Devotionals

Memorise: Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Psalm 35:1
Read: Exodus 17:8-16
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:
16 For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 3-4, Ezekiel 22:1-16

1. Jehovah Nissi is the third revealed compound Name of God, meaning “The Lord is my Banner”. It was the Name Moses gave the altar he built following Israel’s victory over Amalek in Exodus 17:15.
2. The word “nissi” means banner, standard or flag.
3. A banner is the rallying point for warriors in the time of battle.
4. Moses named the altar “the Lord is my banner” to acknowledge God’s active role in fighting for the nation of Israel, and at the same time, to testify to God’s continued war against the people of Amelek from generation to generation (Exodus 17:16). This altar stood as a witness to the whole world that the God of Israel was behind the victory over the Amalekites. You may recall that this battle with Amalek took place under the upraised hands of Moses, holding the rod of God. Moses therefore named the alter Jehovah Nissi with the consciousness of the role that God played in the battle.
5. Starting from today, the hand of God will be so evident against all your enemies and detractors that you will begin to sing “The Lord is my Banner” in Jesus’ Name.
6. It is amazing to note that the ordinary rod that Moses used in his years as a shepherd had become the rod of God in today’s Bible reading. This shows that anything we surrender to God or commit into His hands in support of His kingdom is made to pass through an unseen divine transformation over time. I therefore pray that as you submit yourself under the mighty hand of God today, He will transform you and your natural gifts into supernatural objects and vessels of honour to achieve great and mighty things for His Name in Jesus’ Name.
7. It is important to note that Amalek came out of the blues and decided to wage war against Israel without any provocation. This provoked the anger of God against them, so much so that He promised to completely wipe out the memory of Amalek from the face of the earth (Exodus 17:14). Therefore, I decree by the word of the Lord that Jehovah Nissi will raise His standard against anyone who is angry with you and plotting evil against you without cause, or fighting against you without any provocation, and they will be completely destroyed in the mighty Name of Jesus.
8. The story in our Bible reading is more like a blueprint of how God’s children should deal with anyone or anything that is identified as an enemy of God’s kingdom.
9. The strategic tools deployed here include fervent prayers, knowledge of God’s word, the advocacy of Jesus, the rod of divine judgement, and believers’ unity.
10. We should learn to deploy these tools to spur Jehovah Nissi into action against the enemy on our behalf. 

There are several secrets about the kingdom of God that are still mysterious to the agent of darkness. One of such secrets is ” power in names of God”. We should therefore not be ignorant of this power. Are you in the midst of any battle? Why not call unto Jehovah Nissi and receive your victory over every battle of life. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for blessing us with the word of God daily in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Jehovah Nissi, please fight every enemy that is stirred up against the advancement of Your Kingdom in every corner of the world.
HYMN
1 Through the love of God our Saviour,
all will be well.
Free and changeless is his favour,
all, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us,
perfect is the grace that sealed us,
strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
all must be well.
2 Though we pass through tribulation,
all will be well.
Ours is such a full salvation,
all, all is well.
Happy, still in God confiding,
fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
holy, through the Spirit’s guiding,
all must be well.
3 We expect a bright tomorrow,
all will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
‘All, all is well.’
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
in our living, in our dying,
all must be well.

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20

Memorise: For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37
Read: Genesis 17:1-2
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 1-2, Ezekiel 21:18-32

1. In Genesis 17:1, for the very first time, God revealed Himself as El-shaddai: the Almighty God.
2. Here, He was reiterating His wonderful promises to Abraham at the age of ninety-nine, particularly that he would bear a son, despite him and Sarah being very advanced in age.
3. Prior to this revelation, God had been identified as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and He had also made Himself known as the God who knows all things. However, this time, He wanted to introduce Himself as the God who has the power to do all things.
4. The eternal power of the Almighty is evident in the work of creation, and at a more personal level, the exceeding greatness of his power is expressed in all believers by the regeneration of our spirit man, through the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead (Romans 1:20, Ephesians 1:19-20).
5. Several accounts in the Bible teach us that the unlimited power of the Almighty is always at work in any given situation to make all things go according to His original plan and purpose. For example, in the book Ruth, Naomi was the only survivor of a tragic family decision to sojourn in the land of Moab. After a ten year absence, the Lord brought her back to Bethlehem in His character as Jehovah, the covenant-keeping God. Later on, in His capacity as the Almighty, He exercised His power to implement His purpose in the life of Ruth and Naomi, so much so that the same circumstances that Naomi found to be bitter in Ruth 1:20 went on to bring about great joy and celebration at the end of the day. What a mighty God we serve!
6. I therefore decree into your life, no matter what you are passing through at the moment, the original purpose of God for your life shall be established in the mighty Name of Jesus.
7. The almightiness of God can be translated to mean that with God, nothing shall be impossible. The Almighty God has proved Himself beyond any reasonable doubt in this regard.
8. The book of Genesis reveals the power of God to bring everything we see in creation today into reality from virtually nothing.
9. Exodus showcases among other things the execution of the ten plagues and the final deliverance of Israel from the hand of Pharaoh in such a miraculous way. Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy highlight the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness with great miracles and wonders attending to them daily.
10. Joshua records how a feeble, worn-out and ill-equipped nation of Israel was assisted by the Almighty God to destroy and inherit the lands of nations consisting of giants. The list is inexhaustible!
11. I therefore decree, that the power of the Almighty God will work in your life today to do the impossible, in the mighty Name of Jesus.

The almightiness of God is seen in everything He has made. Several occasions and account have established Him as the Almighty indeed. No situation can defile or change the fact that He is great, mighty and God all by Himself. It is my prayer that as He has established His mightiness severally on different issues we will receive His touch for the change we desire in Jesus name. We bless God for Pastor E.A Adeboye. May God continually strengthen him in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, You are the Almighty, please do a mighty thing in my life today in Jesus’ Name.
HYMNO Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the *worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the *rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
 
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
 
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then *I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!

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20

Memorise: And ye are completely in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Colossians 2:10
Read: Deuteronomy 28:1-14
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
Bible in one year: 1st Kings 22, Ezekiel 21:1-17

1. The head is the most important part of the body; hence, kings and priests were anointed on their heads and Christ is referred to as the Head of the Church (Ephesians 4:15).
2. Also, more than not, symbols of power, authority and honour are displayed on the head.
3. The body is able to operate efficiently because the head is capable of interpreting data received from the body, and also because the head is able to send out appropriate signals to the various parts of the body.
4. The capacity of the head to intelligently interpret and direct the activities of the whole body makes the existence of the body completely dependent on the head. For this reason, we as the Body of Christ are totally dependent on Him, who is our Head.
5. The Lord has also sent us out as His representatives to be head over every situation around us. Henceforth, you shall be the head and the most important personality within your sphere of influence in Jesus’ Name.
6. To be the head indeed is not a theoretical concept but a practical reality that must be manifested.
7. A person who is really the head must effectively provide leadership through the coordination of all the abilities at his or her disposal.
8. From a physical point of view, the eyes are there to provide vision, the ears to collect information through sound, the nose for smelling, the tongue for taste and the mouth for verbal communication. The brain has the responsibility of processing the various data gathered by these different parts of the head, either for immediate use or for future application, as the case may be. If any of these organs that form part of the head is impaired, the head will not be able to effectively perform its leadership role in the body.
9. For you to be head indeed, every ability that you need in order to provide leadership, be it spiritual, physical or resource-wise, must not be impaired. I therefore pray that God will protect everything about you, so that you will provide excellent leadership, in the Name of Jesus.
10. Among other things, three factors are necessary for a head to perform effectively: eyes that see, ears that hear and a mouth that speaks.
11. Physical eyes are required to view things in general, while spiritual eyes are necessary for divine revelation to see beyond the physical realm. Ears that function properly listen to people and also hear from God. Picking up divine communication is absolutely necessary for anyone who will be the head. Also, a functional mouth is necessary for communicating with fellow men and for making declarations in the Name of Jesus. I pray for you that you will receive clear vision, your ears will hear the sound from heaven, your mouth will make irreversible decrees, and you shall be an effective head in the mighty Name of Jesus. 

The importance of the head is revealed to us in today’s devotional. Also it is important not just to have the 3 factors that makes the head function effectively, that is the eyes, ears and mouth but eyes that see, ears that hear and a mouth that speaks. Seeing beyond the physical, earing from God and speaking great things into the future are the functions that we must execute as far as these organs of our bodies is concerned for us to be head indeed. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in wisdom and strength in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please touch my head and bless me with everything I need to be a successful leader in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
O Jesus, I have promised
  To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
  My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
  If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
  If Thou wilt be my Guide.
 
 
Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
  In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
  The murmurs of self-will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
  To hasten, or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
  Thou Guardian of my soul.
 
O Jesus, Thou hast promised
  To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
  There shall Thy servant be;
And Jesus, I have promised
  To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
  My Master and my Friend.
 
Oh, let me see Thy footprints,
  And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
  Is in Thy strength alone.
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
  Uphold me to the end;
And then to rest receive me,
  My Savior and my Friend.

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20

Memorise: Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. Psalm 91:14
Read: Luke 1:1-4
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Bible in one year: 1st Kings 20-21, Ezekiel 20:39-49

1. The name by which a person is identified is very significant.
2. The Jews and a good number of African cultures attach great importance to the names they give to their children.
3. It is amazing that God Almighty also recognises the influence of names on the lives of their bearers. For example, while entering into a covenant with Abram, God changed his name to Abraham, and He gave reasons for this (Genesis 17:5). Also, at Bethel, God changed Jacobs’s name to Israel (Genesis 32:28). The Lord Jesus and His apostles also gave people new names (Mark 3:16-17, Acts 4:36).
4. In our Bible reading today, we read about a man whose name was Theophilus.
5. ‘Theophilus’ in Greek means “lover of God”. It is amazing that this man loved God so much that he earnestly sought to know about Him and His Christ. His curiosity about God produced two of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament: the gospel according to St. Luke and the Acts of the Apostles (Luke 1:1-3, Acts 1:1).
6. When you love someone, you would seek to know more about that fellow. This was exactly the attitude of Theophilus towards God. His drive to know God more, led Luke to write his gospel on the life of Jesus. However, his continued thirst made him unsatisfied with just one book about Him, thereby necessitating the need for a second book to be written by Luke, which is now referred to as the Acts of the Apostles.
7. There are several lessons we can learn from the life and attitude of Theophilus, one of which is that in spite of his highly exalted position, Theophilus still sought to know the truth about Jesus Christ. The Bible says you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free (John 8:32).
8. Wherever you are confronted with an idea, be it religious or philosophical, try and find out the truth embedded in it.
9. Some people completely fall for some religious ideas without first finding out their authenticity; hence, they have been deceived to believe lies.
10. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, yearned to know more of Jesus (Philippians 3:10).
11. If you love Jesus, you would want to know more of Him through regular Bible study and fellowshipping with genuine Christians.
12. The benefits of loving God and His Christ are obvious from our memory verse. When you love God, he will deliver you from erring from the truth (John 10:1-14). He will also promote you because youby personal relationship with Him will avail for you.
13. Beloved, do you love God? To what extent do you love Him?
14. Jesus Christ, in John 14:15, said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” By this benchmark, can you say you truly love Him?

What you love you treasure so much. What you love gets your attention easily. Matthew 6:21 says “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” If we love God indeed we will give Him all our attention without being forced or preached to. Love also propels, motivate, inspire and sustain. Our love for God should propel, motivate, inspire and sustain our desire to know Him more. However, loving God truly takes the help of God Himself and the Holyspirit. May He help us to love Him and love Him more day by day in Jesus name. God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye who through the Holy Spirit inspire us to holiness. May His strength be renewed in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, help me to love You as I ought to: in deed and in truth.
HYMN
1. My faith looks up to thee, 
thou Lamb of Calvary, 
Savior divine! 
Now hear me while I pray, 
take all my guilt away, 
O let me from this day 
be wholly thine! 
2. May thy rich grace impart 
strength to my fainting heart, 
my zeal inspire! 
As thou hast died for me, 
O may my love to thee 
pure, warm, and changeless be, 
a living fire! 
3. 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. 
4. 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; 
O bear me safe above, 
a ransomed soul! 

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20

Memorise: Follow peace with all men, and holiness. Without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14
Read: 2nd Kings 4:1-7
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.
7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.
Bible in one year: 1st Kings 18-19, Ezekiel 20:27-38

1. Being the God who knows the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end, when the Lord gives us a commandment, it’s because He had already considered the beginning, the present and the end.
2. This consideration applies to the Lord’s commandment in today’s memory verse, instructing us to follow peace with all men.
3. This commandment is for our good, both now and in the hereafter.
4. You need to practise good neighbourliness for the sake of the gospel and to bring glory to your Father in Heaven.
5. The story of the widow in today’s Bible reading demonstrates the blessings that come through good neighbourliness. This widow cried to Elisha because her husband owed a debt he could not pay before he died, and her two sons were to be sold into slavery to settle the debt. The prophet asked her what she had that God could work with, and she mentioned a pot of oil. That was more than enough for the God who brought out something as great as the universe from nothing. So, Elisha asked the widow to go to her neighbours and borrow as many vessels as were available, after which she should lock herself up with her sons for the business of miracle oil-bottling. They did this and the oil began to flow until there were no more empty vessels left. The widow eventually became an oil merchant because the prophet directed her to sell the oil, pay the creditors and use the rest of the money to meet the needs of her family.
6. There are many lessons we can learn from this story. First, we must value what we have because it is what we have that God will use to meet our needs. Secondly, no matter how much we may have in our possession, it is always more than enough for God to perform His miracles in our lives with. This truth was also demonstrated when Jesus used five loaves and two fishes to feed more than five thousand people (Matthew 14:17-21). Thirdly, without the assistance of the widow’s neighbours, the effect of the miracle would have been limited.
7. We would always need our neighbours and our neighbours would always need us.
8. The absence of good neighbourliness would have denied this widow the use of her neighbours’ vessels. She would not have had the courage to go to her neighbours if she had been fighting them.
9. Beloved, as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, let us add good neighbourliness to our Christian virtue. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
10. Good neighbourliness produces both spiritual and physical blessings. Therefore, in the Church of God and in our community, let us be agents of peace, unity and friendless. Through this, unbelievers will see our good works and be drawn to our Heavenly Father.

We have been instructed to ensure good relationship with our neighbours but many out of pride see this simple instruction as something too difficult to obey. We should also learn from Apostle Paul who also carefully stated “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” Acts‬ ‭24:16‬. The question is” are you also striving like Apostle Paul to ensure conscience void of offense towards men not just God. Some people will tell you that as long as they are pleasing God, they don’t have any business with neighbors, you have missed it because God is also interested in your neighbors and can use any of them to bless you. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in wisdom and grace for greater works in Jesus name.

Action Point
Determine in your heart to do good to at least one person a day, and pray for grace to do it.
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.
Refrain:
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 some day 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. Refrain
In that old rugged cross, 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. Refrain
To the 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. Refrain

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20

Memorise: If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 2nd Timothy 2:21
Read: Acts 13:1-3
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Bible in one year: 1st Kings 16-17, Ezekiel 20:14-26

1. As discussed yesterday, “Come ye apart” is a call to cease from daily work in order to come before God in a solemn assembly.
2. Such calls by God to a solemn assembly are not mere religious exercises, but a time of settling important issues with Him. Hence, they are sometimes called during times of serious emergencies, as seen in Joel 1:14, where God said: “Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, And cry unto the Lord,”
3. While the general purpose of calling a solemn assembly is to gather the people of God together for special time of worship in a state of purity, we also see God sometimes using terms as “deny yourselves” or “afflict your souls” when He calls for a holy convocation (Leviticus 23:27).
4. These terms refer to fasting or abstinence from food, drink, entertainment, sexual pleasure or other things that delight the flesh.
5. By making a deliberate effort to subjugate our body to the dictates of the spirit at such times, we are able to devote ourselves more fully to worshipping God during the special occasions.
6. It’s in light of such self-denial that the Bible in 2nd Timothy 2:21 says, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
7. Individually, each of us is only one out of the billions of vessels available for God’s use.
8. However, as vessels, we are each made of different kinds of resources, ranging from precious gems like gold and silver to cheaper materials like wood and clay.
9. Obviously, some vessels are deployed for honourable use, while some others are to dishonour. What is of utmost importance is the fact that the Master will only use the best.
10. The vessel that would be found suitable for the Master’s use must be purged of all errors and purified from all unrighteousness.
11. In the Bible, purging refers to the confession and renunciation of sin, while purification refers to the process of removing impurities that interfere with a disciplined spiritual life.
12. Are you interested in having a divine encounter with the Almighty God? Would you want to be a vessel of honour in the hands of the Master? Are you looking forward to being prepared to every good work? Then, come ye apart in a holy convocation purge and purify yourself so that you can become a vessel of honour in the hands of the Almighty.
13. As you make effort to separate yourself unto God this season, He will find you suitable as a vessel unto honour and fill you up with His anointing in the Name of Jesus.

A vessel unto honour must take out time to seek God’s face often. In the place of fellowship greater grace to function is often released. There is assurance for as many that will seek Him to find Him. May we seek, find and become a vessel unto honour in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him with greater wisdom in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, help me to purge and purify myself, so that I may be found suitable for Your use.
HYMN
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.

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20

Memorise: On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Leviticus 23:35
Read: Mark 6:30-32
30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
Bible in one year: 1st Kings 14-15, Ezekiel 20:1-13

1. “Come ye apart” is a call for a holy convocation or a coming together of the saints in a solemn assembly.
2. In the Bible, such a meeting was often called to enable the people of God separate themselves unto God. Such special days were devoted to spiritual activities such as praise, worship, celebration, Scripture reading, fasting, prayers and offering of sacrifices.
3. In today’s Bible reading, the Lord Jesus Christ called for a holy convocation or solemn assembly with His disciples. The disciples had just returned from their very first missionary tour. Although they had many victories and testimonies of healing and casting out of demons, they were also very tired, confused (from seeing strangers casting out demons in the Name of Jesus), and full of several questions they wanted to ask the Master. On getting back to Jesus, they immediately bombarded Him with their reports, but Jesus would not engage them in the presence of the multitude. Instead, He called them apart for a solemn assembly. He said to them, “Come ye apart and rest a while”. Within the atmosphere of peace and quiet, the disciples were able to tell Jesus all about their labour, victories, challenges and ask their questions unhindered. The Lord Jesus in turn was able to properly instruct them, answer all their questions, clear their doubts, and minister to them appropriately.
4. However, it should be noted that the call for a solemn assembly was intentionally made to exclude the multitude. It was strictly designed for the hardworking disciples, who were exhausted, to come away and rest for some time.
5. A solemn assembly is therefore a time to recharge our spiritual battery, a time of deep reflection and a time to meditate on the word of God.
6. It is meant to be a time of total rest from daily physical work in order to be in the presence of the Lord. It is a time of separation unto God for spiritual worship, fasting and prayers, with high expectations of divine visitation. It is a time of very serious business with God that leaves no room for pettiness, gossip, indiscipline or any form of carnality.
7. That is why the solemn assembly in the Redeemed Christian Church of God is strictly meant for mature ministers and workers of the Church.
8. “Come ye apart” is an open invitation by God to His favoured children as a means of setting them apart for divine blessings.
9. It could be a call to an individual, as was the case with Moses in Exodus 34:2-3, or a call to a group of people, as was the case with Jacob and his family in Genesis 35:1-7.
10. May you receive your own special invitation today in Jesus’ Name.

Growth in this Christian race cannot be attained if there is no such time separated to wait on the Lord for divine encounter and empowerment. The Bible says “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬ Many of us have failed to understand the deep interpretation of this bible verse. Waiting on the Lord for strength require a serious retreat, digging deep to the word of God for deeper revelation. May the Lord help us. God bless and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, as I separate myself to You in consecration, please set me apart for Your special blessings in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.

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20

Memorise: Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13
Read: Psalm 22:1-5
1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
2 O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
Bible in one year: 1st Kings 12-13, Ezekiel 18:30-19:14

1. There was a popular Mexican soap opera on the Nigerian television scene a few years ago titled “The Rich Also Cry”. The title of this drama gives credence to the fact that every human being, no matter how intelligent, wealthy, powerful or highly placed, would at one time or the other in life require assistance to deal with circumstances beyond human capability and control.
2. The situation that renders a person of great means incapacitated is usually the type that money, authority and influence cannot resolve.
3. At such times, a call for supernatural assistance or divine intervention through desperate prayers to the Almighty God is the only option left. I pray that as you call on the Name of the Lord in the day of trouble, He will answer you by fire in Jesus’ Name.
4. However, if you want your prayers to be answered, you have a responsibility to ensure that you are not in the habit of blocking your ears to the petitions of the poor and needy ones around you.
5. Our memory verse says that a person who heartlessly disregards the needs of the feeble, weak and helpless is wicked. The prayers of such a person will be disregarded in the day of trouble, no matter how desperate their cry for help may be.
6. It is common knowledge that many African nations and some developing countries around the world have suffered and are still suffering under corrupt, selfish and tyrannical leaders.
7. Officials are known to be crooked, and a bribe is required before any service is rendered. Salary and wages are not paid when due, and they are sometimes delayed for months on end by government and corporate employers.
8. We have also seen some Christian ministers and clerics showing more interest in monetary gain than in serving God and the people.
9. It is time for everyone involved in such evil acts to note that eternal damnation awaits them if they fail to repent.
10. One of the terrible realities of our time is the fact that even the Church is falling short of fulfilling her responsibilities to the poor and needy.
11. The Church must not leave the less-privileged persons in our communities at the mercy of politicians and government officials, irrespective of their promises and political agenda for the poor. This is because God has neither suspended nor revoked our mandate to care for the poor.
12. The Body of Christ must wake up to the responsibilities of a loving and caring Church, if we want our collective prayers to be answered by God.
13. I live my life in total dependence on the Almighty God as the Source of my life and all that I do; I am nothing without Him. I therefore cannot even bear to imagine what my life would be like if God ceased to hear me when I call Him.
14. I decree in the Name that is above all other names that heaven will never ignore your cry for help in Jesus’ Name.

God is always in the business of answering prayers but the moment we fail to observe His will for our life, we start missing the blessing Of God. May we never miss the blessings of God concerning our lives in Jesus’ name. One of the keys to quick answer to our prayers is to extend the blessings of God to the needy around us. When we are full of abundance and refuse to stretch forth helping hands to the poor in the society and our family we hinder the blessings of God. Let’s not be like that rich fool in Luke 12 “Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:16-20‬ ‭You want God to keep blessing you, engage in helping the needy and avoid being greedy. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye for blessing us with the word of God daily in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please give me the grace to be a great source of assistance to impoverished people around the world in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
HYMN 9
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.
Refrain:
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 some day 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. Refrain
In that old rugged cross, 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. Refrain
To the 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. Refrain

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20

Memorise: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2nd Peter 1:3
Read: 2nd Peter 1:1-4
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Bible in one year: 1st King 9-10, Ezekiel 18:1-18

1. “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” Psalm 46:5
2. From the above passage of Scripture, one great benefit available to those who have God as their Refuge is that the help or assistance they need will never be late.
3. There are at least three different times an individual can receive assistance. It could be before, during or after one experiences a need.
4. If a need or an emergency arises today and you already have the wherewithal to meet that need, maybe from your earnings from paid employment or a business venture, you have already received help before that need arose. 
5. This is a great place to be in! Some families already have all they will ever need to take care of their children and pay their way up to post-graduate degree programmes, even before this need arises. Such people will never panic for school fees. This is an example of provision before need, and it describes a state of living in abundance. You will experience such in Jesus’ Name!
6. Moreover, do you know that God follows this same pattern in dealing with His children? For example, before God created Adam and Eve, all they would ever need had been provided for in the Garden of Eden which God Himself planted.
7. God knows exactly what you need even before you express or voice out your request (Matthew 6:32).
8. Do you know that God has already provided all you would ever need to live a victorious Christian life and fulfil your God-given destiny?
9. The Holy Spirit speaks about this to us in 2nd Peter 1:3, where He says: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”
10. It is therefore possible for you to be a beneficiary of provision before need.
11. However, one major challenge for most people with regards to this benefit is that when there is provision to meet their future needs, they become careless, frivolous and wasteful.
12. When God provides ahead of time, it is possible to spend it on other things outside of God’s purpose. You therefore need divine guidance even in plenty.
13. Having abundance does not justify wastefulness in God’s Kingdom.
14. However, to partake of this great benefit, you need to increase your knowledge of the Provider, walk in obedience to Him, follow spiritual financial principles and wait on His directives always.

Provision before need is possible with God and total obedience to His word. It is important we take the admonition in today’s devotional to increase our knowledge of the Provider, walk in obedience to Him, follow spiritual financial principles and wait on His directives always. The era of lack will cease in our lives as we do all these things in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
What some people waste daily is more than enough to feed several needy, hungry people. To trigger blessings from the Lord, such excess should be spent on meeting the needs of others.
HYMN
There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.
There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

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20

Memorise: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1st Timothy 6:11
Read: 1st Timothy 6:6-11
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Bible in one year: 1st Kings 8, Ezekiel 17:11-24

1. On the 23rd of this month, we established that financial storms can breed hatred and discrimination against the poor, and even make them contemplate suicide.
2. Beyond these, financial storms can lead to a situation where people would resort to doing unimaginable things to survive a few more days, weeks or months, just like it happened in Samaria, where people began to eat their own children (2nd Kings 6:26-29). When you speak of such scenarios, some people think this can never happen; but not too long ago in Nigeria, a woman was caught after selling her child just to get some money for food. This is almost the same as eating one’s child. When she was arrested, she begged everyone to listen to her story first before judging her. She said she decided to sell her child because she could no longer afford to feed herself and her child. She reasoned that whoever bought the child would feed her, thereby increasing her chances of survival. She explained that if she kept the child, they would both die of hunger, and that from the proceeds of selling her child, at least for a while, her own chances of survival would increase also. She probably never thought that her child could be killed and used for rituals.
3. Moreover, financial storms drive some people to consult the devil and swallow charms in their desperate bid to prosper. Some of such people are compelled to go to the graveyard at a specific period every month to eat there in order to sustain their wealth.
4. The fear of poverty has really led many people into unthinkable and damnable things they would never have attempted with a sane mind.
5. It is most unfortunate that many believers have allowed themselves to be caught in this same evil net. 1st Timothy 6:9 says, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
6. God has a plan for everyone who comes to Him. In that plan, there is provision to meet all of their needs. However, to partake of the benefits of that divine provision, every child of God would have to follow certain divine principles.
7. In Matthew 6:24-34, Jesus gives the blueprint for this, based on which you would have to focus on God and on His Kingdom. If you do this faithfully, then God will make you His focus.
8. It is unfortunate that several people prefer to focus on their needs at the expense of their relationship with God; hence, they keep drifting further away from God’s sure place of provision.
9. If you have drifted away from God in your search for bread, retrace your steps today! 

The totality of today’s devotional is wrapped up in Matthew 6:31-33. “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The key to abundance is knowing God and doing His will. We bless God for Pastor E.A Adeboye. May His strength be renewed in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, by Your mercy, terminates every financial storm in my life and family today.
HYMN
There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.
There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

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20