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[quote author=akintho post=61626615][/quote]Oga, if u waks pass my comment, na crime? abi na ur broda? mr ITK

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SATURDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2017

THEME: KNOW & STAY WITHIN YOUR CALLING

Memorise:
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:3

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Message:

Anyone who wants to be successful in life without struggling must know the reason why God sent him into this world. As a child of God, it is particularly very important for you to know your calling and stay within it. There are many reasons why a child of God should know and stay within his or her calling. The Holy Spirit expounds on this in Romans 12:3 saying:

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

This scripture reveals a serious mistake that knowing one’s calling could help to avoid. That mistake is thinking of oneself more highly than one ought to. For example, a person called as a teacher seeing himself as an apostle would get into a lot of problems. He or she will commit blunders, and can only be rescued by repenting and staying within the call of God with every sense of sobriety.

Also, in our Bible reading, we are exposed to the diversities of gifts given by the same Spirit of God. Irrespective of the type of gifts we are given, 1 Corinthians 12:7 says this about their purpose:

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

This scripture reveals that these gifts are for the purpose of blessing the Body of Christ. This is why you should never make merchandise of spiritual gifts. Freely the Holy Spirit gives, and freely we must operate in His gifts without profiteering. This might be the reason why Elisha refused to take the gifts offered by Naaman, the Syrian army general, after he was healed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:15-16). Moreover, we must not only know our calling, we must also stay within it as a matter of necessity. Those who would not stay within their calling will end up in frustration. The truth is, no calling is inferior to the other, and none is superior either (1 Corinthians 12:15-25). It is an inferiority complex that makes a child of God think that he or she is not gifted, when he or she can sing, witness or give generously without constraints. It takes a divine calling to be rich and still find it easy to distribute your riches to meet people’s needs. Ananias and Sapphira entered into the calling of giving like Barnabas, when they were not called into it, and they met their waterloo (Acts 4:36-37, Acts 5:1-11). That thing you are doing for God with ease is your area of calling. Identify and stay in it. God bless you.

Prayer Point:
Father, open my understanding to know my calling and give me the necessary contentment to stay within it in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Colossians 1-4
Daniel 10:15-11:6

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 15: THE COMFORTER HAS COME

1. Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound:
The Comforter has come!

Refrain:
The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from Heav’n, the Father’s promise giv’n;
Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found—
The Comforter has come!

2. The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last,
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast!
The Comforter has come!

Refrain:

3. Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings,
To every captive soul a full deliv’rance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings;
The Comforter has come!

Refrain:

4. O boundless love divine! How shall this tongue of mine
To wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine—
That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine!
The Comforter has come!

Refrain:

5. Sing till the echoes fly above the vaulted sky,
And all the saints above to all below reply,
In strains of endless love, the song that ne’er will die:
The Comforter has come!

Refrain:

Hmmm!, op, na only one ATM dey ur village?

shame on her. where is her dignity?

abeg who is DG VON, when men are talking?, mr man will u go snd sit down there, or u are looking for relevance

davit:
I wonder o! OP, thanks for this. Please don't be weary in doing so.

thanks

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 2017

Friday October 20, 2017

IMPORTUNE PRAYER OR VAIN REPETITION?

Memorise : But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.- Matthew 6:7

Read: Luke 18:1-8

18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?


MESSAGE :

A lot of people don’t know the difference between importune prayer and prayer with vain repetitions. Importune prayer, otherwise known as persistent or relentless prayer, is good and recommended by our Lord Jesus Christ, while vain repetitions are abhorred and condemned by Him.

In our memory verse, the Lord Himself warned us against vain repetitions during prayer! The question is, what does it mean to pray using vain repititions? Does it mean, as assumed by lot of people, using the same words over and over again when praying? To answer this question, let’s take a look at what Mark 14:39 says about the prayers the Lord offered in the Garden of Gethsemane:

“And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.”

It is clear from this scripture that vain repetition does not mean repeating the same words in prayer. Using vain repetitions in prayer simply means continuously praying on a request for which God has said “No” or “Wait”, “it’s not yet time”, in the hope of stampeding Him into doing what He has purposed not to do in your own best interest. I remember when my children were still young and we were living in Mushin (Lagos, Nigeria), where there were so many reckless drivers around. My children asked for bicycles, but I refused to grant that request because I did not want to bury any of them. My answer to their request could be interpreted as, “Wait, it’s not yet time”. However, when we moved to the Redemption Camp, where the roads were safe for young fellows to ride bicycles, I decided it was time to grant their request. If they kept asking me for bicycles while we were still at Mushin, that could be interpreted as praying using vain repetitions.

In our Bible reading, the Lord encouraged importune or unrelenting prayer by using the illustration of a judge who was not sensitive to the plight of his petitioners, least of all a lowly widow. Importune prayer is the prayer we keep on saying when God has not given a verdict of yes or no. It demonstrates to God that we have no alternative to Him and what He can do for us. This story tells us that after the widow kept on going to the judge day and night, he decided to do what she wanted. Although God cannot be intimidated by our prayers, in as much as we ask according to his will and we do not grow weary in asking, He will always answer us.

Daniel prayed importune prayer for twenty-one days before he got his answer. As a matter of fact, it was his importune prayer that prevented him from being robbed of the answer to his request which had been released on the very first day that he started praying, but was hijacked by principalities (Daniel 10:12-13).

I pray that your cry to God will be heard today and you will have testimonies in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT :
Father, avenge me of my adversaries today, and put laughter on my lips in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR :
Philippians 2-4;
Daniel 10:1-14                  
                                                                               
HYMN 1: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

1.  My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2.  May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3.  While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Saviour, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 2017

Thursday October 19, 2017

ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOOD

Memorise : “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 

Read: Acts 8:1-8
 
8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

8:2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8:8 And there was great joy in that city.


MESSAGE :

When we look at the situation of the world today, we can be tempted to think that God has withdrawn from the world he created, but nothing could be further from the truth. Our God is very much in charge of His created order. He has never and He will never lose grip of His created universe.

One reason why some people think it is immoral to link God with what is happening in the world today is the evil that permeates the world as a result of sin being perpetrated by the men and woman of this age. Such people believe that if God is involved in the affairs of this world, then the terrible things we are witnessing today should have triggered His direct intervention. Such opinions are not new; they were also expressed by some people at the time of the early Church, to whom Peter responded with the words 2 Peter 3:9:

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

The events described in today’s Bible reading showed God’s people living in a very difficult time. The persecution of the early Christians by the Jew, which claimed the life of Stephen, caused the believers to scatter all over the then known world, in a bid to escape further persecution by the Jews. However, this dispersion resulted in the spread of the gospel. Philip, who was initially commissioned to minister to the widows in Jerusalem, became a city-wide evangelist in Samaria. The Bible testifies thus about him: 

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did." - Act 8:5-6  

You can therefore see that indeed, all the things that happened in Jerusalem, including the scattering of the disciples, worked together for the salvation and deliverance of the people of Samaria and other parts of the world. My prayer for you is that all the things you are passing through this season will work together for your good in Jesus’ Name.

However, only those who love God have the assurance of all things working together in their favor, especially those who are called according to God’s purpose.

Therefore, ensure that your love for God is sincere, so that your expectations will not be disappointed.

PRAYER POINT :
Father, in accordance with Your word, let all things begin to work together for my good in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR :
Ephesians 5-6;
Daniel 9:16-27                                                                                                           
 HYMN 4:  THROUGH THE LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR
 
 THROUGH the love of God our Savior,
All will be well;
Free and changeless is His favor,
All, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us,
Perfect is the grace that sealed us,
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
All must be well.

2 Though we pass through tribulation,
All will be well.
Ours is such a full salvation,
All, all is well.
Happy still in God confiding;
Fruitful if in Christ abiding;
Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding:
All must be well.

3 We expect a bright tomorrow;
All will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
All, all is well.
On our Father's love relying,
Jesus every need supplying;
Or in living or in dying;
All must be well.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2017

THEME: HOPE IN THESE LAST DAYS

Memorise:
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18

Read: Joel 2:28-32
2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.
2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lordshall call.

Message:
You can live above the storms of life in these last days through the power of God’s word. The Lord has promised us in His word that He will not leave us comfortless (John 14:18). You therefore have His assurance that no matter how bad your situation may appear to be, there is hope for you. Let these words of Job 14:7 bring hope to your heart:
“For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.”
While Jesus and His disciples were on a missionary journey, the disciples desperately called His attention to a raging storm. He calmly woke up and rebuked the storm, and right away, there was great calm (Mark 4:36-41). The disciples first struggled to survive the storm on their own, but the more they tried, the more they were in danger of perishing at sea, until Jesus intervened. I pray that the Almighty God will intervene in your situation today in Jesus’ Name. From the words of the Lord, we know that the last days will be a time of turmoil with several raging storms (Luke 21:25-26). We are indeed in the last days. Are you experiencing a storm? The Lord has different strategies to bring comfort to you. He can simply calm the storm by the awesome power of His presence, or by directly commanding the storm to become still. He can also provide a cover for you from the storm. This is why you need to stay in God’s presence where your destiny can remain secured.

The Lord has promised the outpouring of His spirit upon all flesh in the last days. Acts 2:17 says,
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:”

We are living in times when the Spirit of the Lord is empowering the saints for the fulfillment of prophesies and the actualization of visions. The Body of Christ therefore has no excuse not to do exploit for God in times as these, because the promise of the Spirit’s outpouring has already been fulfilled by the Father. God is set to do great things, not because of our own abilities but because of His sovereignty. Not one of God’s children will be left out of His great move in these last days. Son, daughters, old men, young men, manservants and maidservants are all relevant to God in His agenda for this time. He has reserved better things for His people in the midst of the turmoil unfolding in the world, and He will begin to give us divine revelation of how we will transit from where we are to where we ought to be by His Spirit. The Spirit will also release the strength and vigour needed for the actualization of these dreams.

Prayer Point:
Father, let there be an outpouring of Your Spirit upon my life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ephesians 2-4
Daniel 9:3-15
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Saviour, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2017

THEME: ENJOYING THE SERVICES OF ANGELS

Memorise:
Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Psalm 104:4

Read: Psalm 91:9-13
91:9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Message:
There are several misconceptions about the existence of angels. Some people don’t believe that angels exist. Some other people who believe in the existence of angels don’t know their purpose. It is important for us to know the truth of what God’s word says about angels, so that we don’t miss out on the ministry of angels in our lives. Today’s memory verse confirms that angels exist, and gives a hint on why they were created. From this scripture, we understand that angels are ministering spirits. We have two categories of angels: holy angels of God and fallen angels. The term “fallen angels” refers to Satan and the group of angels that rebelled along with him against God. These angels, now called the devil and demons, were cast out of heaven and are awaiting the day of God’s final judgment against them, when they will be sent into the place of eternal punishment (Isaiah 14:12-16, Ezekiel 28:12-19, Revelation 12:9, Matthew 8:29, Revelation 20:10). On the other hand, the holy angels of God are those angels that have remained loyal to God as their sovereign Lord. Concerning these angels, Psalm 103:20 says,
“Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
As a child of God, the angels of God are meant to minister to you and for you in the hour of great need, especially in situations beyond human control and power. Hebrews 1:14 says,
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
For example, angels ministered to Jesus after His temptation and before He went to the cross (Matthew 4:11, Luke 22:43). Psalm 91:11-12 mentions some specific assignments of the angels of God saying,
“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.”

Years ago, when some of the brethren came to me suggesting that I begin to carry bodyguards around, because they would not want to lose me to hoodlums or hired assassins, I declined because, based on the above scripture, the One who called me has more than enough angelic bodyguards to take care of my security, and they are more effective than a billion human bodyguards could ever be. Note however that the angels of God should never be worshipped or prayed to. Often times, because of their awesome nature, those who encountered them attempted to do this, but every time, these angels themselves forbade them from doing so (Revelation 22:8-9). Are you enjoying the ministry of angels?

Action Point:
Thank God for His ministering spirits that have been assigned to take care of you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Galatians 4-6
Ephesians 1
Daniel 8:15-9:2
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
1. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Refrain:

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.
Refrain:

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 2017

Monday October 16, 2017

PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY              

Memorise : For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. - Hosea 6:6

Read: Psalm 51:12-18

51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.


MESSAGE :

Going to church is not the same as knowing God. There are many people in church today whose lifestyles do not reflect having any experimental knowledge of who God is. Furthermore, being involved in church activities is not the same as loving God. If you love God, it will show in the way you conduct the affair of your life. God is a merciful God who desires the prosperity of His children, and He is in search of hearts that are longing for him. God is calling us into an intimate knowledge of His person and His attributes.

If you know God, the evidence will be seen in the way you relate with people around you. This includes your colleagues in the office as well as your neighbors at home. If your lifestyle does not match with God’s word, no matter how much you give to Him or the activities you engage in to impress Him, you will not find favour in His sight. The words of 1 Samuel 15:22 are very clear:

“...Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Some time ago, at a gathering of God’s people at the Redemption Camp, I had to tell everyone there that if you know you are not genuinely saved by the Blood of the Lamb, there is no need to give any offering to God. God will not accept the offering of sinners. It is an abomination before Him (Proverb 15:. Our lives must count for God first, before other things can follow suit.

God wants us to obey His voice and follow His word for our lives. He wants His children to all be true people who impact the lives of others positively. Living a godly life is all that God desires from us. When we live according to His standards, He will be pleased with all that we have to offer. Morality and rituals cannot grant us access to the mercy of God. Before the prodigal son could receive mercy, he had to come to his senses and amend his ways by going back to his father.

God is longing for those who will praise Him in spirit and in truth. He is desperate for those who will magnify Him not for what they can get from Him but for who He is. Do you know that you can come before God with big offerings and yet stir up His anger? This will not be your lot in Jesus’ Name. No amount of sacrifice from us can equal His sacrifice for us. The scope of this sacrifice can be seen in these words of Romans 8:32:

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

KEY POINT :
Obedience is better than sacrifice.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR :
Galatians 1-3;
Daniel 8:1-14


 HYMN 14:  TAKE MY LIFE

1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.

2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

oh GOD, May their gentle and innocent soul RiP

⛪ *RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL* ⛪
*STUDENT'S MANUAL*

*LESSON SEVEN*

_SUNDAY, 15TH OCTOBER 2017_

*TOPIC: BE AN ACTIVE CHRISTIAN*

*MEMORY VERSE:* ‘’And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey." - Matthew 25:15

*BIBLE PASSAGE:* Matthew 25:14-30

*INTRODUCTION:*
One reason for the failure of modern churches is that they become a one-man affair. The pew-sitter leaves the work of evangelism, preaching, teaching and visiting to the pastor. This is not God's order. At Pentecost, there were one hundred and twenty praying but only eleven of them could be called 'Pastors', that is, the eleven disciples. There were women present also. When persecution came, the pastors stayed in Jerusalem and the laymen were the ones who went out preaching - Acts 8:4. It is therefore the duty of every church member to be active for Christ.

*LESSON OUTLINES*
1. From where do I start?
2. What can I do for Jesus?

*FROM WHERE DO I START?*
The Lord expects you to use the talents He has given you (Matthew 25:15). If you fail to do so, He will take them away from you (Matthew 25:28). You can start by:

*1.* Being active in prayer (Luke 18:1). When you spend time with the Lord, the Holy Spirit will begin to guide you into areas where you can be useful for the Lord (Acts 13:2-3; 16:9-10).

*2.* Doing personal Bible study (2Timothy 2:15). Very soon, the opportunity will come to answer a perplexing question authoritatively from the Bible.

*3.* Understanding senior Christians. You have a lot to learn from them as you will soon take over their responsibilities (1Samuel 3:1, 19-21; 1Kings 19:19-21).

*4.* Attemting small tasks first, like praying for the preacher of the day, before his sermon, etc. Join the workforce of your local church and be an active member of a department e.g Ushering, Chior, Sunday School, Children, etc (Matthew 25:22-23; Romans 12:4-5).

*5.* Witnessing to others. Start from your own family members to your friends, neighbours and colleagues (Matthew 28:19-20).

*WHAT CAN I DO FOR JESUS?*
There are practical ways of working for Jesus. You can:
*1.* Bring people to church in your car, paying bus fares or simply walking with a first timer to the church. Andrew is a good example of this. He brought Peter (John 1:40-42), the little lad with five loaves and two fishes (John 6:8-9) and certain Greeks to Jesus (John 12:20-22).

*2.* Contribute to missions' activities. You can go, give money/materials, distribute tracts, pray for missionaries, etc.(Mark 16:15).
*3.* Encourage your Pastor. You can minister to his needs (1Corinthians 9:7-12).

*4.* Make your home available for small group meetings like House Fellowship, Children's Bible club, etc. (Acts 2:42, 46).

*5.* Give food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned, care for the fatherless and widows (Matthew 25:34-36; James 1:27).

*CONCLUSION:*
Your duty as a Christian is to do the work of God while you are still alive and active (John 4:35; 9:4).

*QUESTIONS*
1. Where do you start from to be an active Christian?

2. Mention some of the things you can do for Jesus.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 2017

Sunday October 15, 2017

LIKE THE SACRIFICE OF CAIN?

Memorise : Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Read: Genesis 4:1-7

4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.

4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.

4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

4:6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.


MESSAGE :

When it comes to the issue of giving, we are not only expected to do what is required but also what is commanded by the Almighty God. No matter how much you give in church, or how much you give to different causes in God’s Kingdom, you can never out-give God. God is more interested in the attitude with which you give than in what you give. He knows to what extent He has blessed you, and He expects your act of giving to reflect this.

Each time we sow, God allows our seed to multiply. Since I have been giving to God, I have never known a better yesterday, because God is always doing something new in my life. I always pity those who do not give to God. This is foolishness, because there is nothing you have today that you have not received from God. At the table of the Almighty set before you, you are permitted to take what you want and as much as you want (Psalm 23:5).

There is no scarcity in Heaven, and this is why God has promised to open the windows of heaven to pour out blessing on those who obey His commandments concerning tithes, offerings, and sowing to kingdom assignments and charities. Your acts of giving must be done cheerfully and not grudgingly.

In today’s Bible reading, Abel’s sacrifice was accepted while that of Cain was rejected. Why did this happen? Abel brought his sacrifice to God with joy, thankfulness and with great expectation. He brought his offering with an upright heart, and he also offered sacrifice that was well pleasing to God. When people are not sincere with God, it doesn’t matter how many sermons they have listened to, or how many hours they have spent in the place of prayer, things will still always go wrong with them. God was not pleased with Cain’s sacrifice because his heart was not right before Him. Cain was envious of his brother’s blessing and he failed to focus on his own heart.

May your sacrifice not be rejected before God in Jesus’ Name. Cain was a wicked man, operating under the influence of the flesh; therefore, his sacrifice was an abomination before God. Proverb 15:8 says,

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.”

If a tree is good, its fruits will be good. God is interested in the fruit we bear. Abel was careful in the choice of his sacrifice. He intentionally used the best of his flock because he understood that if you give your best to God, He will in turn give His best to you. Endeavor to always give the best of your life to God, and see how He will respond.

ACTION POINT :
Offer the best of your time and the best of your service to God today.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR :
2 Corinthians 11-13;
Daniel 7:13-28


HYMN 10: THERE SHALL BE SHOWER OF BLESSING

1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

Refrain:

3. There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

Refrain:

4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

Refrain:

whether lonliness, boyfriend or depression. what is bad is bad. no reason is good enough to commit suicide. stay alive, stay positive.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 2017

Saturday October 14, 2017

ONE WITH GOD IS A MAJORITY

Memorise : And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 2 Kings 6:16

Read: 2 Kings 6:8-17

6:8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.

6:9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.

6:10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.

6:11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?

6:12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

6:13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.

6:14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

6:15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

6:16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.


MESSAGE :

One fundamental reason why some people have their back against godly living is that the ungodly are more in number than those who are godly. It takes faith in God to live a godly life in this age of political correctness, the ascendancy of the philosophies of relativism and humanism, and agitation for the “fundamental human rights” of people involved in acts that are despicable to God.

The age-long saying that “one with God is majority” is no longer popular because no one wants to suffer humiliation and marginalization by the ungodly majority. The story in our Bible reading demonstrates the truth that one with God is indeed a majority. While waging war against the king of Israel, the king of Syria discovered that all the tactical information he was discussing with his generals was somehow revealed to the king of Israel again and again. The king of Syria was so troubled by this, because he thought he had a mole among his men, divulging all his secrets to the king of Israel.

My prayer for you today is that God will expose every plan of your enemies to you, and all their destructive schemes against you will fail in Jesus’ Name.

When the king of Syria discovered that Elisha was the divine informant leaking his secrets, he ordered his arrest. On seeing the great host of the king of Syria that came by night to arrest his master, the servant of the prophet was so afraid and he cried out to Elisha, “Alas, my master! How shall we do?” the prophet, in 2 Kings 6:16, answered thus:

“...Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

After Elisha prayed that the Lord should open the eyes of his servant, the young prophet saw an angelic host with horses and chariots of fire around where they were. There and then, he believed that indeed there is a majority of hosts with the one who is on the Lord’s side.

The question is, are you on God’s side? You have no reason to fear if indeed you are with God. When we are in the minority from a physical perspective, our Lord Jesus Christ warns us against being discouraged, because with God on our side, we are always in the majority. After all, Jesus’ Name is Emmanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). 1 John 4:4 says,

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

I therefore encourage you to move on to the righteous side of God today. Moving on to the side of Jesus Christ is moving on to the side of victory, redemption and peaceful living.

PRAYER POINT :
Father, I have learnt that one with You is a majority; I therefore come to declare anew my allegiance to You. Please receive me to Your side and fight my battle for me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR :
2 Corinthians 8-10;
Daniel 7:1-12

                                      
HYMN 18: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

1. Onward Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See, His banners go! 
 
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus,
Going on before.
 
2. At the name of Jesus
Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise:
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!
[Refrain]

3. Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God:
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided,
All one Body we—
One in faith and Spirit,
One charity.
[Refrain] 
 
4. Onward, then, ye people!
Join our happy throng;
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor
Unto Christ, the King;
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.
[Refrain]

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 2017

Friday October 13, 2017

GOD’S WATCHMAN


Memorise : And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  Mark 16:15

Read: Exodus 33:1-6

33:1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:

33:2 And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

33:3 Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

33:4 And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.

33:5 For the Lord had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.

33:6 And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.


MESSAGE :

Humanity is perishing every day because of sin. So many people are unaware of the truth of God’s word about the consequences of sin, and some who know this truth are drawing back from it. Due to the pervasiveness of iniquity in the world today, those who used to be very hot for the Lord are now cooling off in the flesh, while some have even departed from the faith completely. The irony of it all is that the Church is behaving as if all is well. The world is blind and needs to know about God. As God’s watchman, you are the light of the world. You are a city set on a hill, and you are the salt of the earth.

However, are you measuring up to God’s expectation in the area of your responsibilities towards the great commission? How many sinners have you spoken to about the consequences of their actions? How many souls have you followed up this year? Many believers who are supposed to be God’s watchmen are now complacent; they are no longer aware of what the Spirit is saying.

Today, there is so much religion without the visible demonstration of the power of the Holy Ghost. It is through salvation in Jesus that there can be restoration of life to those dying in sin. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is for the purpose of going into all part of the world to effect deliverance of all those held captive by Satan (Acts 1:.

As God’s watchman, you cannot afford to remain empty spiritually. You must be fruitful (John 15:16). We need to wake up and start bearing fruit if we do not want to be condemned. Most of the things happening around us today that have become a threat to the Body of Christ are happening because we are not doing what God expects of us. If we preach the true gospel as handed over to us by the apostles of old, the Church of God today will be more vibrant, healthier and spiritually active. If you will be equipped for the great assignment of the great commission, you need to avoid falling into the sin of covetousness, pride, self-centeredness, love of money, and ambition for power.

We need to go to God in prayer and ask for His fire to be released upon our hearts, so that we can recover lost grounds. To God’s watchmen, He is saying return to the great commission. The great commission is God’s ultimate assignment, and it entails transforming people from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Let the gospel be preached to all people in all places. If there are places you can’t go yourself, make arrangements to send others there to do the work. The gospel of reconciliation is a message of universal concern, and we can all make a difference as we play our part.


PRAYER POINT :
Father, please help me to play my role in Your Kingdom agenda.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR :
2 Corinthians 4-7;
Daniel 6:14-28


HYMN 13:  WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.

Refrain:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.

2. Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.

Refrain:

3. Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

Refrain:

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2017

THEME: OBEDIENT CHILDREN

Memorise:
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12

Read: Ephesians 6:1-3

6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Message:

Children are assets of the Almighty God entrusted to our care. We must therefore ensure that we do all we can to nurture them for the Lord and not for ourselves. We should strive to receive commendation from the Lord for our efforts in bringing them up as children He can be proud of. Raising children in today’s world is serious business. Unfortunately, we live in a world where parents have left to chance or entirely neglected the huge task of bringing up their children in the fear of the Lord. Many parents justify themselves by concluding that they are helpless, and they shift the blame for their own failures to the happenings in the society. In the time of father Abraham, there were also parents who did not bring up their children to follow the path of God, but for Abraham, his testimony was different. God said this concerning him in Genesis 18:19:

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

If you want to raise children who will be obedient to the Lord, you must be ready to start right from the beginning of the child’s life. That is what parenting is all about. It involves training and educating a child from the phase of infancy through to adulthood. If you carry out the job of parenting as unto the Lord, you will be well rewarded by Him. There are many parents who realized late in life that they have neglected their roles as parents. In order to make amends, some of them begin to make efforts at “repairing” the lives of their children, but at that point, they discover it has become a herculean task.

Obedient children are godly children, committed to a life of honesty in all they do. Such children will never bring shame, reproach or embarrassment to the God of their fathers, because they have a deep understanding of the covenant upon which they have been groomed. There are parents today who have lost control of their children. Some other parents have turned their children into symbols of idolatry. They fear their children more than they fear God. May that not be your portion in Jesus’ Name. Obedient children must honour their parents. They must respect them irrespective of their status in society, if they want to live a life without regret. When their parents need their attention or help, they must be there for them. They must also be ready to submit willfully to their instructions, corrections and rebuke. There are children who bring sorrow to their parents. On the other hand, children of destiny bring great comfort to everyone around them. Are you a child of destiny?

Prayer Point:
Father, let my children please You always, and grant me grace to care for my parents.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Corinthians 1-3
Daniel 5:29-6:13


AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 16: GOD GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES

1. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

2. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

3. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
Strives to show others Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honored guest;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

4. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2017

THEME: BE OF GOOD CHEER

Memorise:
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13

Read: Matthew 14:23-27

14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Message:

The message in today’s memory verse is food for thought for those children of God who think that being sorrowful or morose is a Christian virtue. A glooming spirit is of the devil, who wants us to be in sorrow continually. In contrast to this, God wants all His children to be happy. The Holy Spirit in Isaiah 61:3 said that God gives joy to the sorrowful:

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”

The Lord Jesus Christ, who came to demonstrate the nature and character of God, read the above scripture in a synagogue on a certain day, and He declared:



“This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Luke 4:21b

By this declaration, as a child of God, you should not live in sorrow anymore.

All through the course of Jesus’ earthly ministry, one statement that was common with Him was, “Be of good cheer”. In other words, “Have a merry heart”. He continually said this because He knew that a merry heart results in a smiling face and is like medicine to the body and soul (Proverbs 15:13, Proverbs 17:22). For example, in John 16:33, Jesus told the disciples to be of good cheer because He had overcome the world. This means that, as children of God, we should not go about in life wearing a sorrowful face in self-pity - not even when we are confronted with the challenges of life. In the story of the man afflicted with the palsy, Jesus told him to be of good cheer because his sins were forgiven (Matthew 9:2). In other words, "Son, although your sins brought this sickness to your life, you are now forgiven, and you are made whole." I prophesy to you today, irrespective of the agonising condition your past life has brought into your present, the Lord will redeem you today. You are forgiven by the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, and you will be happy again in Jesus’ Name. In today’s Bible reading, the disciples were in the midst of the sea and its waves tossed them here and there. In the midst of palpable fear and despair, Jesus came to them and rebuked their faithlessness, before rebuking the destructive wind. He then encouraged them to be of good cheer. In like manner, the Lord is speaking to you today that you will not drown in that situation. Be cheerful because Emmanuel is with you. Your joy shall come, and it shall come in full measure in Jesus' Name.

Prayer Point:
Father, flood my heart with unspeakable joy today and for ever more.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Corinthians 15-16
Daniel 5:13-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4:

1.Through the love of God our Saviour,
All will be well;
Free and changeless is His favour,
All, all is well:
Precious is the blood that healed us,
Perfect is the grace that sealed us;
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
All must be well.

2. Though we pass through tribulation,
All will be well;
Christ hath purchased full salvation,
All, all is well:
Happy still in God confiding;
Fruitful, if in Christ abiding;
Holy, through the Spirit’s guiding;
All must be well.

3. We expect a bright to-morrow,
All will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
All, all is well:
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
Then in living or in dying,
All must be well.

SUCH a young man. God knws best. may his gentle soul RiP

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 2017

Tuesday October 10, 2017

I SHALL NOT BE POOR

Memorise : All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. - Proverbs 19:7

Read: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

4:9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.


MESSAGE :

Having tasted poverty and a little bit of wealth, I can tell you that wealth is better than poverty. If you are living in poverty, I prophesy over you that God will lift you out of poverty in Jesus’ Name.

One of the reasons why I hate poverty so much is because of what Proverbs 14:20 says about the poor:

“The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.”

In today’s Bible reading, we are introduced to a Bible hero who experienced poverty, but who was not hypocritical about ?his undesirable condition. This fellow was Jabez. His mother named him Jebez because she gave birth to him with sorrow. As Jabez grew up, he started experiencing the meaning of his name, and so, he decided to do something about it. It is unfortunate that many people, even some children of God, bear names with negative meanings and connotations, and yet they refuse to do something about it, even after they start sensing the negative influence of such names on their lives.

My prayer for you today is that the Almighty God will give you a name that will wipe away generational curses plaguing your life in Jesus’s Name. What Jabez did to change his situation is a common thing that some people don’t consider necessary: he prayed.

There are many lessons we can learn from the life of Jabez, the first of which is that Jabez called on the God he knew was a prayer-answering God - the God of Israel. The question is, who are you calling upon? Psalm 5:3 clearly tells us who we should direct our prayers to:

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

A second lesson to learn from Jabez is that he did not ask for a small blessing; rather, he prayed that God should bless him indeed. Thirdly, he prayed that God will be with him in his prosperity and keep him from evil. It is an open secret that many rich people live in one calamity or the other. Jabez knew this, and so he prayed against riches that attract evil. What a great man who knew the ways of God!

If you want poverty to be history in your life, you have to do something about it. Jabez can be classified as someone who was destined to die in penury, but he prayed himself out of poverty and God heard him. Jesus is the way out of poverty (2 Corinthians 8:9). The life that He gives and His principles will lift you out of poverty.

Therefore, give your life to Him without further delay today, and poverty shall become history in your life in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT :
Father, please bless me indeed with Your blessing that adds no sorrow.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR :
1 Corinthians 12-14;
Daniel 5:1-12
                                                                           
HYMN 10: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS

1.  There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

Refrain:

3. There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

Refrain:

4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

Refrain:

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 2017

Monday October 9, 2017

REPRESENTING GOD?

Memorise : Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.- 1Timothy 4:12

Read : 2 Thessalonians 3:1-8

3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:


MESSAGE :

Who are you? If you are a child of God, then you must behave like God and reflect all that He represents. God is love. He is pure and there is no darkness in Him. If you are a child of the devil, your life will be patterned after the devil. I am a branch of Jesus because I am permanently rooted in Him. What about you?

As a child of the Most High God, you are expected to demonstrate His nature everywhere you find yourself. You are an ambassador of Jesus Christ, called to show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). To be a representative of God to the world and a role model among believers, it is required of you to surrender yourself solely to Him. By so doing, you will be laying a good foundation for others to emulate.

In many churches today, their modus operandi is “do as I say” and not “as I do”. This was not the example that the believers of old showed us. Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1 boldly said:

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

He saw himself as a worthy follower of Christ, and he was not ashamed to tell us to follow his footsteps.

As an ambassador of Christ, you have a mandate to fulfill for the Lord in this generation. You have been positioned at such a time as this to be relevant in the scheme of things. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood out from the crowd. They did not allow the privileges of royalty to deny them of their place in God. They were role models for the world to see, and they did great exploits for God because they had an understanding of the times and season they lived in. Do not engage in any despicable act that will cause men to despise your God. Do not engage in folly and a questionable lifestyle that will destroy what God has planned for you. The world must know that you are a believer, not just in word but also in deeds. Let your life be an epistle for people to read. Do not do anything in secrecy that will tarnish your image, because the devil is going round looking for great soldiers in God’s battalion to discredit.

The devil will never go after those who have nothing to offer. He is after the “Esthers” because he wants to stop them before they get to the king’s palace. He is after the “Daniels” because he wants to stop them from being relevant in life and in governance. He is after the “Nehemiahs” because he can’t stand them rebuilding the broken walls of godliness. To finish well, you must be resolute and determined.

Irrespective of the odds against you, you must push through, break barriers and fulfill your destiny in grand style. Be a model of Christ to all men in word, in conversation, in love, in hospitality and in godliness.

KEY POINT :
If you steadfastly take a stand for God, you will not fall by the wayside of life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR :
1 Corinthians 10-11;
Daniel 4:28-37

                                        
HYMN 9: ON THE HILL FAR AWAY

1.  On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

Refrain:

3.  In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain:

4.  To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Refrain:

davit:
4reala please upload today's Sunday school. Thanks.

Pls 4give me, i forgot

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SUNDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2017

THEME: GOD’S KIND OF LOVE

Memorise:
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Message:
Today’s memory verse gives us a glimpse of what God’s kind of love is all about. This scripture reveals one truth about God’s kind of love, which is that it is unconditional. God loves unconditionally, and His love prompts Him to forgive unconditionally! If God had chosen to wait until we became saints before extending His saving love to us, no one would be saved. Some years ago, one of my sons illustrated the unconditional nature of God’s love. In his place of work, his secretary did something unprofessional, and so he moved him out of his office to another role within the department. While suspending this man from his role as secretary, my son strangely instructed him to hold on to the computer he had been working with, and told him to retain all the files that were on it. Some months later, he reinstated this fellow to his old role as secretary. Surprised at his reinstatement, this secretary was initially not comfortable at his former desk, but my son reassured him that he had been forgiven. He said to him, “I had forgiven you even before you asked for forgiveness. Why do you think I told you to retain the computer and keep the files? I forgave you and restored you even as I was suspending you from office. I planned your reinstatement right from that day, and I didn’t want you to return and start from scratch, which is why I left the computer with you even though you were no longer my secretary”. This secretary was dumbfounded.

In today’s Bible reading, we are enlightened on the characteristics of God’s kind of love. The Holy Spirit in these verses first declares the importance of this kind of love, without which life is worthless and meaningless. He then begins to list the characteristics of God’s love. Only God’s type of love suffers long and shows unusual kindness. God is sovereign and all-powerful, so He needs not envy anyone, neither does He need anybody to pump up His ego. God’s love contains no evil (James 1:13). Contrary to some people’s perception, God’s kind of love does not condone or rejoice in iniquity. Some pastors think that the best way of showing God’s kind of love is not to rebuke sinners. Nothing could be further from the truth! God’s kind of love is what Paul instructed Timothy to demonstrate in fulfilling his ministry, by reproving, rebuking and exhorting those he was ministering to with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2). My advice to you is that you embrace God’s love as personified by His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the whole world.

Prayer Point:
Father, let Your love be shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit in Jesus' Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Corinthians 7-9
Daniel 4:19-27
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SATURDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2017

THEME: BE FAITHFUL

Memorise:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain". 1Timothy 6:6

Read: Luke 16:10-13
16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Message:
A lot of people think it is impossible to live a life of faithfulness, and for this reason, unfaithfulness has become a norm in today’s world. The world may tolerate unfaithfulness and live with its consequences, but we as children of God cannot afford to live a life of unfaithfulness. The Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 4:2 notifies us of God’s requirement in this regard:
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Faithfulness has a secret which many may not recognize because its simplicity. This secret is revealed in today’s memory verse. It is contentment. Discontentment - an off-shoot of godlessness - makes a person live an unfaithful life. When you are contented with what you have, you won’t indulge in ungodly or immoral acts in order to get what you do not have. When you live a life of contentment, you won’t like King Ahab misuse your position to entrap an innocent person, so that you can take over what belongs to him or her (1 Kings 21). Contentment will prevent you from being envious of people under you who are being celebrated for faithfully discharging their duties to the glory of God. Lack of contentment made Haman hate Mordecai, so much so that he planned to get rid of an innocent, dutiful but uncompromising doorman (Esther 5:11-14). Haman misused his position as a member of the king’s cabinet to pursue the destruction of innocent people (Esther 3:8-11). This is exactly what some people in privileged position are doing today, even though this is their own peril.

Faithfulness applies in terms of money and position, but it is also applicable in the use of your time. This is manifested in such areas as the time you are expected to spend at your place of work. It is ignorance that makes a child of God to think that he or she can spend just two out of the required eight hours at work, and then expect commendation by the God of Justice, when he or she brings the tithes of wages he or she did not work for. The Name of the Lord is blasphemed when a so-called child of God absconds from work for days - pursuing “missions”- only to come back and collect full wages covering the period of absence, in the full glare of unbelievers. God’s requirement of our faithfulness in stewardship applies to every area of our lives. My prayer is that the Almighty God will open your eyes to see the different areas of life you are lacking in faithfulness, and grant you grace to live faithfully in all areas. Through faithfulness, unbelievers will see the light and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. This virtue of faithfulness was the reason why employers of labour came to our Church in those days to recruit workers for their secular establishments. May God bring such days back to us in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point:
Father, through Your Spirit, please help me to be faithful in life as a steward of the Name of Jesus Christ.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Corinthians 4-6
Daniel 4:4-18
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: DEEPER, DEEPER

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.

Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.

2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Refrain:

3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Refrain:

4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Refrain:

5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
Refrain:

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: FRIDAY 6TH October 2017

THEME: LIVING IN DEATH?

Memorise:
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 1 John 3:14

Read: 1 John 3:11-16
3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Message:
Do you know that it is very possible for one to be alive but living in death? Any man who does not have the life of God, manifested as a new life in Christ Jesus, is dead even though he or she is physically alive. If you have received the new life of Christ, you have the nature of God, and one of the defining characteristics of this nature is love (1 John 4:16). This is why the Lord Jesus Christ emphasized that there is no greater commandment than that which is anchored on love for God and love for fellow men (Matthew 22:37-40). You cannot claim to love God when you have hatred and bitterness towards your fellow men. Where there is no love, there will be deceit. There is a lot of deceit in the interpersonal relationships between people today. Do you really love, or are you pretending to love? If you live a life of love, you are living in Christ; but if you are only pretending to love when deep inside you there is so much hatred and evil-plotting against your brother, then you are living in death. The new life in Christ is a spiritual experience that puts an end to all forms of bitterness, hatred and unforgiveness in your heart. Manifesting love for God and love for others around you showcases the real image of God in you, which is characterized by purity, holiness and righteousness.

At the root of all the displacement, destruction and crime witnessed all over the world is the absence of love. Love is at the core of man’s existence. Love is the root of our salvation, and so, nothing genuine can be achieved among brethren if there is no love. When you have love, you will show compassion for those suffering and be willing to help. When you walk in love, you will no longer keep record of wrong done against you by others. Rather, you will let go and let God have His way in your life. True love is not easily offended, and it is always willing to forgive. It is this love that enables you to show kindness to those who hurt you, even though you have the power to harm or punish them. You choose to ignore their deeds because you know that there is nothing you have that you have not received from God. the word of God says prophesy and knowledge will fail, but love will always stand the test of time. Don’t envy others to the point of getting bitter with them. It is not a sign of love. Instead, let us encourage one another. You should not take other people for granted or malign others because you feel superior to them. A child of God should not revenge anything done against him or her, because vengeance is the Lord’s. Are you walking in love, or are you living in death?

Key Point:
If you love God, you won’t hate your fellow men.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Corinthians 1-3
Daniel 3:24-4:3
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 9: ON THE HILL FAR AWAY

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain:

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain:

4. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Refrain:

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY 5TH October 2017

THEME: OCCUPY TILL HE COMES.  


Memorise:
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2


Read: Luke 19:11-13

19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

 
Message:

God’s expectation of you in these end times is that you would live for a cause that is greater than yourself - and cause that will serve the purpose of advancing His Kingdom on earth. What worthy cause in God’s kingdom keeps you awake at night? What burden are you carrying in your heart? When Nehemiah heard that his people back home had been put to shame and that worship services in the temple of God had been halted, he was overwhelmed with a burden to “occupy” for God and his people (Nehemiah1:4). He immediately wanted to effect the necessary changes that would restore the image of God’s people. Many Christians are not bothered about making it a duty to occupy in the place of prayer for those in authority. Many Christians are not even concerned about the rate at which many sinners are going to Hell. As long as they are comfortable, they care less about the situation of others. Some people are so self-centered that as long as their immediate family is saved, the salvation of their extended family members is far from their mind. It is our duty as believers to bring all people to the knowledge of God. We must occupy by directing the souls of men to God through prayers and by witnessing to them until they give their lives to God. Although Nehemiah was comfortable in the king’s palace, he was troubled by the discomfort of God’s people. We ought to share this same spirit.

 
The burden for revival in the hearts of men was what led to the outburst of many moves of God in the world since the days of the apostles. The burden for holiness has led many to occupy in the place of prayer for certain territories. Our burden for the business of God's Kingdom should lead us into prayer and fasting, so that we can become fruitful in our missionary assignments. As a branch of the Vine, you must be ready to bear fruit if you don’t want the Vine to cast you off. The Vine is committed to supplying all you need for the assignment; there is therefore no excuse for you not to occupy till His return (Philippians 4:19). Also, everything that the Vine expects you to do as His branch is done through the strength supplied by the Vine (John 15:5). As long as the branch remains attached to the Vine, it will be able to fulfill all that is expected of it (Philippians 4:13). I remember when I was in the university and I was trusting God for his help in winning the soul of one of the professors. I would do a lot of rehearsals on how I would present the message to him, but each time I saw him, I would lose my confidence. However, God helped me and I eventually succeeded in this assignment. It is only through God’s help that you can occupy till the very end.


Prayer Point:
Father, may I not have to give excuses on the day of accountability.


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Romans 14-16
Daniel 3:8-23


AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 13: WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

1.  Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.

Refrain:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.

2.  Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.

Refrain:

3.  Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful s[truncated by WhatsApp]

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2017

THEME: IN NEED OF TENDER LOVING CARE

Memorise:

“Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” 1 Corinthians 8:13

Read: 1 Corinthians 8:8-13

8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.


Message:

God redeems us from the unfruitful works of darkness through His mercy and grace. When people become newly saved, though they have genuinely surrendered their lives to God and are committed to going all the way in pleasing Him, they are often not immediately well grounded in the things of God. These young converts need special care and attention from mature believers. It is the responsibility of those who have grown deeper in Christ to encourage those who are making efforts to have their faith established in Him. As their predecessor in the faith, young converts are watching and following you as an example. They must be followed up with love and shown good examples of how to live out their faith in Christ. As an older believer, you must show them compassion and understanding, remembering that Christ came to save us all because of His compassion for us. Matured believers have certain roles to play by deliberately denying themselves of certain things that are lawful but not helpful to the growth of these young converts. Like Paul who became all things to all people so that he might win many to Christ, mature believers must also be willing to become all things for the sake of those they want to establish in the knowledge of the truth. 1 Corinthians 9:22 says,

“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

If you are grounded in Christ, you are not to use your liberty to harm those who are growing in the faith. Some of these people have already experienced a lot of disappointments outside the Church of God. Some of them have been defrauded, while some others have been unduly taken advantage of because of their vulnerability. Some lost precious things before coming to the knowledge of Christ. The moment they give their lives to Christ, they are full of great expectations because they’ve heard that the Name of the Lord is a strong tower. They believe the brethren will care for them, unlike what they experienced in the hands of unbelievers. We must therefore do all that is within our power not to make them regret their decision to come to Christ, which will be the case if we don’t extend hands of love to them. We must not give them occasion to stumble; neither should we allow them to stray by our actions. We must avoid all circumstances that will grieve our fellow brethren and ensure that the word of God remains our standard in our dealings with them. Let us be careful not to offend the weak ones or lay a stumbling block on their way, because we are going to be accountable to God for all those he brings across our path.


Prayer Point:
Father, deliver me from errors that will cause others to stumble.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Romans 11-13
Daniel 2:46-3:7

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 1: MAY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

Pynkylypz:
Happy birthday... All the best and God's love!

tnx dear, u made my day

This is insane, and pure wickedness.
may the soul of the dead RiP, and the soul of the killer rot in hell.

meanwhile, today is my birthday, show me some love

all u need to do is just tape that lips. shikenah
Today is my birthday, pls show me some love

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 2017

Tuesday October 3, 2017

THE WORKS OF THE FLESH

Memorize : “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” - John 3:6

Read: Galatians: 5:16-21

5: 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.


MESSAGE :

As Christians who are Heaven-bound, the works of the flesh are things we should watch out for, so that they do not bring our soul into damnation. We must do all we can to cherish the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). If we continue to stir up the fruit of the Spirit in our lives daily, it will be difficult for the flesh to have dominion over us.

On a daily basis, our thoughts, words and actions must be guided by this scripture which says:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” - Philippians 4:8

If you give your heart to these words, it would be difficult for the flesh to have rule over your mind, and consequently, the work of the flesh will not find expression in your life. Such sins as hatred towards others, envy for what is happening in other people’s lives, pride and arrogance will not have a hold on you because you are walking in the Spirit of God.

All those who engage in the works of the flesh have no place in the Kingdom of God. If you want to please God, the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lust for materialism, all of which do not allow the word of God to find its rightful place in the hearts of men, will have to go. God commands us to run the Christian race with patience (Hebrews 12:1).

There are many who have turned sin into sport. They believe that they are very smart and cannot fall victim of sin. This was the same thinking that Adam and Eve had when they allow the voice of the serpent to override God’s instructions for their lives (Genesis 3:1-6).

Samson also had an idea of the destiny he was meant to fulfill on earth, but he gambled with the anointing of God on his life and died with his enemies (Judges 16:28-30).

These examples are there for us to learn from and be wise. As a child of God, you have to drop those weights of sin that easily drag you down. Don’t allow the works of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the mundane things of life to deny you of God’s plan for your life. The moment you decide not to walk in the Spirit, you have resolved in your heart to be independent of God and from that moment, the real life in you dies! This is a deadly path to take. No one who took this path has ever had a good story to tell, but that will not be your lot in Jesus’ Name.

You have to be watchful, prayerful and engage in spiritual discipline from time to time, so as not to fall prey to the wiles of the devil manifested through the works of the flesh.

KEY POINT :
The flesh profits nothing, but the Spirit gives life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR :
Romans 9 : 10;
Daniel 2 :31-45

HYMN 6: DEEPER, DEEPER

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.

Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.

2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.

Refrain:

3. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.

Refrain:

4. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.

Refrain: