OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - WEDNESDAY - 15/10/2014 - A YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY - BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

A YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY

Memorise

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.

Psalm 25:7

Read

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Message

A youth can be defined as a young man or woman who is strong in body and sound in mind. Youths make up the bulk of a typical community. Ideally, youths are the men and women of war. A man of war is an instrument of both protection and destruction. He protects his friends but destroys his foes (1 Samuel 17:33). The best time to be focused in life is the time of youth. It is the most productive period in the life of a person. Lamentations 3:27 says:

“It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.”

It should be noted however that youths have their limitations. Though they are strong, energetic and sound in mind, they have their weaknesses. For example, many decisions that a youth will take will require the counsel and probably the assistance of elders, so as to avoid blunders. Are you are a youth? Don’t forget that you need valuable advice from elders (Proverbs 20:29). The time of youth is delicate. Youths can fall and fail if they not careful (Isaiah 40:30). If care is not taken, the young can be used in the community by evil-minded people as miscreants to perpetrate mischief and unleash terror on innocent persons. Youths need guidance because of their inexperience (Proverbs 2:16-18). Young people are often despised, looked down upon and disdained (1 Timothy 4:12). They are also susceptible to temptation, thus, the best time to give appropriate guidance to a person is in his or her youthful age. Also, the best time to remember God is at the period of youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Young people make up the bulk of the society and they are the ones that bring about its growth. Are you a youth and a child of God? You have a crucial role to play in your community. First, it is your duty to love your community and have its best interests at heart. If you do, you will pray for your community (Luke 18:1). Go all out to seek its welfare. Secondly, as a youth, you can contribute greatly to the growth of your community by bringing in new ideas. All developed societies utilise their young people to the maximum, harnessing their energy and innovation. Youths generate modern and creative ideas. They are strong and can be given any assignment, being at their productive peak. As a Christian youth, you can be an asset to your community when you live holy and submit yourself to the Holy Spirit. Are you an elder? Encourage the youths in your community to maximize their potentials. Pray for them. Guide and counsel them to be committed to God’s agenda.

Action Point

To be an asset to your community, be committed to a Christ–like pattern of living, and commit yourself to people and God’s program.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

2 Samuel 14-15

Proverbs 12:1-14

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY - 16/09/2014 - ROOTED IN CHRIST BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

ROOTED IN CHRIST

Memorise

Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

Psalm 92:13

Read

Psalm 92:12-15

12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Message

The root is the most important part of a tree. The very life of every tree is in its roots. Also, the strength of every house is in its foundation. If something goes wrong with the foundation, the house will fall. The moment something happens to the root of any tree, it will show on the tree. This is a profound truth. Most of the time, it is the tree that we see and not its roots. That which is unseen is what supports what is seen. The part of a man that keeps him alive cannot be seen with the physical eyes. We cannot see God. However, if God leaves your life, there will be nothing left of you. The Bible in Romans 11:16 says,

“For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.”

This clearly shows that if the one who is your foundation is holy, then you will turn out holy. If the God you serve is a holy God, you will discover that your tendency will be towards holiness. When the root is bitter, the tree is going to be bitter. When somebody offends you and you do not forgive, your actions will show your bitterness; your words also will show your bitterness and it will be difficult for you to live a life of peace and holiness in accordance with Hebrews 12:14-15.

How can you have the grace and power of God? The secret is that your root should be love. This is enunciated in Ephesians 3:17-19:

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

When you embrace love, you will see the attributes of God in every area of your life. Many of us want the power of God. We want to be able to perform miracles. The question that God is asking is: are you willing to love? If you have power without love, you will destroy many people. If you have the abilities of God without the love of God, anybody who offends you is a dead person. For the power of Christ to manifest in you, you need to be rooted in Christ. Examine yourself and think of everything in you that was planted by the devil – bitterness, lack of forgiveness, hatred, sickness, disease, disappointments and fear. Ask God to uproot them all. The plan of God is that we being rooted in Him will prosper materially. He wants you to be in good health and He also wants your soul to prosper (3 John 2).

Action Point

Don’t seek for the power of God until you have the love of God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Judges 1:1-3:6

Job 38:39-39:12

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SATURDAY - 19/07/2014 - COMPELLING UNWILLING HELPERS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

COMPELLING UNWILLING HELPERS

MEMORISE

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Acts 9:15

READ

Acts 9:10-15

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

MESSAGE

From Acts 9:1-20, we understand that prayer makes things happen. Another lesson we can derive from this passage is that prayer compels unwilling helpers to help you. For everyone that God has sent to planet earth, there are helpers appointed to help each person at different points in life. Access to these helpers and their God-ordained help has a lot to do with how much you can earnestly pray. Helpers are of different categories. Some are willing, some are feebly unwilling, while some are completely unwilling. When God instructs feebly unwilling helpers to help you, they will resist a little but after a while, they will yield to God. But when He instructs the completely unwilling helpers to help you, they will vehemently resist. This may happen when such a helper is your avowed enemy. The truth is, many ‘enemies’ we think we have are actually our potential helpers. If you doubt it, wait for them to be converted to Christ and you will realise what you have been missing. The good thing about this is that God can use anyone to help you. Even if they are totally unwilling, God can force them to help you.

There are some believers who fall under the group of unwilling helpers. They will try to convince God not to help a particular individual and as such, God would have to force them. When God decided to help Saul, He chose a disciple – Ananias who resides also in Damascus – but Ananias revolted. After God carefully explained to him the errand he was to run, he came up with strong reasons why Saul should not be helped by him or by any other disciple. God had to command him to go before he reluctantly went. Thank God Saul prayed. We all have unwilling helpers. Many believers have lost a lot of benefits from their unwilling helpers for failing to pray or not praying enough. If you can pray, God will compel your helpers to deliver the help you require to you and they may still tell you how much they hate you while doing so. This season, your unwilling helpers shall willingly help you in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, let all my unwilling helpers become willing and ready to help me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Deuteronomy 22:13-25:4

Job 6:24-7:6

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - THURSDAY - 10/07/2014 - SATAN INTIMIDATES BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

SATAN INTIMIDATES

MEMORISE

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Proverbs 28:1

READ

1 Samuel 17:24-25

24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

MESSAGE

When Goliath came to the battlefield, he took the form of a big problem but later he became a big opportunity. He came as a mighty obstacle but turned into a mighty door of opportunity when God stepped in. Every giant who stands in your way this season shall become a door to your breakthrough in Jesus’ Name. The Redemption Camp grounds used to be the headquarters of highway armed robbers as well as the abode of big snakes. The first snake that was killed there was about 16 feet (about 5 metres) long; it was very big. A snake of that size was enough to drive anybody away from the camp grounds. However, we did not see it as a problem but as an opportunity. Today, the Redemption Camp has become the headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and is fast becoming a city. I decree that every problem that is standing in your way will soon become a point of testimony!

Every child of destiny must expect obstacles but surmount them in the name of the Lord. After trusting God for several years for a car, one of my sons was finally blessed with one. He got a brother to teach him how to drive. As they drove on the highway, they got arrested by the police. After scaling through that, another government traffic agency arrested them, claiming they did not have correct papers. On getting to the office of the agency, they brought out all their papers and asked the officers to tell them what was missing. It was then the officers realised their papers were complete but they would not own up to their mischief. They collected money from them before releasing them. That experience almost made him resolve never to drive again. However, he refused to be intimidated and today, he has changed cars. The devil still intimidates! If he cannot prevent the blessing from coming, he will try to intimidate the fellow to a point of going back on the steps he had taken. Have you given your first fruits and the devil is trying to intimidate you by stirring up feelings of regret? Don’t be intimidated! Any problem that surfaces after you received a blessing may just be Satan’s way of harassing or intimidating you. Stand on God’s word and prayerfully resist him.

PRAYER POINT

Every satanic harassment over my life, family, business and destiny, I resist you in the mighty Name of Jesus!

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Deuteronomy 1:1-2:25

Job 1:13-19

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY - 04/07/2014 - FEAR DISALLOWED BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

FEAR DISALLOWED

MEMORISE

For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

Psalm 89:17

READ

Psalm 89:15-18

15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

MESSAGE

The first time you are confronted with a golden opportunity that will catapult you into greatness, you may think that your end has finally come. This season, giant opportunities will come to you. They will be so big that you will not miss them, but know this: they may camouflage as problems. Don’t be scared but rather rejoice that your change has come at last. Remember that after David was anointed king in his father’s house, Goliath showed up to take his crown. From this, learn that certain problems that come your way after a definite prophetic word from God on your promotion, success, victory or breakthrough are out to legitimise your blessing and usher you into it. Even if people were in doubt about how Young David could ever qualify to be so honoured, by the time he killed Goliath, all their doubts were dissipated. His brothers and others who were challenging God’s decision acknowledged that even though he was younger, he was outstanding, since he could accomplish what they could not.

Are you a child of destiny? If you are, show it by not being scared of problems. Welcome problems that come your way and see the advantage they will fetch you when you are used of God to solve them. Take it up to the Lord and invite Him to take on that problem, and you will receive victory. A child of destiny does not run away from challenges; in fact, the greater the challenge, the bigger his or her joy is because the end result will bring greatness. You want to see the miraculous operate in your life, yet you shy away from evangelism; how then would God use you? Why are you hiding from the hot spots of the battlefield? Do you think God cannot protect His own? If not from God, where else can you get true protection? The fellow who is secured is the one that God is protecting. Why are you afraid for your life? Who can touch you when God does not approve of it? Arise today! Confront all your giants and cause them to face your God while you step right behind God to receive the victory!

KEY POINT

The greatest hindrance into your destiny is fear; it is an enemy at the door of opportunity.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Numbers 22:22-24:25;

Psalm 146

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SATURDAY - 28/06/2014 - BE THOU PERFECT BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

BE THOU PERFECT

MEMORISE

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:48

READ

Genesis 17:1-8

1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

MESSAGE

It takes a loving father to give instructions and guidelines to his children. God demands absolute obedience to His instructions from all His children. There is always something to gain from God for obeying Him. This is because every instruction He gives has a promise attached to it.

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.”

Genesis 17:1-2

One thing God desires from all His children is perfection. To be perfect means a state of being in complete conformity to God’s word. It denotes a state of being faultless, blameless or spotless and a state of being excellent (Daniel 6:3). Some people argue against perfection; they say all men are sinners and would therefore sin daily. This is not scriptural. God’s standard for everyone who is born-again is perfection. His standard of holiness and perfection remains the same. It was not higher under the Abrahamic covenant than it is under the new covenant. If God could help Abraham to be perfect, could He not also help believers in Christ today to be the same? Are you a believer in Christ? Then ask for the grace to be perfect. Holiness is the nature of God according to 1 Peter 1:15-16. Holiness is His heartbeat, and His desire is that we should be like Him in holiness. There are many lessons to learn from the Bible reading for today on How to be perfect. The first step to perfection is willingness and obedience. You must be willing and obedient to the word of God (Isaiah 1:19). That others are not living holy does not mean that a state of perfection is unattainable. Secondly, you must walk before God (Genesis 17:1). Be in the place where God can direct you. Be mindful to study His word and obey it (Joshua1:8). In addition, you must fellowship with Him and abide in His presence always (Psalm 91:1-2).

Genuine repentance is an indispensable condition for perfection. Whoever wants to be perfect must first and foremost repent from sin and be saved (John 3:17). He or she must also live a holy life by abstaining from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). As you go into the day, you should seek for perfection in your walk with God and decide to obey God’s word absolutely. What God requires of you on a daily basis is perfect obedience to His will. You should therefore stand perfect and complete in all His will.

ACTION POINT

Decide to obey the word of God today.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Numbers 10:11-11:35;

Psalm 141

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY - 17/06/2014 - REASONABLE SERVICE BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

REASONABLE SERVICE

MEMORISE

The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?

1 Chronicles 29:5

READ

Hebrews 7:26-28

26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

MESSAGE

Service is good, but no service is acceptable before God without the servant working with Him. Working with God is serious business. It requires consecration i.e. setting apart an object or person to the worship and service of God. For a true believer in Christ, this is a life of service and worship that follows our commitment to take up our cross and follow the Lord Jesus. This denotes giving ourselves up to Christ as persons bought with a price and no longer our own. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says,

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

Consecration is not necessarily volunteering for full-time service, though that might come up along the line. In Romans 12:1-3, we learn that there are three characteristics of consecration. These are:

1.            Consecration is a voluntary decision.

2.            Consecration is a personal decision.

3.            Consecration is a sacrificial decision.

These three elements of consecration involve two actions. The first is giving up the will or sacrificing one’s will to God (Hebrews 10:7). The second action is God’s acceptance of the sacrifice which has been made (Romans 12:1). When you give up your will for God’s will, you will hear the voice of God (Act 13:2), set yourself apart from sins and devote yourself and your substance to God (Isaiah 52:11, Micah 4:13). God expects that a believer’s total life would be consecrated to the Lord Jesus Christ. This includes the feet to carry the gospel everywhere, the hands to help victims of circumstance, the ears to hear the cries of demonically and economically oppressed people and the use of time for the glory of God (Ephesians 5:16). Consecration results in a life governed by the wisdom of God and controlled by the Holy Spirit. It results in a joyous and happy life of victory over sin, self and Satan. God should come before gold. Your life is not meant to be spent on self-indulgence and career advancement alone. Your life is a privilege and a responsibility to be lived according to the will of God through consecration. This is your reasonable service.

KEY POINT

Our service becomes acceptable when we consecrate our all to God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Leviticus 15-16;

Psalm 127-128

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - MONDAY - 16/06/2014 - REFLECTING GOD’S IMAGE BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

REFLECTING GOD’S IMAGE

MEMORISE

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Genesis 1:27

READ

Psalm 8:3-6

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

MESSAGE

The work of creation as recorded in the book of Genesis reveals God’s great variety, beauty, exactness, accuracy, power and order. Man was the epitome of God’s creation. He was made last of all the creatures and as soon as he was made, he had the whole visible creation before him to enjoy. It is also interesting to note that man was made in the image of God and after his likeness. God gave him authority over other creatures and made man His representative on earth.

“Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou has put all things under his feet.”

Psalm 8:8

In spite of all this, many people are living in ignorance. They roam about the surface of the earth without fulfilling their destiny. As God’s representative on earth, you have been honoured with an open cheque. You have the right to exercise authority over God’s creatures. It is your duty to reflect the image of God. In what ways should you reflect the image of God? Taking a cursory look at Genesis 1:26, it is logical to conclude that the soul of man bears the image of God. The soul is no doubt the seat of knowledge, emotion and instinct. These faculties can be described as the brightest and clearest looking-glass in nature through which we see God. Since like begets like, the soul of man should be God-like to reflect the image of God. In effect, your soul must be regenerated. One way to reflect the image of God is by being born-again and by living in holiness on a daily basis (1 Peter 1:14-16). God is holy and we can reflect His image by living holy. In His purity and rectitude, God’s image upon man consists in knowledge, righteousness and true holiness. A true child of God should reflect God’s image in his or her discussion. Again we should ensure that our righteousness is intact in Christ and we should abstain from all appearances of evil. Another way to reflect the image of God is by walking in love. As Christians, we should love one another. You reflect the image of God when you put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy communication out of your mouth. You reflect the image of God when you do not allow your decisions and actions to be clouded by tribalism, racism and nepotism. You reflect the image of God when, if any man has a quarrel with you, you forgive the person even as Christ forgave you. Finally, you reflect the image of God when you are thankful and allow the word of God to dwell in you in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16).

KEY POINT

The soul of a regenerated person bears the image of God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Leviticus 14;

Psalm 125-126

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY - 13/06/2014 - THE YOUNG SHALL GROW BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

THE YOUNG SHALL GROW

MEMORISE

Be ye followers of me, even as I am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1

READ

Luke 2:46-50

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

MESSAGE

Those who are wise submit to God totally. You must be keenly observant of what your mentor is doing while you are undergoing tutelage if you are to perform at a greater level in future. Elisha had closely observed how Elijah parted the waters, and he emulated him. He got his own miracle. Many times, young people think that they are wiser than the elders. I often remind ambitious young people of this anecdote. I tell my natural and spiritual children that:

“When you are as old as I am, you will understand why I cannot sleep at night. You will know why I go for prayer walks, two, three times a day, and often at night. You will also understand why I fast so often”.

“He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.”

Daniel 2:22

The best way to learn is by following the example of your teacher. You first learn to write by copying what is written down for you to see, not by creating your own letters and symbols. You may develop your own unique handwriting later, but you first learn to write by copying what is shown to you. Jesus spent thirty years preparing for a ministry of just 3½ years. Today, unfortunately, many think that three years of schooling or training in ministry is all they need for a whole lifetime of actual ministry.

You may know all that your mentor knows, but he does know something. This is why by God’s grace, you must simply learn from him. It is my prayer that as you grow in Him, you will get to a level where the Lord would show you his intended works of healing the sick, delivering the captives and prospering the poor. David captured the essence of following the Lord when he said “I surrender the rest of my life to you; do whatever you like with it” (Psalm 23:1). True Christianity has no room for the lordship of self; once we place our heart and future into the hands of Jesus, He will make our small beginning bring about a glorious ending.

KEY POINT

If you do what Jesus did, you will get what Jesus got.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Leviticus 8-9;

Psalm 119:161-172

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - SATURDAY - 07/06/2014 - THE FIRE FELL BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

THE FIRE FELL

MEMORISE

Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

1 Kings 18:38

READ

1 Kings 18:36-38

36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

MESSAGE

A careful study of the scriptures shows that each time that God answered prayers by fire, it was because there was something on the ground that the fire needed to consume. Twice, fire came down to destroy the enemies of God when they tried to humiliate His servant, Elijah. For a reader of this devotional, whatever has been humiliating you in time past is consumed by fire now, in Jesus’ Name. We see situations in the Bible where Elijah would pronounce an unfavourable decree in the presence of a king and leave unharmed. They could not arrest Him because he was carrying fire. Whenever God is on your side, He will paralyse your enemies physically and mentally. They would be watching as you are escaping.

“There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

Psalm 91:10-12

Stones are often symbols of impossibilities and can also represent hindrances in many situations. God knows that without Him helping you, you can dash your foot against stones. He has therefore made up His mind that the fire of the Holy Spirit shall destroy every stone causing obstructions and failures on your path. When you have God behind you, there is nothing to fear. You can stand boldly and say “I am here”. The son of a leader of witches in a certain town became born-again and the witches became angry. With the consent of his mother, they sent a dog laced with charms to go and kill him. On the night of the attack, the boy was praying as led by the Holy Spirit. When the dog entered the fully locked house, the boy could only call the Name of Jesus, and the dog collapsed and died. The following morning, the witches found their dog being roasted by the boy. The Name of Jesus will deal with any enemy that comes against you. If you are already born-again, search your life, and if there is any area where you are not at peace with God, settle with Him right away. Settle with Him if you have not been praying or reading your Bible the way you ought to be doing. Promise Him that things will change and you will do His will perfectly. Ask Him to forgive you and ask for a new beginning. Do not allow the devil put any block between you and your miracle. Settle with God in every area you are still failing Him. He will be merciful unto you.

PRAYER POINT

Father, all things that will not allow you to perfect your will for my life, consume them by your fire.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Exodus 33:7-35:29; Psalm 119:65-80

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - THURDAY - 05/06/2014 - THE CHOSEN ONES BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

THE CHOSEN ONES

MEMORISE

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Matthew 20:16

READ

Matthew 25:1-13

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

MESSAGE

There were many virgins in the land but only ten were chosen. Before the ten were chosen, you can be sure all other virgins would have been called. This scenario is seen in the book of Esther. When the king wanted another wife to replace Vashti, he called all the virgins together so that he could choose one of them. If you are a minister of God, you are already called but possibly not chosen. Experience has shown that many ministers of God will not make Heaven. The chosen are selected to be special (Deuteronomy 7:6). They are also chosen to be peculiar (Deuteronomy 14:2). As a chosen people of God, everyone should see you as peculiar without you saying a word. The chosen must be precious (1 Peter 2:4). Are you precious to God? Have you brought yourself into a relationship with God so that if you die today, God will notice that somebody has died? The chosen will be defended tremendously against his enemies (Isaiah 41:9-13). The first reason for choosing the twelve apostles was for companionship. This is very important, but this quality is lacking in the life of many ministers of God.

As for the ten virgins, nobody told them when the bridegroom would arrive. Watch, because you do not know when the bridegroom will come (Matthew 25:13). You must be extra careful. The foolish were careless while the wise were careful. The five that took extra oil decided to be extra careful. They were chosen from a big competition and they knew that another competition might just be ahead. As admonished in Ephesians 6:13-14, when you have done all things to stand, stand steadfastly. You never know where your next test will come from. While you are thanking God for winning one competition, another may be starting. The chosen will always forget past successes because they know they have not reached their goal yet.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:13-14

Forget past success because you have not yet reached your goal. The five wise virgins knew they had been chosen to go and meet the bridegroom, but the bridegroom had not come yet. They knew that if their oil should run low, there would be no time to go home for more oil. Once you lay your hands on the plough, you cannot look back. To avoid looking back, the ones chosen must take extra precautions from the start.

KEY POINT

There is great danger when one relaxes in the midst of unfinished business.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Exodus 29:1-30:21;

Psalm 119:33-48

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - MONDAY - 2/06/2014 - WHY EXPECTATIONS FAIL BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

WHY EXPECTATIONS FAIL

MEMORISE

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Nahum 1:7

READ

Jeremiah 29:1-13

1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;

2 (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;)

3 By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,

4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;

5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;

6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.

7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

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

12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

MESSAGE

Some expectations don’t come to pass and there are reasons for that. It is a painful experience to see your expectation fail. When expectation is based on assumption, it will fail (Deuteronomy 1:42-44). Great expectations are founded on God’s promise. By simply assuming that you will succeed in certain businesses just like others, you are setting yourself up for failure. Some Christians invest their money into projects without God’s approval, only to have their expectation for dividends fail. Basing your expectation in marriage on physical qualities like beauty, good stature and good physique will surely lead to failure (1 Samuel 16:6-7). Elements of physical beauty can be misleading (Proverbs 31:30). Some single ladies today are learning the lesson of humility in a hard way. They trusted in their beauty and expected that it will earn them prompt marriage, a good husband and a happy home. Many of such ladies are crying in their closet today because they have realised that any expectation not centred on God will fail.

“And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies. So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill. And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.”

Deuteronomy 1:42-44

In the above passage, the Lord did not approve of the children of Israel going to this battle. But to them, approval from above or not, they assumed they would be victorious. They got their soldiers ready and their expectation of victory was intact. Unknown to them, no expectation will ever come to pass if God is not factored into it. They fell on their faces when they should have lifted up their voices in songs of victory. Expectations fail when they are based on lies (Jeremiah 29:8). Expectations fail when they are based on connections and the power of associates. No association can replace God without consequences for those who put their trust in such associations (Jeremiah 17:5). Nowadays, Christians express disappointment in fellow Christians because truth has been compromised. If you don’t think twice before you jump at what those so-called Christian associates have to offer you, your expectation will fail to your surprise.

PRAYER POINT

Pray that God would enlighten the eyes of your understanding to discern those expectations of yours that do not align with His purpose for your life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Exodus 22:16-24:18; Psalm 118

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