OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SUNDAY 30/06/2013 - ANY CREDIT WITH GOD? BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

ANY CREDIT WITH GOD?

MEMORISE

Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

Psalm 20:3

READ

Acts 9:36-42

When the son of the rich Shunammite woman died in 2 Kings 4:18-26, she laid him on the bed that she had provided for the man of God. It was another way of telling God: 'Lord, I have some deposits in my heavenly account: it is time to make a withdrawal.' She did not request for the child in the first place; it came as interest on her investment. Do you have a deposit with God which you can draw from in times of crisis? It is wisdom to have such a deposit because at very crucial moments in the life of the depositor, your investment will speak for you. At such times, you may not be the one to speak for yourself.

Psalm 20:1 – 3 says God will remember your offering in the day of trouble. This refers to regular offerings. But do you have a solid deposit with God? Dorcas did. In Acts 9:36-42, when she died, everybody protested - Not Dorcas! When some people die, people would say may their soul rest in peace, but when some others die, people will lead a protest march to God, saying there must have been some kind of mistake. Check it; such people whose cases are protested most likely had deposits with God. As people protested Dorcas' death, they sent for Peter and began to show him reasons she cannot just go now. So the Lord was forced to ask her to return to earth to continue her good work. If you die today, how many people will miss you? To test this, travel for one month and see how many people will ask you where you have been. If on your return people just say good morning to you, then it is likely that when you die, you may go unnoticed to such people. While on board a ship in one of his trips, there was a terrible storm that put the lives of all that were onboard in danger for over two weeks. In the midst of this, an angel visited Paul and God said to him that because of his credit with God, both his life and the lives of those with him would be saved (Acts 27:13-24). Do you have credit with God?

KEY POINT

From today, begin to build your Heavenly credit for future benefits.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Isaiah 13 – 15

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SATURDAY 29/06/2013 - HE IS OUR SEAL BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

HE IS OUR SEAL

MEMORY VERSE

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 1:13

READ

Ephesians 1:11-14

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

MESSAGE

The Holy Spirit guides you into all truth and sets you free. The greatest amnesty you can ever receive is from Him. Besides all these, John 16:13 says the Holy Spirit will show you things to come. He is a revealer of future events. There is hardly anyone who does not want to know tomorrow. Quite a number of people have ensnared themselves while seeking information about their future. Yet, they keep a distance from the One who can tell them of tomorrow. Unlike agents of darkness who can foretell by the spirit of divination, but provide destructive solutions to problems, the Holy Spirit guides His own into future events and provides appropriate solutions to problems identified. How much of the future that is revealed to you is a function of your closeness to the Holy Spirit. How close are you to the Revealer of secrets?

John 16:14 says one major role of the Holy Spirit is to see that Jesus Christ is glorified in all He does through and in His church. He is the Source of divine power according to Acts 1:8, so if you really want raw, unadulterated power, go to the Holy Ghost. Ephesians 1:13 says He is the one who seals believers in Christ. Beloved, there is a seal over your life and that is the promised Holy Spirit. When there is an unpleasant event in the life of God's children, the Holy Spirit effectively plays the role of a Comforter. While the best mortals can do is to sympathise, it is the Holy Spirit who knows exactly the level of hurt we are going through and who also knows the best way to provide comfort. Are you hurting presently? Is there something amiss that is causing sorrow in your heart? Look up to the Holy Spirit today and He will comfort you. Take heart beloved, it is well with you. That pain shall give way to joy. Are you weeping? Dry up your tears right now because the Lord is saying to a User of this Devotional,

“Sing O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.”

You shall laugh last, it is well with you

ACTION POINT

Spend 30 minutes thanking the Holy Spirit for being your seal and comforter.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Isaiah 10 - 12

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY 28/06/2013 - DIVINE JAIL BREAK BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

DIVINE JAIL BREAK

MEMORY VERSE

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 

Acts 16:26

READ

Acts 16:24-33

Act 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Act 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Act 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Act 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

Act 16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Act 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

Act 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Act 16:32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

Act 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

MESSAGE

God's personal visit to His children who are in bonds, liberates their hands from whatever cuffs had them bound. Beyond the hands, the legs of the visited will also be loosed and freed to make progress; so that the enemy who had him tied down will no longer be able to catch up with him. In Acts 3:1-8, when the King of kings visited the lame man at the front of the Beautiful Gate, he did not only walk but he started to leap. Have your legs been incapacitated owing to poor health? They shall receive strength and become whole. At other times, your legs may be physically fit but they may be chained like it happened to Paul and Silas in Acts 16: 24-33. After they received the beating of their lives for delivering a lady from the oppressive spirit of divination, they were taken to prison and tucked into the inner ward to prevent escape. Yet, they did not stop there; they tied them with chains and tucked and locked their feet in stocks. In other words, the enemies tried to block every possible avenue of escape. Now the jailor could safely go to sleep. As tired as they were, with their bodies bleeding from the wounds earlier inflicted on them before they were brought to the prison house, they felt they must immediately contact their Headquarters in Heaven and invite the King of Glory to personally visit them in that prison. They began to engage in high praises at midnight and that night, the Lord came on a visit. An earthquake accompanied His visit and the foundation of the prison house shifted out of place, all locked doors were flung open, the chains on all the prisoners got broken and their feet were set free from the stocks. When God decides to visit that prison where the enemies have caged you, He can orchestrate a jail break. This season, the Lord will visit that prison that is housing you, your family as well as your destiny and there shall be a divine jail break in the name of Jesus.

KEY POINT

When a man breaks and escapes from jail, it is a crime. But when God breaks a jail and releases its prisoners, nobody can prosecute Him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Isaiah 7 - 9

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - THURSDAY 27/06/2013 - BLIND TO YOUR FAULTS? BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

BLIND TO YOUR FAULTS?

MEMORY VERSE

Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

John 9:41

READ

John 9:40-41

Joh 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

Joh 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

MESSAGE

Zechariah 3:1-7 relays an incident where Joshua the high priest stood to offer some sacrifice but he was clothed with filthy garment and Satan stood at his right hand to resist him. This tells us that whenever we are not properly clothed in God's righteousness and we want to offer something – an offering or sacrifice to God, there will surely be some formidable resistance from the kingdom of darkness. The filth on Joshua's garment gave Satan legal right to withstand his offering. From this we also learn that not all sacrifices are acceptable to God. Some sacrifices are rejected, some are accepted while some others are contested. Mind how you are clothed before you go to offer anything before God!

Meanwhile, it took another prophet – Zechariah to reveal the state of the high priest. Joshua was arrayed in filthy garments but he did not even notice it. Revelation 3:14-18 says that it is possible to be blind and think you have the best of sight. People have illusions about their present state. This is very dangerous – to think you are rich, successful and progressive whereas the opposite is the case. Ironically, many reject such a message and see it as being sent to someone else other than themselves, this is rather unfortunate. Going by what the Lord told the Pharisees in John 9: 40-41, it takes the blind fellow to admit his state of blindness before he can receive help from the Lord. As long as you think you are okay, you will never be better than what you are. It is your feeling of inadequacy that would drive you on your knees to request divine assistance. In addition, we see a crowd to whom the high priest was ministering; who saw the priest in filthy garment but none of them could point it out to him. This means that people see what the leader may not see but they need to inform the leader or help him with love. Some leaders never give their associates or members the opportunity to correct them in love, probably because they present a front as if all is well, or that they know everything. Hebrews 12:1 tells us of the cloud of witnesses in Heaven who are keeping tabs on what we are doing. They see what we don't see but someday, we shall unite with them in Heaven: will you be there on that day?

PRAYER POINT

Oh Lord, expose my faults and weaknesses to me and grant me the grace to make amends.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Isaiah 4-6

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - WEDNESDAY 26/06/2013 - POWER IN THE BLOOD BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

POWER IN THE BLOOD

MEMORY VERSE

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 12:11

READ

Revelation 12:10-11

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

MESSAGE

 The Word of God works in all situations when the user has satisfied every requirement. If you are making a request and you are at the same time living in sin, particularly in secret sin, your sinful state can negatively impact on your prayers. Similarly, when you engage the enemy, and you want to use the word of God as a weapon, quote it correctly or it may not work for you. Satan knows the letters of the word from Genesis to Revelation, so the enemy knows whenever you misquote scriptures and can take advantage of that. In Matthew 4:1-11, when Jesus came face to face with the devil in the wilderness, He engaged the sword of the Spirit saying, 'it is written'. How often do you engage the sword of the Spirit? How correctly do you quote scripture when engaged in warfare?

Moreover, the third weapon available to soldiers in God's army is the blood of Jesus.  Revelation 12:11 says,

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

If only you can see into the spiritual realm, then you will appreciate the power in the blood of Jesus. An ex-agent of darkness, who was very active for the devil until her conversion to Christ, once said that the blood of Jesus is spiritually very acidic. If there is one weapon the kingdom of darkness avoids more than a plague, it is the blood. If you can imagine what harm physical acid can cause to the human body, then you may have a little glimpse of the power in the blood of Jesus. She said when they plant different objects at certain road junctions to cause accidents; they return to the scene after such accidents to drain the blood of their victims to their blood banks, which they subsequently serve as wine. But when some believers begin to pray and plead the blood of Jesus on their local, national and international blood banks, the blood in their blood banks becomes contaminated, acidic and completely undrinkable. They will have to throw away such blood and for that period, they will be very weak as they begin their search for fresh blood. Arise and cover yourself, family and everything you have with the blood of Jesus. Also plead the blood upon all blood banks - both physical and satanic.

ACTION POINT

Apply the blood of Jesus on yourself, family, ministry and plans every day. Attack the enemy with the blood of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Isaiah 1 - 3

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY 25/06/2013 - DIVINE PARTNERSHIP BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

DIVINE PARTNERSHIP

MEMORY VERSE

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. 

Isaiah 41:13

READ

Isaiah 41:10 - 13

¹⁰ Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

¹¹ “Behold, all those who were incensed against you
Shall be ashamed and disgraced;
They shall be as nothing,
And those who strive with you shall perish.

¹² You shall seek them and not find them—
Those who contended with you.
Those who war against you
Shall be as nothing,
As a nonexistent thing.

¹³ For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ 

MESSAGE

Beside divine compassion, dwelling with the Lord also assures you of divine goodness. This was the experience of David when he said assuredly that goodness and mercy will always accompany him for the rest of his life, because he will dwell in God's presence continually (Psalm 23:6). Beloved, if you must be fruitful, you need both mercy and goodness. Why? Mercy makes you have what you don't deserve. If you read Romans 9:15-16, you will find that God reserves the right to choose to be merciful or compassionate to whom He will. Consequentially, the one who wins the race is not necessarily the one who is more determined or has the fastest feet, but the one who has God's mercy backing him or her. Those you probably envy because they are recording a greater success in life or ministry are not necessarily wiser, stronger or holier than you, but just that they are enjoying the mercy of God that you do not enjoy. From today, you shall be a beneficiary of God's mercy.

This season if there is just one person who will be singled out for an undeserved blessing, it will be you. There is a user of this Devotional who has laboured conscientiously for years with nothing to show for it. By God's divine hand of mercy, a favour is coming your way this season which nobody can stop, and which you cannot resist. When it comes to pass, just remember to share the testimony and give thanks to God in the assembly of His people. In addition, when you abide in Christ, you have a share in a divine partnership. Any force or person who says you will not succeed, God will deal with such a force or fellow in accordance with Romans 8:31. That is why Isaiah 41:10-13 says you have no reason to fear; if God says He will help you, believe it: He will. When Peter accepted to partner with Jesus in Luke 5:1-7, when he got to his wits end in his career, the Lord supplied what he lacked and he took a catch he had never taken all his fishing years. Let the Lord into your boat and accept His divine partnership and your limitation will be your starting point.

KEY POINT

 God upholds His partners with His victorious right hand.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Galatian 4 - 6

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - MONDAY 24/06/2013 - A SURE EVENT BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

A SURE EVENT

MEMORY VERSE

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 3:19

READ

Genesis 3:17-19

Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

MESSAGE

It is important to keep eternity in view as you live on the earth. Another reason people fear death is because death seals fate. Once you die, your fate is sealed. Job 7:9-10 says once a man dies, he cannot come back to his earthly home anymore. In Luke 16:19-31, the Lord told a story of a rich man and a poor beggar who lived at a particular time in life. At some point, they both died. While the fate of the rich man was sealed in hell, that of the poor man was sealed in Heaven. If you are born-again and you die righteous, your fate is sealed in Heaven, but if you die in your sins, your fate is sealed in hell. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says,

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

As long as you are alive, no matter how strong in the Lord you may be, there is still the possibility of falling. Be careful!

Death is sometimes referred to as the reminder. Why? It reminds us of our origin. It reminds us that we are dust. According to Genesis 3:17-19, we were taken out of dust and to dust will our bodies return. Not many people would like to hear that their beautiful body will return to dust one day. Death reminds us that we are not on earth forever but temporarily, hence we are called pilgrims (Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11). The world is some kind of bridge we are trying to cross. Death reminds us of the coming judgment (Hebrews 9:27). You would be amazed to know that some men of God fear death more than other people because it has no regards for the anointing. In 1 Samuel 25:1, we read that Samuel – the king maker, king remover and prophet of Israel died with all his anointing. Saul – the first king of Israel also died (1 Samuel 31:6). Do you know that death does not regard the command not to touch God's anointed? If you doubt this ask Elisha. In spite of the double portion anointing he possessed yet he still died (2 Kings 13:20). Death does not regard who you are – whether General Superintendent or General Overseer, Pastor, Prophet, etc. It will strike at its appointed date. Knowing death will surely occur, how prepared are you for its coming?

KEY POINT

Ignoring an event that is bound to happen is the height of foolishness.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Galatians 1 - 3

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SUNDAY 23/06/2013 - GOD OF GREATNESS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

GOD OF GREATNESS

MEMORY VERSE

God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Psalm 67:7

READ

Genesis 24:34-35

Gen 24:34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant.

Gen 24:35 And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.

MESSAGE

 While seeking a wife for Isaac, Abraham's chief servant was sent to Abraham's family in Nahor of Mesopotamia, to choose a wife for him. Standing before the family, he testified of how God had greatly blessed his master in all things (Genesis 24:34-35). If the God of Abraham is your God, you cannot die small, poor or insignificant. Why? The God of Abraham takes pleasure in making His children great. Which of Abraham, Isaac or Jacob, of whom God is associated with by name was poor? Jeremiah 29:11 says,

“For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Are you a child of the Most High God? The Lord will equally make you great. You will not die in poverty. You will not be insignificant.

I have tasted both poverty and wealth and make bold to say that the latter is far better than the former. I have had to walk for the first 15 years of my life without shoes because we could not afford them. In my final year in the grammar school, I was a fairly good student so I won some prizes. We used to have a prize giving day shortly before the school vacated. On that day, all who excelled in a particular subject would come out and shake hands with the principal and be given a prize. The final year students were expected to wear a white shirt on white trousers and shoes. Having won a prize, I had no trousers or shoes to wear. I began to question God why He allowed me to win a prize when He knew that I had no complementary uniform to receive it. At that point, one of the boys in the hostel who had six pairs of trousers called me to help him decide which to wear. As I did this, I used the opportunity to ask for a pair of trousers even though he was taller than I was. Then I remembered an uncle who had a pair of shoes and a pair of sandals that were not okay. He agreed to give me the sandal. Since I never wore a shoe before, I began to practice how to walk with it before the prize giving day. On that day, I appeared with extra long trousers and oversized shoes but received my prize. Have you gone through the bad side of poverty? Because you are now a seed of Abraham, things will turn in your favour from today.

ACTION POINT

 No amount of wealth you take from God can deplete His resources. Just ask, ask and keep asking.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

James 3 - 5

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SATURDAY 22/06/2013 - OF BONDAGE AND LIBERTY BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

OF BONDAGE AND LIBERTY

MEMORY VERSE

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Corinthians 3:17

READ

Ecclesiastes 2:1-12

Ecc 2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

Ecc 2:2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

Ecc 2:3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

Ecc 2:4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

Ecc 2:5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

Ecc 2:6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

Ecc 2:7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

Ecc 2:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

Ecc 2:9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

Ecc 2:10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

Ecc 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Ecc 2:12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

MESSAGE

John 16:13 says if you are a friend of the Holy Spirit, He will keep you informed of the truth. It will be difficult for people to pull wool over your eyes. In addition to this, He will expose the truth of God's Word to you. It is the revelation of the truth that makes free. This implies that, if you are a friend of the Spirit, He will bring you out of bondage and ensure you walk in liberty. No wonder 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, 

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 

The greatest need of the one in captivity is the Holy Spirit. Are you in a demonic bondage? You need the Holy Spirit. Are you in prison – both spiritual and physical? Be filled with the Spirit. Draw close to Him. Love and serve Him within that prison situation and before long you will be spiritually liberated. As you continue to walk with the Spirit, the physical prison walls will not be able to contain you. The truth is that you cannot have a close walk with the Holy Spirit and remain bound. Do you know that those who were criminals and are presently serving a prison sentence, but have now received Christ and are fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit, are actually free? If men say you are bound but God says you are free, who would you believe? 

Everybody desires freedom. Whether you are in a physical prison or not, you want to live at liberty. Do you know that the most enslaved people are not those inside the four walls of a prison but those outside? In their quest to be free to do whatever they like, many have become terrible slaves of their carnal desires. An individual who has no self control is in bondage. Take Solomon for instance. He received unprecedented blessings from God, but a time came that he became so obsessed with carnal things that whatever his eyes liked, he acquired. What bondage! No wonder he ended up with 1000 women! The physical prison is there to help the convict have a rethink about life and to help them find Jesus. As you receive Jesus, develop your relationship with the Holy Spirit and win souls to Christ. Are you in a prison? The Spirit of God will bring you out in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, in whatever bondage I have found myself, as I walk with the Holy Spirit this season, set me free

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

James 1 - 2

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY 21/06/2013 - EMPOWERING YOUR HANDS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

EMPOWERING YOUR HANDS

MEMORY VERSE

He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Psalm 18:34

READ

Psalm 18:31-35

Psa 18:31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

Psa 18:32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Psa 18:33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

Psa 18:34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Psa 18:35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

MESSAGE

God cannot pay you a personal visit and things in your life and around you will maintain status quo. His visits always come with glorious changes. May He visit you this season. When He visited the Red sea, a thoroughfare was created in the midst of it, for the Israelites to go through. When He visits you, He will create a way in your wilderness. When He visits you like He visited Peter in Acts 12: 5-11, your hands that were tied will suddenly become loose. You hands will be free to war. Psalm 18:34 says,

“He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.”

When your hands are tied, you will be unable to employ them in areas you would normally use them.

Business is war. Life itself is war. There are some people who started fighting the battles of their lives right from their mother's womb. To prosper or to take the wealth of the wicked into your coffers is serious warfare. You cannot fight and win such battles when your hands are tied. But if your hands are free for war, then victory is sure because with a punch of your fist empowered by God, you can strike a lion dead; with a sling shot empowered by God, you can slay your Goliath. In Luke 5:1-7, the same hands that toiled all night without a catch, became empowered when the King of kings came visiting, and with just one throw of the net, he recorded a catch of fishes he had never taken in all his years in the fishing business! Are your hands tied? What is tying your hands? Why can your hands no longer perform their normal duties? Cry out for God's personal visitation to you today! In the name of Jesus, everything tying your hands is loosed. Every invisible rope or chain over your hands is destroyed now. From today, your hands shall begin to perform to God's glory what they were created to do. Your hands are divinely empowered to defeat your enemies and take over the spoils of war.

PRAYER POINT

Father, in any way my hands have been tied, untie them today and set me free.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Exodus 38-40

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - THURSDAY 20/06/2013 - A SMOOTH STONE BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

A SMOOTH STONE

MEMORY VERSE

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 

Isaiah 28:16

READ

1 Peter 2:4-8

1 Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

1 Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

1 Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

1 Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

MESSAGE

God is interested in every aspect of your life including your dressing because it could either make or mar His plan for you. How polished are you to fit into His eternal plan for your life? Many years ago, one of my sons in the Lord who is highly educated became born-again yet continued smoking cigarette. When I was told, I asked him and he affirmed that he was born-again and that what is inside of one is what really matters. However he said he is prepared to obey the Bible and then asked: 'Where is it written, Thou shall not smoke?' I replied that it is not stated in the Bible. One day, he visited me in company of his wife while I was at a retreat so we decided to do a little Bible study on 1 Samuel 17:38-40. Verse 40 says David selected five smooth stones from the brook and not just any stone even when a stone is a stone because of its hardness. What is the difference between a smooth stone and one that is not smooth? I told them that there are different kinds of stones – stones that can kill a dog and stones that can kill other types of creatures, but that the stones that could kill a giant must be smooth stones. With this new insight, he stopped smoking that same day, saying that he desired not just to be a stone but a smooth stone in God's hands. Are you born-again but still drinking alcoholic wine or smoking or are you still involved in a questionable habit? You cannot be a smooth stone until you do away with anything questionable in your life. Yes, you can just be a stone – an ordinary one, but if you want to be a smooth stone that God can use to do great things in His Kingdom, then you must allow God to polish you, and make you a tried stone like Jesus Christ. Anybody who claims to be a Christian may wear what he or she likes but not to the altar of God. Also, if God considers you a favourite, you will mind what you do, say, where you go and how you dress. Ask God to make you a smooth stone in His hands.

ACTION POINT

If you get more of judgements than mercy, it is most likely because you are indebted in mercy. Sow mercy to all who have hurt you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Exodus 35 - 37