Devotionals

Memorise: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James 1:14
Read: James 1:12-16
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Bible in one year: Judges 9, Jeremiah 50:31-43

1. Many people have been taken captive in different ways. Some have become captives of war, while some others have fallen prey to traps set by the enemy. May God deliver us from satanic booby traps!
2. However, you really need to exercise caution if you do not want to fall prey to the devil. Watch those things you take pleasure in because sooner rather than later, they can become the very things the tempter will use in enticing you!
3. Today’s memory verse tells us that temptations start with us: they emanate from what we secretly or openly long for.
4. Some people nurse some unvoiced thoughts and ideas and do not really care whether those thoughts agree with the standard of Philippians 4:8. This standard states: “…Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever thing are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
5. For nonchalant Christians, the devil soon sets them up to reveal exactly what is in their heart, and thereafter they are confronted with temptations. An example here is Esau, who loved good food. He loved eating so much that the devil decided to use food to secure the loss of his destiny, and he fell for it.
6. If you secretly admire the opposite sex, the devil will find out about it someday, and before long, you will be battling with sexual lust or some other form of immorality.
7. Men are drawn by their own lustful thoughts. Lust pulls the one lusting into further sin. Do everything possible to avoid lust because before you know it, it will bring you into the pit of sin.
8. If you lust after money, before long, you will find yourself in a situation where you will be tempted to sell out your salvation or betray someone who is close to you in exchange for money, like Judas Iscariot and Joseph’s brothers did.
9. What do you secretly lust after? If you ignore it, you will later regret it by the time the tempter is through with you.
10. This is the time to prayerfully check and cut off any seemingly harmless pull from lust. Where there is a pull, it continues until there is a build-up.
11. When the build-up has become formidable, it will become too difficult to resist its compelling force to sin. Therefore, do everything possible to love only those things that are good, and feed your mind on the word of God.
12. Also, avoid the tendency for a build up by resisting the subtle lure of lust. Prayerfully keep your thoughts in check and closely monitor what you allow into your heart. 

“Abstain from every form of evil.” ‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭5:22‬. A very deep insight to this bible verse will give you understanding of what the almighty God expects from you when it comes to temptations or sin. To abstain is to do away with or avoid, therefore anything that appears to be evil must not be tolerated. Lust is dangerous for you as a believer because if one fails to be conscious of it, destruction and death is inevitable. The Bible says in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” May the Lord help every reader of this Devotional. And may He strengthen our Father in the Lord Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Action Point
To prevent sexual sins, covetousness, murders and the likes, stop it at the thought stage. Don’t allow it move from thought to lust.
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: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1st Peter 5:9
Read: Matthew 8:14-15
14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.
15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
Bible in one year: Judges 7-8, Jeremiah 50:17-30

1. When Jesus came to Peter’s house in today’s Bible reading, He met his mother-in-law down with a fever. He touched her and she was healed instantly, and she then began to attend to their needs. This clearly tells us that Jesus does not tolerate sickness in our bodies. However, the question is, do you tolerate sickness?
2. Some people are tolerant of things they should not accept. Tolerating sickness is telling that it is welcome in your body.
3. Some people tolerate certain sicknesses that are traced to certain natural conditions.
4. For instance, when a woman is pregnant, people expect her to go through morning sickness. While this is mild for some people, it can be very tough for some others. Nevertheless, if you know your rights as a spiritual Hebrew woman and stand in faith against any form of ill health, you will receive strength to go through pregnancy in good health and not in sickness. To do so, you must be strong in faith and tell sickness that it is not welcome because you have no room or space for it. 1st Timothy 2:15 says, “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”
5. In other words, if you are truly a godly woman, you should not be taken down by the dangers of childbirth that affect ungodly women. Stand in faith and live holy, and your conception and delivery will be most pleasant!
6. In the same vein, some sicknesses are attributed to old age. An elderly man who was still quite active suddenly got up one day and realised he had difficultly walking. He tried some self-medication to no avail, and so he was taken to the hospital. The doctor examined him and told him his sickness was as a result of old age. He was advised to just manage it with certain medicines.
7. There are some people whose eyesight fail them due to old age, even as early as 60 years old.
8. For a child of God, you can stand in faith, resist such sicknesses and enjoy good health all through your life.
9. At 120 years old, when it was time to go to be with the Lord, Moses still retained the strength of his youth (Deuteronomy 34:7). Caleb also retained his strength at 85 years old (Joshua 14:10-11).
10. If you stand in faith, what affects others will not be able to affect you. If you refuse to resist these sicknesses, you will become a victim just like everyone else. The choice is yours.

It’s an awakening message to the believers who due to ignorance have been deprived of their rights by the devil. There are certain things that must not be tolerated in the life of every believer. Sickness is not permitted because the Bible says our body is a temple of Christ therefore Sickness of any kind should not be seen in our lives. “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭6:20‬ . This bible reference also confirm the fact that Christ bore our sickness on the cross just for us to always glorify Him with our body. May the Lord give us better understanding in Jesus name. May God continually increase and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Key Point
If Jesus has carried your pains and sorrows according to Isaiah 53:4, why are you still accepting to carry them?
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: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12
Read: John 5:2-14
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Bible in one year: Judges 5-6, Jeremiah 50:4-16

1. As harmless as sin may appear sometimes, we should not be deceived, knowing how destructive it can be. Every act of sin comes with a sentence of death (Romans 6:23).
2. If you do not want to die through separation from God, sin is something you must flee from. 2nd Timothy 2:19 says, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
3. If you are living in sin, God cannot call you His. If you want Him to identify with you, then you must deliberately separate yourself from sin.
4. If you are truly born again, you cannot continue in sin (Romans 6:1-2).
5. Sin is not as trivial as people suggest; it is deadly! May God completely deliver you from the reins of sin!
6. Moreover, sin is a carrier of death (1st Corinthians 15:56). If you live in sin, death sets in.
7. The death that sin brings can affect every facet of your life. Take for instance the impotent man who had been sick for 38 years, who was kept by the sheep market pool. During his second encounter with Jesus, after he had been healed, the Lord told him something fundamental in John 5:14: “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”
8. From this statement, we know that the sin(s) this man committed brought on the paralysing sickness he suffered for 38 years. He contacted this illness as a result of sin and had to relocate from his house, family and friends to live in a colony of the sick. He tried 38 times to receive his healing, without success. Sin, through this sickness, devoured his life. Assuming he was meant to live for 70 years, what would be left after losing 38 years to sickness? Sin separated him from what God had originally planned for his life and made him completely useless to himself and everyone else. He was stagnant and in bondage for 38 years! As a result of his sin, he was forsaken by his friends and loved ones. Sin is so terrible!
9. Do you know that many believers are in a mess today, but instead of first looking inwards to discover if they caused it by their sins, they begin to look out for external culprits: an enemy, witch or wizard that may not even exist.
10. Are you in a terrible state? Examine yourself and find out if your sin is the cause; thereafter turn to God, repent and surrender your life to Jesus.

Sin detaches man from God’s original plan for him or her. It is deadly and the wages for sin is death. It is abnormal and unnatural for anyone to know something kills yet you go for it. This is where the need for God’s hand to hold us up comes to light. We must continuously seek God’s mercy so as to stay away from sin because the end result of it is death. I pray the grace to stay away from sin and remain in God’s will is bestowed upon us this day in Jesus name. God be praised for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye. The Lord will strengthen him on every side in Jesus name.

Action Point
Examine every long-running issue in your life to determine if sin is the cause and take appreciate action on it.
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
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.
 
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
 

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20

Memorise: Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11
Read: Daniel 6:21-28
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Bible in one year: Judges 3-4, Jeremiah 49:28-50:3

1. Our God is not only a wonder, He also works wonders!
2. After the Lord performed wonders by parting the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel sang a new song to the Lord in Exodus 15:11 saying: “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”
3. Also, after God miraculously delivered Daniel from the lions’ den, King Darius passed a decree that in every domain of his kingdom, this awesome God must be feared and revered. In Daniel 6:27, he said, “He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
4. The God that King Darius spoke of is still the same today. He is full of wonders. No wonder He is called Wonderful (Isaiah 9:6).
5. Are you in need of a miracle, sign or wonder? Call upon this great God and He will surely deliver you. He can still do great wonders in your life today.
6. You need to come to terms with the reality that God can perform wonders in your own life. In other words, you too can be a beneficiary of His wonders.
7. It is a known fact that a person can be rich and yet be stingy. Where I come from, when talking to a rich and arrogant man, it is common for people to say, ‘Yes, I know you are rich, but you are not the one feeding me.” In other words, “your wealth is of no benefit to me, so go and perish with your money.”
8. God can be a God of wonders who also does wonders, but if He has not done wonders in your own life, His ability may seem like fairy tales to you.
9. In Genesis 18:9-14, He met a 90 year-old woman and said: ”I know you are 90, and I know your monthly cycle stopped several years ago, but you are going to have a son.” The woman replied, ”I don’t believe you!” God said, ”It doesn’t matter whether you believe or not; I am the Wonder-Working God, and I will go ahead to do what I just promised” A year later, she had her baby. God’s wonder-working ability became real to her.
10. Beloved, you are the next candidate to benefit from this Wonderful God! This season, the God of wonders shall show up in your situation and turn things around! You shall experience the reality of His wonderful power.
11. Call on Him today, and He will answer you.

It is clearly analysed by our father in the Lord in today’s devotional that experiencing God’s wonders requires coming to terms with the reality that God can perform wonders in your own life. It is as simpole as that and it can otherwise be said to have faith in God. May God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye and strengthen him on every side in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, as You did for Daniel, perform an outstanding miracle in my life that will compel nations of the world to amend their laws in honour of You.
HYMN
1. O Lord my God!
When I’m in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds
Thy hands hath made;
I see the stars,
I heard the rolling thunder
Thy pow’r throughout
The universe displayed
Chorus
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God to thee;
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul!
My Saviour God to thee;
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!
2. When through the woods
And forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the tress;
When I look down,
From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook,
And feel the gentle breeze.
Chorus
3. 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.
Chorus
4. 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 then proclaim
“My God, how great Thou art!”

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20

Memorise: And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; Psalm 105:44
Read: 2nd King 7:1-11
1 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.
6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.
8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.
9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.
10 So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.
11 And he called the porters; and they told it to the king’s house within.
Bible in one year: Judges 1-2, Jeremiah 49:14-27

1. A sound from Heaven is all you need to turn a very hopeless situation into a glorious one. We have an example of this in today’s Bible reading.
2. One lesson here is that whenever things deteriorate to their worst level; know that a turning point is around the corner. Don’t cry, just worship God and thank Him in the midst of the difficulty, asking Him to show you what to do to turn things around.
3. Also, from this story, we see that God can release one sound from Heaven and while His children hear something positive, their enemies would hear something else.
4. Things were so bad in Samaria because there was no more food, to the extent that some women began to eat their own children to survive. Have things gone so bad for you that to afford a meal you would have to sell some of your property? There is a user of this Devotional, because things have gone so bad, you have virtually sold all your properties in order to survive. The Lord is turning your situation around now. Within the next 90 days, all the things you have sold shall be replaced with better ones. When this comes to pass in your life, endeavour to testify of it before the congregation of God’s people.
5. It was in the midst of hopelessness that a sound came from heaven through Elisha, declaring that within 24 hours, abundance would replace lack. Literarily speaking, it meant that within 24 hours, there would be so much food that it would be almost free. Responding to that prophecy which they didn’t even hear, some four lepers decided to take their chances by going to the camp of the besieging army to see if they would pity them and give them some food. As they went, the noise from their feet was taken up to Heaven, amplified and released into the camp of the enemy. So what happened? While God’s people heard that abundance would swallow up their acute lack with 24 hours, the enemies heard the sound of a very mighty army coming to surround them and wipe them out completely. They fled immediately and left behind everything they had, which became available to God’s people almost free.
6. This season, all your enemies holding back your blessings shall hear a sound from Heaven and leave you and everything that is yours alone! I speak abundance into your life now in Jesus’ Name! If there is any siege that has surrounded your life for so long, hindering your progress, I command it to be lifted now in Jesus’ Name. Receive freedom to expand your coast from today in Jesus Mighty Name. It is well with you!

Our God can manifest as the almighty God in different dimensions. Taking a phase of His manifestation we can say He is a consuming fire to the enemies and He is love to His children. He gave light to the children of Israel and darkness to the Egyptians. Knowing God is not enough, we have to know our inheritance in Him that we may fully possess that which He has provided for us. New insight into God’s word is what we experience daily as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, as You speak peace to me, speak trouble and war to my enemies.
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: Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrew 4:11
Read: Hebrew 4:7-11
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Bible in one year: Joshua 23:24, Jeremiah 48:45-49:13

1. Psalm 23:1-6 is a very powerful psalm which speaks of the relationship between the sheep and the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. God’s sheep enjoy many benefits, one of which is the entitlement of rest.
2. If you are a bona-fide sheep of Jesus Christ, His rest is made available to you.
3. When the Psalmist says “He makes me to lie down”, he simply speaks about entering into God’s rest. The rest that the Good Shepherd offers His sheep can be at several levels.
4. Some people are labouring so hard in search of the salvation of their soul. They want to be free from sin, and yet the more they labour to be free, the more entangled they find themselves. If only they can come to Jesus today, they will find the salvation they have been seeking. Jesus Christ is the final destination for everyone who genuinely desires salvation.
5. Another kind of rest that the Good Shepherd offers is bodily rest.
6. Ordinarily, after a hard day’s work, by the time you hit the bed, you should fall asleep. However, do you know that there are people who find it so difficult to sleep? They stare at the ceiling all night until the following morning. This continues for days, weeks or even months. Psalms 127:2 says if you are beloved of God, you will surely have rest through sleep.
7. Do you suffer from insomnia? Has it been so difficult for you to get a good night’s sleep? That sleeplessness is terminated today! From now on, you shall access God’s rest in Jesus’ Name!
8. In addition, the Good Shepherd offers rest to those who labour continuously without rest. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are laden, and I will give you rest.”
9. One way the devil has led some people into their ultimately death is by heaping so many problems, burdens, debts and heavy responsibilities on them which they cannot carry, thereby frustrating their efforts to enter into financial freedom. The more they labour, the further they drift from success. If you are in that situation, do not give up or think of ending your life. Just come to Jesus with all your heart and He will give you rest.
10. Finally, today’s Bible reading talks about the eternal rest that we have access to as sheep of the Great Shepherd. Nobody can enter Heaven except through Jesus Christ.
11. If you are saved and you continue to follow Jesus Christ, obeying Him every step of the way, you will surely enter into His rest. Are you qualified to enter His rest?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

It is amazing that God is greatly in love with us that He promise us rest from the trouble of life. The bible says
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. These three verses explain the guarantee that we have in Christ Jesus. Apostle Paul also revealed ” For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. which means sickness is not our portion. God bless our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him with greater wisdom to impact us more in Jesus name.
HYMN
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
You wilt find a solace there.

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Memorise:
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 1 Corinthians 9:16
Read: Acts 8:5-8
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 22, Jeremiah 48:28-44.

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

1. During a time of famine, the Lord instructed Elijah to go to Kerith Brook, stay there and a raven would continuously bring him food there (1 Kings 17:2-6). He said, ‘Yes Sir’ and obeyed. He did not hesitate or question God. He did not even ask God to show him where ravens ever brought food to anyone in the Bible. He obeyed instantly. Instant obedience is strong evidence of faith. Anyone who would work signs and wonders in these last days must be a man or woman of faith. Do you have enough trust in God to the extent of obeying Him without hesitation?
2. Moreover, in addition to faith, the fellow who wants to operate in the miraculous must be an incurable witness for Christ. He or she must be a soul-winner. In today’s Bible reading, Philip did not wait for Peter to come and conduct a crusade in Samaria. He went there himself because he believed in God’s command to go out and preach the gospel. People who are diligent in soul-winning usually have their prayers answered speedily. People often ask me what l do to get God to answer my prayers speedily aside from living holy. I tell them soul-winning and instant obedience. Even if you are going to kill me, I will still share the gospel of Jesus Christ with you. I do not look at faces to determine who I witness to or not. lf l am attending an occasion and you make the mistake of giving me the microphone, you will hear about Jesus.
3. Some years ago, I received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ibadan. lt was a serious gathering with eminent personalities of the political elite, traditional title holders and academicians all gracefully adorned in their beautiful gowns. At some point, they gave me the microphone and told me l had just five minutes to say something. l thanked them for honouring me and quickly added that I could not have received this honour but for Jesus.
4. I further said that there is an honour waiting for some people in Heaven and that if they do not give their lives to Jesus, although they can be honoured here on earth, they will lose the honour of Heaven. I then gave an altar call. Beloved, witnessing for Jesus is our assignment wherever we go. Talk about Jesus everywhere you go and He will repay you with signs and wonders.
5. When last did you win a soul to Christ? How many souls have you won to the Lord since the beginning of this year? You were saved and chosen for this reason. Are you fulfilling God’s purpose of winning the souls of the lost?

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

This secret of answers to prayers have been told to us many times. I will like to challenge you to embark on this assignment of expanding the Kingdom of God and depopulating the Kingdom of darkness. There are many rewards attached to this instruction from God. Sometimes when prayer fails, the next thing we should activate is Soul-winning. We bless God for our Father in the Lord, Pastor E.A Adeboye for the grace to inspire and exhort us in today’s devotional yet again. ‎

Key Point:
As God works with evangelists, He will always confirm their words with signs and wonders in order to convince unbelievers. That’s a key to the miraculous.
HYMN
1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Refrain:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
2. Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
[Refrain]
3. Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

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Memorise: Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Proverbs 7:23
Read: Proverbs 7:7-23 (KJV)
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
Bible in one year: Joshua 20-21, Jeremiah 48:9-27, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

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

1. A negative experience many people have had to contend with is captivity. Captivity can mean bondage, slavery, imprisonment, detention or a lack of freedom. Captivity also comes in various forms. It can occur as a consequence of being captured in a battle, like it happened to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abedbnego (Daniel 1:1-7). In this particular case, King Nebuchadnezzar invaded the nation of Israel and carried away some of the people into captivity.
2. From that moment, these captives became slaves in a foreign land. Similarly, some people enter into captivity by falling into a trap set by the enemy. For instance, in Judges 16:4-5, the lords of the Philistines used a beautiful woman as bait for Samson. Today, there are several “hunters” of destiny and life all around, setting all kinds of traps to get their prey. May you never be one of their victims!
3. One common trap people fall into today is the trap of adultery and fornication. The devil has several agents and means to use as bait, and believe it or not, he catches a lot of prey. He may use beautiful ladies like he did to Samson. Today’s Bible reading describes how a prostitute sets a trap and catches her victim. She could also use her seductive attire which reveals her curves and exposes sensitive parts of her body. She could also use her sweet flattering words, seductive make-up, perfumes or gait just to get her prey. When he finally yields, she leads him like an ox to the slaughter slab. Proverbs 7:23 says “Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.”
4. Anyone being lured or enticed into lust should realise that it can never really be for his or her own good. Today, several female students have become easy prey for sugar daddies and evil horny lecturers because they erroneously think that they are getting something of value in return.
5. How much can a man pay you to allow his to destroy your destiny or kill you? What score will a lecturer award you in exchange for your life? The victims of lust, immorality and adultery are usually trading their precious lives for pittance. Are you in captivity of adultery, thinking it benefits you because you are getting rapid promotion in your place of work? Don’t be deceived! You are truly paying with your life!
6. Repent, come to Jesus and cut off all hunters from your life! Break that relationship if your partner is pressurising you for sex as a basis for friendship. It is not worth it! Ask God to deliver you from every trap of the devil.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

What type of trap were set for you by the devil to fall into. There are certain things that we need to know about the devil, he’s interested putting people under bondage or captivity but if we guide ourselves with the whole armor of God, we cannot be his prey.
Being a prey is like been enslaved and there is no amount of effort such person that is under captivity will make that will bring reasonable results. May we never fall prey in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point
Father, deliver all our children, teens and youths from sexual immorality.
HYMN 6
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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Memorise: (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2nd Corinthians 6:2
Read: 2nd Corinthians 6:1-2
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Bible in one year: Joshua 18-19, Jeremiah 47:1-48:8

1. God is never late for any appointment. He is always on time.
2. Looking at the experiences of different people in the Bible, this has been shown to be true over and over again.
3. For the man who had been sick for 38 years, when his appointed time finally came and the once-in-a-year miracle platform God had put in place could not meet his need, Jesus personally picked him out from the crowd and healed him by His own will (John 5:1-6). Also, when the appointed time came for the woman who had been bent over for 18 years, the Lord healed her without her asking for it (Luke 13:10-13). Habakkuk 2:3 says, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
4. One thing you should learn from this is that God has a timetable, and His timetable may be completely different from yours. He has a set time for every event in the lives of His children. It is like setting an alarm clock to a particular time; when the alarm rings, God will address the issues at stake.
5. Another lesson worth learning is that until God’s appointed time for a particular matter to be addressed dawns, God may appear silent on the issue, even when He has all the facts and figures of the situation at His disposal.
6. If He knows what an individual is going through, and He chooses to watch carefully and quietly, He may just be doing so in order to see how the fellow will respond to the situation.
7. Would he stand in faith and resist the devil, or give up his faith and cling to doubt, fear and unbelief? Would he draw nearer to God or go further away from Him? Would he down tools and stop serving God, or would he continue serving God in the midst of no divine response to his problems?
8. When God keeps quite at such times, He may want to test your faith to see how elastic it is. It may be very frustrating when God is silent on an issue, but never get to the point of thinking or believing that He does not know what you are going through.
9. He knows it better than you do. He sees what you see and what you don’t see within the circumstance. Just trust in Him and hold on to Him in faith.
10. Love Him more, worship Him more, serve Him more and keep trusting Him more. In the end, you will be victorious.

There is indeed an acceptable time. As the word of God says “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:”‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1‬. Most times we are just inpatient with God to the extent of forsaking His ways by looking for alternatives. What have you found to be the best alternative or remedies instead of waiting until the appointed time of God. What is running through your mind? Have you already set a time for God to intervene concerning a situation and the conclusion is death incase you don’t receive answer? May we never die or expire before our appointed time of blessing. May God continually increase and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, give me grace to endure till my appointed time, and when it dawns, let me see the manifestation of my good expectations.
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: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
Read: Matthew 1:18-21
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORDappeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Bible in one year: Joshua 15-17 Jeremiah 46:13-28

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

1. Todays memory verse clearly states that the reason why Jesus Christ came to this world was to save His people from sin. Many people fail to realise the horrors of sin, hence they toy with it. If only they knew how terrible sin is, they would maintain a great distance from it. Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death. This “death” is not limited to physical death but also extends to every area of life. Do you know that sin can lead to physical death?
2. Going by the laws of many countries today, if a man is convicted of killing a fellow human being, he might have to pay with his own life. In this case, the sin of murder has led to physical death. Beyond physical death, sin can also bring about material death, marital death, spiritual death, and more. Do you know that for failing to comply with the divine commandment on tithes and offering, some people who once enjoyed a boom in their businesses have had to face dryness of the worst kind – almost to the point of begging for food? This is how sin can bring about material and financial death. It can also attract emotional death. A man or woman cheating on his or her spouse wi|| bring about emotional death in that relationship.
3. ln any way you have attracted death to yourself, may the mercy of God intercept judgment and turn its sword away from you in Jesus’ Name!
As far as God is concerned, there is only one penalty for sin, and that is death (Ezekiel 18:20). lt is important to note here that this death is separation from God. If you were brought before the judgment throne of God, accused of just one act of sin, you would not be made to face a sentence of three months, one year or even five years imprisonment; God’s judgement for every size of sin is the same – death.
4. Today, we categorise sin according to our understanding. We call some sins “high crimes” while some others are seen as harmless. However, whether a sin is so light or so “innocent” that everyone approves of it does not matter to God. All sins fall short of His standard and are all punishable by death. We are created to live our lives fully connected to God, but when sin comes in, it separates us from our only Source and Sustainer.
5. If the Blood of Jesus is not applied to wash away a person’s sins, the drift away from God continues until physical death occurs and the fellow is forever banished to Hell. In what way is your sinful lifestyle bringing death upon you today? Rise up and run to the cross of Jesus Christ, asking for forgiveness of sins and cleansing by His Blood. Invite Him to come into your heart, and thereafter keep a great distance from sin.

SHORT REFLECTION BY THE LIGHT POINTERS

Many of us find it difficult to accommodate or even accept topics like this, but the truth will always remain and the word of God cannot be broken. According to what I heard from a great man of God, “sin is even deadlier than death itself”, because any saint who dies has eternal life and therefore death has no victory of the saints. But the only thing regardless of the gravity that can deprive one from enjoying this eternity with Christ is SIN ( Simple Instruction Neglected), May we never be ignorance and depart from the ways of God. Let’s always be in the spirit to enjoy peace and life. Consider Romans 8:6 ” For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. God bless our Father Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him with greater wisdom to impact us more in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point:
Father, in Your mercy, reverse every form of death I have brought upon myself.
HYMN 11: l HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
no turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me,
I still will follow;
Though none go with me,
I still will follow;
Though none go with me,
I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’II carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’Il carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’Il carry, till I see 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.

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