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

We must go about our daily work with the Lord with the consciousness of His return. We must not be carried away by the many distractions that we
are surrounded with. This is why we must call on God often to help us because we cannot do anything by our strength. We pray that God will help us all in this race in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

Key Point:
What concrete steps have you taken this year to prepare for Christ’s second coming?
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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Memorise: Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. John 10:17
 
Read: Philippians 2:5-8
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 21-22, 1 John 2:28-3:24

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

1. Submission is a humble attitude wherein authority is duly recognized and obedience is willingly rendered without any resistance whatsoever.
2. God commands submission to Himself, to civil authorities and to appointed leaders in His church (James 4:7, 1 Peter 2:13, Hebrews 13:17).
3. Submission is also commanded in relationships such as marriage (Colossians 3:18).
4. The crux of the message of our Lord Jesus Christ is submission to the will and purpose of God as revealed in His word.
5. In Matthew 7:24-27, He said those who hear the word of God and submit to its authority in obedience can be likened to a wise person who built his or her house upon the rock, and the house survived a terrible storm. In contrast, He compared those who reject the authority of God’s word to a foolish person who built his or her house on sandy soil without strong foundations, and the house was destroyed by the storm. Therefore, not being submissive to the word of God, which manifests itself as disobedience, is very costly indeed. I pray that you will receive the grace to submit totally to the will of God concerning your life today in Jesus’ Name.
6. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect example of submission.
7. Today’s Bible reading reveals the extent He went to in order to submit Himself to His Father. No wonder the Holy Spirit wants us to have the same mind that He had.
8. In John 10:17, Jesus revealed that total submission is the secret of the Father’s love for Him. Hear what He said to the Father in Hebrews 10:7 when He was coming into the world: “Then said I, lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” Concerning the submission of the Lord Jesus Christ, Hebrews 5:8 also says: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by things which he suffered;”
9. Jesus learnt to obey God’s instructions even when He knew it would yield personal loss and suffering for Him. Little wonder the Bible says He was obedient unto death.
10. This obedience unto death was demonstrated in Matthew 26:39 when He was faced with the reality of death on the cross, and He made this agonizing prayer to God saying: “… O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
11. For Jesus, obedience to God was His primary concern, and every other thing, including His personal interest, was secondary. May the Lord give His Church this same mindset in Jesus’ Name

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Total submission means total obedience even when it is not convenient. Our lifestyle must be a replica of that of our Lord Jesus Christ. With obedience to God’s word comes great reward. May God grant us the ability and grace to submit totally to Him. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him with greater wisdom for greater works in Jesus name.

Key Point:
If you want to get the same result that Jesus got, be submissive to God like He was.
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 the LORD said unto Moses, wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: Exodus 14:15
 
Read: Exodus 14:10-16, Luke 10:19
10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.
11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
15 And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
Luke 10:19
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 19-20, 1 John 2:7-27

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

1. It is one thing to be given authority, and it another thing to exercise the authority delegated.
2. Some Christians are suffering today because they do not exercise the divine authority given to them as children of God.
3. Some children of God are like Moses in today’s Bible reading, crying helplessly at the Red Sea with the army of Pharaoh fast approaching. The children of Israel also did not help matters because they murmured against his leadership at this critical point. The perfect storm faced by Moses at the Red Sea made him forget who he was and the enormous power of God had vested in him. In Exodus 7:1, God had told him: “And the LORD said unto Moses, See I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.”
4. Unfortunately, either Moses forgot this or his mind could not grasp the extent of its meaning. Although crying to God is not wrong by itself, there is time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This was not the time for Moses to cry; rather, it was a time for him to exercise the authority given to him by God. Nevertheless, God graciously reminded Moses that the authority to deal with the situation was already at his disposal. In Exodus 14:15-16 God said to him: “…..Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”
5. Beloved, do you know that God has given you the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and everything they represent?
6. Jesus Christ has given to us the power and authority to tread on all the powers of the enemy, and He promised that nothing shall by any means hurt us (Luke 10:19). However, to exercise this authority we must live according to the dictates of the One who delegated His authority to us.
7. A lesson from today’s story about Moses is that he exercise authority by the instructions of the Almighty God. He was not presumptuous as many would have been. His cry to God could mean “what should I do in this situation?”
8. Another lesson is that although the Lord had equipped him with the rod, he did not know the full extent of its power in solving the problems of the people he was leading. In other words, God has equipped his children with the necessary authority and power not only to defend themselves but also to rescue the perishing.
9. You have the authority to bring change to the chaos in the world around you, but are you putting this to use?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

A lot of believers have been endued with authority and power to wrought wonders and make storm calm. However, this power has become dormant and inactive because it has not been utilised. Now that it has been made clearer to us in today’s devotional how the authority we are endowed with should be used, we must make the power in us active again and turn things around for good. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional and it is ou prayer that God should continually uphold Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Stop any activity of the devil in your life and in the world around you by the authority given to you in the Name of Jesus Christ.
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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Memorise: And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy wrd. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38
 
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: 2 Samuel 17-18, 1John 1:-2:6

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

1. The reason why many children of God are not living a triumphant life daily is because they refuse to submit themselves to the authority and lordship of their Father, the Almighty. Some are like the prodigal son who sought premature freedom and independence from his father (Luke 15:12-13).
2. In today’s Bible reading, we see a man who knew what it was to be under authority and the blessings that come along with it. This man is the centurion, whose faith our Lord Jesus Christ described as great.
3. After Jesus had decided to go with him to heal his servant, this centurion did not deem it necessary for Jesus to go to his house, because he was a man under authority and he understood the attendant implications of this. He knew Jesus Christ was under authority and had great authority. He also believed that if Jesus exercised His authority over demons from where He was, they would obey Him. Hear what he said in Matthew 8:8b: “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.”
4. It is interesting to note that contrast between the proud attitude of Naaman and the humble disposition of this centurion to spiritual authority (2 Kings 5:11).
5. The Holy Spirit reveals the secret to spiritual in James 4:7 where He says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” This is where the problem lies with some children of God. First things first: we must submit to the authority of God in His word before we can resist the devil and his attacks. When we follow this order, the devil will definitely flee from us because we are operating under God’s authority in His word.
6. Regardless of who is speaking it, the word of God must be respected and given its rightful place in our lives.
7. You must submit to the authority of God’s word by being a doer of it if you will experience a performance of its purpose in your life (James 1:25).
8. Beloved, are you under the authority of the Almighty God in His word? It is all well and good if you are. However, if you find it difficult to submit to God’s authority in His word, you will experience the frustration of the word not working for you. If you are in this situation, repent today and submit to God’s authority in His word that is for forever settled.
9. One more lesson you should learn from today’s Bible reading is that while many shall come from all over the world to benefit from the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the children of the kingdom who refuse to submit to God’s authority would be cast away. This will not be your portion in Jesus name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

’
Please check back for this part of the devotional few hours to the due date. God bless.
 
Prayer Point:
Father, please keep me under the pavilion of the authority in Your word today. Don’t let me depart from Your secret place.
Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He shed on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey

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20

Memorise: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold. All things become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
 
Read: Genesis 35:9-15
9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
10 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
12 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.
13 And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.
14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 16-16, 2 Peter 3

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

1. Jacob was the second son of Isaac. His early life projects a lifestyle and behavioural pattern that closely matched his name, which can be interpreted as supplanter, impersonator, deceiver or usurper. However, he received mercy from the Lord and had a divine encounter where God decided to change his name.
2. In Genesis 32:28, God said to him: “…Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel….” The renaming of Jacob as Israel (which means “triumphant with God”) was a spiritual event that had far reaching effects on his physical life and his personality. Immediately after his identity was changed, Jacob stopped exhibiting the characteristics of his old name and began to behave in line with the meaning of his new name. The old things about Jacob passed away and all things became new for him as Israel. I pray for someone reading this devotional that every old symptom of sin, sickness, poverty, bondage and oppression shall pass away from your life today in Jesus’ Name.
3. It is important to note that what happened to Jacob in the Old Testament is closely related to the regeneration experience seen in the New Testament.
4. Regeneration is the change brought about by the Spirit of God, which makes a person a new creature in Christ Jesus.
5. The salvation that Jesus brought to us is not simply to energize the old creation with new ability and power; rather, it brings a new creature that has the divine nature of God (2 Peter 1:4).
6. It also ignites a spiritual process wherein everything working against the regenerated person is thoroughly dealt with (Colossians 2:14).
7. The practical result of this is spiritual regeneration evidenced by radical change in the nature, character, desires and motives of the transformed person.
8. This new creature is so new and different from the old that it even requires a new diet to survive, which is the word of God. That is why Matthew 4:4b says: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
9. Concerning regeneration, the key element is change. God is calling all of mankind to change though the power of His word. However, there is a strong resistance to this change in every human being (Romans 8:7).
10. This resistance come from the mind and the body, and must be overcome before any real change can manifest. The transformation experience requires serious effort to overcome this resistance (Romans 12:2).
11. Whenever anyone surrenders his or her life to Jesus, God takes hold of the old lifeless creature and fashions it into a new creature that is heaven-bound, full of life and suitable for His use. Have you experienced this transformation indeed?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

’
Please check back for this part of the devotional few hours to the due date. God bless. 
Key Point:
The inner transformation that Jesus gives must manifest as outward change for all to see.
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