OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY 31/05/2013 - HE FEELS LIKE YOU DO BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

HE FEELS LIKE YOU DO

MEMORY VERSE

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

READ

Acts 9:1-6

Act 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Act 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Act 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

Act 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Act 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Act 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

MESSAGE

If you are the apple of God's eyes, you will be required to channel God's love to those who are hurting. According to 1 John 4:7-8, this includes fellow believers; else you cannot claim to even know God. That is part of your responsibility, it is an obligation. Being the apple of God's eyes does not start and end with obligations, there are benefits, rights and privileges that accrue from this relationship with God. If somebody is playing with you, the fellow can hit almost any part of your body, but not your eyes. Anyone who touches your eyes is out to provoke you. If you are the apple of God's eyes, whoever touches you, touches God, and is playing with the Consuming Fire.

“In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.”

Isaiah 63:9

This verse tells us that the Lord suffers whenever the apple of His eyes is suffering. He does not just show sympathy but He empathises! A man and his eyes are one. If you hurt the eye of an individual, he will feel it throughout his whole body. If you feel that something is getting towards your eyes, what will you do? Even without thinking, you will not wait for it to get there before you dodge or block it. In Acts 9:1-6, when Saul was heading for Damascus to touch the apples of God's eyes, the Lord met him on the way and arrested him. God preempted Saul on that journey and asked why he was persecuting Him. Anyone touching you is touching the Lord. Whatever you are going through, He is going through it with you. Hebrews 4:15 says He feels your infirmities and trials; hence He wants you to communicate with Him over any disturbing situation so that He can take it away. God stands by the apple of His eyes to any extent. Beloved, God is with you. He feels exactly what you feel. He has a stake in what concerns you. Being the apple of His eyes, He knows most of what you are suffering is because of His name you bear. He will uphold you. He will stop your enemies before they hatch their evil plans against you. Remember, He loves you.

PRAYER POINT

Father, grant me the full benefits of being the apple of Your eyes

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Colossians 3 - 4

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - THURSDAY 30/05/2013 - WHAT ARE YOU WEARING? BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?

MEMORY VERSE

But ye put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Romans 13:14

READ

Genesis 3:20-21

Gen 3:20 And Adam called His Wife's Name Eve; because she was the Mother of all Living

Gen 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

MESSAGE

If you are God's representative or champion, He is very much interested in your dressing. You must be clean and you must not ridicule the Name of Jesus whom you represent. No dress that exposes your nakedness is allowed. If you are fuelling lust in the hearts of the opposite sex by virtue of your dressing, then you are representing something else other than the Lord. Before you put on any dress, you must ask yourself: Will this dress please the Lord? Does it cover my nakedness? Would Jesus put on this same dress while He was on earth? Will people who see me wearing this dress glorify God or Satan? Do I have inner peace wearing what I am wearing?

For want of means to afford something better, some people are dressed in rags. If you cannot afford good clothes, the Lord will open doors for you to have them in Jesus name.

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”

Genesis 3:21

God's concern about the clothes of His champions did not just start; it started from the beginning. When God created Adam and Eve, He dressed them up in Heaven's designer wears – His own glory. God covers Himself with glory and because He created His champions in His own image, He covered them with the same covering. That is, Adam and Eve wore the same dress that God wore. No wonder they had tremendous power and control. You are addressed by the dress you put on. If you dress in royal robes with a crown, even without introducing yourself, people who meet you will treat you as a king. They will show you uncommon regards and treat you with honour. Because Adam wore God's clothes, the animals regarded him as they regarded God their Creator. But the day they sinned and lost God's clothes, God gave them animal hide for clothes; no wonder the animals rebelled against them. In Christ Jesus, you can be back in control by not only wearing clothes that reflect God's glory but also by wearing God the Son in the person of Jesus Christ. Are you wearing what will give you authority or undermine your authority?

KEY POINT

 You cannot wear Jesus Christ and not be treated like Him. This is the only true way to stay in dominion.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Colossians 1 - 2

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - WEDNESDAY 29/05/2013 - ABRAHAM RESTITUTED BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

ABRAHAM RESTITUTED

MEMORY VERSE

Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed 

2 Corinthians 6:3

READ

Genesis 13:14-18

Gen 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:

Gen 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

Gen 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

Gen 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

Gen 13:18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.

MESSAGE

Besides restituting in the areas of robbing people, lying concerning certain issues, etc., we need to also restitute in our dealings with God. This relates to instructions He has given to us. For instance, in Genesis 12:1-3, God made some powerful promises to Abraham subject to only three conditions. He fulfilled two of the conditions and felt the third one was unnecessary. In fact, he thought people will call him names for sending away his late brother's son from living with him. By so doing, he mixed his petrol (gas) with water and everything began to go wrong. One day, as the problem became exacerbated and was now affecting peace in his home, he realised what he did and asked Lot to separate from him.

In Genesis 13:14-18, after that restitution, God resumed with him from where he stopped some 13 years earlier. In other words, his refusal to obey the third condition only fixed him on the same spot for that long! Beloved, as long as there is water in your petrol (gas), you might not hear from God. Have you stopped hearing from God and it bothers you? Check your life for any pending restitution and immediately settle the issue. Have you obeyed God in certain areas but failed to do so in one or more areas? Go and restitute today so that you can begin to make progress at the rate God intended for you. If you pay your tithes and offerings and the blessings are not coming, there may be some restitution hiding somewhere which you need to make. Until his restitution, Abraham's beautiful wife that was a source of his joy became a source of sorrow as he ran from famine. He lost his wife and could have been killed but for God's mercy. If you are constantly getting into trouble, find out if there is a pending restitution.

KEY POINT

 If you harbour a pending restitution, your progress will be impeded.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 46 - 48

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY 28/05/2013 - UNUSUAL COMMANDS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

TUESDAY 28^th  MAY, 2013

UNUSUAL COMMANDS

MEMORY VERSE

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:4

READ

Matthew 4:2-4

Mat 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

MESSAGE

It is a great thing to benefit from God's favour because His favour completely wipes out emptiness. The favour of God is also dangerous. Why you may ask? It's because the favour of God can convert the goods of enemies and oppressors into spoils for the favoured. In Exodus 3:22, God said,

“But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.”

Considering this scripture, one will discover that, it is dangerous to rob, steal from, deny or cheat a believer. You may be permitted to do so for a long while but on the day the favour of God falls on that individual, you may have to forfeit both what you took or stole as well what rightfully belongs to you. Your belongings might supernaturally move into his or her hands and you will be unable to prevent this trend of loss. Therefore if you have taken anything from any of God's children, or if you are impeding their promotion, release it now with pleas before it is too late for you!

At any point in time it is important to know what God is currently saying concerning a given situation. To walk in God's favour, you need to know the word that is proceeding from God's mouth. Jesus said we ought to live by this day by day (Matthew 4:4). Such word was it that gave the children of Israel their unpaid wages of 430 years. Sometimes this proceeding word might contradict your known theology and might even defy logic, however you are duty bound to obey. For instance, God who has commanded us to pray for all men might stop you from praying for a particular individual. It happened to Samuel concerning Saul (1 Samuel 16:1). Also, God may ask you not to give to a particular individual or project under certain circumstances. If God gives you such instructions and you have confirmed He is the One, simply obey. It means what God is saying at that point in time supersedes whatever He has said before on the subject matter.

KEY POINT

 What God said in the past is important but what He is saying now is more important and urgent.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 43 - 45

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - MONDAY 27/05/2013 - SIGNS ARE LIMITED BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

MONDAY 27TH MAY, 2013

SIGNS ARE LIMITED

MEMORY VERSE

For we walk by faith, not by sight

2 Corinthians 5:7

READ

Matthew 7:21-23

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

MESSAGE

Signs and wonders are important tools for church growth. Yet, as great as they are, they have their limitations. A Christian is called to a life of faith not a life controlled by sight. Signs and wonders are primarily meant for unbelievers while believers are expected to believe even without seeing. To unbelievers, seeing is believing but to his followers, Jesus says: if you believe then you will see (John 11:40). That is pure faith! In other words, for a believer, it is your faith that will bring your expectation into reality. So, if you lack faith in God in a particular area of life, you may not see anything.

Signs and wonders have their limitations hence you need to reorder your priorities in line with the reality of God's word. For instance, it is possible to perform miracles and be unable to make it to Heaven (Matthew 7:21-23). Some bona fide servants of God who walked in the miraculous are in hell, and many more will join them because of pride. What brought Lucifer down if not pride? If you cannot ask God to clothe you with humility and meekness while He is performing signs and wonders through you, then it is safer to let the power go. Some anointed of God who are operating in signs and wonders but are secretly sinning, unfortunately believe all is well because some miracles still attend their ministry. All is not well! In his backslidden state, Eli still made a prophetic declaration concerning Hannah at Shiloh and it came to pass. But how did he end his life? If you are living in secret sin but still see miracles being performed through you, you ought to be really scared. Such miracles can never take you to Heaven. It is holiness and purity of heart that will. Moreover, the devil can perform magic. Not every prophet is of God even when they claim to heal the sick and perform miracles. Some believers, in their desperate search for miracles have ended up with magic. Everyone who receives magic from Satan comes under his control and manifestation, whether they know it or not and whether they like it or not. Have you received something from Satan? Return it today!

KEY POINT

 Believers who often run after miracles from place to place end up as preys of Satan. Pursue Jesus and you will find Him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 40 - 42

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SUNDAY 26/05/2013 - HOW SACRIFICIAL BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

SUNDAY 26TH MAY, 2013

HOW SACRIFICIAL?

MEMORY VERSE

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32

READ

Mark 10:28-30

Mar 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed

Mar 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

Mar 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

MESSAGE

 The level of sacrifice you are prepared to make towards God is another factor that reveals your level of commitment to God. Sacrifice and love go hand in hand. You are prepared to sacrifice something for the one you love. For instance, when a man is courting a woman he really loves, he would do virtually anything for her to convince her of his love. Although, unfortunately, after he has succeeded in marrying her, he may not be willing to make such sacrifices anymore. The ideal thing is that he should even do more for her. God so loved the man He created that He sent His only Begotten Son to die for them (John 3:16). But God did not stop there. Romans 8:32 says,

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

This means that having given us Jesus His best gift, there is nothing He cannot give to us. What can you give to the Lord? What level of sacrifice are you prepared to make for God's Kingdom? In Mark 10:28-30, we see how the love of the 12 disciples made them to leave everything in order to follow the Lord Jesus. What have you left for Jesus? If you truly love Him, you will sacrifice anything for Him.

Closely allied to this is that the one who is committed to Christ will be time compliant when it comes to the things of God. If you are committed to the Lord, you will take His appointments very seriously. You will not go late for church services; in fact, you will be the first to arrive for sanitation, evangelism or any other area of service you are involved in. If you are always dodging Sunday school, it shows you are very low in commitment. If the president of your country were to give you an appointment where you will be given a contract of several billion dollars, would you go late? If the appointment is at 10 a.m. some people will get there by 5 a.m. But when the President of presidents gives you an appointment or calls a meeting, why keep Him waiting for you? Some people will keep Him waiting for hours. It is because they are not committed. From today, prove your commitment by becoming time compliant.

KEY POINT

The rich fool thought he was in control of his harvest until God separated him from it and he suffered a great loss. If you hold tightly to what you have than is necessary, you may be calling for a separation.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 37 -39

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SATURDAY 25/05/2013 - GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

SATURDAY 25TH MAY, 2013

GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

MEMORY VERSE

But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Psalm 115:3

READ

Psalm 115:1-3

Psa 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

Psa 115:2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?

Psa 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

MESSAGE

 In John 5:2-9, the Lord Jesus Christ walked into the colony of sick folks by the pool of Bethesda, healed one man and took His leave. Why just one man? What about the rest? Would He not have received a greater level of glory by healing all the sick folks there? From this we learn that the Lord just wanted to establish His sovereignty. Psalm 115:3 says,

“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”

We understand from the scriptures that He prayed for Peter to overcome a most trying moment (Luke 22:31), whereas He told Judas Iscariot to speedily execute his evil intention (John 13:27). May God's sovereignty work in your favour and not against you in Jesus name.

During major programmes of The Redeemed Christian Church of God such as the Congress, Convention or Special Holy Ghost Services, we usually see God at work, performing spectacular miracles, healing diverse sicknesses, setting the captives free and saving souls. On a particular occasion, the Lord said He would heal 144,000 people in one night. That year, at the end of the Congress, I saw a man who was brought in on a wheel chair returning in the wheel chair. Later in my office, after thanking God for the great things He had done I asked Him why the man who returned on the wheel chair was not healed. That he came to the camp alone shows that he had faith, and I told God I knew He could do everything. Thereafter the Lord replied, “So that you may know that you are not God. It does not matter how mightily you are being used. You are still a human being. If you don't like it, sue me”. This is why anyone who has common sense at all should fear Him. Some people think they can keep something from God. In the true sense of it, you cannot. He gave you all you have and He can take anything He has given to you. He owns you and everything you have, so what can you really keep from Him? If He wants to take anything you call your possession, nothing can stop Him. He only allows you to use your freewill so that He can bless you. God's sovereignty simply tells you to fear God beyond everything else; do you?

ACTION POINT

 Thank God for making you who you are and for giving you all you've got. Pray that His purpose for your life might never be defeated.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 34 - 36

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY 24/05/2013 - SURRENDER ALL! BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

FRIDAY 24TH MAY, 2013

SURRENDER ALL!

MEMORY VERSE

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Philippians 3:7

READ

Philippians 3:4-8

Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

MESSAGE

Dedication is sustaining your effort on an increasing level over a given assignment, until it is done. On the other hand consecration is to surrender all-to put in all it takes – prayer, energy, talents, connections and everything. It is to be committed to something without reservation – to be wholly devoted to a cause. In Philippians 1:21, Paul said:

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

By this Paul was saying whether alive or dead, his life revolves around Jesus Christ. The disciples of Jesus Christ left everything in order to follow the Lord. What have you left to follow Him? How consecrated are you to the Lord after singing for years: 'Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee'?

A classic example of consecration in scriptures is the three Hebrew children – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They humbly but boldly looked up at the king and said, 'Oh king, long may you rule! On the matter of idolatry, we will not compromise our stand by violating the commandment of our God. He is able to deliver us; but even if he is not willing to deliver us now, we really do not mind because we are ready to burn in your fire than to violate His Word'.

A female evangelist went to preach in a village in East Africa. Thereafter, she decided to do the same in the next village. She was told that going there was very dangerous as she faced the risk of being eaten by lions on the way. Yet she was not deterred. Then an old man offered to go with her. He told her lions will only attack if they are hungry so he decided to be food for the lions by going ahead of her so that she can safely get to that village. This is consecration! In those days, consecration was rife among Christians, but today, it appears it has disappeared from the registers of most Christians. To surrender all means to give your spouse, children, reputation and wealth to the Lord. When someone heard that I had left my job as a lecturer to become a pastor, he said he was not surprised because Mathematicians are crazy people, and that I was simply manifesting that madness. Have you surrendered all?

KEY POINT

 The simplest way to get everything God has to offer you is by offering Him everything you have including your will.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 31 - 33

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - THURSDAY 23/05/2013 - CLEAN ENOUGH? BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

THURSDAY 23RD MAY, 2013

CLEAN ENOUGH?

MEMORY VERSE

Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.

Isaiah 52:11

READ

Zechariah 3:1-7

Zec 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

Zec 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

Zec 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

Zec 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

Zec 3:5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

Zec 3:6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,

Zec 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

MESSAGE

In today's Bible reading, we read of how Joshua the high priest, who was both a representative of God and a divine champion, was standing before an angel, putting on filthy garments. You would notice that God's attention was focused on the dressing of His priest. Some people tell us today that since the inward appearance is more important to God, we should play down the outward appearance. The truth is they are both important before God. If you are God's representative, God is interested in your inner beauty as well as your outward dressing. God wants to know whether your physical clothes are clean or dirty. If you are a Christian but you are dirty, you need reorientation and renewal of your mind. Some sisters leave their hair unkempt and unwashed until it begins to breed lice. Some brothers will wear the same boxers for one or two weeks. Some people do not have their bath or even brush their teeth in the name of fasting. No wonder whenever they are doing a private fast the whole world knows. What is keeping God and His favour away from some of His children is not sin but dirt.

Demons are spiritually unclean beings so they flock around where there is sin and dirt. If you visit the houses of some people, dirty clothes will adorn the settees. You will have to wait for them to move the clothes off before you find space to sit down. Some people will eat and pile up dirty plates until there is no clean plate. Even when they give you what they claim to have washed, you will still see traces of food sticking to the plates, cups, cutlery and pots. If you are a dirty person, it will show wherever you go. Some people take their dirty habits to church. They will litter where they sit with sweet wrappers, water sachets, and empty water bottles etc. instead of disposing them properly. Personal hygiene is very important both for healthy living as well as for relating with God and man. Are you keeping God far away from you by being unhygienic?

KEY POINT

 All-round cleanliness is required to relate with God as His representative.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 28 - 30

To Comment, Click here

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - WEDNESDAY 22/05/2013 - DANCING FOR YOUR OWNER BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

WEDNESDAY, 22ND MAY, 2013

DANCING FOR YOUR OWNER

MEMORISE

And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

2 Samuel 6:14

READ

2 Samuel 6:12 – 16

2 Samuel 6:12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. 

2 Samuel 6:13 And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. 

2 Samuel 6:14 Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. 

2 Samuel 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.

2 Samuel 6:16 Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

MESSAGE

Besides standing and lifting up holy hands and going on your knees, you can also dance in worship of the Most High God. When the African dog is wagging its tail at its owner, it is acknowledging its owner. So when you dance before God with all your heart, you are acknowledging God as your owner. This does not include sexually provocative dancing. Some ladies dance to attract men and vice versa while some others dance to please God. Let your dance glorify God. If you truly dance to please the Lord, acknowledging Him as your owner and thanking Him with all your heart, you will not leave His presence empty. You will leave with a load of His presence and power.

Also, the way you react when you receive news of a Kingdom victory is an indicator of whether the direction of flow of your heart mirrors that God. How do you feel when you hear that a soul has just been saved? If you ask how the Lord feels, you can be sure that Heaven will declare a party and they will be dancing to God's glory including Jesus Christ Himself. For just one soul! Then what do you think will happen when 10, 100, 500, 1000 or 10,000 souls are won to Him in a day? How do you feel? Has such Kingdom news ever made you dance?

And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

2 Samuel 6:14

When the captured Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Israel, King David danced with all his might. He laid aside his position as king and danced as a subject of the King of kings. He did not know when he put aside his robe that was hindering him from dancing, and he began to leap and dance as a commoner before Israel. It is even possible he did some acrobatic display. David truly was a man after God's heart! He did not care about the opinions of men but of God. The truth is, when a king is before the King of kings, he must forget his position and pay due homage to Him who enthroned him. Are you too refined, too cultured, or too honourable to dance for your Owner?

KEYPOINT

If you cannot dance for God, who else will you dance for?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 25-27

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY 21/05/2013 - FAVOUR ERADICATES EMPTINESS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

TUESDAY 21ST MAY, 2012

FAVOUR ERADICATES EMPTINESS

MEMORY VERSE

And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty

 Exodus 3:21

READ

Exodus 3:21-22

Exo 3:21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:

Exo 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

MESSAGE

 The trial of your faith is very important as it plays a major role in your life. Nobody knows it all nor is fully prepared for what God wants to use him or her for. This is why God sometimes uses trials to prune us and beat us into shape so that we can conform to His will. In any trial you face, may God's purpose for taking you through it be accomplished in Jesus name.

“And I will give this people favour in the sight of all Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:” 

Exodus 3:21

After the trial of your faith, comes the release of God's favour. One benefit of favour is that it prevents emptiness in the life of its beneficiary. For over 400 years, the Israelites laboured without pay, and there was no way they could take their oppressors to court. But the night God released favour to them after the Holy Communion, the curse of emptiness was totally destroyed from their lives. There are some people who have laboured for months or even years without pay. They could not take legal action against their oppressors. In some cases, some of those oppressors are fellow believers and even ministers of God who refuse to pay workers their dues. This is a situation of emptiness. It is a curse and not a blessing. If you are going through this, the Lord will terminate that situation in your life this season, and His favour will deliver what is pending to you. There is a User of this Devotional, for about three years, you laboured but could not take of the fruit. Congratulations! God has just smiled on you with His favour. What has been pending shall be speedily delivered to you. As you receive it, go and give thanks to God in your local parish and share your testimony to encourage others. Where there is no favour, there is bound to be emptiness, but when there is favour, emptiness ceases and abundance comes in. This season, abundance shall take over from the emptiness you have suffered in Jesus name. It is your season of favour.

PRAYER POINTS

 Father, let Your favour completely swallow up every emptiness in my life

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 22 -24