OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL..

DATE : WEDNESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2016

THEME : REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT

Memorise :

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Psalm 85:6

READ : 1 KINGS 19:4-8

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

Message

All human beings have an intense desire to connect to God. One vital element that is required to connect to God is a nice quite atmosphere, devoid of daily concerns, where one can ruminate over spiritual truths. Meanwhile, it is often difficult to create such within the unrelenting activities of one's daily life. This is why a retreat comes in handy. A spiritual retreat could be defined as a sustained period of quiet, uninterrupted time for a person to be reflective and receptive in Gods Presence. It offers a time to leave daily concerns, to connect with one's spiritual self, and to be attentive to the needs of one's soul and spirit. People seeking for a time of retreat often locate a retreat centre or a specific geographical place that offers an atmosphere conducive for quite reflection. The search for spiritual retreats has taken many to Prayer Mountains and remote solitary places.

Mount Carmel is best known as the site Elijah's battle against the prophets of Baal. However, the fact that Elijah and Elisha frequently returned to Mount Carmel is an indication that they were using the mountain for spiritual retreat. The overall purpose of a spiritual retreat is to be transformed in whatever manner God chooses. Withdrawing to a place of spiritual retreat offers a time for refreshment and nourishment of life, a time to experience a continual sense of God's presence that could become a constant reality in everyday life. Act 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"

Therefore, a time of spiritual retreat is a time for sober reflection, repentance, rededication, revival and rejuvenation. The book of 1 Kings 18:20-46 showed us the structure and pattern of a spiritual retreat. First, Elijah rebuilt the ruined altar to YAWEH, symbolising repentance and rededication of Isreal to God. Then, he dug a trench around the altar and poured 12 jars of water on the sacrifice, the wood, and the altar, filling the trench, symbolising the activities of the spirit. Finally, he called on YAWEH, who answered immediately by fire that consumed the whole sacrifice, including the water, the wood, the stones of the altar. This was immediately followed by heavy rains after three and half years of drought. There was great celebration as the people rejoiced in the Lord for a time of refreshing. A spiritual retreat always leads to celebration.

A spiritual retreat is also used to pursue personal holiness and to stay connected to God. Several passages in the Gospels according to Saint Mark and Mathew, give the account of Jesus retreating to pray. This points out the importance of spiritual retreat to Christians. Every child of God, as a matter of necessity, must constantly create time for spiritual retreat, seeking the face of the Lord for cleansing, renewal, rededication, and spiritual empowerment.

Prayer Point :

Father, please revive me again, that I may experience a time of refreshing from above in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : MATHEW 23:37-25:30 and JOB 15:7-21

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

Prayer Points On Today's Open Heavens (Wednesday February 3rd 2016)- REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT

1.Thank you Father for the revelation of your truth to us through your word.

2.Thank you Father for the opportunity to refresh ourselves spiritually in your presence through spiritual retreats.

3.Father, forgive me for being too busy to create time for personal fellowship with you.

4.Father, let every spirit of lukewarmness in my life be consumed by your fire.

5.Father, please revive me again, that I may experience a time of refreshing from above in Jesus' name.

6.Father, please, rekindle the fire of your revival in my family and nation.

7.Father, out of my very busy schedule, please, give me the grace to find time to spent quality moments, quietly seeking your face, on a daily basis.

8.Father,as I create time to wait upon you, please, renew my strength, like the eagle's, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, anytime I come into your presence in personal retreat, let your glory, power and anointing be transfered unto my life and destiny.

10.Father, whatever, challenge or problem that I may bring before you, in personal retreat, let it be answered even, before I leave the place of retreat, in Jesus' name.

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

DAY TWENTY-FOUR THE REDEEMED PRAY AND FAST FOR 50 DAYS!
GOD'S GOOD PURPOSE!
DAY 24, Wednesday 3rd February, 2016
Prayer Points:
1. Father, Do A New Thing In My Life, Family And Destiny. Isaiah 43:19
2. Lord, Bring To Fulfilment Your Plans For My Life. Joshua 21:45
3. Father, Help Me Not To Hinder Your Work In My Life. Psalm 81:13, Mark 11:22-24
4. Father, Have Your Way In My Life, Family, Work, Career And Destiny. Hebrews 10:9a
5. Lord, Fulfil Your Good Purpose In Me In Jesus Name. Jeremiah 29:10
6. Lord, Fulfil Your Good Purpose in Land, Let Souls Be Saved And Revival. Psalm 85:6, Hosea 6:1-3, Habakkuk 3:2
7. Lord, Fulfil Your Plan In My Life, Family And Nation. Psalm 126:1-6
8. Father, Reveal Your Purpose For My Life And Grant My Divine Wisdom Never To Abuse Your Purpose For My Life!
9. Father, Send To Me And Your Church Destiny Helpers That Will Help Us To Fulfil Our Purpose In This End-Time!
10. I Decree And Declare I Will Fulfil My Purpose! I Will Fulfil My Destiny! I Will Finish Well! I Will Finish Gloriously Strong In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
B. Add Your Personal Prayer Request For Day Twenty-Four! Make Your Personal Requests Known With Thanksgiving! Philippians 4:6