Devotionals

Memorise: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-10 
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.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 10-11, 1 Peter 4:12-5:14

1. The Holy spirit often uses the imagery of running a race or participating in a sporting activity to portray the Christian life.
2. He does this to help us have a better understanding of the nature of the Christian life we are called to live, and to help us develop the right attitude required to be successful in it.
3. In 1 Corinthians 9:24 -25 He says ” know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one recieveth the price? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
4. Three important points are in focus in this passage. First, there are many participants in a sporting event but only the winner receives the prize. We are therefore encouraged to run the Christian race with a mindset of striving hard to obtain the reward and not just for the mere purpose of participating.
5. Secondly, as athletes struggle to reduce unforced errors in order to achieve expertise in their chosen sport, we are also advised to strive for mastery.
6. Thirdly, just as professional athletes must be disciplined in all things before they can achieve the level of skill required to become champions, so also must we be calm, moderate, self-controlled and disciplined in all things.
7. Christianity is very much like boxing or running a marathon: if your attitude towards training and preparation is lackadaisical, relaxed and carefree, then you must be prepared for a painful defeat or even a knockout on the big stage. I pray that you will never suffer defeat in the hands of your enemies in Jesus’ name
8. God is using this medium to bring to your attention the precaution and diligence that is required to secure victory in the Christian race in these perilous times.
9. He is urging you to give the race you are running all attention needed to ensure success.
10. He also presents before you the crown of glory which he will award to all those who are faithful to the end of the race (1 Peter 5:4). This crown is not a perishable bunch of flowers or a gold-plated medal of little value, but the glorious crown of everlasting life, which awaits all those who have successfully completed the Christian race.
11. You will be wise to give heed to the words of today’s memory verse by continually looking up to Jesus, who for the reward that was set before him endured the cross, despised the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
12. Nothing can be more glorious than making heaven and beholding the face of Jesus forever. Will you make it there?

Every believer must deliberately emulate Christ in our Christian journey. As much as He encountered test, trials, distractions, persecution and rejection, He stayed focused till He fulfilled His purpose. May we end our journey in glory and collect the crown prepared for us in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please help me to be successful in the Christian race in Jesus’ name
HYMN
I have decide to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
The world behind me, the cross
before me;
The world behind me, the cross
Before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow
Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:25
Read: 2 Kings 4:8-17 
8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 7-9, 1 Peter 3:8-4:11

1. Hospitability is the act of generosity and friendship shown towards strangers, and it includes the responsibility of protecting the interests of those received as guests.
2. God admonishes His children to be hospitable as part of our duty to others and in gratitude for the salvation, favour and mercy we have received from Him (Exodus 22:21).
3. Several passages of Scripture emphasise hospitality as a godly virtue (Romans 12:13, 1 Peter 4:9). Hebrews 13:2 says “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
4. Furthermore, the Bible mentions hospitality as one of the preconditions for becoming a leader in the Church (1 Timothy 3:2).
5. Hospitality has played a very important role in the Redeemed Christian Church of God right from the very beginning. It forms part of our core beliefs and practices. We teach that you don’t have to be rich to look after visitors. You can entertain four people with a single orange by slicing it into four parts and presenting it nicely on a decent plate with glasses of water. May you receive the true spirit of hospitality today in Jesus’ Name.
6. The Bible admonishes that since we naturally desire to receive hospitality from others, we should show it to others as well.
7. The Lord in Matthew 7:12 says, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Even when describing the type of fast that God finds acceptable, the Holy Spirit in Isaiah 58:7a said: “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?”
8. Deuteronomy 26:12 also speaks about feeding the stranger, the fatherless and the window. All these verses of Scripture shows that we are duty-bound as Children of God to provide for the needs of these classes of people regularly.
9. More importantly, Jesus clearly teaches that hospitality is going to be a major criterion that will be used separate the sheep from the goats on the last day (Matthew 25:33-35). This means that it will be practically impossible for anyone to enter heaven without being hospitable.
10. Jesus expects every Christian to love their neighbor as themselves. He expects us to use hospitality as a tool to spread the love of God and the good news of the gospel all over the world. I pray that you will yield yourself as an instrument of spreading God’s love everywhere through hospitality in Jesus’ Name.

How important it is for believers to be hospitable! By so doing we will draw many to Christ unknowingly. Love of Christ must be seen in all we do. Not only can we benefit from it, others that are related or close to us can do as well like it was in the case of Abraham and Lot. Hospitality is another way we can make our light shine in our world that they may praise our Father in heaven. It is also a great tool of evangelism which must be utilised fully. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

Action Point
Think of how you can use hospitality to spread the love of God and the message of the gospel in your locality. Draw up a plan and implement it.
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 sliver 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

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What sleekest thou? Genesis 37:15
 
Read: Genesis 24:12-26
12 And he said O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 5-6, 1 Peter 2:13-3:7

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

1. Divine connection simply means the connection of an individual to sources that would help to fast-track the fulfillment of his her destiny.
2. In Psalm 37:23, the holy Spirit teaches: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” This was the testimony of Abraham’s servant in today’s Bible text. He was amazed at the way the God of his master answered his simple childlike prayer of faith. Beyond his wildest imagination, things worked out in his favour because God had already sent His angels ahead of him to work everything out.
3. When you are divinely connected, people will think that you are wise or brilliant. Some may even mistake you for a genius! I pray for you today that God will give you divine connections that will confound everyone who hears about it in Jesus’ Name.
4. When we draw close to God and do his bidding, we earn ourselves divine connections (James 4:8). Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
5. Some people complain about following Jesus without anything to show for it. Such people may be in their season of sowing, or they might not have been following Him according to the pattern He has laid down. The Lord is a faithful covenant-keeper who cannot lie. In Matthew 19:29 He said: “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
6. If you have been walking with God with nothing to show for it spiritually and materially, take time to carefully evaluate your walk. If you need divine connection, you must be faithful to the profession of faith you made when you gave your life to Christ.
7. Our calling, like that of Abraham the father of faith, is a call unto holiness (Genesis 17:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:7). Abraham did not compromise his calling by going back to his father’s house. Don’t ever contemplate going back to the world; there is nothing for you there.
8. To be divinely connected, you need to add virtue and brotherly kindness to your faith, because faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
9. Renew your relationship with the Lord and let holiness become your watchword.
10. Endeavour to please Him in all your ways as the early Church did, and you will then experience divine connection.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

A deep insight to how we can enjoy divine connection is being shared I today’s devotional. Pleasing God in all ramification is a great key to enjoying this. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.
Prayer Point:
Father, please grant me divine connections that will lead to my breakthrough in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
Nearer, my God, to Thee;
Nearer to Thee;
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me,
My rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
There let me see the sight,
An open heaven;
All that Thou sendest me,
In mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise,
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. Genesis 30:22
 
Read: Genesis 8:1-5
1 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;
2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 3-4, 1 Peter 1:13-2:12

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

1. Remembrance is the process of recalling the past or being able to bring to the fore of one’s mind an awareness of someone or something.
2. Although it is not in the nature or character of God to forget anything like we humans do (because He is the All-knowing God), the word “remember” is used in relation to God in several passages of the Bible to connote the reception of special attention from Him.
3. When God remembers a person for good, that person’s situation is transformed immediately. This is the reason why several people in the Bible cried to God to remember them. The Lord will hear your cry for remembrance today in Jesus’ Name.
4. In Judges 16:28, Samson cried “Lord God, remember me”, and the Lord answered him immediately. In Nehemiah 13:14, Nehemiah also cried, “Remember me, O my God”. When King Hezekiah was faced with death, He cried to God, “Remember how I walked before you in truth and with a loyal heart” (Isaiah 38:3). Furthermore, Jeremiah cried unto God to remember His covenant with Israel (Jeremiah 14:21).
5. In all these cases of people calling unto God for remembrance, He responded favourably and intervened in their situations. I pray that God will remember you for good and intervene in your situation today in Jesus’ Name.
6. When God remembers you, He will immediately put an end to everything that is working against your peace, just as He did for Noah when He commanded the flood waters to cease (Genesis 8:1).
7. When God remembers you, He will deliver you from all your troubles as He did for Lot and his family in Genesis 19:29. He will also put an end to barrenness and open your womb for fruitfulness, just as He did for Rachel and Hannah (Genesis 30:22, 1 Samuel 1:19).
8. By the grace of God, we have heard several heart-warming testimonies in the Redeemed Christian Church of God about what happens when God remembers His people for good after years of suffering, sorrow and pain. Barrenness of over twenty years has been terminated, incurable diseases have been healed, mental illness have been cured, captives have been delivered, generational curses have been cancelled, poverty has been terminated and destinies have been restored. I remember several previously barren women who God remembered and blessed with twins and triplets.
9. God remembered a certain lady who still used to wet her bed at over thirty years of age, and the bedwetting stopped instantly. Just as Jesus healed the impotent man after 38 years of being at the pool side (John 5), we have heard testimonies of wicked embargoes on marriage being lifted even after attaining 50 years of age.
10. God will remember you for good and give special attention to your case in Jesus’ Name.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

It is clear that when God remembers a particular individual such person is transported to a level of victory that births testimonies. I pray that God will remember us all and our lives will take a new turn for good in Jesus name. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.
Prayer Point:
Father, please remember me for good today 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.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Hebrews 12:16
 
Read: Genesis 25:29-34
29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Bible in one year: 2 Samuel 1-2, 1 Peter 1:1-2

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

1. The original intention and will of God for mankind is that we would maintain our innocence while still exercising our free will to make decisions in total obedience to His word.
2. His desire is for us to make decisions in conscious and deliberate submission to His authority, not out of ignorance but in innocence.
3. Life involves making decisions at different levels and under various circumstances.
4. To help us navigate our way through life successfully, the Scripture offers us guidance on how we should make decisions, while providing examples of good and bad decisions and their consequences.
5. Relying on human knowledge of good and evil motivates people to reason things out and arrive at seemingly good decisions that are based on prevailing culture, level of intelligence and personal preferences, without any serious consideration for obedience to the will of God.
6. The truth is, decision-making is the most vital aspect of life because the quality of a person’s decisions determines the level of success or failure he or she attains.
7. The Bible narrates some classic examples of bad decisions made over the ages and their consequences. The most harmful of these is found in Genesis 3:6: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof..” This was the decision that got the whole of humanity into trouble, but thank God for Jesus who redeemed us by His Blood. Another example is Esau who chose to sell his birthright for bread and pottage, and he lost it forever. Samson also made bad choices, including his decision to mingle with strange women, which destroyed his life, made him lose his power and cause him to die in the camp of his enemies (Judges 16:1). Furthermore, in 1 Samuel 13:8-9, King Saul’s decision to offer the required burnt offering in the absence of Prophet Samuel made him lose everything. The Lord will restore everything you have lost today in Jesus’ Name.
8. The Bible also contains examples of those who made good decisions. Joseph refused the sexual advances of his master’s wife, and God ensured that his dreams came to pass (Genesis 39:7-9). In Ruth 1:15-16, against all odds, Ruth decided to stay with Naomi, her mother-in-law, and the God of Israel settled her. She became the great grandmother of King David, and our Lord Jesus Christ later came out of her lineage.
9. I pray that you will not make the wrong decisions that will change the course of your life for evil in the mighty Name of Jesus.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Two good examples of positive and negative 
decisions were given in today’s devotional. Joseph made a positive decision and the end result was awesome while eve made a terrible decision that led to struggle for humanity. Decision making is a critical issue that must be careful considered by every believer, that is why we have the Holy Spirit who will always teach and guide us unto truth. May we never make decision that will lead to our destruction in Jesus’ name. God bless and empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please help me depend on You for all my decisions in life 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.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your father served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house. We will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
 
Read: Ruth 1:11-18
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
Bible in one year: 1 Samuel 29-31, James 5

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

1. Are you presently at any life’s crossroads? God expects that your decisions would be the end-result of a process of reflection on the available choices before you, informed and sustained by a concern to please Him. You therefore need guidance from the Holy Spirit before making up your mind on any issue, especially the difficult ones.
2. Our loving Father has provided assistance for our decision-making process through the Holy Spirit, the Scriputures, individuals and the natural world around us. In Joshua chapter 24, the All-knowing God knew the Israelites would soon have to make the conscious decision of either serving Him or the gods of the nations around them. He therefore presented His case on why they should serve Him by reminding them of how He brought Abraham their father out of his native land, across the river, into the Promised Land.
3. He further recounted how He delivered them from slavery in Egypt and took them through the wilderness with miracles, signs and wonders attending every aspect of their journey. The Lord then announced to them that if they found it difficult to serve Him wholeheartedly after everything He had done for them, they were free to choose whom they would serve. However, Joshua immediately answered for himself that he and his family would serve the Lord.
4. Why would God give His people the option of serving other gods?
5. The truth of the matter is, our God’s leadership is not authoritarian or forceful. He will tell you His rules and regulations, and make His position on issues very clear. He will also reveal what awaits you in the future based on the choices you make today.
6. You can be sure that He will allow you to have your way, and He will also give you the opportunity to exercise your free will. However, you must be ready to accept the repercussions of your choices and take responsibility for our actions at the end of it all.
7. If you are a good student of the Bible, you will observe that each time anyone acted contrary to God’s warning, they always suffered terribly for it.
8. For example, contrary to God’s warning, Israel decided to have a king instead of letting God lead them through His prophets. They turned deaf ears to God’s warning in 1 Samuel 8:18 and they suffered terribly for it in the hands of Solomon and the succeeding kings. Rather than act in defiance to God’s instructions, it is always better to heed His counsel.
9. Be ready to reason with God in His word and through prayers, and you will be rewarded with divine direction that will lead to your breakthrough (Isaiah 1:18).

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

We must choose to do God’s will and go in the direction He has predestined for us in every decision we make. It is however clear that this can be possible only through the help of Holyspirit. May our decisions make and not mar us in Jesus name. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:
Father, please help me to always act according to Your will and to remain in Your favour in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
 

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2
 
Read: 1 Corinthians 2:9-16
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
Bible in one year: 1 Samuel 26-28, James 3:13-4:17

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

1. In the physical realm, sensitivity can be viewed from the perspective of a deep feeling of love and compassion for a person, which usually translates to a commensurate level of understanding for that person’s interest.
2. In the spiritual realm however, sensitivity is a quality of life generated by the Spirit of God. It is the ability to perceive and respond to the call of God or the spiritual demands of the moment.
3. A lack of spiritual sensitivity affects the physical and spiritual well-being of God’s children and must be avoided at all costs. Beginning from today, your spiritual antennae will begin to receive heavenly signals in the Name of Jesus.
4. Concerning spiritual sensitivity, 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” From this verse, we understand that spiritual sensitivity is a grace that comes from living under the control of the Holy Spirit. Are you spiritually sensitive?
5. In Isaiah 11:3b, the Holy Spirit painted a picture of our spiritual nature, which is fashioned after Christ, saying: “… and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:”
6. Our Lord Jesus Christ manifested this nature in John 4:17-19 and in several other passages of the gospels. Because we are fashioned after Him, we ought to walk as He walked.
7. Spiritual sensitivity was Jesus’ lifestyle, and so, any Christian that is not spiritually sensitive will not walk in the reality of the abundant life that he or she possesses.
8. Without spiritual sensitivity, a person is bound to depend on suspicion, natural intelligence, educational awareness and the natural senses. These are all deficient in receiving the things of God.
9. Without spiritual sensitivity, Abraham would have missed his blessing and the opportunity to save Lot and his family from destruction (Genesis 18:1-33), of a lifetime (Judges 13:3-25), and the great Prophet Samuel would have anointed the wrong person as king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:4-13).
10. When decisions are made based on physical evidence alone, no matter how incontrovertible the evidence may seem, there is still always the possibility of miscarriage of justice.
11. This has wrongly sent people to prison and even death. I pray that your spiritual sensitivity will become sharpened today in Jesus’ Name

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

When we fellowship with the Holy Spirit often, we condition our spirit to hear from God easily. We are in sync with God and the Holyspirit which gives us the opportunity to know the hidden. It is therefore profitable for us to stay holy and fellowship often with the Holyspirit so as to enjoy deep knowledge of God and His will for us. May God bless and continually strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

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

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. 2 Chronicles 20:17
 
Read: Exodus 17:8-15
8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
 
Bible in one year: 1 Samuel 24-25, James 2:14-3:12

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

1. Jehovah-Nissi is a name of the Lord that has its roots in Exodus 17:15. After Joshua and the Israelites had defeated the Amalekites at Rephidim, Moses erected an altar to commemorate this victory and He called it “Jehovah-Nissi”, which means “Yahweh is my banner”. In other words, he was saying “the Lord is my banner of victory.”
2. This name is a call to God’s people to rally around God as an army gathers around its banner, because God is the One who leads us to victory.
3. To understand the significance of the name Jehovah-Nissi, we need to remind ourselves that the devil is constantly waging spiritual battles against us.
4. While the forces of darkness vigorously pursue newly converted Christians in order to obstruct their spiritual progress, they are also on the look-out for any opportunity to pull mature Christians down. However, in spite of these aggressive attacks of the enemy, God expects us to rejoice, knowing fully well that although the battle may be fierce, the Lord of hosts and the Captain of our salvation is in our midst leading the charge against the enemy’s camp. In Matthew 28:20 He said: “….lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
5. As Jehovah-Nissi, God is concerned about the devil’s roars and attempts to harass and intimidate His children (1 Peter 5:8).
6. To assure and comfort our hearts, His attitude towards this ploy of the enemy was manifested in Judges 15:14: “And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms because as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.”
7. The enemy’s roars and shouts against us always trigger a response from the Holy Spirit living inside us. No wonder Isaiah 59:19b says, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”
8. God has zero tolerance for the enemy’s harassment and threats against His children, whom He bought with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus. With this understanding, you will realize that our God is the greatest ally you can have in the battle of life.
9. The Almighty God is Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our Banner, and He is the Lord of hosts. Therefore, the battle is not yours but His.
10. Always be conscious of the reality of the Lord as Jehovah-Nissi in your life.

Today’s devotional clearly explained to us that God is our ever present help in time of need and that with Him victory is sure in every battle. If anyone claims to be His but yet such looses all the time in battle, such person should make his or her way right with the Lord. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye on every side in Jesus name.

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

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
 
Read: Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Bible in one year: 1 Samuel 2-23, James 1:19-2:13

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

1. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12.
2. The above scripture clearly shows us that Satan and his fallen angels are organized into a well-coordinated army that is skillful in carrying out devastating attacks on their victims.
3. We must therefore be strategic and confront them from a position of knowledge and strength.
4. Although our spiritual warfare is personal, we must not engage in it on the basis of our individual effort or strength. We must continually channel the strength of God and the victory we have through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus against the forces of darkness for as long as we live.
5. Our fight of faith calls for courage to withstand dreadful circumstance, determination to overcome at all costs and persistent prayers.
6. It also calls for loyalty to fight under the banner of Christ, the Lord of hosts, standing in His strength and using the weapons He has provided. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
7. The Holy Spirit inspired these verse of scripture to help us have a good understanding of the true nature of spiritual warfare and the potency of our God-ordained weapons, even though they may appear ordinary to many.
8. We are commanded in Ephesians 6:11 & 13 to “put on” and “take on” the whole armour of God.
9. What makes up the complete armour of God?
10. According to today’s Bible reading, the number one component of this armour is Truth, which refers to Jesus Himself (John 14:6). Next is holiness and righteousness, and then comes the gospel of peace, faith in God, salvation, the word of God, persistent prayers, and finally, watching and perseverance.
11. The Bible assures us that when these weapons are complete, they are effective in pulling down the strongholds of the devil, casting down every imagination of the enemy that is contrary to the purpose of God, and bringing into captivity every thought and device to the obedience of Christ.
12. Our duty is to ensure that we put on the whole armour of God and use it to resist the kingdom of darkness.
13. We know we are victorious because the Lord of hosts Himself has already perfected our victory.

A number of things has been spelt out by our father in the Lord Pastor E.A Adeboye in today’s devotional. These things represent our weapons of warfare. I enjoin us to pick these weapons one after the other and examine ourself to ascertain our status as regards each. Without our spiritual armour fight in all ramifications is prone to failure. May we never fail in Jesus name. We are grateful to God for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye. May he wax stronger in Jesus name.

Action Point:
Rebuke the devil in the Name of the Lord and resist his attacks in every area of your life.
Hymn
Onward Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Mater,
Leads against the fore;
Forward into battle,
See, His banners go!
Chorus:
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus,
Going on before.
At the name of Jesus
Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise:
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!
Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God:
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided,
All one Body we___
One in faith and Spirit,
One eternally.
Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane;
But the church of Jesus
Constant will remain
Gates of hell can never
‘Gainst the Church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise,
Which can never fail.
Onward, then, ye people!
Join our happy throng;
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honour
Unto Christ, the King;
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.

Please follow and like us:

20

Memorise: Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Hebrews 12:4
 
Read: 2 Timothy 2:16-19
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Bible in one year: 1 Samuel 20-21, James 1:1-18

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

1. Spiritual warfare is the fight or resistance and enforcement against the forces of evil (John10:10). Although not discernible to a lot of people, this is a constant ongoing occurrence in the realm of the spirit (Luke 10:18).
2. Spiritual warfare has it origin in the rebellion of Satan and his allied angels against God (Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 12:7-9).
3. Satan is the prince of this world, and he leads a coalition of forces against God and anything connected to His purpose on earth. It is therefore important to note that mankind is the target of his attacks, regardless of religious affiliation, academic qualification, gender, age, culture or tribe. For this reason Revelation 12:12 says, “….Woe to the inhibiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath..”
4. Many people do not accept this truth, and so they fall prey to the tricks of the enemy to make them oblivious to his activities.
5. When people begin to seek for natural or scientific solutions to a spiritual problem, it is bound to end in total failure. However, all thanks be to God, because the Lord Jesus has defeated and destroyed the devil through His death and resurrection.
6. As a child of God, your responsibility is to enforce the victory won by Christ and utilize the enormous power He has vested in you against the tricks of Satan and his demonic angels (Ephesians 1:18-23).
7. If you do not recognise who you are as a child of God and enforce your position in Christ against these evil forces, they will end up robbing you of what is rightfully yours.
8. As Christians, we are involved in a fight of faith to live in the reality of the victory that Christ has won and given to us over the devil, the world system and the flesh (Hebrews 2:14-15, 1 John 5:4, Galatians 5:24).
9. Satan deploys his attacks on Christians from two major fronts. He empowers the world system to attack and work against Christians externally through persecution, deception and seduction. He also attacks us internally by using the weaknesses of the natural body we currently possess to try to frustrate our commitment to serving God fully.
10. The primary focus of the devil’s strategy is to entice us into sin, so as to break our fellowship with God. Jesus is our perfect example. He came into this world to destroy the works of the devil and to show us how to live above sin. He went through trials and temptation like we are facing today and yet He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). He therefore expects us to be determined to resist sin, no matter the cost.
11. Our loving and compassionate Father has perfected the mechanism to assist us to triumph over the wicked attacks of the devil, but He expects us to resist the temptation to sin with everything we have and not to fall prey to the antics of the devil like weaklings (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The devil’s plan is to destroy the relationship between God and His children through sin. But this having been revealed unto us should be treated seriously as we take caution through the help of the Holy Spirit. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:8‭-‬11 May God bless and continually strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point:
Assess every area of life where you’ve been falling like a weakling and ask God for grace to triumph.
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.

Please follow and like us:

20