OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL – THURSDAY – 29/1/2015 – STOREHOUSE FOR WONDERS – BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

Storehouse for Wonders 

Memorise

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

Psalm 23:1

Read

1 Kings 17:12-16 

12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 

13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 

14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 

15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 

16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah. 

MESSAGE

You will observe that ever since God rested from His work in Genesis 2:2, He has been working on and through His earlier creations in propagating His purpose. For example, God never created another set of man and woman after the first man and woman had been created. Rather, he charged those He had already created to be fruitful, to multiply and to replenish the earth (Genesis 1:28). 

When God is confronted with a need, He will use what is already available in His creation to meet that need. When God was confronted with the need to feed His prophet for a number of years during a famine, He needed a storehouse of wonders to meet this need. The widow of Zarephath’s house became this storehouse for wonders. The man of God, Elijah, discovered a barrel of flour and a cruse of oil that were almost empty in this house. However, it was not the prophet but the God of wonders who located that storehouse for wonders, and He sent His prophet there (1 Kings17:8-9). 

We must learn some lessons from this story of the storehouse for wonders. First, the house was available for the God of wonders to use. My prayer for you is that whenever the God of wonders wants to turn a house to a house for wonders, it will be yours in Jesus’ Name. The question is: will you be ready to surrender your house to the God of wonders to use for His glory? Secondly, the widow did not shy away from a difficult assignment. Although it was a difficult thing for her to give Elijah her last meal, she obeyed the command of God and did as the prophet said. Hence her house became the storehouse for wonders. Her barrel of flour and her cruse of oil became instruments of wonders. 

Thirdly, this woman did not only know the wonder-working God, she was a sincere and straightforward woman of faith. She stated her case as it was. She said, 

“This is our last meal; we can’t part with it.” 

If it were some of us, we would not even admit that we have anything at all. This woman seemed to be saying to herself, 

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want, even if I surrender my last meal to Him.” 

This woman exposed her miracle meal to the wonder-working God to work with. This was the exact thing the young lad in Matthew 14:17-20 did, and he went home with twelve basketfuls as the interest on the five loaves and two fishes he lent to the wonder-working Lord. I pray that the Lord will feed you fat even in the time of famine in Jesus’ Name. 

Action Point

Determine to lend to God by way of sacrificially giving to His work this year, and you will see the glory of God. 

Bible in one year

Jeremiah 14:1-16:13 

Acts 17:1-15 

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - WEDNESDAY - 07/1/2015 - WONDER WORKING NAME - BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

Wonder-Working Name

Memorise

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mark 16:17

Read

Matthew 1:21-23

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us

MESSAGE

From Mark 16:17, we understand that signs and wonders shall follow those who believe in the Name of Jesus Christ. The wonder-working power in the Name of Jesus Christ is also declared in Isaiah 9:6. Indeed the Name of Jesus is full of wonders. In Acts 3:6, Peter the apostle said that,

“…Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

Immediately Peter mentioned this Name, the feet and ankle bones of the lame man he was talking to received strength and he began to make progress in life – beginning with walking and later leaping. With the Name of Jesus Christ in your mouth, nothing becomes impossible for you. Those who do not believe in the Name of Jesus for salvation, either for religious or intellectual reasons, may not know what they stand to lose. The Bible says:

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

This scripture reveals the secret that makes the Name of Jesus work for someone: righteousness. Only the righteousness that is obtainable through that Name can make the same Name work wonders for you. As a matter of fact, it is through this Name that we receive forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43).

When Peter commanded the lame man to walk in the Name of Jesus, it was done immediately. By the power in the Name, Jesus, I command you to receive deliverance from all forms of oppression you have been suffering from now on. The Name of Jesus Christ is anointed (Song of Solomon 1:3). This is why the Name destroys the yokes of the devil and produces deliverance for the oppressed. A young Christian was travelling in a boat one day, and as the boat was about to capsize, he shouted that Name. Unseen hands came to his rescue. I pray that the Name of Jesus will begin to work for you as you believe and use the Name as from today in Jesus’ Name. The devil may resist anything but not in the Name of Jesus Christ, because God has given Him a Name above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11).

Action Point

Apply the Name of Jesus to any challenging situation or to anything that represents a mountain in your life, and you will see it give way to the glory of God the Father.

Bible in one year

Isaiah 19:16-22:25

Acts 5:1-21

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - MONDAY - 5/1/2015 - THE WONDERS OF NEW CREATION - BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

THE WONDERS OF NEW CREATION

MEMORISE

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 CORINTHIANS 5 : 17.

READ

JOHN 3 : 1 – 5.

1 THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

MESSAGE

The Almighty God is the Chief Planner, the Architect and the Builder per excellence. Before the universe was put together, God planned it. No man is in this world by accident. He told Jeremiah that before He formed him, He knew him ( Jeremiah 1 : 4 – 5 ). In the beginning, God had beautiful plans for His creation, but along the line, sin distorted His plans for the universe and particularly for the human race. But God, being the Almighty, decided in His Infinite mercy to restore His distorted creation. This is why in Jeremiah 18 : 1 – 4, we read an interesting story of a potter and his clay vessel which got damage in the process of being worked. The potter made up his mind to start all over again. I prophecy that God’s Original purpose for your life which the enemies have tampered with shall be restored today in Jesus’ Name.

Paul the sinner who later became a saintly apostle of Jesus Christ is one example of a person who experienced the wonders of new creation. In his testimony in 1 Timothy 1 : 15, he wrote that he was the chief sinners. In 2 Corinthians 5 : 17, he summed up the wonders of new creation saying :

” Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

In our scripture reading today, Jesus Christ told Nicodemus that he must be born-again in order to see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus then asked Jesus in John 3 : 4 that :

“….Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”

Jesus replied that it is possible to become a new creation by water and the spirit of God. All these are mysteries and pointers to the wonders of new creation. For you to experience these wonders, you must surrender your total life to Him who is able to recreate and restore beautiful plans that have been distorted by the evil one. The Bible in Acts 3 : 19 says :

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”

I pray that you will experience the wonders of new creation in all spheres of your life in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, whatever beautiful plans you have for my life that the enemies have distorted, please restore in Jesus’Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 

ISAIAH 12 – 14 AND ACTS 4 : 1 – 22.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - MONDAY - 29/12/2014 - BE STEADFAST IN FAITH - BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

BE STEADFAST IN FAITH

Memorise

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Read

Revelation 3:7-11

3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

MESSAGE

Many Christians believe in their pastor and the doctrines of their Church. There is nothing wrong in this in as much as the pastor is living right and the doctrines are biblical. However, your faith and steadfastness must be built on Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of your faith who cannot disappoint you. A man will backslide with his pastor, if his faith anchors on the pastor and the pastor backslides. This is the reason why you must know Jesus Christ through and through. What you know concerning Jesus Christ will make you steadfast if you know Him adequately enough. The Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul wrote this:

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

Philippians 3:7-8

You may want to ask, what do I know concerning the Lord Jesus? I know that Jesus is alive. I am very sure of this. I have very many testimonies to prove this. I was always feeling ill and it was a monthly occurrence despite medications. I had taken more than two thousand injections without any respite. However, when I started calling on the Name of Jesus, I never fell ill again. For my wife and children, He is just the same. Illness has been completely removed from my home. He that you believe is alive should surely help you to overcome just about any problem and quickly too, if truly He is alive. If He is dead, surely He cannot even help Himself. An ordinary man cannot perform these miracles no matter how deep he has gone into occultism. Satan will cast you aside to face another person once he knows he cannot take you away from Jesus Christ. Just go on praising God if Satan brings illness to your child. This attitude will shock the devil and make him flee from you. He will see you as a mad man rejoicing in the midst of trouble. The world and its lusts would run from you if you can stand firm in your faith. The Bible in Galatians 5:1 says:

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

May the Lord uphold you to the end in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point

Father, I cannot hold myself; I put my trust in your everlasting arm, please uphold me to the very end.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Acts 22:22-24:21

Song of Solomon 6:10-7:10

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY - 26/12/2014 - CHRISTIAN COURTSHIP - BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

CHRISTIAN COURTSHIP

Memorise

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Hebrews 13:4

Read

Ephesians 4:14-15

4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

MESSAGE

It is one thing to choose the right partner in marriage; it is another thing to choose the right approach to courtship. A wrong approach to courtship, particularly Christian courtship, can have a negative impact on the right choice. Therefore, believers that are in courtship must be Christian through and through if they would eat the good of the land of marriage (Isaiah 1:19). An important lesson for ladies to learn is that, a man is at his best in courtship. He would call you by different pet names. He would tease you and make you feel secure. These are the normal sweet words you should hear in courtship. However, when the wedding ceremony is over, his hidden shortcomings will be exposed because he can no longer hide them. The saying that “love is blind” is true but marriage is the tool to open the eyes of the blind lover. You will discover the real personality of a man or woman after the wedding ceremony.

For courtship to be Christian in nature, the admonition in today’s Bible reading must be our watchword. Courtship between two children of God must not be handled childishly. It should be handled with maturity as expected of a serious relationship. There are many false doctrines flying around and children of God must beware of them. For example, some people believe that once you are in courtship, you can begin to co-habit, doing all sorts of ungodly things together. They call it “trial marriage”. This has no place in Christianity. It is whore-mongering. More often than not, after these so-called brothers have had their fill of the so-called sisters, they dump the sisters for those they regard as “reserved and self-disciplined”. In the same vein, there are terrible wolves in sheep’s clothing among some so-called sisters too. They try to make unsuspecting naïve brothers get them pregnant and the result is what we call shot-gun marriage. This is a marriage not properly prepared for. Christian courtship must be characterised with sincere gestures. It involves sharing past and present experiences with your would-be wife or husband. It should look beyond the present to future aspirations. You should lay your future bare in the hands of Jesus Christ. Though there may be sincere disagreements during courtship, these are not strong enough reasons to break the courtship. However, if a courtship is full of troubles that you are almost getting suffocated with sinful or legalistic demands of your partner, you need to have a rethink of the relationship. This situation calls for fresh prayer. You may have made a mistake in the first place.

Prayer Point

Father, please guide our youths during Christian courtship; let such relationships culminate in holy wedlock and a glorious marriage.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Acts 16:16-18:17

Song of Solomon 4:9-5:1

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