OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 2015

THEME : MARRIED TO IDOLS?

Memorise:
Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
Hosea 4:17

Read: Deuteronomy 4:15-20
15 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:
16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:
19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
20 But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

Message
In Genesis 48:13-20, Ephraim experienced a positive switch at the expense of his brother, Manasseh. He was last but became first. He was supposed to get the lesser blessing, but he got the greater portion. From today, you shall experience a positive switch in Jesus' Name. Situations surrounding you shall suddenly change from bad to fair, fair to good, good to better and better to best. You are in for a great surprise this season.

However, looking at the situation of Ephraim down the line, we see that it is one thing to experience a positive switch, and it is another thing to sustain it. After inheriting his elder brother's blessing, and having prospered above him in multiple folds, Ephraim could not manage his blessing. After he experienced unprecedented success, Ephraim neglected God and created idols for himself. Hosea 4:17 says:
"Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone."
This Scripture says he was joined to his idols. In other words, one way to frustrate God's grace upon your life is to join yourself to idols. To "join" is another way of saying "to be married to" something you love so much. What is that idol taking the love, attention, devotion and time meant for God in your life?

The idols could mean real, tangible symbols or items to which you devote your worship, trust and love. Not too long ago, some people were said to have discovered some magical river with healing or miraculous powers, and so many people went there. If you are a true believer in Christ, you can never be found in such a place. An apparition appears on a particular building and people start visiting the place for prayers; they must have thrown away the scripture found in John 4:21. These are all idolatrous practices. Also, the use of talismanic rings and amulets, rosaries, scapulars, coloured candles and religious objects for protection or good luck are all part of idolatry. If you are joined to idols, you cannot remain joined to Jesus Christ; He will simply step out before you merge with idols. What is that idol making you to rubbish God's goodness in your life? For some, it is their spouse. If you love your spouse above God, you are provoking God's jealousy. Eventually, Ephraim became desolate (Hosea 5:9). That is what happens to idolaters. At some point, your idols will desert you. Be wise today!

Action Point:
Thank God for the success of our past Holy Ghost Congress meetings, pray that this year's Congress will witness unprecedented manifestations of God's presence.

BIBLE IN ONE : NUMBERS 21:31-23:12 and 2 CORINTHIANS 11:16-33
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

Prayer Points On Today's Open Heavens (Friday October 16th 2015 ) - MARRIED TO IDOLS?

1.Thank you Father for your word today.

2.Thank you Father for upholding me till now, with your right hand of righteousness.

3.Thank you Father for the success of all the past Holy Ghost Congresses' meetings of the RCCG.

4.Father, let this year's Holy Ghost Congress coming up between 7th - 11th December,
2015, at the redemption camp, witness unprecedented manifestations of your presence and powers.

5. Father, please, forgive and have mercy upon me for any past involvement in idolatory and occultism.

6.Father, let every spirit of idolatory in my life be consumed by your fire.

7.Father, let every voice of ancestral idols speaking against me be silenced forever.

8.Father, remove from my heart, the love of anyone or anything, that has taken your place, and let your love alone be paramount.

9.Father, when the time of comfort and refreshing shall come unto me, let me still continue in your Will.

10.Father, the mouth that I have used in praising you, let me never use it to praise an idol.

11.Father, let me experience a positive switch in my life today, that will usher me into the pool of your overflowing blessings and prosperity.

12.Your Personal Petitions. (Phil 4:6)
13. In Jesus' name I pray. (Jn 15:16)
14.Thank you Father for answered prayers.(1 Thes 5:18).