OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, JUNE 26TH 2017- BORN INTO CAPTIVITY?

Memorise: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1st John 3:8
Read: Exodus 1:8-12
8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
Bible in one year: Judges 21, Ruth 1, Jeremiah 52:24-34

1. While some people fall into captivity through traps set by the tempter, some others, like Joseph, are sold into slavery (Genesis 37:23-28).
2. In some parts of Africa, when a child is born, both parents of the child or either one of them enter into a covenant involving that child and some deity or spirit-wife or husband. Such a child later grows up to find that he or she has been sold into slavery. There are many childless couples who go to some deities for help, because they can no longer wait on God to give them good children. This opens the door to satanic offspring in their lives. Later in life, such demonic children will become devourers of their resources and peace. May you never be so frustrated as to go to the devil for help! Satan’s “help” is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
3. Moreover, in today’s Bible reading, we understand that some people enter into slavery right from birth.  When a pharaoh that did not know Joseph arose in Egypt and enacted new laws that made the Israelites slaves, every child that was born to them from that moment was born into slavery.
4. In whatever way you have found yourself in captivity, whether by choice, design or by birth, there is deliverance for you today.
5. The Great Deliverer is able and willing to deliver you. 1st John 3:8 says Jesus Christ was manifested in order to destroy the works of the devil.
6. Captivity is the work of the devil, and he seeks to control and ruin lives by it.
7. The predator runs the lives of his captives. When he wants, he whips them, pushes them into difficulties and mocks them while they struggle. He dictates what they become and where they will end. The fellow in captivity has virtually lost control over his or her life.
8. You cannot be a captive and at the same time be free to serve God the way you want.
9. One of the reasons why Jesus Christ came into this world was to make us free to serve God. Contained in the prophecy of Zacharias about the Lord Jesus Christ in this statement about His mission, in Luke 1:74-75: “That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.”
10. This is why you have to arise in anger today and rebel against any form of captivity you have found yourself in, and ask Jesus Christ to deliver you now. You shall be free today!

As believers, we sometimes directly or indirectly put ourselves in the devil’s bondage through disobedience to God, discontent and pride amongst other things. But God is merciful and ever willing to receive whoever comes to Him in genuine repentance. In case you find yourself in bondage thinking can you be free from being a captive, there is good news for you. God is able to make you free again. Isaiah 49:24-26 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the Lord , Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. This shall be our testimony in Jesus name. We bless God for Pastor E.A Adeboye who through the Holy Spirit wrote this devotional. As we study each day we are blessed. May His strength be renewed in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
In any way I and members of my family have found ourselves in captivity, we rebel and break away it today!
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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